28 February 2009
Statement
Migrante KSA welcomes extension of OAV registration in Jeddah
Urges wider participation to exercise to right to vote
Migrante Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes the efforts by the diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia to extend the registration for Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) up to Thursday, even as the group bats for wider participation in the electoral process.
This in reaction to recent news that the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah would extend the OAV registration up to Thursday.
“The new weekend schedule would still jibe with existing working hours and it is only limited in Jeddah, but it is still better than nothing,” notes A.M. Ociones, Chairperson of OFW group Migrante Saudi Arabia.
In Jeddah, registration for absentee voting would thus be open from 8:30AM to 4:30 PM on Saturdays till Wednesday and on Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 12 NN, effective March 1.
Similarly, Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, the Chairperson of the OAV Committee in Saudi Arabia admitted to Ociones in a recent interview, that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is just finalizing the security arrangements with the Diplomatic Police.
There is no news about the registration in Al Khobar though.
Despite the new schedule, “Migrante KSA would still to request for an extension of registration up to Thursday afternoons and possibly on Fridays,” Ociones adds.
Encourage awareness
“Also, efforts should be made to widen the awareness of OFWs and encourage the widest possible participation,” Ociones said.
To do that, Migrante KSA would launch an information campaign drive, demand the more data-capturing machines and encourage OFWs in other cities to request for mobile registration.
According to Ociones, Migrante KSA is poised to conduct information drive among the Filipino community by holding discussions on the subject, using a Primer on the Absentee Voting Law they prepared.
For companies with high concentration of Filipinos especially in industrial zones, and cities near the registration centers, Migrante KSA strongly urges sending a request to their employers, to set a certain time or day for them to be able to register and to allow them the use of service vehicles.
“It would only take one OFW to take the initiative of preparing the letter and lead the others,” Ociones explained. “The OAV Secretariat should also take action by sending request letters to the Personnel Department of companies known as concentration of Filipino workers.”
Mobile registration
Three registration centers have been officially designated in Saudi Arabia: at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, and at the International Philippine School in Al Khobar.
Since a lot of Filipinos are staying far from the registration centers, the group is also urging Filipino organizations in various cities to send letters addressed to the COMELEC Head Office in the Manila to request for mobile registration.
“Vice Consul Reyes admitted to us that the major hurdle in mobile registration at this point is the lack of data capturing machines, thus it is imperative that this be included in the request for mobile registration addressed to the COMELEC,” Ociones explained.
Sample letters of the said requests would be available soon at their blog: http://migrante-ksa.blogspot.com.
“Overseas Filipinos have been very vocal about corruption and the political goings-on in the homefront, and absentee voting must therefore be seen by our kababayans as the proper venue to vent it all out,” notes Ociones.
“The absentee voting is a right that overseas Filipinos won through arduous struggle, so we are urging our fellow OFWs actively participate in this exercise.” closed Ociones. ###
Reference: A. M. Ociones
Chairperson, Migrante KSA
(Migrante International - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chapter)
Tel. No.: +966-56-679- 3202
Email: migrante_ksa@yahoo.com
URL: http://migrante-ksa.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
True measure of Arroyo’s failure
Press Release
28 February 2009
Rising numbers of unemployed, increasing numbers of Pinoy seeking for work abroad are true measure of Arroyo’s failure – Migrante-ME
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today said the rising numbers of unemployed and the increasing numbers of Pinoy seeking for work abroad are true measures of Arroyo's failure to generate jobs locally.
“Whether OFW deployment figures as reported by POEA is true or not, it does not make sense at all. It only proved the Arroyo regime’s continued failure to generate decent jobs locally,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said the 11.2-M unemployed, a significant numbers of which are now forced to look jobs abroad as the only remaining option just to survive their struggling families are true measure of the Arroyo regime’s failure to generate jobs locally. “This is attributed due to its wrong economic policies subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization,” he added.
Migrante-ME said economic policies that are extremely submissive to deregulation, privatization, and liberalization is driving our local economy, dominated by foreign monopoly-capitalist corporations, to a disadvantage position while “waiting the axe to fall on our heads”.
Monterona said it does not make good if the Arroyo administration continuously peddles millions of unemployed by sending them abroad-- selling their labor cheap and without any guarantee and protection for their safety and security, as their huge remittances is not properly used to develop a self-sufficient economy.
“The billions of OFW remittances are merely used as an “exhaust valve” keeping the economy afloat and to ensure the government has enough dollar reserves for foreign debt services,” Monterona opined.
Migrante-ME said sending 1-M or more OFWs overseas is not a viable labor policy especially at the context of neo-liberal policies of globalization which sole purpose is to corner and siphon the billions of migrant workers remittances through sending governments towards the banks of imperialist countries who dominate international financial institutions.
“The Arroyo regime’s bravado that it got lot of jobs abroad for unemployed Filipinos is only a pretentious display and facade of its own failure to generate jobs locally that it keeps on promising but repeatedly failed,” Monterona ended.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
28 February 2009
Rising numbers of unemployed, increasing numbers of Pinoy seeking for work abroad are true measure of Arroyo’s failure – Migrante-ME
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today said the rising numbers of unemployed and the increasing numbers of Pinoy seeking for work abroad are true measures of Arroyo's failure to generate jobs locally.
“Whether OFW deployment figures as reported by POEA is true or not, it does not make sense at all. It only proved the Arroyo regime’s continued failure to generate decent jobs locally,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said the 11.2-M unemployed, a significant numbers of which are now forced to look jobs abroad as the only remaining option just to survive their struggling families are true measure of the Arroyo regime’s failure to generate jobs locally. “This is attributed due to its wrong economic policies subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization,” he added.
Migrante-ME said economic policies that are extremely submissive to deregulation, privatization, and liberalization is driving our local economy, dominated by foreign monopoly-capitalist corporations, to a disadvantage position while “waiting the axe to fall on our heads”.
Monterona said it does not make good if the Arroyo administration continuously peddles millions of unemployed by sending them abroad-- selling their labor cheap and without any guarantee and protection for their safety and security, as their huge remittances is not properly used to develop a self-sufficient economy.
“The billions of OFW remittances are merely used as an “exhaust valve” keeping the economy afloat and to ensure the government has enough dollar reserves for foreign debt services,” Monterona opined.
Migrante-ME said sending 1-M or more OFWs overseas is not a viable labor policy especially at the context of neo-liberal policies of globalization which sole purpose is to corner and siphon the billions of migrant workers remittances through sending governments towards the banks of imperialist countries who dominate international financial institutions.
“The Arroyo regime’s bravado that it got lot of jobs abroad for unemployed Filipinos is only a pretentious display and facade of its own failure to generate jobs locally that it keeps on promising but repeatedly failed,” Monterona ended.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
More victims to unscrupulous recruiters
28 February 2009
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 09217229740
Half a million job openings abroad spell more victims to unscrupulous recruiters
In a press conference held in Quezon city, Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino migrant organizations, warned aspiring OFWs about what it termed as “open season for crooked recruiters to abuse innocent applicants,” referring to President Arroyo’s announcement of government-negotiated half a million job openings abroad.
To prove this allegation, retrenched OFWs from Taiwan Alma Ang, Artess Diaz, Maryjane Javier and Evanessa Jalmadrid revealed how their recruiters overcharged them. The alleged recruitment agencies were MIP International Manpower Services, Fil-Sino Manpower Services Inc., Staffline Recruitment Agency and Forever Recruitment Agency.
According to Migrante, more than 25 retrenched OFWs from Taiwan have personally complained to DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque himself that the placement fee they paid their recruiters ranged from PHP85,000 to PHP135,000 when the legal amount approved by POEA is only about PHP27,000, three times more than what is allowed by law. To date, POEA has not even investigated any of the recruiters despite numerous demands.
“We have received reports that overcharging is actually an open secret in the industry; but government officials consider this as part of the “market reality”, especially in Taiwan,” disclosed Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
Martinez further questioned why GMA totally ignored the Bureau of Immigration’s pronouncement that the POEA is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking; victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly.
“In total disregard of such an alarming revelation by no less than the BI, the President even graced the POEA job fair, signaling her consent for such illegal practices to continue,” explained Martinez. “From the looks of it, it as if the government and these dishonest agencies are in cahoots together drooling over the big bucks they make from exorbitant fees and remittances.”
“For as long as the President, DOLE and POEA prioritize the selling of OFWs as commodities and turns a blind eye and deaf ear to the plea of these OFWs to prosecute unscrupulous recruiters, cases of overcharging and illegal recruitment will dramatically rise to alarming proportions this year,” added Martinez.
Migrante announced that, in their scheduled dialogue with POEA Administrator Jenifer Manalili on Monday, they will challenge Administrator Manalili to, once and for all, prosecute these recruiters or resign from her post. Delaying government’s action on these cases only means corruption is rampant and that connivance between government official and recruiters is well-entrenched in overseas employment,” Martinez concluded.###
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 09217229740
Half a million job openings abroad spell more victims to unscrupulous recruiters
In a press conference held in Quezon city, Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino migrant organizations, warned aspiring OFWs about what it termed as “open season for crooked recruiters to abuse innocent applicants,” referring to President Arroyo’s announcement of government-negotiated half a million job openings abroad.
To prove this allegation, retrenched OFWs from Taiwan Alma Ang, Artess Diaz, Maryjane Javier and Evanessa Jalmadrid revealed how their recruiters overcharged them. The alleged recruitment agencies were MIP International Manpower Services, Fil-Sino Manpower Services Inc., Staffline Recruitment Agency and Forever Recruitment Agency.
According to Migrante, more than 25 retrenched OFWs from Taiwan have personally complained to DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque himself that the placement fee they paid their recruiters ranged from PHP85,000 to PHP135,000 when the legal amount approved by POEA is only about PHP27,000, three times more than what is allowed by law. To date, POEA has not even investigated any of the recruiters despite numerous demands.
“We have received reports that overcharging is actually an open secret in the industry; but government officials consider this as part of the “market reality”, especially in Taiwan,” disclosed Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
Martinez further questioned why GMA totally ignored the Bureau of Immigration’s pronouncement that the POEA is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking; victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly.
“In total disregard of such an alarming revelation by no less than the BI, the President even graced the POEA job fair, signaling her consent for such illegal practices to continue,” explained Martinez. “From the looks of it, it as if the government and these dishonest agencies are in cahoots together drooling over the big bucks they make from exorbitant fees and remittances.”
“For as long as the President, DOLE and POEA prioritize the selling of OFWs as commodities and turns a blind eye and deaf ear to the plea of these OFWs to prosecute unscrupulous recruiters, cases of overcharging and illegal recruitment will dramatically rise to alarming proportions this year,” added Martinez.
Migrante announced that, in their scheduled dialogue with POEA Administrator Jenifer Manalili on Monday, they will challenge Administrator Manalili to, once and for all, prosecute these recruiters or resign from her post. Delaying government’s action on these cases only means corruption is rampant and that connivance between government official and recruiters is well-entrenched in overseas employment,” Martinez concluded.###
Friday, February 27, 2009
TULAD NG KAWAYAN
" TULAD NG KAWAYAN"
Kawayan sa libis ng bayan--
Ay kay gandang masilayan
Dahon mong luntian
Kay gandang pag masdan.
Katawan mong balingkinitan
Kay tayog at kay tigas man
Ikaw ay haligi ng aming tahanan
Papag na kay sarap hig'an.
Siya nga ay hindi mo pwedeng
Basta-basta na lang sasaktan
Siit niya' kay daming tinik
Kantiin mo't Tiyak ika'y matutusok.
Kapag may bagyo't-unos
Hampas ng hangin sa 'yo'y humahambalos
Yumuyuko ka lang pansamantala
Hanging nag ngingit-ngit
Pinalalampas mo lamang sa 'yong mga singit.
Kapag unos, humupa na
Hangin at ulan ay tila na
Haring Araw ay muling sisikat
Upang magbigay muli sa lahat ng liwanag.
Katawan mong saglit nabaluktot
Dahan-dahang tumatayo
At muling tatayog
Sa Haring Araw muli itong sasaludo.
Tayong mga Pinoy
Ay tulad rin ng punong kawayan
Ano mang suliranin sa buhay
Ito'y ating nalalampasan
Ang bukas ay laging may pag-asa
Sa ating mukha ay laging may saya
Diyos ay patnubay natin
Sa ating puso Siya'y naroroon din.
------------ 0-------- 0-------- -0------- ----
May akda-- Jose Enriquez Santos
KFSH&RC, Riyadh, KSA
Kawayan sa libis ng bayan--
Ay kay gandang masilayan
Dahon mong luntian
Kay gandang pag masdan.
Katawan mong balingkinitan
Kay tayog at kay tigas man
Ikaw ay haligi ng aming tahanan
Papag na kay sarap hig'an.
Siya nga ay hindi mo pwedeng
Basta-basta na lang sasaktan
Siit niya' kay daming tinik
Kantiin mo't Tiyak ika'y matutusok.
Kapag may bagyo't-unos
Hampas ng hangin sa 'yo'y humahambalos
Yumuyuko ka lang pansamantala
Hanging nag ngingit-ngit
Pinalalampas mo lamang sa 'yong mga singit.
Kapag unos, humupa na
Hangin at ulan ay tila na
Haring Araw ay muling sisikat
Upang magbigay muli sa lahat ng liwanag.
Katawan mong saglit nabaluktot
Dahan-dahang tumatayo
At muling tatayog
Sa Haring Araw muli itong sasaludo.
Tayong mga Pinoy
Ay tulad rin ng punong kawayan
Ano mang suliranin sa buhay
Ito'y ating nalalampasan
Ang bukas ay laging may pag-asa
Sa ating mukha ay laging may saya
Diyos ay patnubay natin
Sa ating puso Siya'y naroroon din.
------------ 0-------- 0-------- -0------- ----
May akda-- Jose Enriquez Santos
KFSH&RC, Riyadh, KSA
1B assistance package?
27 February
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson- 09217229740
1-billion assistance package?
They won’t even reimburse our plane ticket – retrenched OFWs
Analiza Rufino’s sister died last February. She desperately is awaiting the reimbursement of her airfare which was promised personally by OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimson during a dialogue last February 12. She was planning to use the money for the burial of her father.
Christmas Mindanao’s brother and aunt is in a hospital because of tumor and needs immediate medication for her illness. She, too, awaits the reimbursement of her airfare she paid when their company and recruiters refuse to shoulder her repatriation as stipulated in her contract.
Retrenched OFWs together with Gabriela and Migrante International protested in front of DOLE building to denounce the Arroyo administration’s alleged grand spin on an assistance package full of holes and lies.
“If President Arroyo thinks she can get away with her lies, she is dead wrong. Retrenched OFWs from Taiwan know the truth and are ready to unmask her and her economic resiliency plan for OFWs as a grand hoax,” declared Gina Esguerra, Secretary General of Migrante International.
Migrante and the retrenched workers have joined hands with Gabriela, the alliance of Filipino women’s organizations around the world as they intensify their condemnation of the economic package. Their protest also signaled the intention of women migrants to
Participate in the upcoming protest march of Gabriela to commemorate the International Women’s day on March 8.
Women workers have been most affected by retrenchments brought by the global crisis here and abroad. Seventy percent of the workers in the export processesing zones in the country and majority of OFWs in the electronic and similar industries abroad are Filipino women, according to Migrante.
“Our sisters and mothers were forced to leave their loved ones because the government failed to address the worsening problem of unemployment and poverty that beset our country. Yet in times of problem the Arroyo administration turn its back and even tries to deceive them by concocting useless and showcase livelihood loan programs,” Esguerra added.
During the protest, retrenched OFWs waived their receipts to prove that they have paid their airfare for their repatriation. They also burned boxes that symbolized President Arroyo’s assistance package for OFWs.###
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson- 09217229740
1-billion assistance package?
They won’t even reimburse our plane ticket – retrenched OFWs
Analiza Rufino’s sister died last February. She desperately is awaiting the reimbursement of her airfare which was promised personally by OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimson during a dialogue last February 12. She was planning to use the money for the burial of her father.
Christmas Mindanao’s brother and aunt is in a hospital because of tumor and needs immediate medication for her illness. She, too, awaits the reimbursement of her airfare she paid when their company and recruiters refuse to shoulder her repatriation as stipulated in her contract.
Retrenched OFWs together with Gabriela and Migrante International protested in front of DOLE building to denounce the Arroyo administration’s alleged grand spin on an assistance package full of holes and lies.
“If President Arroyo thinks she can get away with her lies, she is dead wrong. Retrenched OFWs from Taiwan know the truth and are ready to unmask her and her economic resiliency plan for OFWs as a grand hoax,” declared Gina Esguerra, Secretary General of Migrante International.
Migrante and the retrenched workers have joined hands with Gabriela, the alliance of Filipino women’s organizations around the world as they intensify their condemnation of the economic package. Their protest also signaled the intention of women migrants to
Participate in the upcoming protest march of Gabriela to commemorate the International Women’s day on March 8.
Women workers have been most affected by retrenchments brought by the global crisis here and abroad. Seventy percent of the workers in the export processesing zones in the country and majority of OFWs in the electronic and similar industries abroad are Filipino women, according to Migrante.
“Our sisters and mothers were forced to leave their loved ones because the government failed to address the worsening problem of unemployment and poverty that beset our country. Yet in times of problem the Arroyo administration turn its back and even tries to deceive them by concocting useless and showcase livelihood loan programs,” Esguerra added.
During the protest, retrenched OFWs waived their receipts to prove that they have paid their airfare for their repatriation. They also burned boxes that symbolized President Arroyo’s assistance package for OFWs.###
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Justice for Konstantina Kouneva!
An Attack to One is an Attack to Us All!
Justice for Konstantina Kouneva!
IMA Message of Solidarity
February 25, 2009
Konstantina Kouneva, a 44-year old Bulgarian immigrant in Greece and unionist and secretary of the Attica Union of Cleaners and Domestic Workers, was a victim of a murderous attack last December 22, 2008. On her way home, she was brutally assaulted by hired thugs of the company she was working for. Sulfuric acid was thrown at her face and poured down her throat.
Konstantina has lost an eye and remains in critical condition. But she has not lost her dignity and her moral strength.
The International Migrants Alliance (IMA), the global alliance of grassroots immigrants, migrant workers and refugees, strongly condemns this barbaric attack on a fellow worker, woman migrant and unionist. This act of extreme violence is a usual trademark of a global capitalist system which victimizes on a daily basis and in various forms the working peoples, both local and migrant, who chose to fight for their rights and freedoms.
It is not far-fetched to conclude that the murder attempt was meant to terrorize the struggling workers physically, politically and psychologically, particularly Konstantina. We do not believe that the horrible attack was accidental. Konstantina is one of among hundreds of female immigrant workers who have been employed as cleaners under the employer company OIKUMET which gets the government contracts for cleaning services. As a militant union organizer, she has been in the front line of campaigns for the rights and welfare of mostly migrant workers denouncing stolen wages and bonuses, non-payment of overtime pay, terrorism in the workplace, depressed working conditions among others. It is well reported that OIKUMET, as the main implementer of these violations, have been harassing Konstantina even before the attack.
Konstantina’s ordeal shook the Greek community and the world to the systematic violation of the cleaner’s work rights and their antiquiated slavery-like work conditions. Yet till now, there has been no result in police investigation as promised by the government more than a month ago.
The attack against Konstantina happened at a time that the global economic crisis is in full swing in Greece which magnified the insecurity of the working class not only with the reality of massive lay-offs but also with corporate and state violence. It happened at a time that Greece seemed to be burning from everyday demonstrations because of the murder of 15-year old Alexis Grigoropolous.
Migrants all over the world empathize with the plight of Konstantina and her co-workers. Especially now under the imperialist globalization-induced world crisis, it is the working people that suffer its brunt. We thus send our deepest and sincerest support to her fight, both for her life as well as her cause. Kontantina’s battlecry for justice is taken by millions of migrants and immigrant workers throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe and North America.
An attack to one of our kind is an attack to us all. We call on all our members and networks to join the tide of struggle in demanding comprehensive justice for Konstantina and to condemn all acts of corporate and state violence against the working peoples of the world.
================================
International Migrants Alliance
The first-ever global alliance of grassroots associations, organizations, unions, networks and alliances of migrant workers, immigrants, refugees and displaced peoples
Founding Assembly - June 2008
Email: ima.june2008@gmail.com
Contact the IMA Secretariat at ima.sect@gmail.com
Herding OFWs into the wolves lair
26 February 2009
PRESS RELEASE:
President Arroyo’s POEA job fair:
Herding OFWs into the wolves lair
Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino migrant organizations, accused President Arroyo of personally luring OFWs into the burrow of illegal recruiters, human traffickers and loan sharks when she graces a job fair which was held at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) last Wednesday.
The group claims that the President practically ignored reports of illegal recruitment and rampant overcharging cases in POEA when she graced the agencies job fair instead of attending the People Power ceremonies.
“Recruitment agencies gave the loudest cheer when President Arroyo arrived at the POEA’s job fair. For them it was the ultimate consent that illegal recruitment and overcharging OFWs are going to be continuously disregarded for the sake of the government’s intensified labor exportation program,” exclaims Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
Martinez claim that no less than the Bureau of Immigration revealed recently that the POEA is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly yet this was allegedly ignored upon the visit of the president in the said agency.
“Retrenched OFWs from Taiwan, for example, filed formal complaints to the POEA and has even personally informed DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and POEA Administrator Jenifer Manalili during a dialogue that most of them have paid licensed agencies three times more than what is allowed by law. Up to now their complaints remain unheeded and their recruiters continued to overcharge their new recruits up to the present,” Martinez added.
The group lauded Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz for blaming the Arroyo administration on the social cost being brought about by the present migration of Filipinos abroad. The Pilate recently denounced the administration for its aggressive marketing of OFWs abroad at the expense of their welfare.
“We certainly cannot compare the exodus of Filipinos abroad today to the Diaspora of the Israelites to the promise land during the time of Moses. On the contrary, capitalizing the desperation of the people to institutionalize labor trade is systemic exploitation equal to the slave trade during biblical times,” explains Martinez.
POEA data shows that 1.3 million OFWs were deployed last year and Administrator Manalili recently claim of having about 400,000 job orders from abroad at present. OFWs were able to remit more than US$18 billion last year, the highest ever recorded so far by the Central Bank of the Philippines.
Migrante International for their part announced that they will hold a picket in front of the office of Secretary Marianito Roque at the Department of Labor and Employment building tomorrow to protest the alleged inutility of government to protect women workers amidst the global financial and economic crisis. ####
PRESS RELEASE:
President Arroyo’s POEA job fair:
Herding OFWs into the wolves lair
Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino migrant organizations, accused President Arroyo of personally luring OFWs into the burrow of illegal recruiters, human traffickers and loan sharks when she graces a job fair which was held at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) last Wednesday.
The group claims that the President practically ignored reports of illegal recruitment and rampant overcharging cases in POEA when she graced the agencies job fair instead of attending the People Power ceremonies.
“Recruitment agencies gave the loudest cheer when President Arroyo arrived at the POEA’s job fair. For them it was the ultimate consent that illegal recruitment and overcharging OFWs are going to be continuously disregarded for the sake of the government’s intensified labor exportation program,” exclaims Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
Martinez claim that no less than the Bureau of Immigration revealed recently that the POEA is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly yet this was allegedly ignored upon the visit of the president in the said agency.
“Retrenched OFWs from Taiwan, for example, filed formal complaints to the POEA and has even personally informed DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and POEA Administrator Jenifer Manalili during a dialogue that most of them have paid licensed agencies three times more than what is allowed by law. Up to now their complaints remain unheeded and their recruiters continued to overcharge their new recruits up to the present,” Martinez added.
The group lauded Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz for blaming the Arroyo administration on the social cost being brought about by the present migration of Filipinos abroad. The Pilate recently denounced the administration for its aggressive marketing of OFWs abroad at the expense of their welfare.
“We certainly cannot compare the exodus of Filipinos abroad today to the Diaspora of the Israelites to the promise land during the time of Moses. On the contrary, capitalizing the desperation of the people to institutionalize labor trade is systemic exploitation equal to the slave trade during biblical times,” explains Martinez.
POEA data shows that 1.3 million OFWs were deployed last year and Administrator Manalili recently claim of having about 400,000 job orders from abroad at present. OFWs were able to remit more than US$18 billion last year, the highest ever recorded so far by the Central Bank of the Philippines.
Migrante International for their part announced that they will hold a picket in front of the office of Secretary Marianito Roque at the Department of Labor and Employment building tomorrow to protest the alleged inutility of government to protect women workers amidst the global financial and economic crisis. ####
Moratorium on OFW Fees
NEWS RELEASE
25 February 2009
For Reference:
REP. LUZ C. ILAGAN 0920-9213221
Abby Valenzuela (Public Information Officer) 0915-7639619
GABRIELA PARTY-LIST SEEKS MORATORIUM ON OFW FEES
"A moratorium on all the unnecessary and excessive fees collected by the Philippine government from overseas Filipino workers should immediately be put in place to help OFWs cope with the worldwide economic and financial crisis," Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Luz Ilagan said during the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs meeting on Wednesday.
"OFWs are among those who suffer the most under the global depression because aside from having to deal with the financial difficulty, they have to endure the excessive state exactions imposed upon them.
Ilagan added that “Their current situation is pitiful: instead of spending for food and other basic necessities, they opt to set aside a big chunk of their family budget for payments in the attempt to get jobs in other countries.”
According to Ilagan, government departments and agencies collect around P15,550 from Filipinos who wish to work abroad. Among the fees are POEA processing fee (US$100), OWWA Mandatory membership fee (US$25), TESDA Assessment Certificate (P1,000), passport (P750) and authentication fees for various documents (P7,600).
This does not include the placement, medical exam and other fees amounting to an average of more than P100,000 paid to the recruitment agencies before and after they leave the country.
Ilagan suggests that government remove certain fees such as the document authentication and TESDA assessment fees and to cut down on requirements that will only add up to the list of what OFWs need to pay for.
“The OFW remittances which remain the primary source of the country's foreign exchange is what saves our economy from inevitable collapse triggered by the global crisis. We can at least give back to our migrant workers by removing all the excessive government fees which only cause additional burden to them,” said Ilagan.
25 February 2009
For Reference:
REP. LUZ C. ILAGAN 0920-9213221
Abby Valenzuela (Public Information Officer) 0915-7639619
GABRIELA PARTY-LIST SEEKS MORATORIUM ON OFW FEES
"A moratorium on all the unnecessary and excessive fees collected by the Philippine government from overseas Filipino workers should immediately be put in place to help OFWs cope with the worldwide economic and financial crisis," Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Luz Ilagan said during the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs meeting on Wednesday.
"OFWs are among those who suffer the most under the global depression because aside from having to deal with the financial difficulty, they have to endure the excessive state exactions imposed upon them.
Ilagan added that “Their current situation is pitiful: instead of spending for food and other basic necessities, they opt to set aside a big chunk of their family budget for payments in the attempt to get jobs in other countries.”
According to Ilagan, government departments and agencies collect around P15,550 from Filipinos who wish to work abroad. Among the fees are POEA processing fee (US$100), OWWA Mandatory membership fee (US$25), TESDA Assessment Certificate (P1,000), passport (P750) and authentication fees for various documents (P7,600).
This does not include the placement, medical exam and other fees amounting to an average of more than P100,000 paid to the recruitment agencies before and after they leave the country.
Ilagan suggests that government remove certain fees such as the document authentication and TESDA assessment fees and to cut down on requirements that will only add up to the list of what OFWs need to pay for.
“The OFW remittances which remain the primary source of the country's foreign exchange is what saves our economy from inevitable collapse triggered by the global crisis. We can at least give back to our migrant workers by removing all the excessive government fees which only cause additional burden to them,” said Ilagan.
RP officials "must reply"
Press Release
26 February 2009
Migrant group to RP officials abroad:
You “must reply” instead of “no reply”;
supports calls no to “right to reply” bill
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations based in the Middle East today said RP officials abroad must reply on the cases they have referred to for their action instead of invoking the “no reply” or simply ignoring the request for assistance.
“Often we received no reply from our embassy and consular officials when we referred right and welfare cases of OFWs who have sought our attention,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said his group has been receiving an average of 5 cases a day coming from distress OFWs, maltreated, abuse and victims of labor malpractices in the Middle East and even in the African region.
“Upon receipt of complaint or request for assistance from distress OFWs or coming from their families in the Philippines and after verification, we would usually endorse the case to concerned RP posts for their information and action. But, we are sorry to receive no reply coming from them after referral of the case has been made,” Monterona added.
Monterona said Philippine Embassy or Consular offices in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are lazy to reply on case referrals Migrante and other OFW groups have endorsed and called their attention for their needful action.
“Our Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia should be commended as far as replying to request for assistance is concerned. Every time we refer a case to them, they would give their best shot by providing feedback and actions they are going to take until the case is resolved; PCG in Jeddah must do the same,” Monterona said.
“Case feedback and open communication and sharing of information are at the best interest of distress OFWs and our embassies and consular offices that are duty-bound to provide assistance. Otherwise, if RP officials abroad failed to inform us what action it will undertake about the case referred to them, we would partially came to a conclusion that our RP officials are not doing anything about the case referred to their attention and action,” Monterona said.
Monterona said it would be unfair to our RP officials if OFWs would think that their officials are just a bunch of sitting duck or just pretty sitting on the 4-corners of their offices.
“Thus, their feedback and reply does make sense and is of big help to distress OFWs who partially could be assured that our RP officials abroad are doing something on their present predicament,” Monterona averred.
“RP officials prompt feedback or reply to request for assistance is already a relief to distress OFWs who would be calmed down that their office had already acknowledge their plea for assistance. More so, distress OFW and their family would be very happy if you would act promptly on their case,” Monterona added.
“We do understand that our embassy and consular offices have many cases at hand. Even us, we are receiving an average of 5 cases daily; but we see to it we could provide information and feedback to distress OFWs and their family back home what action we would undertake even if we are also working. These numerous 'expected-to- happen' cases are the very reason why POLO-OWWA offices existed - to provide assistance to the thousands of distress OFWs,” Monterona added.
Monterona cited the case of 200 ran away OFWs who are now at the Philippine Labor Office in Kuwait, “RP officials in Kuwait are answerable to what action(s) it has taken in protecting the rights and welfare of the 200 ran away and all OFWs in Kuwait,” he added.
“But sad to say, every time we refer a case to their attention, it will reply nothing or just simply said on their reply “acknowledge receipt,” Monterona added.
Migrante-ME is urging the Congress to pass a law requiring RP Embassy and Consular officials to reply and act on the cases of OFWs referred to their attention and providing penalties thereof to RP officials who failed to reply and act on such referred cases for their needful action.
Migrante-ME said the controversial “right of reply” Bill does not deserve any support at all as it will only restrain editors and news managers where in fact the media is serving as the most fearless, vocal and vanguard of truth.
References:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
26 February 2009
Migrant group to RP officials abroad:
You “must reply” instead of “no reply”;
supports calls no to “right to reply” bill
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations based in the Middle East today said RP officials abroad must reply on the cases they have referred to for their action instead of invoking the “no reply” or simply ignoring the request for assistance.
“Often we received no reply from our embassy and consular officials when we referred right and welfare cases of OFWs who have sought our attention,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said his group has been receiving an average of 5 cases a day coming from distress OFWs, maltreated, abuse and victims of labor malpractices in the Middle East and even in the African region.
“Upon receipt of complaint or request for assistance from distress OFWs or coming from their families in the Philippines and after verification, we would usually endorse the case to concerned RP posts for their information and action. But, we are sorry to receive no reply coming from them after referral of the case has been made,” Monterona added.
Monterona said Philippine Embassy or Consular offices in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are lazy to reply on case referrals Migrante and other OFW groups have endorsed and called their attention for their needful action.
“Our Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia should be commended as far as replying to request for assistance is concerned. Every time we refer a case to them, they would give their best shot by providing feedback and actions they are going to take until the case is resolved; PCG in Jeddah must do the same,” Monterona said.
“Case feedback and open communication and sharing of information are at the best interest of distress OFWs and our embassies and consular offices that are duty-bound to provide assistance. Otherwise, if RP officials abroad failed to inform us what action it will undertake about the case referred to them, we would partially came to a conclusion that our RP officials are not doing anything about the case referred to their attention and action,” Monterona said.
Monterona said it would be unfair to our RP officials if OFWs would think that their officials are just a bunch of sitting duck or just pretty sitting on the 4-corners of their offices.
“Thus, their feedback and reply does make sense and is of big help to distress OFWs who partially could be assured that our RP officials abroad are doing something on their present predicament,” Monterona averred.
“RP officials prompt feedback or reply to request for assistance is already a relief to distress OFWs who would be calmed down that their office had already acknowledge their plea for assistance. More so, distress OFW and their family would be very happy if you would act promptly on their case,” Monterona added.
“We do understand that our embassy and consular offices have many cases at hand. Even us, we are receiving an average of 5 cases daily; but we see to it we could provide information and feedback to distress OFWs and their family back home what action we would undertake even if we are also working. These numerous 'expected-to- happen' cases are the very reason why POLO-OWWA offices existed - to provide assistance to the thousands of distress OFWs,” Monterona added.
Monterona cited the case of 200 ran away OFWs who are now at the Philippine Labor Office in Kuwait, “RP officials in Kuwait are answerable to what action(s) it has taken in protecting the rights and welfare of the 200 ran away and all OFWs in Kuwait,” he added.
“But sad to say, every time we refer a case to their attention, it will reply nothing or just simply said on their reply “acknowledge receipt,” Monterona added.
Migrante-ME is urging the Congress to pass a law requiring RP Embassy and Consular officials to reply and act on the cases of OFWs referred to their attention and providing penalties thereof to RP officials who failed to reply and act on such referred cases for their needful action.
Migrante-ME said the controversial “right of reply” Bill does not deserve any support at all as it will only restrain editors and news managers where in fact the media is serving as the most fearless, vocal and vanguard of truth.
References:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
ONLI IN DI PILIPINS
ONLI IN DI PILIPINS
Saang bansa ka nga nakakita
Ng mga taong gobyernong--
Kakaibang hayop talaga.
Si Gonzalez na may kililing
Hepe nga sa husgadong--
Kay raming lokong abugado
Sa konting barya lang
Kaya ng suhulan.
Sa Senado, Diyos ko po!
Kay daming bobo at may sayad pa sa ulo
Kasi naman si Juan aywan ko ba,-kay daling lagyan
Yung ba naman cowboy sa barilan,
Yong isa namay may anting-anting
Sa Senado ibinoto ninyo
Hayan magtiis kayo--
Pelikula nila'y panoorin ninyo.
Si Tita Glo naman,swerte' y sobra-sobra
Gawa ng EDSA-2 naupo siya
Pumalit nga siya kay Istrada
Na sobrang "corrupt" talaga.
Nabulgar na nga ang "Hello Garci!"
Sa bayan s'ya'y humingi ng sorry
Dinayang si Ronnie --
sa sobrang lungkot
Na tsugi.
Si Joc-joke Bolante naman
Ayaw umamin sa fertilizer scam
Siya nga'y nagtago sa Amerika
Ng mabuking scam nila.
Heto naman si Nery,
May gantimpala kay Tita Glory
Ayun sa SSS sitting pretty
Pera nito'y sa stimulus fund
Ilalagay para daw sa bayan.
Balik tayo sa Senado
Kay dami pa rin ditong loko
Nandyan pa rin si Ringgo
Sa mga kontraktor may porsyento
Mga RAM boys dina siya ibinoto.
Si Enlile,arkitekto ng Martial Law
Si Tabako kasama niya sa panloloko
Taong bayan nabilog nila ang ulo
Naging bayani pa nga ang mga ito.
Nandyan pa rin si Jo de V.
Three bilyon US dollars ang behest loan
Dina niya ito binayaran,bahala na raw ang taong bayan
Ayun! anak naman niya ang kabayaran.
Ayon kay Kuh, ang lahat ng bagay ay may wakas
Kaylan kaya magwawakas; araw nitong mga balasubas
Ako'y inis-na-inis, gusto ko nang tuhugin sila
At i- flush sa kubeta,sa drainage sila mapunta.
------------ -sa inis ko tinapos ko na ito ------------ --
"Matang-Lawin"
Saang bansa ka nga nakakita
Ng mga taong gobyernong--
Kakaibang hayop talaga.
Si Gonzalez na may kililing
Hepe nga sa husgadong--
Kay raming lokong abugado
Sa konting barya lang
Kaya ng suhulan.
Sa Senado, Diyos ko po!
Kay daming bobo at may sayad pa sa ulo
Kasi naman si Juan aywan ko ba,-kay daling lagyan
Yung ba naman cowboy sa barilan,
Yong isa namay may anting-anting
Sa Senado ibinoto ninyo
Hayan magtiis kayo--
Pelikula nila'y panoorin ninyo.
Si Tita Glo naman,swerte' y sobra-sobra
Gawa ng EDSA-2 naupo siya
Pumalit nga siya kay Istrada
Na sobrang "corrupt" talaga.
Nabulgar na nga ang "Hello Garci!"
Sa bayan s'ya'y humingi ng sorry
Dinayang si Ronnie --
sa sobrang lungkot
Na tsugi.
Si Joc-joke Bolante naman
Ayaw umamin sa fertilizer scam
Siya nga'y nagtago sa Amerika
Ng mabuking scam nila.
Heto naman si Nery,
May gantimpala kay Tita Glory
Ayun sa SSS sitting pretty
Pera nito'y sa stimulus fund
Ilalagay para daw sa bayan.
Balik tayo sa Senado
Kay dami pa rin ditong loko
Nandyan pa rin si Ringgo
Sa mga kontraktor may porsyento
Mga RAM boys dina siya ibinoto.
Si Enlile,arkitekto ng Martial Law
Si Tabako kasama niya sa panloloko
Taong bayan nabilog nila ang ulo
Naging bayani pa nga ang mga ito.
Nandyan pa rin si Jo de V.
Three bilyon US dollars ang behest loan
Dina niya ito binayaran,bahala na raw ang taong bayan
Ayun! anak naman niya ang kabayaran.
Ayon kay Kuh, ang lahat ng bagay ay may wakas
Kaylan kaya magwawakas; araw nitong mga balasubas
Ako'y inis-na-inis, gusto ko nang tuhugin sila
At i- flush sa kubeta,sa drainage sila mapunta.
------------ -sa inis ko tinapos ko na ito ------------ --
"Matang-Lawin"
Probe POEA on illegal recruitment
24 February 2009
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez-Chairperson
Mobile #: 09217229740
MIGRANTE: Probe POEA on illegal recruitment charge
The largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) groups worldwide has asked both houses of congress to investigate the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) allegations that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly.
"What we have been saying right from the outset was confirmed by no less than the Immigration Bureau; that the Philippine government through the POEA is the biggest illegal recruitment syndicate in the country," stated Gary Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
"We demand a full blown Congressional probe on the matter and to swiftly punish the heartless officials involved in this heinous crime."
BI too should be investigated
Martinez, however, stressed that the investigation should not only be limited to the syndicate inside the POEA, saying that the BI should also be probed for their possible collusion.
"The BI chief's whistle-blowing does not absolve his agency from any wrongdoing. This is why the BI should also be included in the investigation being sought. Illegal recruiters inside the POEA would never get away with their duping activities without the backing of likeminded criminals in the Immigration Bureau," he said. ###
PRESS RELEASE:
Reference: Garry Martinez-Chairperson
Mobile #: 09217229740
MIGRANTE: Probe POEA on illegal recruitment charge
The largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) groups worldwide has asked both houses of congress to investigate the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) allegations that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is engaging in large scale illegal recruitment and human trafficking victimizing at least 10,000 OFWs monthly.
"What we have been saying right from the outset was confirmed by no less than the Immigration Bureau; that the Philippine government through the POEA is the biggest illegal recruitment syndicate in the country," stated Gary Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
"We demand a full blown Congressional probe on the matter and to swiftly punish the heartless officials involved in this heinous crime."
BI too should be investigated
Martinez, however, stressed that the investigation should not only be limited to the syndicate inside the POEA, saying that the BI should also be probed for their possible collusion.
"The BI chief's whistle-blowing does not absolve his agency from any wrongdoing. This is why the BI should also be included in the investigation being sought. Illegal recruiters inside the POEA would never get away with their duping activities without the backing of likeminded criminals in the Immigration Bureau," he said. ###
Monday, February 23, 2009
Moratorium on Fees, Now!
Press Release
23 February 2009
OFW group joins calls for tuition fee moratorium,
additional fees and charges impose to OFWs must be stop, too
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations based in the Middle East today said that any impending tuition fee increase up to the opening of classes on June 2009 in the midst of soaring prices of basic commodities and global financial crisis would put OFW families in dire economic situation.
"Tuition fee increases, both in private and public high schools, colleges and universities, in the midst of economic upheaval with soaring prices of food, fuel, water and electricity rates would certainly put OFW parents in dire economic situation and would some how be forced to stop sending their children in schools," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said that most of OFW parents who are working as domestic helpers and construction workers are only receiving a monthly salary of US$ 300 to US$ 500 which is barely ranging from Php. 15,000 to Php. 20,000 in the current dollar-peso exchange rate of 1:47
He further said OFW parents' meager income is not even enough to compensate the Php. 780.00 daily cost of living in Metropolitan Manila translated to a Php. 23,400 monthly cost of living, which means ordinary OFW parents if earning US$500/month (Php. 23,000+) is only break even as to daily cost of living alone, not to mention other needs of the family.
"What will happen if schools, colleges and universities will implement a 7% to 15% tuition fee increase at the opening of classes in June?" Monterona queried.
"Thus, both OFW parents (father and mother) are force to decide to work abroad, as the only option left, leaving behind their children under the care of their grandparents or relatives. This is a factor weakening close family ties amongst family members who will be separated for quite some time until their OFW children could finished college and earn a degree only to be working abroad, too," Monterona added.
Monterona thus said no tuition fee increases on the opening of classes of June would be of help to struggling OFW families who he said are already over burdened by the numerous fees and charges imposed by their recruitment agency for their deployment and by government itself.
Monterona said it is prudent for the Arroyo regime to stop at all imposing additional fees and charges to OFWs especially in time of the global economic crisis.
"The 25% increase on passport fee and other consular fees that were imposed last February 16 by RP posts in Europe via the Foreign Affairs department directive, is only an additional burden to struggling OFWs in Europe as we are aware that part of the World is hard hit by the global financial crisis were many workers have been laid off," Monterona averred.
"Imposing the same – 25% increase in passport fee and other consular fees, in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, is a blatant disregard on the deplorable plight of OFWs in the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries who are only earning not even enough for their family's daily subsistence," Monterona added.
He said in Saudi Arabia and Qatar for instance, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate office is charging 200 riyals for passport renewal and 100 riyals for certification and authentication per documents.
"200 riyals is equivalent to Php.2,480 based on the current riyal-peso exchange rate which is 1:12.40; whereas passport renewal in the Philippines would amount to Php.750; thus passport fee collected by RP posts is triple higher than the fee in the Philippines," Monterona added.
Monterona said with regards to certification and authentication of documents, Philippine embassies and consular offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are charging OFWs an average fee of 100 riyals per document which is about Php.1,240
"We do understand costs of services offered by RP posts abroad could be higher compared the cost of services in the home land, but fees that are tripled or 300% higher compared to what is being charged in the homeland is not at all fair and just," Monterona added.
Monterona further said in the case of passport renewal, personal appearance is already required because of the changed to machine-readable passport type.
"If for instance, an OFW is too far away from the embassy or consular office let us say coming from the Northern region or Eastern region, an OFW would spend an additional amount of not less than 300 riyals for his or her fare going to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Consular office in Jeddah," Monterona said.
With meager income, certainly 200 riyals plus 300 riyals travel expenses is too burdensome for OFWs who need to renew his or her expired passport. "200 riyals could buy 2 sacks of rice," he averred.
Monterona said in some instances, the employer or the company provides transportation for their expatriate workers who will be renewing their passport or need to get a certification and authentication. "There are employers who simply charge and deduct the fare against OFW's salary and mark him absent during that day," Monterona averred.
"Our embassy and consular officials must be made aware of such difficulties; and an increase in passport fee and other consular fees that is reportedly imposed by RP posts in Europe would not do any better, only additional burden, to OFWs here in the Middle East amid impending job losses," Monterona ended.
Migrante-Middle East has already asked its chapters to conduct consultations among OFWs and their organizations to arrive unities and collective actions to protest any move by the Arroyo administration imposing increases in passport fee and other consular fees.
The OFW leader ended saying "Despite great contribution of OFWs in keeping the long-in-crisis economy afloat through billions of OFWs remittances and collections from fees and charges, the Arroyo administration remains negligent to its state responsibility promoting and protecting OFWs rights and welfare as manifested by the increasing numbers of OFW victims, ran away and stranded". # # #
References:
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
23 February 2009
OFW group joins calls for tuition fee moratorium,
additional fees and charges impose to OFWs must be stop, too
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations based in the Middle East today said that any impending tuition fee increase up to the opening of classes on June 2009 in the midst of soaring prices of basic commodities and global financial crisis would put OFW families in dire economic situation.
"Tuition fee increases, both in private and public high schools, colleges and universities, in the midst of economic upheaval with soaring prices of food, fuel, water and electricity rates would certainly put OFW parents in dire economic situation and would some how be forced to stop sending their children in schools," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said that most of OFW parents who are working as domestic helpers and construction workers are only receiving a monthly salary of US$ 300 to US$ 500 which is barely ranging from Php. 15,000 to Php. 20,000 in the current dollar-peso exchange rate of 1:47
He further said OFW parents' meager income is not even enough to compensate the Php. 780.00 daily cost of living in Metropolitan Manila translated to a Php. 23,400 monthly cost of living, which means ordinary OFW parents if earning US$500/month (Php. 23,000+) is only break even as to daily cost of living alone, not to mention other needs of the family.
"What will happen if schools, colleges and universities will implement a 7% to 15% tuition fee increase at the opening of classes in June?" Monterona queried.
"Thus, both OFW parents (father and mother) are force to decide to work abroad, as the only option left, leaving behind their children under the care of their grandparents or relatives. This is a factor weakening close family ties amongst family members who will be separated for quite some time until their OFW children could finished college and earn a degree only to be working abroad, too," Monterona added.
Monterona thus said no tuition fee increases on the opening of classes of June would be of help to struggling OFW families who he said are already over burdened by the numerous fees and charges imposed by their recruitment agency for their deployment and by government itself.
Monterona said it is prudent for the Arroyo regime to stop at all imposing additional fees and charges to OFWs especially in time of the global economic crisis.
"The 25% increase on passport fee and other consular fees that were imposed last February 16 by RP posts in Europe via the Foreign Affairs department directive, is only an additional burden to struggling OFWs in Europe as we are aware that part of the World is hard hit by the global financial crisis were many workers have been laid off," Monterona averred.
"Imposing the same – 25% increase in passport fee and other consular fees, in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, is a blatant disregard on the deplorable plight of OFWs in the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries who are only earning not even enough for their family's daily subsistence," Monterona added.
He said in Saudi Arabia and Qatar for instance, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate office is charging 200 riyals for passport renewal and 100 riyals for certification and authentication per documents.
"200 riyals is equivalent to Php.2,480 based on the current riyal-peso exchange rate which is 1:12.40; whereas passport renewal in the Philippines would amount to Php.750; thus passport fee collected by RP posts is triple higher than the fee in the Philippines," Monterona added.
Monterona said with regards to certification and authentication of documents, Philippine embassies and consular offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are charging OFWs an average fee of 100 riyals per document which is about Php.1,240
"We do understand costs of services offered by RP posts abroad could be higher compared the cost of services in the home land, but fees that are tripled or 300% higher compared to what is being charged in the homeland is not at all fair and just," Monterona added.
Monterona further said in the case of passport renewal, personal appearance is already required because of the changed to machine-readable passport type.
"If for instance, an OFW is too far away from the embassy or consular office let us say coming from the Northern region or Eastern region, an OFW would spend an additional amount of not less than 300 riyals for his or her fare going to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Consular office in Jeddah," Monterona said.
With meager income, certainly 200 riyals plus 300 riyals travel expenses is too burdensome for OFWs who need to renew his or her expired passport. "200 riyals could buy 2 sacks of rice," he averred.
Monterona said in some instances, the employer or the company provides transportation for their expatriate workers who will be renewing their passport or need to get a certification and authentication. "There are employers who simply charge and deduct the fare against OFW's salary and mark him absent during that day," Monterona averred.
"Our embassy and consular officials must be made aware of such difficulties; and an increase in passport fee and other consular fees that is reportedly imposed by RP posts in Europe would not do any better, only additional burden, to OFWs here in the Middle East amid impending job losses," Monterona ended.
Migrante-Middle East has already asked its chapters to conduct consultations among OFWs and their organizations to arrive unities and collective actions to protest any move by the Arroyo administration imposing increases in passport fee and other consular fees.
The OFW leader ended saying "Despite great contribution of OFWs in keeping the long-in-crisis economy afloat through billions of OFWs remittances and collections from fees and charges, the Arroyo administration remains negligent to its state responsibility promoting and protecting OFWs rights and welfare as manifested by the increasing numbers of OFW victims, ran away and stranded". # # #
References:
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Against LEP
Dear Fellow OFWs, Friends and Migrant rights Advocates,
Kindly find below statement titled "Why We are against the Labor Export Policy and the intensification of its Program?" As its tittle clearly suggests, this is an attempt to provide an answer to some of the querries and clarification we have been receiving for several weeks since we have issued statement criticizing and called for the revocation of the Labor Export policy and intensification of its program vide Mrs. Arroyo's AO#247. We are asking your kind assistance to send the same to the widest possible reach for reading and information of OFWs around the world as well as their families in the homefront. Your usual support and cooperation is highly highly appreciated. For OFWs rights and welfare, John LeonardMigrante-ME regional coordinator.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Press Statement
22 February 2009
Why we are against the Labor Export Policy and the intensification of its program
On December 4, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Administrative Order No. 247. On this issuance, the President made a clear and resolute order to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), to "execute a paradigm shift by refocusing its functions from regulation to full blast markets development efforts, the exploration of frontier, fertile job markets for Filipino expatriate workers".
Even prior to this issuance, it could be noted that the POEA, which primary function is the regulation of overseas employment, has already engaged in marketing efforts and initiatives the fact it has spent a considerable amount of its yearly budget for marketing mission abroad. POEA's Overseas Employment promotions services allocated P41.7-M in 2001, and P30-M for 2002 and an almost P50-M last year.
From the above, it is therefore crystal clear the Arroyo administration is promoting Labor exportation which it keeps on denying during the early years of its term. Now it is on full blast intensification of sending OFWs abroad aiming to send 1-Million or more. It is the Arroyo administration that labor export policy has been explicitly declared as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development goals contrary to the provision of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or R.A. 8042.
Like previous administrations, the Arroyo administration failed to address the growing unemployment problem now reaching to 10.2-M unemployed. Its failure to generate jobs locally could be attributed to its economic policies that are subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization- - liberalization, privatization, and deregulation.
The Labor Export policy is an example of a policy that is subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization. It simply means the interests of business and profit is given priority over the welfare and rights of OFWs which characterize low wages, no jobs security, absence of clear mechanism protecting the rights of OFWs and their families, few social welfare and services, overburdening the OFWs due to new additional fees and charges, gross human rights violations in the economic and political realm. In other words, systematic human labor export is turning human beings into a mere commodity. Intensified and systematic labor exportation is COMMODIFICATION.
The LEP is a component of the structural adjustment program imposed on the Philippines by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The LEP is aimed to offset the rising social unrest of the 70's, due to rising unemployment rates and an economic and political crisis; at the same time, its purpose is to earn dollar remittances badly needed by the administration to pay off its increasing foreign debts.
Initially, previous administrations said it was a temporary stop-gap measure; but in reality, it was far from temporary and over the decades, the creation of institutions geared towards the export of labor entrenched the policy further – so that it frames many aspects of our economic, political and social systems.
Given that the Arroyo administration could not stop the exportation of human labor as it desperately needs the billions remittances of OFWs keeping the economy afloat and at the same time to conceal its own failure to generate jobs locally, but the Arroyo administration does not want to take full responsibility to protect and promote OFWs rights and welfare. It passes on its responsibility of protecting OFWs to the mercy of profit-oriented recruitment agencies; that is why there are rampant cases of abuses, maltreatment, and labor malpractices in the Middle East.
It continuously imposes additional fees and charges that overburdening OFWs and their families such as the documentary stamp tax, the recent 25% increase in passport fees and other consular fess by RP posts in Europe, the selective implementation of the anti-OFW ban on direct hiring primarily designed to corner the fees and charges of departing household service workers in Hong Kong and other countries in Asia Pacific. The Arroyo administration suspended almost all major welfare and social services by onerously implementing the OWWA Omnibus Policies on 2004. The OWWA is supposed to be the premier government agency providing welfare and social services to OFWs and their families. All these are part of the LEP scheme which we firmly and resolutely stand against it; we are not against to having employment abroad per see as it is individual's basic right to seek employment, wherever and whenever one chooses.
The majority of the poor and unemployed Filipinos behaving in an economically rational manner in response to condition of economic hardship and crisis which the Arroyo administration is primary responsible are force to seek employment abroad as the only remaining option for survival, for their struggling families.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it diminishes human beings into a mere commodity.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because the government is now much dependent on OFW remittances, thereby setting aside its responsibility and duty to create enough jobs locally for its own people.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it is the main cause of family break ups and disintegration making OFW children's future at great risks and uncertainty, thereby ruining our basic social institution, in the long run will ruin the Filipino nation.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it is contrary to our dream and aspiration for a society where families will never be torn apart just for the need to survive.
It is imperative that the next administration would go away from the neo-liberal policies of Globalization.
It is imperative that the next administration will be working towards local full employment of our people anchored in a pro-poor process of development that generates labor-intensive growth providing for productive and gainful local employment opportunities for all individuals.
The above would be realized if genuine agrarian reform be implemented and nationalization of basic industries will be institutionalized – only then a domestic-based and sustainable growth is achieved. (end)
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Kindly find below statement titled "Why We are against the Labor Export Policy and the intensification of its Program?" As its tittle clearly suggests, this is an attempt to provide an answer to some of the querries and clarification we have been receiving for several weeks since we have issued statement criticizing and called for the revocation of the Labor Export policy and intensification of its program vide Mrs. Arroyo's AO#247. We are asking your kind assistance to send the same to the widest possible reach for reading and information of OFWs around the world as well as their families in the homefront. Your usual support and cooperation is highly highly appreciated. For OFWs rights and welfare, John LeonardMigrante-ME regional coordinator.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Press Statement
22 February 2009
Why we are against the Labor Export Policy and the intensification of its program
On December 4, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Administrative Order No. 247. On this issuance, the President made a clear and resolute order to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), to "execute a paradigm shift by refocusing its functions from regulation to full blast markets development efforts, the exploration of frontier, fertile job markets for Filipino expatriate workers".
Even prior to this issuance, it could be noted that the POEA, which primary function is the regulation of overseas employment, has already engaged in marketing efforts and initiatives the fact it has spent a considerable amount of its yearly budget for marketing mission abroad. POEA's Overseas Employment promotions services allocated P41.7-M in 2001, and P30-M for 2002 and an almost P50-M last year.
From the above, it is therefore crystal clear the Arroyo administration is promoting Labor exportation which it keeps on denying during the early years of its term. Now it is on full blast intensification of sending OFWs abroad aiming to send 1-Million or more. It is the Arroyo administration that labor export policy has been explicitly declared as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development goals contrary to the provision of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or R.A. 8042.
Like previous administrations, the Arroyo administration failed to address the growing unemployment problem now reaching to 10.2-M unemployed. Its failure to generate jobs locally could be attributed to its economic policies that are subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization- - liberalization, privatization, and deregulation.
The Labor Export policy is an example of a policy that is subservient to neo-liberal policies of globalization. It simply means the interests of business and profit is given priority over the welfare and rights of OFWs which characterize low wages, no jobs security, absence of clear mechanism protecting the rights of OFWs and their families, few social welfare and services, overburdening the OFWs due to new additional fees and charges, gross human rights violations in the economic and political realm. In other words, systematic human labor export is turning human beings into a mere commodity. Intensified and systematic labor exportation is COMMODIFICATION.
The LEP is a component of the structural adjustment program imposed on the Philippines by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The LEP is aimed to offset the rising social unrest of the 70's, due to rising unemployment rates and an economic and political crisis; at the same time, its purpose is to earn dollar remittances badly needed by the administration to pay off its increasing foreign debts.
Initially, previous administrations said it was a temporary stop-gap measure; but in reality, it was far from temporary and over the decades, the creation of institutions geared towards the export of labor entrenched the policy further – so that it frames many aspects of our economic, political and social systems.
Given that the Arroyo administration could not stop the exportation of human labor as it desperately needs the billions remittances of OFWs keeping the economy afloat and at the same time to conceal its own failure to generate jobs locally, but the Arroyo administration does not want to take full responsibility to protect and promote OFWs rights and welfare. It passes on its responsibility of protecting OFWs to the mercy of profit-oriented recruitment agencies; that is why there are rampant cases of abuses, maltreatment, and labor malpractices in the Middle East.
It continuously imposes additional fees and charges that overburdening OFWs and their families such as the documentary stamp tax, the recent 25% increase in passport fees and other consular fess by RP posts in Europe, the selective implementation of the anti-OFW ban on direct hiring primarily designed to corner the fees and charges of departing household service workers in Hong Kong and other countries in Asia Pacific. The Arroyo administration suspended almost all major welfare and social services by onerously implementing the OWWA Omnibus Policies on 2004. The OWWA is supposed to be the premier government agency providing welfare and social services to OFWs and their families. All these are part of the LEP scheme which we firmly and resolutely stand against it; we are not against to having employment abroad per see as it is individual's basic right to seek employment, wherever and whenever one chooses.
The majority of the poor and unemployed Filipinos behaving in an economically rational manner in response to condition of economic hardship and crisis which the Arroyo administration is primary responsible are force to seek employment abroad as the only remaining option for survival, for their struggling families.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it diminishes human beings into a mere commodity.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because the government is now much dependent on OFW remittances, thereby setting aside its responsibility and duty to create enough jobs locally for its own people.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it is the main cause of family break ups and disintegration making OFW children's future at great risks and uncertainty, thereby ruining our basic social institution, in the long run will ruin the Filipino nation.
We are against the LEP and its systematic intensification by the Arroyo administration because it is contrary to our dream and aspiration for a society where families will never be torn apart just for the need to survive.
It is imperative that the next administration would go away from the neo-liberal policies of Globalization.
It is imperative that the next administration will be working towards local full employment of our people anchored in a pro-poor process of development that generates labor-intensive growth providing for productive and gainful local employment opportunities for all individuals.
The above would be realized if genuine agrarian reform be implemented and nationalization of basic industries will be institutionalized – only then a domestic-based and sustainable growth is achieved. (end)
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Double Insertion
P250M OWWA fund to government’s ’stimulus package’ a double insertion
5 February 2009
http://migranteinternational.org/?p=499
Migrante International today staged a protest in front of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) building to criticize the seemingly ‘double budgeting’ of the Arroyo administration for its economic stimulus package.
“We smell something fishy with this stimulus package. And as usual, they are targeting the funds of OWWA, which belong to us OFWs,” Migrante Chairperson Garry Martinez said.
Martinez pointed out that the allocation from the stimulus fund will only create double budgeting for programs which already exists. He presented the case of the P250 million allocated from the fund of the OWWA which President Arroyo signed under Admistrative Order 248.
President Arroyo signed A.O. 248 last December 4 for OWWA to contribute 250 million to the stimulus package. The said amount was supposed to finance the program of OWWA which in fact, has been part of the agency’s annual budget since 1986.
“This program is not new. The president is deceiving OFWs when she presented this so- called package. It’s the duty of the OWWA,” he said.
He added Malacanang can now easily pocket the said 250 million while OWWA will just continue to utilize the original allotted budget for the said program. The President had already raided the OFW fund during her campaign in the last 2004 election, and she will probably do it again on this coming 2010 election!” exclaims Martinez.
The group was pertaining to the 540 million OWWA funds that were transferred to PhilHealth during the 2004 presidential election. PhilHealth insurance cards were distributed for free during President Arroyo’s campaign sorties.
Martinez distrust the economic stimulus fund of the present administration saying this would be another source of corruption to finance alleged plan of President Arroyo to perpetuate itself into power beyond 2010.
“How can we trust a corrupt ridden administration which has installed itself into power due to electoral fraud? P330 billion is more than enough to railroad President Arroyo’s charter change, to finance a possible coup-de-etat or another electoral fraud,” he explains.
“Enough is enough! We will not let the hard earned contributions of innocent OFWs be utilized again to finance the diabolical plans of the Arroyo administration. We will mobilize our chapters abroad to protest against this corrupt stimulus fund of President Arroyo,” Martinez ended.###
5 February 2009
http://migranteinternational.org/?p=499
Migrante International today staged a protest in front of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) building to criticize the seemingly ‘double budgeting’ of the Arroyo administration for its economic stimulus package.
“We smell something fishy with this stimulus package. And as usual, they are targeting the funds of OWWA, which belong to us OFWs,” Migrante Chairperson Garry Martinez said.
Martinez pointed out that the allocation from the stimulus fund will only create double budgeting for programs which already exists. He presented the case of the P250 million allocated from the fund of the OWWA which President Arroyo signed under Admistrative Order 248.
President Arroyo signed A.O. 248 last December 4 for OWWA to contribute 250 million to the stimulus package. The said amount was supposed to finance the program of OWWA which in fact, has been part of the agency’s annual budget since 1986.
“This program is not new. The president is deceiving OFWs when she presented this so- called package. It’s the duty of the OWWA,” he said.
He added Malacanang can now easily pocket the said 250 million while OWWA will just continue to utilize the original allotted budget for the said program. The President had already raided the OFW fund during her campaign in the last 2004 election, and she will probably do it again on this coming 2010 election!” exclaims Martinez.
The group was pertaining to the 540 million OWWA funds that were transferred to PhilHealth during the 2004 presidential election. PhilHealth insurance cards were distributed for free during President Arroyo’s campaign sorties.
Martinez distrust the economic stimulus fund of the present administration saying this would be another source of corruption to finance alleged plan of President Arroyo to perpetuate itself into power beyond 2010.
“How can we trust a corrupt ridden administration which has installed itself into power due to electoral fraud? P330 billion is more than enough to railroad President Arroyo’s charter change, to finance a possible coup-de-etat or another electoral fraud,” he explains.
“Enough is enough! We will not let the hard earned contributions of innocent OFWs be utilized again to finance the diabolical plans of the Arroyo administration. We will mobilize our chapters abroad to protest against this corrupt stimulus fund of President Arroyo,” Martinez ended.###
Saturday, February 21, 2009
FILIPINA, KASAMBAHAY
FILIPINA,- KASAMBAHAY!
Isang kaluluwang tinulak sa bansang silangan
Dala ng labis na hirap sa bansang sinilangan
Iniwan anak,asawa maging magulang man
Hangad ay kumita ng konting yaman.
Dito nga siya napadpad sa bansang disyerto
Mga tao ay tila 'di tao, asal hayop -turing sa 'yo
Pagkain mo'y balat at buto ng ma -anggong
tupa sa disyerto
Tubig mo nama'y sa balong maalat nanggaling
Inumin ng tupa't kambing.
Madaling araw kana kung patulugin
Kay aga mo naman gisingin
Sa umaga nga'y mahilo-hilo kapa
Tadyak-sampal pag kain sa umaga.
Amo mo nga'y isang manyakis
Anak niya'y mana sa kanya
Gabi-gabi'y ginagapang ka
Sa iyo'y halinhinan sila
Animal talaga sila.
Gobyerno nati'y nagtutulog-tulugan
Sa mga hinaing nitong ating kababayan
Basta't sa kanila'y may perang dumarating
Sila'y walang pakialam sa atin
Bulsa naman nilang kay lalim
Kay hirap talagang punuin.
Darating din ang araw na sila'y paba pagbayarin
Gawa nilang di mabuti sila ang aani rin.
Di ko sila kaano-ano
At 'di ko rin kilalang totoo
Pero bakit galit na galit ako
Sa kanilang mga amo
Di ko talaga alam ang akin gagawin
Kundi ihasa ang akin patalim.
Hangad ko lang sa ating gobyerno
Paki tanggal naman sila dito
Sa bansang sibilisado
Duon naman sila magtrabaho.
Dasal ko sana'y dinggin
Sa t'wing ako'y mananalangin
Kabayan kong kasambahay
Nawa kayo'y Kanyang pagpalain.
---------o---------o----------------
Handog ko po ito sa lahat ng ating
mga kasambahay,May pag asa pa tayo
" DON'T GIVE UP!!!- Ka Jaime
Isang Migrante
Isang kaluluwang tinulak sa bansang silangan
Dala ng labis na hirap sa bansang sinilangan
Iniwan anak,asawa maging magulang man
Hangad ay kumita ng konting yaman.
Dito nga siya napadpad sa bansang disyerto
Mga tao ay tila 'di tao, asal hayop -turing sa 'yo
Pagkain mo'y balat at buto ng ma -anggong
tupa sa disyerto
Tubig mo nama'y sa balong maalat nanggaling
Inumin ng tupa't kambing.
Madaling araw kana kung patulugin
Kay aga mo naman gisingin
Sa umaga nga'y mahilo-hilo kapa
Tadyak-sampal pag kain sa umaga.
Amo mo nga'y isang manyakis
Anak niya'y mana sa kanya
Gabi-gabi'y ginagapang ka
Sa iyo'y halinhinan sila
Animal talaga sila.
Gobyerno nati'y nagtutulog-tulugan
Sa mga hinaing nitong ating kababayan
Basta't sa kanila'y may perang dumarating
Sila'y walang pakialam sa atin
Bulsa naman nilang kay lalim
Kay hirap talagang punuin.
Darating din ang araw na sila'y paba pagbayarin
Gawa nilang di mabuti sila ang aani rin.
Di ko sila kaano-ano
At 'di ko rin kilalang totoo
Pero bakit galit na galit ako
Sa kanilang mga amo
Di ko talaga alam ang akin gagawin
Kundi ihasa ang akin patalim.
Hangad ko lang sa ating gobyerno
Paki tanggal naman sila dito
Sa bansang sibilisado
Duon naman sila magtrabaho.
Dasal ko sana'y dinggin
Sa t'wing ako'y mananalangin
Kabayan kong kasambahay
Nawa kayo'y Kanyang pagpalain.
---------o---------o----------------
Handog ko po ito sa lahat ng ating
mga kasambahay,May pag asa pa tayo
" DON'T GIVE UP!!!- Ka Jaime
Isang Migrante
Thursday, February 19, 2009
OWWA funds is now P10B
Press Release
19 February 2009
Sec. Roque's believer admits OWWA funds is now Php.10-B
But DoLE-OWWA has only few programs and services for OFWs and their families, migrant group said
Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today said a Philippine labor official admitted that the OWW funds is now P10-B, a compulsory collection of US$25 per departing overseas Filipino workers.
"This is the first time we heard a confirmation from a Labor official about the exact amount of the OFWs funds held in trust to the government; we have been challenging the OWWA for quite some time now to make full public disclosure of the funds but the OWWA administration refuses to do so," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
Monterona said during a visit in Dubai the other day of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Help Desk Mission head Labor Attache Jeffrey D. Cortazar is quoted saying "… the OFW funds has doubled within a year under Labor Secretary Marianito Roque from Php.5-B to Php.1-B…X X X"
Monterona said it is naïve and wrong to equate that the increase of OWWA funds is due to the appointment of Mr. Roque as DoLE chief.
"Obviously, Labatt Cortazar, a faithful believer of Sec. Roque trying hard to impress the latter, does not know what he is talking about. The increase of the OFW funds from Php5-B to Php10-B now has nothing to do, if no connection at all, with the appointment of Labor Sec. Roque. The mere fact that there are 3,000 OFWs deployed daily with OWWA charging US25$ per OFWs would certainly lead to the increase of OWWA funds," Monterona added.
Monterona said fellow OFWs have commented that following the line of Labatt Cortazar that it is to the credit of Sec. Roque why the OWWA funds grew, then Wall Street should hire Sec. Roque as it is only within a year he made the OWWA funds grew even twice.
"This is precisely the point why Migrante is alarmed as the OWWA funds continuously grew because of the huge numbers of departing OFWs going abroad and yet there are only few welfare and social programs and services for OFWs and their families," Monterona said.
"If the Arroyo administration does not have a selfish interests to the growing OFW funds held in trust to the OWWA, why it failed to develop and implement more welfare and social programs to the benefits of active OFWs, retired OFWs and their families amid the economic hardship with all prices of basic commodities and services increasing almost daily," Monterona queried.
Monterona said OFWs and their families are dismayed with Arroyo's Expatriate Livelihood support funds asking a lot of requirements and imposing a 5% interest per year to the meager Php50,000 loan for each laid offs OFWs.
"These are reasons why many of the retrenched OFWs until now have not availed the Expat livelihood funds and are not willing to avail at all," Monterona added.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East are urging fellow OFWs who were laid off or will be laid off to get in touch with them, "so that Migrante could provide them the needed assistance and guidance in their claims for a genuine financial support and other assistance that OWWA is to provide to them," Monteorona added.
"Retrenched OFWs who are already in the Philippines could get in touch with Migrante International at telephone number +62 421 0768, or email migrantecampaign@ gmail.com, or send email to migranteme@gmail. com," Monterona ended. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
19 February 2009
Sec. Roque's believer admits OWWA funds is now Php.10-B
But DoLE-OWWA has only few programs and services for OFWs and their families, migrant group said
Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today said a Philippine labor official admitted that the OWW funds is now P10-B, a compulsory collection of US$25 per departing overseas Filipino workers.
"This is the first time we heard a confirmation from a Labor official about the exact amount of the OFWs funds held in trust to the government; we have been challenging the OWWA for quite some time now to make full public disclosure of the funds but the OWWA administration refuses to do so," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
Monterona said during a visit in Dubai the other day of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Help Desk Mission head Labor Attache Jeffrey D. Cortazar is quoted saying "… the OFW funds has doubled within a year under Labor Secretary Marianito Roque from Php.5-B to Php.1-B…X X X"
Monterona said it is naïve and wrong to equate that the increase of OWWA funds is due to the appointment of Mr. Roque as DoLE chief.
"Obviously, Labatt Cortazar, a faithful believer of Sec. Roque trying hard to impress the latter, does not know what he is talking about. The increase of the OFW funds from Php5-B to Php10-B now has nothing to do, if no connection at all, with the appointment of Labor Sec. Roque. The mere fact that there are 3,000 OFWs deployed daily with OWWA charging US25$ per OFWs would certainly lead to the increase of OWWA funds," Monterona added.
Monterona said fellow OFWs have commented that following the line of Labatt Cortazar that it is to the credit of Sec. Roque why the OWWA funds grew, then Wall Street should hire Sec. Roque as it is only within a year he made the OWWA funds grew even twice.
"This is precisely the point why Migrante is alarmed as the OWWA funds continuously grew because of the huge numbers of departing OFWs going abroad and yet there are only few welfare and social programs and services for OFWs and their families," Monterona said.
"If the Arroyo administration does not have a selfish interests to the growing OFW funds held in trust to the OWWA, why it failed to develop and implement more welfare and social programs to the benefits of active OFWs, retired OFWs and their families amid the economic hardship with all prices of basic commodities and services increasing almost daily," Monterona queried.
Monterona said OFWs and their families are dismayed with Arroyo's Expatriate Livelihood support funds asking a lot of requirements and imposing a 5% interest per year to the meager Php50,000 loan for each laid offs OFWs.
"These are reasons why many of the retrenched OFWs until now have not availed the Expat livelihood funds and are not willing to avail at all," Monterona added.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East are urging fellow OFWs who were laid off or will be laid off to get in touch with them, "so that Migrante could provide them the needed assistance and guidance in their claims for a genuine financial support and other assistance that OWWA is to provide to them," Monteorona added.
"Retrenched OFWs who are already in the Philippines could get in touch with Migrante International at telephone number +62 421 0768, or email migrantecampaign@ gmail.com, or send email to migranteme@gmail. com," Monterona ended. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Gov’ts unwilling to protect rights
Press Release
19 February 2009
For reference: Eni Lestari
Chairperson
Tel. No.: (852) 96081475
International migrant group decries layoffs, labor flexi moves
Gov’ts, unwilling to protect rights of foreign workers - IMA
Attacks to our wage and job security are happening everywhere. Yet, both the sending governments and the receiving ones are incapable or worse, unwilling, to stem the tide of violations to the rights of migrants that the financial crisis brings.
This was declared by Eni Lestari, chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) as migrants around the world reel from the creeping impact of the US-born financial crisis.
Speaking from HK where she is based as a domestic helper, Lestari said that her group has been receiving regular reports from their members in the United States, Canada and in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Europe regions of mass layoffs of migrants and implementation of more labor flexibilization schemes due to the financial slump.
“What we have feared for is rapidly coming true as termination of employment hounds domestic helpers; factory workers, like in Taiwan, are stripped of their labor rights with many even forced to resign from their jobs; immigrants and migrants in the US are fired from their jobs or are made to work for even few hours; and more workers ran away from abusive conditions in Saudi Arabia and become stranded,” she remarked.
Lestari cited the termination of more than 800 Filipino workers in Taiwan as well as about 1,000 workers in the construction and financial sectors in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as some of the more recent victims of the financial tsunami. She said that even the Indian and Pakistani authorities in the UAE are also expecting layoffs of their nationals soon.
In Canada, the government itself has admitted the reduction of demand for temporary foreign workers in the midst of the financial crunch and warned of ‘tougher times’. Meanwhile, 75,000 undocumented Indonesian migrants in Syria will be deported back to Indonesia early this year and the Indonesian government has even signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Syria over this.
Lestari said that the situation has been increasingly hard especially for migrant workers who are “carted off back home”.
“These repatriated workers find themselves in an even worse situation as they have to face mountains of debt, unemployment and insecurity for the future of their family. Instead of assistance, the responses of sending governments are empty promises of protection, deafening silence, or schemes that do not genuinely serve the migrants,” she added.
The IMA chair mentioned, in particular the governments of Indonesia and Philippines – two of the countries with the most number of nationals overseas – as “inutile” in protecting the wellbeing of their citizens abroad as well as “severely unprepared” for their responsibilities to their repatriated workers.
“Instead of providing the needed assistance to those who have been sent home and bringing about changes to reduce the vulnerability of its nationals abroad, the Philippine government institutes more policies like the ban on direct hiring that put migrants under the mercy of unscrupulous recruiters. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government remains as ineffective as ever in curbing the excesses of Indonesian recruitment agencies that continue to squeeze dry migrants of their hard-earned income,” she relayed.
Lestari also expressed their fear that the crisis shall bring about a more systematic and intense export of labor as sending countries sink in even deeper problems and only the forced migration of its people can be the source of its income.
“This is precisely what the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) gears for. The exploitation of migrants shall be more widespread and intense as slogans of migration for development shall surely be used as one way out of poverty and crisis we are experiencing,” she said.
The group renewed their call for sparing the wage and jobs of migrants during these hard times. Lestari said that workers, including migrants, must be granted reprieve from the attacks to their rights and livelihood.
The IMA chairperson also called to their members to continue to monitor the impacts of the crisis to migrant workers especially cases of retrenchments and labor rights violations. She said that actions should be launched wherever and whenever possible as IMA drumbeats the issues in the international level.
“Workers and the people must come first and not the big businesses and monopolists that have caused this crisis. Imperialists have plundered the world and the people are the ones made to suffer from its policies of neoliberal globalization. This is what we, migrants and immigrants, shall continue to struggle against,” she ended.#
19 February 2009
For reference: Eni Lestari
Chairperson
Tel. No.: (852) 96081475
International migrant group decries layoffs, labor flexi moves
Gov’ts, unwilling to protect rights of foreign workers - IMA
Attacks to our wage and job security are happening everywhere. Yet, both the sending governments and the receiving ones are incapable or worse, unwilling, to stem the tide of violations to the rights of migrants that the financial crisis brings.
This was declared by Eni Lestari, chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) as migrants around the world reel from the creeping impact of the US-born financial crisis.
Speaking from HK where she is based as a domestic helper, Lestari said that her group has been receiving regular reports from their members in the United States, Canada and in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Europe regions of mass layoffs of migrants and implementation of more labor flexibilization schemes due to the financial slump.
“What we have feared for is rapidly coming true as termination of employment hounds domestic helpers; factory workers, like in Taiwan, are stripped of their labor rights with many even forced to resign from their jobs; immigrants and migrants in the US are fired from their jobs or are made to work for even few hours; and more workers ran away from abusive conditions in Saudi Arabia and become stranded,” she remarked.
Lestari cited the termination of more than 800 Filipino workers in Taiwan as well as about 1,000 workers in the construction and financial sectors in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as some of the more recent victims of the financial tsunami. She said that even the Indian and Pakistani authorities in the UAE are also expecting layoffs of their nationals soon.
In Canada, the government itself has admitted the reduction of demand for temporary foreign workers in the midst of the financial crunch and warned of ‘tougher times’. Meanwhile, 75,000 undocumented Indonesian migrants in Syria will be deported back to Indonesia early this year and the Indonesian government has even signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Syria over this.
Lestari said that the situation has been increasingly hard especially for migrant workers who are “carted off back home”.
“These repatriated workers find themselves in an even worse situation as they have to face mountains of debt, unemployment and insecurity for the future of their family. Instead of assistance, the responses of sending governments are empty promises of protection, deafening silence, or schemes that do not genuinely serve the migrants,” she added.
The IMA chair mentioned, in particular the governments of Indonesia and Philippines – two of the countries with the most number of nationals overseas – as “inutile” in protecting the wellbeing of their citizens abroad as well as “severely unprepared” for their responsibilities to their repatriated workers.
“Instead of providing the needed assistance to those who have been sent home and bringing about changes to reduce the vulnerability of its nationals abroad, the Philippine government institutes more policies like the ban on direct hiring that put migrants under the mercy of unscrupulous recruiters. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government remains as ineffective as ever in curbing the excesses of Indonesian recruitment agencies that continue to squeeze dry migrants of their hard-earned income,” she relayed.
Lestari also expressed their fear that the crisis shall bring about a more systematic and intense export of labor as sending countries sink in even deeper problems and only the forced migration of its people can be the source of its income.
“This is precisely what the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) gears for. The exploitation of migrants shall be more widespread and intense as slogans of migration for development shall surely be used as one way out of poverty and crisis we are experiencing,” she said.
The group renewed their call for sparing the wage and jobs of migrants during these hard times. Lestari said that workers, including migrants, must be granted reprieve from the attacks to their rights and livelihood.
The IMA chairperson also called to their members to continue to monitor the impacts of the crisis to migrant workers especially cases of retrenchments and labor rights violations. She said that actions should be launched wherever and whenever possible as IMA drumbeats the issues in the international level.
“Workers and the people must come first and not the big businesses and monopolists that have caused this crisis. Imperialists have plundered the world and the people are the ones made to suffer from its policies of neoliberal globalization. This is what we, migrants and immigrants, shall continue to struggle against,” she ended.#
RP posts overcharging OFWs
Press Release
17 February 2009
RP posts abroad already overcharging OFWs; group vows to oppose any increase in passport and other consular fees
Receiving reports about the impending 25% increase in passport fee and other consular fees to be imposed by RP posts in Europe, the largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today said Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East are already overcharging OFWs, "Thus, we say "No to fee increases", either it is passport fee or other consular fees collected by RP posts here in the Middle East," declared by John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona averred Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East are already overcharging OFWs.
He said that in Saudi Arabia for instance, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate office is charging 200 riyals for passport renewal and 100 riyals for certification and authentication per documents.
"200 riyals is equivalent to Php.2,480 based on the current riyal-peso exchange rate which is 1:12.40; whereas passport renewal in the Philippines would amount to Php.750; thus passport fee collected by RP posts is triple higher than the fee in the Philippines," Monterona added.
Monterona said with regards to certification and authentication of documents, Philippine embassies and consular offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are charging OFWs an average fee of 100 riyals per document which is about Php.1,240
"We do understand costs of services offered by RP posts abroad could be higher compared the cost of services in the home land, but fees that are tripled or 300% higher compared to what is being charged in the homeland is not at all fair and just," Monterona added.
Monterona further said in the case of passport renewal, personal appearance is already required because of the changed to machine-readable passport type.
"If for instance, an OFW is far away from the embassy or consular office let us say coming from the Northern region or Eastern region, an OFW would spend an additional amount of not less than 300 riyals for his or her fare going to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Consular office in Jeddah," Monterona said.
With meager income that is ranging to 1,200 to 2,200 riyals per month for many OFWs, certainly 200 riyals plus 300 riyals travel expenses is too burdensome for OFWs who need to renew his or her expired passport.
Monterona said in some instances, the employer or the company provides transportation for their expatriate workers who will be renewing their passport or need to get a certification and authentication. "There are employers who simply charge and deduct the fare against OFW's salary and mark him absent during that day," Monterona averred.
"Our embassy and consular officials must be made aware of such difficulties; and an increase in passport fee and other consular fees that is reportedly imposed by RP posts in Europe would not do any better, only additional burden, to OFWs here in the Middle East amid impending job losses," Monterona ended.
Migrante-Middle East has already asked its chapters to conduct consultations among OFWs and their organizations to arrive unities and collective actions to protest any move by the Arroyo administration imposing increases in passport fee and other consular fees.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
17 February 2009
RP posts abroad already overcharging OFWs; group vows to oppose any increase in passport and other consular fees
Receiving reports about the impending 25% increase in passport fee and other consular fees to be imposed by RP posts in Europe, the largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today said Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East are already overcharging OFWs, "Thus, we say "No to fee increases", either it is passport fee or other consular fees collected by RP posts here in the Middle East," declared by John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona averred Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East are already overcharging OFWs.
He said that in Saudi Arabia for instance, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate office is charging 200 riyals for passport renewal and 100 riyals for certification and authentication per documents.
"200 riyals is equivalent to Php.2,480 based on the current riyal-peso exchange rate which is 1:12.40; whereas passport renewal in the Philippines would amount to Php.750; thus passport fee collected by RP posts is triple higher than the fee in the Philippines," Monterona added.
Monterona said with regards to certification and authentication of documents, Philippine embassies and consular offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are charging OFWs an average fee of 100 riyals per document which is about Php.1,240
"We do understand costs of services offered by RP posts abroad could be higher compared the cost of services in the home land, but fees that are tripled or 300% higher compared to what is being charged in the homeland is not at all fair and just," Monterona added.
Monterona further said in the case of passport renewal, personal appearance is already required because of the changed to machine-readable passport type.
"If for instance, an OFW is far away from the embassy or consular office let us say coming from the Northern region or Eastern region, an OFW would spend an additional amount of not less than 300 riyals for his or her fare going to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Consular office in Jeddah," Monterona said.
With meager income that is ranging to 1,200 to 2,200 riyals per month for many OFWs, certainly 200 riyals plus 300 riyals travel expenses is too burdensome for OFWs who need to renew his or her expired passport.
Monterona said in some instances, the employer or the company provides transportation for their expatriate workers who will be renewing their passport or need to get a certification and authentication. "There are employers who simply charge and deduct the fare against OFW's salary and mark him absent during that day," Monterona averred.
"Our embassy and consular officials must be made aware of such difficulties; and an increase in passport fee and other consular fees that is reportedly imposed by RP posts in Europe would not do any better, only additional burden, to OFWs here in the Middle East amid impending job losses," Monterona ended.
Migrante-Middle East has already asked its chapters to conduct consultations among OFWs and their organizations to arrive unities and collective actions to protest any move by the Arroyo administration imposing increases in passport fee and other consular fees.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Security of Undocs for OAV
Press Statement
16 February 2009
Security and Safety of undocumented first before urging them to enlist for 2010 polls
This is a reaction to the news reports that the OAV Secretariat of COMLEC and DFA is both urging undocumented to enlist for 2010 elections.
On the said reports, Foreign Affairs Spokesman and OAV Chair Bayani Mangibin made mention on how undocumented OFWs could enlist themselves for the 2010 elections by simply bringing some form of identification such as passport.
We are aghast on Mr. Mangibin's statement as it certainly lacks wisdom on the subject matter. How could an undocumented or ran away or illegal OFWs could enlist for the OAV if his primary identification which is his passport was being kept by his abusive employer? How could you encourage someone to come and register himself if he is deemed to keeping away from the public or host government's eye much more in the official voters list as absentee voters because of the very status of his stay in the host country as illegal or undocumented? That is precisely the reason why we have called the undocumented or illegal as 'TNT' (tago-ng-tago) . Mr. Mangibin certainly does not know the predicaments of undocumented OFWs whose main concern is their security and safety, before anything else, before exercising its right of suffrage.
Without paying attention on the security and safety of undocumented before enlisting for the OAV, Mr. Mangibin's information how to enlist for the 2010 polls become implausible. In this regard, we are calling the OAV Secretariat to provide clear rules and regulations on the registration of undocumented paying attention to their concerns which is their security and safety and this include the provision for their legalization first. Without such clear rules and regulations, no undocumented are willing to register as overseas absentee voters for 2010 elections.
More so, the shortening of the OAV registration from the original duration of 9-months to 7-months now by virtue of a COMELEC resolution would not give a fair time to OFWs who are facing lots of limitations to register as absentee voters.
The limited and inaccessible OAV registration centers as most OFWs are coming from far locations, the timing of the registrations which are not conducive for OFWs to enlist themselves as it contradicts on their day offs are seen reasons why many will be disenfranchised. We are quite sure that the OAV Secretariat target of 1-M absentee voters for 2010 elections is unattainable because of the reasons as stated above which the OAV Secretariat must squarely resolve. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
16 February 2009
Security and Safety of undocumented first before urging them to enlist for 2010 polls
This is a reaction to the news reports that the OAV Secretariat of COMLEC and DFA is both urging undocumented to enlist for 2010 elections.
On the said reports, Foreign Affairs Spokesman and OAV Chair Bayani Mangibin made mention on how undocumented OFWs could enlist themselves for the 2010 elections by simply bringing some form of identification such as passport.
We are aghast on Mr. Mangibin's statement as it certainly lacks wisdom on the subject matter. How could an undocumented or ran away or illegal OFWs could enlist for the OAV if his primary identification which is his passport was being kept by his abusive employer? How could you encourage someone to come and register himself if he is deemed to keeping away from the public or host government's eye much more in the official voters list as absentee voters because of the very status of his stay in the host country as illegal or undocumented? That is precisely the reason why we have called the undocumented or illegal as 'TNT' (tago-ng-tago) . Mr. Mangibin certainly does not know the predicaments of undocumented OFWs whose main concern is their security and safety, before anything else, before exercising its right of suffrage.
Without paying attention on the security and safety of undocumented before enlisting for the OAV, Mr. Mangibin's information how to enlist for the 2010 polls become implausible. In this regard, we are calling the OAV Secretariat to provide clear rules and regulations on the registration of undocumented paying attention to their concerns which is their security and safety and this include the provision for their legalization first. Without such clear rules and regulations, no undocumented are willing to register as overseas absentee voters for 2010 elections.
More so, the shortening of the OAV registration from the original duration of 9-months to 7-months now by virtue of a COMELEC resolution would not give a fair time to OFWs who are facing lots of limitations to register as absentee voters.
The limited and inaccessible OAV registration centers as most OFWs are coming from far locations, the timing of the registrations which are not conducive for OFWs to enlist themselves as it contradicts on their day offs are seen reasons why many will be disenfranchised. We are quite sure that the OAV Secretariat target of 1-M absentee voters for 2010 elections is unattainable because of the reasons as stated above which the OAV Secretariat must squarely resolve. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Migrante ME rejoinder
Rejoinder:
Migrante Middle East clarifies retort on expatriate benefit fund
Following is the clarification regarding a news item on the Expatriate Benefit Fund written by Ms. Lily Liboon for Khaleej Times (which was later echoed in GMA News.TV).
The article said that Labour Attaché Jeffrey D. Cortazar, head of the DOLE Help Desk Mission in Buraimi (UAE), "called on Emigrante (sic) Middle East..., to check the reports of the Commission on Audit for misappropriations instead of launching a signature campaign among the Filipino workers" adding that "Emigrante is critical of everything the government is doing..."
Dear Ms. Lily,
The news article which you have written was forwarded to me by our members. Just some point of clarifications:
1. Our organization's name is Migrante (a colloquial term which means migrant workers).
2. The members of the OWWA Board are appointed by the President, thus, this is not truly representative of the millions of OFWs, although there are 2 OWWA Board members from OFWs, sea-based and land-based. But again since they are appointed by the president, we question their impartiality and loyalty to the interests, rights and welfare of OFWs. Isn’t it right if any policy disbursement or anything regarding the OWWA funds, its stakeholders and members must be properly consulted? For your record, no single OFW or OFW organizations have been consulted that the Php2-M from OWWA funds will be appropriated to Mrs. Arroyo's bogus Expatriate Livelihood Support fund.
3. Since the OWWA fund mostly came from OFWs membership contribution of US$25, it is but fair those would like to avail should not be should not be charges with interest of 5% per annum by OWWA; besides as per the information we have received one is like passing through the eye of the needle before a displaced/retrenched OFWs could avail the Expatriates Livelihood Fund because a lot of questioning and documentation have been asked by OWWA.
4. You missed the point of what we are concerned about the allocation of Php2-M from OWWA fund to Expat Livelihood Fund; it is a valid concern since the Arroyo administration has been known to misused and misallocate the OWWA funds for her own selfish interests like the misallocation of Php500,000 plus OWWA funds to Phil Health cards that were used during her Presidential campaign in 2004.
That is why we say, thanks but no thanks to Arroyo's bogus Expat Livelihood Fund/Programme.
To Labor Attache Jefrey Cortazar: He must dig himself about this OWWA fund misuses and misallocation so that he would know. If Migrante, OFWs and their families are critical to the Arroyo administration it is because it has done nothing good for OFWs and their families, only to impose additional charges and fees and program aimed to corner OFWs huge remittances and funds held in trust to the government. In fact, many OWWA social and welfare programs have been removed since the passage of the OWWA Omnibus Policies.
I am hoping that as we are responsible journalist, you would publish my points as stated above to have balanced news coverage and fair views.
Your support and cooperation is highly appreciated.
For OFWs rights and Welfare.
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East Regional coordinator.
Migrante Middle East clarifies retort on expatriate benefit fund
Following is the clarification regarding a news item on the Expatriate Benefit Fund written by Ms. Lily Liboon for Khaleej Times (which was later echoed in GMA News.TV).
The article said that Labour Attaché Jeffrey D. Cortazar, head of the DOLE Help Desk Mission in Buraimi (UAE), "called on Emigrante (sic) Middle East..., to check the reports of the Commission on Audit for misappropriations instead of launching a signature campaign among the Filipino workers" adding that "Emigrante is critical of everything the government is doing..."
Dear Ms. Lily,
The news article which you have written was forwarded to me by our members. Just some point of clarifications:
1. Our organization's name is Migrante (a colloquial term which means migrant workers).
2. The members of the OWWA Board are appointed by the President, thus, this is not truly representative of the millions of OFWs, although there are 2 OWWA Board members from OFWs, sea-based and land-based. But again since they are appointed by the president, we question their impartiality and loyalty to the interests, rights and welfare of OFWs. Isn’t it right if any policy disbursement or anything regarding the OWWA funds, its stakeholders and members must be properly consulted? For your record, no single OFW or OFW organizations have been consulted that the Php2-M from OWWA funds will be appropriated to Mrs. Arroyo's bogus Expatriate Livelihood Support fund.
3. Since the OWWA fund mostly came from OFWs membership contribution of US$25, it is but fair those would like to avail should not be should not be charges with interest of 5% per annum by OWWA; besides as per the information we have received one is like passing through the eye of the needle before a displaced/retrenched OFWs could avail the Expatriates Livelihood Fund because a lot of questioning and documentation have been asked by OWWA.
4. You missed the point of what we are concerned about the allocation of Php2-M from OWWA fund to Expat Livelihood Fund; it is a valid concern since the Arroyo administration has been known to misused and misallocate the OWWA funds for her own selfish interests like the misallocation of Php500,000 plus OWWA funds to Phil Health cards that were used during her Presidential campaign in 2004.
That is why we say, thanks but no thanks to Arroyo's bogus Expat Livelihood Fund/Programme.
To Labor Attache Jefrey Cortazar: He must dig himself about this OWWA fund misuses and misallocation so that he would know. If Migrante, OFWs and their families are critical to the Arroyo administration it is because it has done nothing good for OFWs and their families, only to impose additional charges and fees and program aimed to corner OFWs huge remittances and funds held in trust to the government. In fact, many OWWA social and welfare programs have been removed since the passage of the OWWA Omnibus Policies.
I am hoping that as we are responsible journalist, you would publish my points as stated above to have balanced news coverage and fair views.
Your support and cooperation is highly appreciated.
For OFWs rights and Welfare.
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East Regional coordinator.
Revoke VFA, LEP
Press Statement
17 February 2009
Migrante-Middle East joins call to revoke VFA, LEP too…
Migrante chapters, members and their families in the Middle East and around the world along with the entire Filipino nation today join the call to revoke the Visiting Forces Agreement. Migrante-Middle East is likewise calling for the scrapping of the Arroyo administration's Labor Export Policy now clearly stated on it recently issued Administrative Order No. 247. Both, the VFA and Arroyo's LEP, was a by-product of foreign impositions and unequal relations.
The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Arroyo administration's Labor Export Policy (LEP) are both concrete manifestations of foreign impositions and of the existing unequal relations between the governments of the United States and the Philippines.
The one-sided ratified VFA, as it was only ratified by the Philippine Senate and not with the US Senate, as it is to note that both must ratify the VFA to make it legally binding between the two parties, spells out foreign domination in the political realm; while the LEP means foreign imposition to Filipino nation's economic life as it was part of the structural adjustment program required by the U.S.-dominated International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (IMF-WB) to ensure the continuous in-flow of dollars to the Philippines for its debt payment and servicing.
VFA allows the entry of US troops in the Philippines enjoying legal impunity despite American forces allegedly committing atrocities not once, but twice and many times, against the Filipino people., while Arroyo's LEP continuously send OFWs abroad sans measures to protect OFWs rights, welfare and safety.
Arroyo's LEP promotes the sell out of OFWs cheap labor abroad. Just recently, Arroyo issued administrative Order No. 247 in its vain attempt to legitimize its continuous peddling of OFWs abroad to siphoned the billions OFWs remittances and fees it overcharging, thus overburdening OFWs and their families.
While visiting American forces enjoy all impunity and Filipino hospitality, our OFWs abroad are often victims of abuses, maltreatment, and labor malpractices.
While visiting American forces enjoy their stay in the Philippines due to the V.I.P. treatment provided by the Arroyo administration, our OFWs abroad are treated like slaves, working more than the required 8-hours, OT-work not being paid, and often salaries not paid on time or never to receive salaries at all.
While visiting American forces have their pride and head high during stay in the Philippines, our so-called 'Bagong Bayani' treated as third class citizen, literally heads are on the floor right after abusive employers physically manhandled a Pinay domestic helper or a Pinoy construction worker bad mouthed, insulted by his employer.
Migrante chapters along with OFWs and their families are calling the members of the Senate to finally send the VFA into the Senate archived after its revocation. We welcome Sen. Francis Pangilinan's Senate Resolution scrapping the VFA and eventual expulsion of US Military forces and personnel in the Philippines.
At the same time, we are calling members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives to file a resolution questioning the legality and constitutionality of Arroyo's Administrative Order No. 247 dated 4 December 2008 making labor export a matter of national policy that runs contrary to R.A. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
17 February 2009
Migrante-Middle East joins call to revoke VFA, LEP too…
Migrante chapters, members and their families in the Middle East and around the world along with the entire Filipino nation today join the call to revoke the Visiting Forces Agreement. Migrante-Middle East is likewise calling for the scrapping of the Arroyo administration's Labor Export Policy now clearly stated on it recently issued Administrative Order No. 247. Both, the VFA and Arroyo's LEP, was a by-product of foreign impositions and unequal relations.
The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Arroyo administration's Labor Export Policy (LEP) are both concrete manifestations of foreign impositions and of the existing unequal relations between the governments of the United States and the Philippines.
The one-sided ratified VFA, as it was only ratified by the Philippine Senate and not with the US Senate, as it is to note that both must ratify the VFA to make it legally binding between the two parties, spells out foreign domination in the political realm; while the LEP means foreign imposition to Filipino nation's economic life as it was part of the structural adjustment program required by the U.S.-dominated International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (IMF-WB) to ensure the continuous in-flow of dollars to the Philippines for its debt payment and servicing.
VFA allows the entry of US troops in the Philippines enjoying legal impunity despite American forces allegedly committing atrocities not once, but twice and many times, against the Filipino people., while Arroyo's LEP continuously send OFWs abroad sans measures to protect OFWs rights, welfare and safety.
Arroyo's LEP promotes the sell out of OFWs cheap labor abroad. Just recently, Arroyo issued administrative Order No. 247 in its vain attempt to legitimize its continuous peddling of OFWs abroad to siphoned the billions OFWs remittances and fees it overcharging, thus overburdening OFWs and their families.
While visiting American forces enjoy all impunity and Filipino hospitality, our OFWs abroad are often victims of abuses, maltreatment, and labor malpractices.
While visiting American forces enjoy their stay in the Philippines due to the V.I.P. treatment provided by the Arroyo administration, our OFWs abroad are treated like slaves, working more than the required 8-hours, OT-work not being paid, and often salaries not paid on time or never to receive salaries at all.
While visiting American forces have their pride and head high during stay in the Philippines, our so-called 'Bagong Bayani' treated as third class citizen, literally heads are on the floor right after abusive employers physically manhandled a Pinay domestic helper or a Pinoy construction worker bad mouthed, insulted by his employer.
Migrante chapters along with OFWs and their families are calling the members of the Senate to finally send the VFA into the Senate archived after its revocation. We welcome Sen. Francis Pangilinan's Senate Resolution scrapping the VFA and eventual expulsion of US Military forces and personnel in the Philippines.
At the same time, we are calling members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives to file a resolution questioning the legality and constitutionality of Arroyo's Administrative Order No. 247 dated 4 December 2008 making labor export a matter of national policy that runs contrary to R.A. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Deferring labor rights denounced
Statement
17 February 2009
Migrante and Kilusang Mayo Uno joined forces against illegal dismissal
Deferring labor rights due to crisis denounced by migrant and labor groups
Marching from Sto Domingo Church to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) building, Migrante International and Kilusang Mayo Uno together with retrenched workers here and abroad have joined forces to condemn the alleged inhuman and illegal dismissals being done by companies which are cutting down on labor due to the global financial and economic crisis.
"With the continuing mass lay-off presently occurring here and abroad, the Arroyo administration seems to have already thrown our labor rights in the garbage using the current global crisis as an excuse. The ongoing retrenchments, wage freeze, reduction of working hours, among other infringement of labor rights are direct attacks from greedy capitalists in collaboration with the Arroyo government. This is unacceptable. The inherent right of workers to due process cannot be set aside in whatever condition or circumstances, even at a time of severe crisis," explains Gina Esguerra, Secretary General of Migrante International.
According to Migrante the government is also accountable for failing to stop the massive violations against the rights of workers especially on the current illegal retrenchments even at multinational companies that were hit by the global financial and economic crisis. The group explains that the employer can only legally terminate the services of its employee if the said worker has committed a crime against the company or has violated any provision from its contract as stated in article 282 of the Labor Code or if the employee decides to quit by submitting a resignation letter to the company of not less than a month notice.
"In the case of the 227, OFWs who were laid-off from the Advance Semi-conductor Engineering Company in Taiwan, the OFWs were terminated without any prior warning or proper notice. Worse, not only that they were not given any compensation or their separation pay, they even have to pay for their own airfare back home. And all these violations were committed against the OFWs in full knowledge of the officials of the Manila Economic Cooperation Office (MECO)," adds Esguerra.
Complaints from the retrenched workers reaching Migrante Office clearly indicate the culpability of the government through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan. MECO officials acted in defense of the companies and its brokers by forcing them to sign a voluntary resignation paper and quit claims instead of taking action in favor of the OFWs.
"Cases are already filed at the POEA since their arrival but until now, their quest for justice remains in deaf ears of the Arroyo administration. And after series of consultations from Migrante, OFWs also filed a case to NLRC for the money claims and unexpired portion of their contract. Until now, President Arroyo pushed her lip-service 'President Arroyo Scholarship Program' and 'Filipino Expatriates Livelihood Support Fund' to cover up the real state of retrenched workers and absolve its responsibility on the plight of the retrenched workers," exclaims Esguerra.
Migrante and KMU announced that they are forming a joint campaign against inhuman and illegal dismissals, among other anti-worker schemes and calls all victims to approach their offices in Quezon City. The said campaign aims to challenge the judicial system in enforcing laws that guarantees the rights of workers and form an organization of victims of labor rights violations amidst of global financial and economic crisis.
"Workers, who produce the wealth of the world, have dignity and inherent rights that should be respected here and abroad. Migrante International decided to work with Kilusang Mayo Uno to launch a campaign against blatant labor rights violations and the accountability of the Arroyo government in failing to protect its workers. It is of utmost priority that the Arroyo administration should ensure that the labor rights of local and migrant workers are protected especially as the global financial and economic crisis intensifies" Esguerra concluded.###
17 February 2009
Migrante and Kilusang Mayo Uno joined forces against illegal dismissal
Deferring labor rights due to crisis denounced by migrant and labor groups
Marching from Sto Domingo Church to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) building, Migrante International and Kilusang Mayo Uno together with retrenched workers here and abroad have joined forces to condemn the alleged inhuman and illegal dismissals being done by companies which are cutting down on labor due to the global financial and economic crisis.
"With the continuing mass lay-off presently occurring here and abroad, the Arroyo administration seems to have already thrown our labor rights in the garbage using the current global crisis as an excuse. The ongoing retrenchments, wage freeze, reduction of working hours, among other infringement of labor rights are direct attacks from greedy capitalists in collaboration with the Arroyo government. This is unacceptable. The inherent right of workers to due process cannot be set aside in whatever condition or circumstances, even at a time of severe crisis," explains Gina Esguerra, Secretary General of Migrante International.
According to Migrante the government is also accountable for failing to stop the massive violations against the rights of workers especially on the current illegal retrenchments even at multinational companies that were hit by the global financial and economic crisis. The group explains that the employer can only legally terminate the services of its employee if the said worker has committed a crime against the company or has violated any provision from its contract as stated in article 282 of the Labor Code or if the employee decides to quit by submitting a resignation letter to the company of not less than a month notice.
"In the case of the 227, OFWs who were laid-off from the Advance Semi-conductor Engineering Company in Taiwan, the OFWs were terminated without any prior warning or proper notice. Worse, not only that they were not given any compensation or their separation pay, they even have to pay for their own airfare back home. And all these violations were committed against the OFWs in full knowledge of the officials of the Manila Economic Cooperation Office (MECO)," adds Esguerra.
Complaints from the retrenched workers reaching Migrante Office clearly indicate the culpability of the government through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan. MECO officials acted in defense of the companies and its brokers by forcing them to sign a voluntary resignation paper and quit claims instead of taking action in favor of the OFWs.
"Cases are already filed at the POEA since their arrival but until now, their quest for justice remains in deaf ears of the Arroyo administration. And after series of consultations from Migrante, OFWs also filed a case to NLRC for the money claims and unexpired portion of their contract. Until now, President Arroyo pushed her lip-service 'President Arroyo Scholarship Program' and 'Filipino Expatriates Livelihood Support Fund' to cover up the real state of retrenched workers and absolve its responsibility on the plight of the retrenched workers," exclaims Esguerra.
Migrante and KMU announced that they are forming a joint campaign against inhuman and illegal dismissals, among other anti-worker schemes and calls all victims to approach their offices in Quezon City. The said campaign aims to challenge the judicial system in enforcing laws that guarantees the rights of workers and form an organization of victims of labor rights violations amidst of global financial and economic crisis.
"Workers, who produce the wealth of the world, have dignity and inherent rights that should be respected here and abroad. Migrante International decided to work with Kilusang Mayo Uno to launch a campaign against blatant labor rights violations and the accountability of the Arroyo government in failing to protect its workers. It is of utmost priority that the Arroyo administration should ensure that the labor rights of local and migrant workers are protected especially as the global financial and economic crisis intensifies" Esguerra concluded.###
Monday, February 16, 2009
COMELEC exactions on passports Spell Extortion for OFWs
Press Statement
12 February 2009
Migrante : COMELEC exactions on passports Spell Extortion for OFWs
In a time of such a severe crisis, how can the government have the still have the guts to squeeze more funds from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)? This was the question raised by the largest global alliance of migrant Filipino groups, Migrante International.
In a protest in front of the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) building in Pasay City, members of Migrante International denounced the government's continuing implementation of requiring a voter's registration certificate for anyone who wants to get a Philippine passport.
"This is clearly another burden and an additional cost to aspiring OFWs as one has to pay P75 to the Comission on Elections before applying for a passport," Migrante Chairperson Garry Martinez said.
Martinez said they have received numerous complaints from aspiring OFWs regarding the requirement. He stated that this violates the rights to travel and shows the government's dictatorial tendency.
He also scored the P250 overtime fee being charged by the DFA for every passport being processed during Saturdays.
Martinez said this and other exorbitant fees only illustrate the government's shameless act to haul in more funds from Filipino citizens. This will particularly affect OFWs who are already reeling more than P17, 000 state fees they have to pay for required documents.
"P75 multiplied by the number of OFWs who leave daily (4,200) is equal to an additional P315,000 daily income for the government," Martinez said. "This amount will steeply increase when one factors in the other Filipino travelers who use passports."
He mentioned it was just a humble estimate as the DFA's goal is to increase the number from 3,500 to 10,000 passports per day.
Martinez also revealed that the aggressive efforts of the DFA to provide passports is but a part of the government's labor export policy as it particularly targets OFWs. It must be remembered that the Arroyo's government's response to the crisis is to sell more OFWs.
"From January to November, 2008, 236 mobile passport services were established carry out resulting to 87,612 passports within 10 months. Right now, the DFA is planning to establish five more regional consular offices. With the crisis, the only ones interested to travel are the very rich or the OFWs who are desperately ready to gamble on a life working like slaves abroad rather than suffer through the crunching poverty here," he said.
Meanwhile, migrants in Italy have marched in front of the Philippine Embassy to protest the unreasonable increase of consular fees.
In an open letter to President Arroyo, Migrante-Italy expressing their opposition to "the newly implemented increase of fees including the passport because it is arbitrary, anomalous, undemocratic and unjust since we were not informed neither consulted prior to its approval."
Migrante reiterated its message to the Arroyo government: Stop additional and exorbitant state exactions. "Instead of squeezing OFWs dry, Arroyo should focus on creating jobs in the country. Mrs. Arroyo is hell bent in courting rich countries to sell out OFWs just to save her bankrupt economic policies," Martinez ended.
####
12 February 2009
Migrante : COMELEC exactions on passports Spell Extortion for OFWs
In a time of such a severe crisis, how can the government have the still have the guts to squeeze more funds from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)? This was the question raised by the largest global alliance of migrant Filipino groups, Migrante International.
In a protest in front of the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) building in Pasay City, members of Migrante International denounced the government's continuing implementation of requiring a voter's registration certificate for anyone who wants to get a Philippine passport.
"This is clearly another burden and an additional cost to aspiring OFWs as one has to pay P75 to the Comission on Elections before applying for a passport," Migrante Chairperson Garry Martinez said.
Martinez said they have received numerous complaints from aspiring OFWs regarding the requirement. He stated that this violates the rights to travel and shows the government's dictatorial tendency.
He also scored the P250 overtime fee being charged by the DFA for every passport being processed during Saturdays.
Martinez said this and other exorbitant fees only illustrate the government's shameless act to haul in more funds from Filipino citizens. This will particularly affect OFWs who are already reeling more than P17, 000 state fees they have to pay for required documents.
"P75 multiplied by the number of OFWs who leave daily (4,200) is equal to an additional P315,000 daily income for the government," Martinez said. "This amount will steeply increase when one factors in the other Filipino travelers who use passports."
He mentioned it was just a humble estimate as the DFA's goal is to increase the number from 3,500 to 10,000 passports per day.
Martinez also revealed that the aggressive efforts of the DFA to provide passports is but a part of the government's labor export policy as it particularly targets OFWs. It must be remembered that the Arroyo's government's response to the crisis is to sell more OFWs.
"From January to November, 2008, 236 mobile passport services were established carry out resulting to 87,612 passports within 10 months. Right now, the DFA is planning to establish five more regional consular offices. With the crisis, the only ones interested to travel are the very rich or the OFWs who are desperately ready to gamble on a life working like slaves abroad rather than suffer through the crunching poverty here," he said.
Meanwhile, migrants in Italy have marched in front of the Philippine Embassy to protest the unreasonable increase of consular fees.
In an open letter to President Arroyo, Migrante-Italy expressing their opposition to "the newly implemented increase of fees including the passport because it is arbitrary, anomalous, undemocratic and unjust since we were not informed neither consulted prior to its approval."
Migrante reiterated its message to the Arroyo government: Stop additional and exorbitant state exactions. "Instead of squeezing OFWs dry, Arroyo should focus on creating jobs in the country. Mrs. Arroyo is hell bent in courting rich countries to sell out OFWs just to save her bankrupt economic policies," Martinez ended.
####
Sunday, February 15, 2009
SI JUAN, SA LUNGGA NAKATIRA
SI JUAN, SA LUNGGA NAKATIRA
Noong araw ako ay bata pa
Nanghuhuli ako ng dagang bukid
Ginagalugad ko ang paligid
Ng mga saka ng magbubukid.
Hanap ko nga ay lunnga
Lungga ng mga daga
Ito nga’y nasa mga pinitak
At nasa bukid na bitak-bitak.
Madalas dito’y maputik
Sukal at damo’y hitik na hitik
Minsa’y basura’y naririto rin
Paligid ay nakakalimarim.
Ito ay noong araw, bata pa nga ako noon
Ngayong ngang lumipas na ang panahon
Sa lungga’y-- iba na ang nandoon
Si Juan doon na nag mimiron
Bahay pala niya’y naroroon
Sa tabi ng estero, tabi ng poso negro.
Siya’y may bahay pang iba, aba! mayaman pala siya
Yung isa’y nasa Ayala ; “Ayala Bridge” sa may Luneta
Sa Buendia’y may isa pa siya, sa ilalim din ng tulay pala..
Yung mga pinsan niyay’ may kaya rin sa buhay
Sa bawa’t istasyon ng bus ay may bahay
Minsan ako’y nagulat sa may” bus stop” sa Taft
Sa likod ko’y may bumalagbag ; sa itaas ng kisame nagbuhat
“Wating sheds” bahay na rin pala nila
Kay daming bahay pala nila talaga.
Sa isang banda’y mabuti na rin ito
Sa ‘yong pag uwi sa gabi
Di ka mahuhuli
May bahay ka nga, kahit saang tabi.
Panginoon namin!; Kami sa iyo’y dumadalangin
Si Juan ay kahabagan mo, bigyan ng bahay at makakain
Siya’y anak mo rin at siya nama’y masunurin.
Akda ni Jaime E.Santillan
Riyadh ,KSA
Noong araw ako ay bata pa
Nanghuhuli ako ng dagang bukid
Ginagalugad ko ang paligid
Ng mga saka ng magbubukid.
Hanap ko nga ay lunnga
Lungga ng mga daga
Ito nga’y nasa mga pinitak
At nasa bukid na bitak-bitak.
Madalas dito’y maputik
Sukal at damo’y hitik na hitik
Minsa’y basura’y naririto rin
Paligid ay nakakalimarim.
Ito ay noong araw, bata pa nga ako noon
Ngayong ngang lumipas na ang panahon
Sa lungga’y-- iba na ang nandoon
Si Juan doon na nag mimiron
Bahay pala niya’y naroroon
Sa tabi ng estero, tabi ng poso negro.
Siya’y may bahay pang iba, aba! mayaman pala siya
Yung isa’y nasa Ayala ; “Ayala Bridge” sa may Luneta
Sa Buendia’y may isa pa siya, sa ilalim din ng tulay pala..
Yung mga pinsan niyay’ may kaya rin sa buhay
Sa bawa’t istasyon ng bus ay may bahay
Minsan ako’y nagulat sa may” bus stop” sa Taft
Sa likod ko’y may bumalagbag ; sa itaas ng kisame nagbuhat
“Wating sheds” bahay na rin pala nila
Kay daming bahay pala nila talaga.
Sa isang banda’y mabuti na rin ito
Sa ‘yong pag uwi sa gabi
Di ka mahuhuli
May bahay ka nga, kahit saang tabi.
Panginoon namin!; Kami sa iyo’y dumadalangin
Si Juan ay kahabagan mo, bigyan ng bahay at makakain
Siya’y anak mo rin at siya nama’y masunurin.
Akda ni Jaime E.Santillan
Riyadh ,KSA
GCC Review on expat employment policies threatens export of labor
Press Release
10 February 2009
Review on GCC expat employment policies threatens the Arroyo regime's massive export of labor; genuine agrarian reform and nationalization of industries answer to global economic crisis
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today warn of an impending reversal of the current expatriates' employment policy in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries that would threaten the Arroyo regime's policy of massive export of labor.
The warning came after a review of GCC migrant labor policy was proposed by an official of the Council during the recent conference on human resources held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
"Based on the reports by the Associated Press (AP) in Saudi Gazette, a local newspaper in Saudi Arabia, an official of the GCC has proposed that jobs available in the GCC countries must go first to their respective nationals, and that they must be given utmost employment preference over expatriate workers," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
AP reports quoting his Highness Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal during the conference on human resources in Abu Dhabi urging GCC-member countries to review its economic policies in a serious manner to build national economies that benefit their people and not the millions of foreign workers.
Monterona opined the governments of GCC countries have all the rights to prioritize its own nationals to have jobs and to be employed than any other foreign nationals amid the global financial crisis that laid offs millions of workers.
"It is very understandable that GCC-countries must give employment preferential to its own people than hiring expatriate workers; it is on their people's very interests," Monterona added.
The GCC-member countries attained economic growth that is fueled by oil exploration coupled with the surge of the price of oil which in turn provided each country the opportunity to develop its infrastructure, construction, and services industries that forced them to hire millions of foreign workers.
"In the midst of the global financial crisis, the GCC countries may heed on this protectionists call – employment preference to their national, which would mean no hiring of expatriates workers anymore," Monterona averred.
Monterona said this would run counter to the Arroyo administration's thrust of exporting millions of unemployed Filipinos.
"What we are saying is that all world economies are moving heaven and earth to save jobs for their nationals due to major companies' losses and closure, yet the Arroyo administration is on a massive export of OFWs – which is not a viable labor policy in time of global financial crisis," Monterona opined.
Migrante-ME said the Arroyo administration is on a wrong economic path on its blind adherence to U.S neo-liberal policies of globalization.
"Instead of developing an economic policies based on what we have – rich natural resources, human labor, skills and knowledge, our country's comparative advantage – the Arroyo administration blindly adhere to U.S. neo-liberal policies of globalization which ultimate aim is to take advantage of its unfair trade relations with the Philippines and its other neo-colonies to survive its own ailing economy," Monterona added.
Migrante-ME said genuine agrarian reform program must first be seriously implemented coupled with the nationalization of basic industries for the Philippine economy to be self-reliant, adding "this is the economic model suited for the Philippines."
"Now, it is a question of political will on the part of the present administration and for any administration to come or it is a question of whose interests the present administration would like to serve – the interests of poor famers and struggling workers or the interests of landlords and local businessmen who are occupying seats in the government, either in Congress or in the Executive branch?" Monterona ended. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
10 February 2009
Review on GCC expat employment policies threatens the Arroyo regime's massive export of labor; genuine agrarian reform and nationalization of industries answer to global economic crisis
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations in the Middle East today warn of an impending reversal of the current expatriates' employment policy in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries that would threaten the Arroyo regime's policy of massive export of labor.
The warning came after a review of GCC migrant labor policy was proposed by an official of the Council during the recent conference on human resources held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
"Based on the reports by the Associated Press (AP) in Saudi Gazette, a local newspaper in Saudi Arabia, an official of the GCC has proposed that jobs available in the GCC countries must go first to their respective nationals, and that they must be given utmost employment preference over expatriate workers," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
AP reports quoting his Highness Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal during the conference on human resources in Abu Dhabi urging GCC-member countries to review its economic policies in a serious manner to build national economies that benefit their people and not the millions of foreign workers.
Monterona opined the governments of GCC countries have all the rights to prioritize its own nationals to have jobs and to be employed than any other foreign nationals amid the global financial crisis that laid offs millions of workers.
"It is very understandable that GCC-countries must give employment preferential to its own people than hiring expatriate workers; it is on their people's very interests," Monterona added.
The GCC-member countries attained economic growth that is fueled by oil exploration coupled with the surge of the price of oil which in turn provided each country the opportunity to develop its infrastructure, construction, and services industries that forced them to hire millions of foreign workers.
"In the midst of the global financial crisis, the GCC countries may heed on this protectionists call – employment preference to their national, which would mean no hiring of expatriates workers anymore," Monterona averred.
Monterona said this would run counter to the Arroyo administration's thrust of exporting millions of unemployed Filipinos.
"What we are saying is that all world economies are moving heaven and earth to save jobs for their nationals due to major companies' losses and closure, yet the Arroyo administration is on a massive export of OFWs – which is not a viable labor policy in time of global financial crisis," Monterona opined.
Migrante-ME said the Arroyo administration is on a wrong economic path on its blind adherence to U.S neo-liberal policies of globalization.
"Instead of developing an economic policies based on what we have – rich natural resources, human labor, skills and knowledge, our country's comparative advantage – the Arroyo administration blindly adhere to U.S. neo-liberal policies of globalization which ultimate aim is to take advantage of its unfair trade relations with the Philippines and its other neo-colonies to survive its own ailing economy," Monterona added.
Migrante-ME said genuine agrarian reform program must first be seriously implemented coupled with the nationalization of basic industries for the Philippine economy to be self-reliant, adding "this is the economic model suited for the Philippines."
"Now, it is a question of political will on the part of the present administration and for any administration to come or it is a question of whose interests the present administration would like to serve – the interests of poor famers and struggling workers or the interests of landlords and local businessmen who are occupying seats in the government, either in Congress or in the Executive branch?" Monterona ended. # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Thursday, February 12, 2009
SI JUAN, ISANG SEAMAN
SI JUAN, ISANG SEAMAN
Magulang n'yay tuwang-tuwa
Anak nila'y sa seama'y nakatapos na
Bukas - makalawa'y nasa abroad na siya
Dollar ay makakatanggap na.
Sa Maynila'y siya'y pumunta
Nag apply sa may Ermita
Diyos ko kay hirap pala
Takong ng sapatos ko'y butas na
Sa aki'y wala pang kumukuha.
Sino ba iho ang kakilala mo rito
May" experience "ka na ba sa barko?
Duon sa kusina ka muna
Kape'y magtimpla ka
Mamaya'y linisin mo ang opisina
Kotse ni Boss, isama mo na.
Ayy! sa wakas ako'y may skedyul na
Pangalan ko'y nasa pisara na
Sa isang buwan ang alis pa
Ako nga dine'y wala ng pera.
Sa Surigao sa barko'y akoy sumampa
Pagkain ay kay sarap
Kay daming supply pa
Gaya ng yaki suba.
Patag ang dagat sa Zamboanga
Hanggang sa Surabaya, Indonesia
Seaman pala'y ganito lang
Dagat sa umaga'y
Kay gandang silayan.
Sa puerto'y kay daming nangangalakal
Babae't-lalaki' y nag uunahan
May isa akong napusuan
Siya naman ay masahe lang.
Subali't nangyari nga ang di dapat maganap
Pera ko'y wala akong pambayad
Sabon at noodles na lang
Nakangiti n'yang tinanggap
Saka limang pisong berde
Philippine dollar kako 'yan.
Patag nga ang dagat hanggang sa Pilipinas
Sa Bicol kami'y bumagtas
Bulkang Mayon aking pang nakita
Bago San Bernardino Strait na pala.
Pag labas namin dine'y
Barko'y gumewang-gewang na
Ako'y nakaupo sa may makina
Di na makatayo pa't hilong -hilo na.
Sa kamarote'y ko'y, akoy bumulakta na
Sa sobrang hilo'y di makakain o makausap nila
Tantya ko'y bituka ko'y lumuluwa na
Sa sobra kong pag susuka.
Inang ko po mamatay na yata ako
Ano man pagkain ayaw tanggapin ng tiyan ko
Pag dating sa Japan, uuwi na 'ko
Ayaw ko ng maging marino.
Sa Japan dagat ay kumalmada
Ako nga'y nakatayo't nakakain na
Nang ako'y naka sulyap ng Haponesa
Kay ganda at kay puti-puti pala nila.
Japan ay kay gandang bayan
Pati mga Hapon ay kay gagalang
"Konichiwa" batian nila
"Ohaiyo kodaimasda" naman sa umaga.
Pag uwi sa Pilipinas ay nalimutan kona nga
Hanggang sa tumagal na nga ako
Sa pagiging marinero
Buhay sa barko'y kinagiliwan ko na..
-----------Hangang dito na lang muna-------- -
may kasunod pa ito.
Akda ni Jose Enriquez Santos
Riyadh,KSA
Magulang n'yay tuwang-tuwa
Anak nila'y sa seama'y nakatapos na
Bukas - makalawa'y nasa abroad na siya
Dollar ay makakatanggap na.
Sa Maynila'y siya'y pumunta
Nag apply sa may Ermita
Diyos ko kay hirap pala
Takong ng sapatos ko'y butas na
Sa aki'y wala pang kumukuha.
Sino ba iho ang kakilala mo rito
May" experience "ka na ba sa barko?
Duon sa kusina ka muna
Kape'y magtimpla ka
Mamaya'y linisin mo ang opisina
Kotse ni Boss, isama mo na.
Ayy! sa wakas ako'y may skedyul na
Pangalan ko'y nasa pisara na
Sa isang buwan ang alis pa
Ako nga dine'y wala ng pera.
Sa Surigao sa barko'y akoy sumampa
Pagkain ay kay sarap
Kay daming supply pa
Gaya ng yaki suba.
Patag ang dagat sa Zamboanga
Hanggang sa Surabaya, Indonesia
Seaman pala'y ganito lang
Dagat sa umaga'y
Kay gandang silayan.
Sa puerto'y kay daming nangangalakal
Babae't-lalaki' y nag uunahan
May isa akong napusuan
Siya naman ay masahe lang.
Subali't nangyari nga ang di dapat maganap
Pera ko'y wala akong pambayad
Sabon at noodles na lang
Nakangiti n'yang tinanggap
Saka limang pisong berde
Philippine dollar kako 'yan.
Patag nga ang dagat hanggang sa Pilipinas
Sa Bicol kami'y bumagtas
Bulkang Mayon aking pang nakita
Bago San Bernardino Strait na pala.
Pag labas namin dine'y
Barko'y gumewang-gewang na
Ako'y nakaupo sa may makina
Di na makatayo pa't hilong -hilo na.
Sa kamarote'y ko'y, akoy bumulakta na
Sa sobrang hilo'y di makakain o makausap nila
Tantya ko'y bituka ko'y lumuluwa na
Sa sobra kong pag susuka.
Inang ko po mamatay na yata ako
Ano man pagkain ayaw tanggapin ng tiyan ko
Pag dating sa Japan, uuwi na 'ko
Ayaw ko ng maging marino.
Sa Japan dagat ay kumalmada
Ako nga'y nakatayo't nakakain na
Nang ako'y naka sulyap ng Haponesa
Kay ganda at kay puti-puti pala nila.
Japan ay kay gandang bayan
Pati mga Hapon ay kay gagalang
"Konichiwa" batian nila
"Ohaiyo kodaimasda" naman sa umaga.
Pag uwi sa Pilipinas ay nalimutan kona nga
Hanggang sa tumagal na nga ako
Sa pagiging marinero
Buhay sa barko'y kinagiliwan ko na..
-----------Hangang dito na lang muna-------- -
may kasunod pa ito.
Akda ni Jose Enriquez Santos
Riyadh,KSA
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
RP posts urge to work for amnesty of stranded, overstaying Filipinos;
Press Release
11 February 2009
RP posts urge to work for amnesty of stranded, overstaying Filipinos; Migrant group says numbers of stranded are increasing
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations based in the Middle East today is urging all Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East to work for amnesty of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs.
"It is now imperative for all Philippine posts abroad especially in the Middle East to work for amnesty of stranded and distress OFWs and it could possibly be done via diplomatic way," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East have noted an increasing numbers of stranded and overstaying OFWs in the Middle East, "the latest addition are the about 37 OFWs seeking refuge at Khandara Bridge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Monterona added.
Monterona opined this figure may gone up in the coming months as many especially those who will be sporadically laid off may choose to stay in the Kingdom in the hope of getting another job than to go back home without a job.
"According to our Migrante-Jeddah chapter, the numbers of distress OFWs in Khandara bridge swell to about 100 during day time. It is to their observation that there are a considerable numbers out there," Monterona added.
Monterona warned that a similar situation may happen again like during the last quarter of 2007 and early months of 2008 where more than 200 stranded and overstaying OFWs have sought refuge at Khandara bridge and eventually stage protest actions inside the PCG premises against the slow action on their miserable plight provided by the Philippine Consulate General office in Jeddah.
Monterona said working for an amnesty is for the interests of stranded and overstaying OFWs. "That is why RP posts abroad are their to protect the interests of OFWs, and represents OFWs interests in relation to the host government's internal or immigration policies," Monterona averred.
"We would like to remind our diplomatic officials that many of the distress and stranded OFWs are victims of labor malpractices, non-payment of salaries, overworked, and sexual and physical abuses committed against them by their employers thus they abscond from their abusive employers," Monterona added.
The OFW leader said if absconding is a crime in most of the Middle Eastern countries, RP diplomats must not think and treat them that way, but instead provide them swift assistance for the early resolution of their cases.
"But our distress OFWs often caught between a "devil and deep blue sea", would choose to be apprehended by immigration police hoping for their eventual repatriation," Monterona added.
"That is why a pro-active actions and measures must be taken by our diplomatic officials; first to swiftly approach distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs especially those in Khadara bridge to get their names, make a lists and records their respective cases, and study for a possible amnesty deal for their repatriation," Monterona said.
Migrante-ME said the case of increasing numbers of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs in the Middle East must one of the concerns the Arroyo administration must look at and provide the needed assistance to them.
"But to our dismay, during her recent side trip to Saudi Arabia from Davos, Switzerland, Mrs. Arroyo did not even mention about the miserable conditions of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs. She was just busy enough selling OFWs labor cheap in the Middle East," Monterona added.
Monterona ended saying "this is one of the issues that will be brought up by Migrante International for tomorrow's internationally coordinated protests against the Arroyo administration's continued neglect, super state exactions of fees and charges from OFWs over burdening OFWs and their families, and yet without any assistance given to them, only false hopes and promises," # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
11 February 2009
RP posts urge to work for amnesty of stranded, overstaying Filipinos; Migrant group says numbers of stranded are increasing
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' organizations based in the Middle East today is urging all Philippine Embassies and Consular offices in the Middle East to work for amnesty of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs.
"It is now imperative for all Philippine posts abroad especially in the Middle East to work for amnesty of stranded and distress OFWs and it could possibly be done via diplomatic way," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East have noted an increasing numbers of stranded and overstaying OFWs in the Middle East, "the latest addition are the about 37 OFWs seeking refuge at Khandara Bridge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Monterona added.
Monterona opined this figure may gone up in the coming months as many especially those who will be sporadically laid off may choose to stay in the Kingdom in the hope of getting another job than to go back home without a job.
"According to our Migrante-Jeddah chapter, the numbers of distress OFWs in Khandara bridge swell to about 100 during day time. It is to their observation that there are a considerable numbers out there," Monterona added.
Monterona warned that a similar situation may happen again like during the last quarter of 2007 and early months of 2008 where more than 200 stranded and overstaying OFWs have sought refuge at Khandara bridge and eventually stage protest actions inside the PCG premises against the slow action on their miserable plight provided by the Philippine Consulate General office in Jeddah.
Monterona said working for an amnesty is for the interests of stranded and overstaying OFWs. "That is why RP posts abroad are their to protect the interests of OFWs, and represents OFWs interests in relation to the host government's internal or immigration policies," Monterona averred.
"We would like to remind our diplomatic officials that many of the distress and stranded OFWs are victims of labor malpractices, non-payment of salaries, overworked, and sexual and physical abuses committed against them by their employers thus they abscond from their abusive employers," Monterona added.
The OFW leader said if absconding is a crime in most of the Middle Eastern countries, RP diplomats must not think and treat them that way, but instead provide them swift assistance for the early resolution of their cases.
"But our distress OFWs often caught between a "devil and deep blue sea", would choose to be apprehended by immigration police hoping for their eventual repatriation," Monterona added.
"That is why a pro-active actions and measures must be taken by our diplomatic officials; first to swiftly approach distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs especially those in Khadara bridge to get their names, make a lists and records their respective cases, and study for a possible amnesty deal for their repatriation," Monterona said.
Migrante-ME said the case of increasing numbers of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs in the Middle East must one of the concerns the Arroyo administration must look at and provide the needed assistance to them.
"But to our dismay, during her recent side trip to Saudi Arabia from Davos, Switzerland, Mrs. Arroyo did not even mention about the miserable conditions of distress, stranded and overstaying OFWs. She was just busy enough selling OFWs labor cheap in the Middle East," Monterona added.
Monterona ended saying "this is one of the issues that will be brought up by Migrante International for tomorrow's internationally coordinated protests against the Arroyo administration's continued neglect, super state exactions of fees and charges from OFWs over burdening OFWs and their families, and yet without any assistance given to them, only false hopes and promises," # # #
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
