Press Release
11 June 2009
For reference:
Mike Garlan
Secretary General, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS-Migrante)
Mobile Phone: 00966 562 98 9930
Email: mikeriyadh_28@yahoo.com.ph
OFWs in the Middle East vow to intensify protests against Cha-cha;
readying “No Remittance” Day if “con-ass” convenes
The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan, member organization of Migrante International in Saudi Arabia today said OFWs in Saudi Arabia are ever ready to oppose the move of Mrs. Arroyo’s snap dogs in the House of Representatives when they railroaded the approval of HB 1109 that will transform the Congress into Constituent Assembly to effect revisions to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The group’s opposition was declared today in a press conference held in Riyadh, and in solidarity to the legitimate and fair act of non-remittance if the fake “con-ass” will be convened.
Mike Garlan, KGS-Migrante Secretary-General, said despite mounting public opposition changing the Constitution, pro-administration Congressmen still able to manage to pass HB 1109 as their patron in Malacanang is pressing them hard for this ‘grand treachery’ to materialize serving its own interests to stay longer in power.
“Despite pronouncement of Mrs. Arroyo that election will push through in 2010, its actions and directives to its pro-administration Congressmen is her patented lie to the public who are eager to elect new President and other national and local elected officials come 2010 elections,” Garlan added.
“Mass protest actions in whatever forms in an internationally coordinated manner will be our response to pro-administration Congressmen and Mrs. Arroyo’s Con-ass; we are readying in consultation with our fellow OFWs and other OFWs organizations in Saudi Arabia where the second largest remittance came from for a “No Remittance” day if the fake “con-ass” will be convened on the opening of the Congress session on July 2009,” Garlan ended.
KGS and other chapters of Migrante in the Middle East are urging OFWs and their families for their usual support to frustrate the evil plans by the occupant in Malacanang desperately pushing for Charter Change for their own political and class interests. # # #
Showing posts with label KGS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KGS. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Arroyo's men should undergo psych test first
Press Release – 05 October 2008
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Arroyo's labor honchos urge to undergo psych test first before OFWs,
KGS-Migrante willing to shoulder costs
"OFWs and their families are challenging Mrs. Arroyo's labor officials such as DFA Undersecretary Conejos, DoLE Sec. Roque, POEA Administrator Manalili, OWWA Administrator Dimzon, to undergo psych test after having been on a 3-months on-the-job-training for domestic works before making it compulsory to OFWs. We will campaign to all OFWs to contribute for their psych test fees," said by a member-organization of Migrante International on a statement sent from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mario Ben, working for 20 years in Saudi Arabia and Chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan-Migrante (KGS-Migrante) based in Riyadh, said to make it fair for OFWs and since the psych tests proposal came from Mrs. Arroyo's labor honchos, it is but reasonable that they should be first to undergo a psych test after they have completed a 3-months on-the-job-training either in Saudi Arabia or in Kuwait.
"We are much willing to pay for the cost of their psych test. We should be checking our labor officials' capacity to think rationally and sensibly so that they could come up concrete pro-active measures protecting OFWs rights and well-being," Ben averred.
Ben continued that OFWs and aspiring alike are alarmed if this compulsory psych test will be implemented as this maybe the reason why aspiring OFWs could not be given a fair chance to find a job abroad. "
Compulsory psych test is discriminatory and violative of one's right," he continued. He added that unreasonable and senseless measures such as psych test and AIDS test could not deter OFWs not to commit crimes against their employer.
Numerous cases revealed that OFWs are the usual victims of their abusive employers and not the other way around; thus they were only forced to commit crimes in defense of their life and their beings.
"Contrary to the claim of the DFA Undersecretary Conejos that the government provides "swift, prompt and decisive", psych test is clearly a reactionary measure because it does not provide a direct solution to the real problem of abuses and maltreatment of our household service workers and construction workers," Ben averred.
KGS-Migrante in Riyadh will be writing to the National Center for Mental Health and other Clinics in Metro Manila how much it will costs for all Arroyo labor honchos to undergo a psych tests so that his group could raise the necessary amount.
KGS-Migrante will be writing as well to lobby to members of the Congress to consider filling a bill making it compulsory to all appointive cabinet members to undergo a psych test and AIDS test before their appointment will be concurred.
"We are certain that Arroyo's labor officials will be laughed at by their counterparts from other participating government during the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila on October 29-30 for requiring its own migrant workers to undergo compulsory psych test as it is idiotic and reactionary measure," Ben ended. # # #
For reference:
Mario Ben
KGS-Migrante Chairperson
Mobile Phone No.: 00966 502 98 0129
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Arroyo's labor honchos urge to undergo psych test first before OFWs,
KGS-Migrante willing to shoulder costs
"OFWs and their families are challenging Mrs. Arroyo's labor officials such as DFA Undersecretary Conejos, DoLE Sec. Roque, POEA Administrator Manalili, OWWA Administrator Dimzon, to undergo psych test after having been on a 3-months on-the-job-training for domestic works before making it compulsory to OFWs. We will campaign to all OFWs to contribute for their psych test fees," said by a member-organization of Migrante International on a statement sent from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mario Ben, working for 20 years in Saudi Arabia and Chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan-Migrante (KGS-Migrante) based in Riyadh, said to make it fair for OFWs and since the psych tests proposal came from Mrs. Arroyo's labor honchos, it is but reasonable that they should be first to undergo a psych test after they have completed a 3-months on-the-job-training either in Saudi Arabia or in Kuwait.
"We are much willing to pay for the cost of their psych test. We should be checking our labor officials' capacity to think rationally and sensibly so that they could come up concrete pro-active measures protecting OFWs rights and well-being," Ben averred.
Ben continued that OFWs and aspiring alike are alarmed if this compulsory psych test will be implemented as this maybe the reason why aspiring OFWs could not be given a fair chance to find a job abroad. "
Compulsory psych test is discriminatory and violative of one's right," he continued. He added that unreasonable and senseless measures such as psych test and AIDS test could not deter OFWs not to commit crimes against their employer.
Numerous cases revealed that OFWs are the usual victims of their abusive employers and not the other way around; thus they were only forced to commit crimes in defense of their life and their beings.
"Contrary to the claim of the DFA Undersecretary Conejos that the government provides "swift, prompt and decisive", psych test is clearly a reactionary measure because it does not provide a direct solution to the real problem of abuses and maltreatment of our household service workers and construction workers," Ben averred.
KGS-Migrante in Riyadh will be writing to the National Center for Mental Health and other Clinics in Metro Manila how much it will costs for all Arroyo labor honchos to undergo a psych tests so that his group could raise the necessary amount.
KGS-Migrante will be writing as well to lobby to members of the Congress to consider filling a bill making it compulsory to all appointive cabinet members to undergo a psych test and AIDS test before their appointment will be concurred.
"We are certain that Arroyo's labor officials will be laughed at by their counterparts from other participating government during the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila on October 29-30 for requiring its own migrant workers to undergo compulsory psych test as it is idiotic and reactionary measure," Ben ended. # # #
For reference:
Mario Ben
KGS-Migrante Chairperson
Mobile Phone No.: 00966 502 98 0129
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Letter to OWWA for Lanuza
26 April 2008
The Board of Trustees
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
7th Street Corner F. B. Harrison
Pasay City, Philippines
Tel (00632) 8917601
Fax (00632) 5516640/
Email: adminmdr@owwa.gov.ph
Through: The Honorable Marianito Roque
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Dear Secretary Roque and the Board,
Greetings from Saudi Arabia !
The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) of Riyadh , Saudi Arabia brings to your attention the case of Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, who is in Dammam death row and on the brink of being beheaded. God forbids.
While we pray and push for the Philippine government to exert all efforts to save the life of Dondon, KGS would like to request the OWWA Board of Directors to exempt Dondon Lanuza from the OWWA Scholarship policy and allow his two children to avail of a special scholarship this coming school opening until they graduate a college bachelor degree or two-year vocational course.
Perhaps you all know that Dondon Lanuza is no longer an active OWWA member because he has not paid his OWWA membership fees but this is because he is in jail.
Prior to this, Dondon is an OWWA member. Actually his wife who is working as a nurse at King Fahad Military Medical Complex and earning only SR1,000 a month is an active member but according to an OWWA official, as stated in the attached news article published in Bulatlat.com, she is not entitled.
While in jail Dondon accepts some laundry work in order to help his wife who is also doubling as house help during her free time as part-time job to keep both ends meet to survive their children’s day-to-day expenses and education.
In our telephone conversation with Dondon, the father of two is very keen on getting his children’s education secured before he is executed. As a prisoner on death row, this is a very daunting task for an OFW, whose predicament was brought only by his instinct to survive against a sexual assault that happened eight years ago.
KGS believes that during the 2000 tragic incident, Dondon has defended himself from his aggressor that resulted on the untimely death of his attacker.
“PLEASE HELP ME FIND A PERSON PO NA MAGPI-FINANCE SA EDUCATION NG 2 KIDS KO." This was his appeal to the media that Dondon repeated several times when KGS talked to him recently.
With the present economic crises in the Philippines , it would be hard to find an individual who would help his children’s education. Except for OWWA.
With the kind approval of the Board we would like to request you to grant a special exemption to the children of Rodelio Lanuza.
During our annual general assembly held this month in Riyadh , KGS adapted the call of Dondon for his children’s education.
During that event, Labor Attaché Resty dela Fuente told our 24-year old organization that POLO Riyadh is one with KGS in our call to ask the OWWA Board to provide scholarship to Dondon Lanuza’s children in Cavite .
We will also call other migrant organizations all over the world to join us in our request to the OWWA Board of Directors about this matter.
(Here) is the article written in bulatlat.com about Dondon Lanuza.
Thank you for your time reading our request and we look forward to your favorable reply on this matter.
Respectfully,
(Signed) Edgar C. Cadano
Secretary General
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cellphone number: (00966) 508186919
kapatid_ksa@yahoo.com
The Board of Trustees
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
7th Street Corner F. B. Harrison
Pasay City, Philippines
Tel (00632) 8917601
Fax (00632) 5516640/
Email: adminmdr@owwa.gov.ph
Through: The Honorable Marianito Roque
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Dear Secretary Roque and the Board,
Greetings from Saudi Arabia !
The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) of Riyadh , Saudi Arabia brings to your attention the case of Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, who is in Dammam death row and on the brink of being beheaded. God forbids.
While we pray and push for the Philippine government to exert all efforts to save the life of Dondon, KGS would like to request the OWWA Board of Directors to exempt Dondon Lanuza from the OWWA Scholarship policy and allow his two children to avail of a special scholarship this coming school opening until they graduate a college bachelor degree or two-year vocational course.
Perhaps you all know that Dondon Lanuza is no longer an active OWWA member because he has not paid his OWWA membership fees but this is because he is in jail.
Prior to this, Dondon is an OWWA member. Actually his wife who is working as a nurse at King Fahad Military Medical Complex and earning only SR1,000 a month is an active member but according to an OWWA official, as stated in the attached news article published in Bulatlat.com, she is not entitled.
While in jail Dondon accepts some laundry work in order to help his wife who is also doubling as house help during her free time as part-time job to keep both ends meet to survive their children’s day-to-day expenses and education.
In our telephone conversation with Dondon, the father of two is very keen on getting his children’s education secured before he is executed. As a prisoner on death row, this is a very daunting task for an OFW, whose predicament was brought only by his instinct to survive against a sexual assault that happened eight years ago.
KGS believes that during the 2000 tragic incident, Dondon has defended himself from his aggressor that resulted on the untimely death of his attacker.
“PLEASE HELP ME FIND A PERSON PO NA MAGPI-FINANCE SA EDUCATION NG 2 KIDS KO." This was his appeal to the media that Dondon repeated several times when KGS talked to him recently.
With the present economic crises in the Philippines , it would be hard to find an individual who would help his children’s education. Except for OWWA.
With the kind approval of the Board we would like to request you to grant a special exemption to the children of Rodelio Lanuza.
During our annual general assembly held this month in Riyadh , KGS adapted the call of Dondon for his children’s education.
During that event, Labor Attaché Resty dela Fuente told our 24-year old organization that POLO Riyadh is one with KGS in our call to ask the OWWA Board to provide scholarship to Dondon Lanuza’s children in Cavite .
We will also call other migrant organizations all over the world to join us in our request to the OWWA Board of Directors about this matter.
(Here) is the article written in bulatlat.com about Dondon Lanuza.
Thank you for your time reading our request and we look forward to your favorable reply on this matter.
Respectfully,
(Signed) Edgar C. Cadano
Secretary General
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cellphone number: (00966) 508186919
kapatid_ksa@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Trash House Bill 1097
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
April 17, 2008
"No way! House Bill 1097 should automatically be trashed" -
KGS-Migrante Riyadh
"Drafting a bill that would hold us to pay a mandatory Pag-Ibig fee at this most exacting time is most revolting. No way! House Bill 1097 should automatically be trashed," thus said Edgar Cadano, secretary general of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), the Riyadh-based organization working with Migrante International for the rights and welfare protection of migrant Filipinos.
"The House of Representatives should know better our real situation. Enough of state exactions especially these days when rice, bread, gas and oil prices are going up while the value of our remittances are diving low like the credibility of the present Philippine president," added Cadano.
The timing is very dubious especially that the bill is intended, as the bill author stated, "to ensure that it will continually grow and generate a poolof savings" for of the Home Mutual Development Fund headed by a known presidential runner this coming 2010.
Instead of drafting such bills that would impose more state exactions topublic and private employees as well as overseas Filipino workers, KGS said that the House of Representatives should draft a law that would provide low-cost homes for all Filipinos such as those that Gawad Kalinga is doing.
"If private groups can do it without exacting money from the homeless and poor Filipinos like the majority of the overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia , then the author should be ashamed of his acts in filing this bill," Cadano added further.
"While we would love to have our own dream homes when we finally go home and settle with our beloved families that we have been physically detached in the Philippines , the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities disables us to save nor go home. Instead, the gentlemen of the House that are eyeing for a share of our hard-earned money are overruled by the OFWs.
"Go draft another bill. Trash this House Bill 1097," the Riyadh-based OFW group said in a statement.
For Reference:
Edgar Crisostomo Cadano, Secretary General
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan, Riyadh-Saudi Arabia
Cellphone: 00966-508186919
Friday, January 4, 2008
KGS prays for swift recovery of injured embassy officials in road accident
News Release
03 January 2008
For Reference:
Mario Ben, Chairperson
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS)
Tel. No. 056-574-521
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) would like to express its wishes for the swift recovery of the five seriously wounded OWWA officials especially of the Philippine embassy in Riyadh that figured in a recent road accident.
We pray for the five injured officials especially Welfare Officer Reynaldo Eugenio Jr., who dropped to comatose on his hospital bed to recover fast, as well as Taib Dumado, whose skull was fractured during the incident.
Aside from Reynaldo Eugenio and Taib Dumado, our prayers are also intended for labor staff-members Rene Literal, Mario Agustin Minerio and Jimmy Umag who also suffered injuires during that December 27 trip to Hafir Al-Baten, some 700 kilometers from Riyadh.
As we pray for their speedy recovery, we also hope that the Philippine embassy services to distress Filipino workers would continue despite the accident, doubly so that the long Eid holidays and year-end and vacation had virtually suspended these much needed services for our distressed compatriots..
We, KGS officers and members together with our friends and fellow migrants that would be gathering in a general assembly in the next few days in Riyadh, join hands with their families in their prayers of their loved ones that featured in the accident.
KGS work to foster camaraderie among OFW and our families as well as guarding and promoting our rights and welfare. We call on our Philippine embassy officials to remain steadfast in serving the Filipino community in Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia especially the workers that run away from problems with heir employers as well as those who are languishing in jail and waiting freedom and repatriation.
There are around 500 Filipino workers in jail in the Kingdom.
(Kapatian sa Gitnang Silangan or KGS is a member organization of Migrante Saudi Arabia and is based in Riyadh, KSA).
03 January 2008
For Reference:
Mario Ben, Chairperson
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS)
Tel. No. 056-574-521
Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) would like to express its wishes for the swift recovery of the five seriously wounded OWWA officials especially of the Philippine embassy in Riyadh that figured in a recent road accident.
We pray for the five injured officials especially Welfare Officer Reynaldo Eugenio Jr., who dropped to comatose on his hospital bed to recover fast, as well as Taib Dumado, whose skull was fractured during the incident.
Aside from Reynaldo Eugenio and Taib Dumado, our prayers are also intended for labor staff-members Rene Literal, Mario Agustin Minerio and Jimmy Umag who also suffered injuires during that December 27 trip to Hafir Al-Baten, some 700 kilometers from Riyadh.
As we pray for their speedy recovery, we also hope that the Philippine embassy services to distress Filipino workers would continue despite the accident, doubly so that the long Eid holidays and year-end and vacation had virtually suspended these much needed services for our distressed compatriots..
We, KGS officers and members together with our friends and fellow migrants that would be gathering in a general assembly in the next few days in Riyadh, join hands with their families in their prayers of their loved ones that featured in the accident.
KGS work to foster camaraderie among OFW and our families as well as guarding and promoting our rights and welfare. We call on our Philippine embassy officials to remain steadfast in serving the Filipino community in Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia especially the workers that run away from problems with heir employers as well as those who are languishing in jail and waiting freedom and repatriation.
There are around 500 Filipino workers in jail in the Kingdom.
(Kapatian sa Gitnang Silangan or KGS is a member organization of Migrante Saudi Arabia and is based in Riyadh, KSA).
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