Congress urged to investigate DFA, OWWA funds

Congress urged to investigate DFA, OWWA funds in light of delays in repatriation

9 August 2010
PRESS RELEASE:

Migrante International today called on Congress to investigate funds of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in light of the scandalous delays and lapses in the repatriation of remains of overseas Filipino workers.

Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, said that there is a need to thoroughly probe where the P50 million and P100 million allotted for repatriation from the DFA and OWWA, respectively, have gone.

“We have been receiving consistent complaints from families of OFWs that they have been asked to shoulder costs for their kin’s repatriation. Walang palya ito. Worse, when sought for assistance, they were informed that is the policy of Philippine embassies to collect autopsy and airfare costs from the families. Saan ngayon napunta ang mga P150 million?” he said.

Martinez said that according to Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant’s Act, it is the responsibility of the employer, the recruitment agency and, ultimately the DFA or OWWA, to shoulder costs for repatriation.

“More often than not, employers and recruitment agencies cannot be depended upon to fulfill this task as the government has no soundproof mechanism to ensure such. It is therefore mandated by the law that the DFA and OWWA are responsible,” said Martinez.

He said that the OWWA has collected an estimated $12 billion in 2010 from the mandatory $25 contributions from OFW members, of which a portion should be earmarked for emergency repatriation. “For undocumented cases, the OWWA forwards processing and implementation to the DFA which also has funds for this purpose.”

The OWWA funds have been subject to numerous cases of misuse of funds from abusive board members. The DFA, on the other hand, has been complaining of alleged lack of funds “but has failed to repatriate remains of OFWs and those in distress over the years”.

Martinez said that there is a need to counter-check if the allotted funds are trickling down to much-needed welfare services and assistance to OFWs. “We call on Congress to audit and investigate these funds in the coming budget deliberations. Lagi na lang itong napapalagpas at hindi napaparusahan ang mga humuhuthot sa pondong dapat ay para sa mga OFW.”

He cited the cases of Mark Lloyd Carmen who was killed in Iran and Marilou Sables who died of cardiac arrest in Taiwan. “Both the families of Carmen and Sables were asked to shoulder expenses for the repatriation of their remains.”

“While the DFA is claiming that costs for the return of Carmen’s remains were paid from its assistance-to-nationals fund, his mother attests that it was in fact a loan from the department and she was expected to pay them back,” he said.

Martinez added, “In Sables’ case, her ashes were brought home three months after she died. Philippine authorities in Taiwan finally exhumed her remains and brought her ashes home after series of protests from OFWs. Until now, however, she is yet to be united with her family in Iloilo because they are now being asked to shoulder shipping costs of her ashes from Manila to the province.”

He also asked the DFA to hasten the repatriation of unclaimed bodies of OFWs in Iraq. “Kung hindi pa iniulat ng kamag-anak sa amin, hindi pa malalaman ito ng DFA,” he said. ##

--

Reference:
Garry Martinez,
Chairperson, 09393914418
Migrante International
http://migrantecampaign.ning.com
http://migranteinternational.org
#10 Banuyo St.Brgy.Amihan, Project 3, Quezon City
Telefax: 9114910

Itigil ang dagdag-singil sa e-passport fee!

OFW group launches petition-drive vs. e-passport fee hike

04 August 2010
STATEMENT

Migrante International, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers worldwide, today launched a petition-drive calling to put an immediate stop to the recent increase in e-passport fees.

The petition was launched in light of allegations that the contract entered into by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), headed by Secretary Alberto Romulo, for the procurement of the new e-passport is illegal and tainted with corruption.

Migrante launched the petition drive at the seafarers’ recruitment center in T.M. Kalaw at lunch time today. (Attached is the full text of the petition drive)

Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, said, “This petition drive will convey to the DFA and the government that Filipinos here and abroad are vehemently opposing this most recent fee imposition. Dagdag-pahirap ito sa ating mga OFWs at sa mamamayan.”

Martinez said that they will gather signatures from OFW communities and passport applicants converging in the POEA, OWWA and other passport application centers.

Migrante’s chapters abroad will also be disseminating the petition campaign to OFWs and supporters. OFWs from China, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Canada, Australia, United States, Italy, United Kingdom and other regions have been complaining of the recent e-passport fee hikes.

Signatures gathered will then be submitted to the DFA on August 23, anniversary of the Cry of Pugadlawin.

The new e-passport now costs P950 to P1,200 from P550 to P750 in the Philippines, while e-passport costs have risen abroad to as much as thrice as the previous rates and approximately $6 (USD) more than the fee prescribed for e-passports in the Philippines. ###

Reference:
Garry Martinez,
Chairperson, Migrante International
Tel. No.: +63-939-391418

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(full text of petition drive)

Itigil ang dagdag-singil sa e-passport fee!
Imbestigahan si DFA Sec. Romulo sa maanomalyang e-passport contract!

Kami, mga mamamayang Pilipino sa loob at labas ng bansa, ay mariing tumututol sa di-makatwiran, maanomalya at walang-abat na pagtaas ng singil sa e-passport.

Ang pagtaas ng singil sa e-passport ay dagdag-pabigat, lalo na ngayong panahon ng krisis. Hindi ito makatwiran dahil pilit na ipinapasa sa mamamayan ang gastusing dapat lamang na karguhin ng gobyerno.

Naglaan ang gobyerno ng P1.4 bilyon sa DFA para sa implementasyon ng proyektong e-passport, labas pa sa P530 milyong inutang ni Romulo sa Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) na nakalaan diumano para sa pagpapagawa ng bagong gusali at mga pasilidad sa Mall of Asia para rito.

Bakit ngayon nagtaas ng singil para sa e-passport kung may nakalaan naman palang pondo ang gobyerno para rito?

Lalong hindi ito makatwiran dahil batbat ng katiwalian, “tongpats” at anomalya ang mismong kontratang pinasok ng Department of Foreign Affairs sa ilalim ni Sec. Alberto Romulo para sa panibagong e-passport. Tinatayang P120 milyon kada taong patong sa presyo ng laminates, o P50 kada laminate, para sa e-passport ang kinitang “tongpats” ni Romulo.

Kung gayon, lalong walang karapatan si Romulo at ang DFA na magtaas ng singil para sa e-passport gayong kinurakot na ang pondo para rito!

Malaking perwisyo rin para sa mga aplikante at mamamayan ang ubod ng bagal, walang sistema at mas pinahirap na proseso para sa application ng e-passport. Nasaan ngayon ang sinasabi ng DFA na para ito sa ikagiginhawa ng mamamayan?

Mariin ang panawagan ng Migrante International, sampu ng mga chapter nito sa loob at labas ng bansa, kasama na ang mamamayang nakapirma sa petisyong ito, na agad na ITIGIL ANG DAGDAG-SINGIL SA E-PASSPORT FEE at IMBESTIGAHAN AT PANAGUTIN SI ROMULO SA PANGUNGURAKOT SA BUWIS NG MAMAMAYAN SA E-PASSPORT CONTRACT. ###

Tutulan ang compulsory membership ng mga OFWs sa PAG-IBIG!

Pahayag sa Media
2 Agosto 2010

Migrante kay P-Noy: Walang mahirap kung walang nagpapahirap
Tutulan ang compulsory membership ng mga OFWs sa PAG-IBIG!

Nakabatay sa makaturungan at rasonableng dahilan ang pagtutol ng Migrante at ng OFWs at kanilang pamilya sa sapilitang pagpapasapi ng mga OFWs sa PAG-IBIG.

Una, matagal ng may housing loan facility program ang Home Development Mutual Fund o kilala sa tawag na PAG-IBIG, para sa mga OFWs. Ito ay optional. Ibig sabihin, nasa desisyon ng OFW at ng kanyang pamilya kung gusto nitong mag-avail ng nasabing housing loan. Nasa desisyon ng OFW at ng kanyang pamilya kung ito ba ay praktikal, mas makakatipid at mas magaan sa bulsa na nakabatay sa kung anuman ang prayoridad ng pamilya. Marami sa mga OFWs ang nagsisikap sa paunti-unting ipon nakakapagtayo ng bahay sa kanilang mga probinsya.

Sa paglabas ng POEA Memorandum No.06, Series of 2010 nitong 1 Agosto lamang, iniutos ang sapilitang pagpapasapi sa mga OFWs sa PAG-IBIG, inalis nito ang karapatang mamili kung ano ang mas angkop base sa pangangailangan ng pamilyang OFW. Akala ba namin ay demokrasya? Demokrasya ba itong walang malaganap na kunsultasyon tapos pipilitin kami?

Pangalawa, sapilitan nga ito dahil sa ikinabit ang bayarin sa pagkuha ng Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC. Kailangan ang OEC, sa katunayan resibo ito kung ano ang mga kaakibat na bayarin at siningil ng gubyerno sa OFWs, para makaalis ang OFW papunta sa bansang destinasyon para ‘magbanat ng buto’.

Kung walang OEC, ibig sabihin kung hindi ka nagbayad ng P1,164 OWWA membership, P900 Philheath, at P100 para sa processing fee at idinagdag na ang P600 para sa paunang 6 buwan PAG-IBIG coverage, hindi makakalis ng bansa ang OFW para magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Hindi ba ito paglabag sa karapatan namin na mabuhay at maghanap buhay? Ginagawa na kaming parang bagay na pinagtutubuan at pinagkakakitaan. Tao kami hindi kalakal na pinapatungan ng mga buwis o taripa sa porma ng mga sapilitang fees.

Pangatlo, ang compulsory coverage sa PAG-IBIG ay maituturing na buwis na dagdag pahirap lamang sa mga OFWs sa kabila ng marami nang mga singilin at bayarin na ipinitaw ang gubyerno, sa kabila ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Lumalabas na dagdag na buwis ito dahil sa ginawa itong compulsory at di-makatuwirang ikinabit sa pagkuha ng OEC.

Pang-apat, may alinlangan tayo sa patakarang compulsory coverage ng OFWs sa PAG-IBIG dahil sa batbat ng alegasyon ng kurapsyon at misuses at mis-alokasyon ng pundo ang PAG-IBIG. Hindi naman basta-basta na ipapa-ubaya natin ang ating pinaghirapan sa mga kamay lang ng kung sinung kurap na opisyal ng PAG-IBIG. Silang mga opisyal ng PAG-IBIG na nagpapasasa sa ating kontribusyon na tumatanggap ng malalaking sahod at sobrang benepisyo. Walang kasegurauhan na bumalik sa atin ang ating perang pinaghirapan! Sabi nga ng marami pagnag-loan ka, ikaw pa ngayon ang nagka-utang eh samantalang kontribusyon mo ito. Di ba’t pag-gisa nga ito sa sariling mantika, wika nga.

Sa hirap ng buhay sa ngayon, dapat maging wais na tayo!

Wais tayo dahil sama-sama nating tututulan ang anumang dagdag na bayarin na pilit sinisingil sa atin ng gubyerno, sa kabila ng salat o wala namang mainam na serbisyo at program para sa ating mga OFWs at pamilya.

Wais na ang OFWs na nagsasabing “Walang mahirap kung walang nagpapahirap!”

Tutulan ang compulsory coverage ng mga OFWs sa PAG-IBIG!
Tutulan ang dagdag na singil sa Pasaporte!
Tutulan ang mga di makatarungan bayarin at singilin na ipinapataw ng gubyerno sa OFWs !
Serbisyo hindi perwisyo!

-Migrante-Middle East at mga kasaping balangay nito
2 Agosto 2010

Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No. 00966 564 978012

Equal to Extortion

Mandatory Pag-Ibig Fund membership and contribution equal to extortion - Satur

News Feature
5 February 2010

Makabayan senatorial bet and Nacionalista Party guest candidate Satur Ocampo today expressed strong opposition to the mandatory coverage to Pag-IBIG under Republic Act 9679 or "Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009." He said that mandatory coverage meant mandatory contributions, "This by itself is unjust and tantamount to extortion."

"It's unjust for the government to impose another exaction on the public, including OFWs. It should be the prerogative of Filipinos whether or not they want to contribute to Pag-Ibig. The choice and the power of decision is being taken away from us. This is yet another burden on all Filipinos. OFWs in particular already have very little to spare from the earnings abroad, yet the government wants them to pay one more mandatory fee. If Pag-Ibig wants to improve its services and expand its membership, it should do so not at the expense of the public and those who do not want to be members," Ocampo said.

Under Rule V of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the new law, all workers earning at least P1,000 are covered, including household helpers such as drivers, gardeners, cook, governess and other similar occupations. Membership is also being made mandatory for self-employed persons, whether actors, directors, scriptwriters and news reporters who are not under an employer-employee relationship; professional athletes, trainers and jockeys; farmers and fisherfolk; workers in the informal sectors such as cigarette vendors, street vendors, among others.

Coverage is likewise mandatory for Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers whether deployed here or abroad. Ocampo said this was a gross misinterpretation of the law.

"The real value of already miserable wages continues to slide as prices of basic goods and commodities steadily increase. The reformed value-added tax (RVAT) remains in place. To force the public to shell out contributions for the Pag-Ibig fund is nothing less than legalized theft. Filipinos should be allowed to have options regarding contributions to state-run fund and welfare agencies because its their hard-earned money," he said. #

OFWs say no to text tax!

Migrante KSA protests the imposition of text tax, in its various forms, as an additional burden to OFWs who rely on SMS as a means to connect with families in the Philippines. In the face of recent disastrous events brought by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, the backhand way this new and worse proposal of taxing 10% of gross SMS receipts also show the gross callousness of the legislators to the plight of Filipinos.

OFWs say no to text tax!

Migrante Saudi Arabia

With thanks from TxtPower.Org for the image and statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT
October 6, 2009

House surprises public with new text tax bill, worse than original proposal

By Anthony Ian Cruz
TXTPower President

Today, the House Committee on Ways and Means surreptitiously changed its text tax bill. If before, the proponents wanted P0.05 in additonal tax per text message, they now want ten percent of gross receipts of all messages we consumers buy.

In the middle of a state of calamity, some congressmen seem to have worked overtime to hammer out a new text tax bill to oppress the public, instead of providing relief to victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. It was also an outrage that the proponent and Chairman Exequiel Javier opportunistically and cavalierly used the calamity to justify the new tax.

To the House panel, we say: We say an unconditional no to any new tax in whatever form or shape. Your new bill is worse than the original one you wished to ram down our throats.

Sham public hearing

In today’s “public hearing”, only the proponents, other congressmen, representatives of the BIR, NTC and a telco were given a chance to speak. Consumer sentiments were neither sought nor heard although TXTPower and another group were there, waiting to be acknowledged.

To make matters worse for the public, Rep. Singson moved that an executive session be held, a motion that seeks to exclude everybody else, especially consumers, from taking part in the deliberations.

Chairman Javier should make this new text tax bill available to the public and have it posted on the House website and ensure truly democratic and participative proceedings in his committee.

Flood of lies

We are not stupid as to believe the fiction that is the alleged no-pass-on-provision which seems impossible to implement and said to be illegal under the law. Nor are we naïve as to fall for the claim that this new tax is good for consumers and the public and that the proponents only have the people, especially schoolchidren, in their mind.. Congressmen must stop this flood of lies.

We urge House members to join us and Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar and Reps. Monico Puentevella, Roilo Golez, Giorgidi Aggabao, Teddy Casino, Rufus Rodriguez, Raymond Palatino, Satur Ocampo, Neri Colmenares, Liza Maza, Luz Ilagan, Rafael Mariano and Joel Maglunsod in questioning and opposing this new text tax bill. ###

Amending Migrant Workers Act will intensify labor export

Press Release
09 September 2009

Proposed consolidated bill amending Migrant Workers Act of 1995 will only further intensify labor exportation –Migrante-ME

Migrante-Middle East, the largest alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East, today said the proposed consolidation of bills now in Congress amending Republic Act 8042 otherwise known as The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 will only further intensify cheap labor exportation at the disguise of giving the law strong teeth in providing protection to OFWs abroad.

“Consolidated Senate Bill 3286 and House Bill 5649 is an attempt to accommodate different legislative ideas originated in the Lower with parallel bill in the Senate whose proponents have their own way of intent changing the anti-OFW character of R.A. 8042 but in reality it only promotes exportation of cheap human labor and institutionalizes exactions of government-imposed fees, and charges by recruitment agencies to OFWs and their families,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said since its passage on June 7, 1995, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (R.A. 8042) was primarily utilized to intensify the labor export program of the government rather than to “establish a higher standard of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress” as stipulated in the said law.

Monterona added contrary to the obligations and responsibilities of the government set out in R.A. 8042, OFWs are living witness of continuing government neglect and worsening plight of OFWs.

“Six (6) OFWs were already beheaded under the Arroyo administration, 59 more are awaiting their execution. Six to 10 bodies of OFWs are arriving at different Philippine airports daily; while the numbers of sexual and physical abuses, labor malpractices are increasing in an alarming proportion, in the Middle East alone averaging 5-8 cases daily,” Monterona added.

Monterona said that they received information that a bicameral committee meeting is scheduled to tackle SB 3286 and HB 5649 claiming that its amendments to RA 8042 would result to a higher standard of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant Filipinos.

“We already read the consolidated version of the proposed bills amending R.A. 8042 and find it as merely a vain attempt trying to “harmonize” the intensified exportation of human labor and so called “migration management” on the one hand and the numerous cases of abuses, maltreatment, rampant migrant rights violations, and burdening government fees and exactions and charges by unscrupulous recruitment agencies on the other,” Monterona opined.

Monterona cited Sec.2 (c) of the consolidated bill that affirms “the State shall continue to create local employment opportunity and promote equitable distribution of wealth” but in practice under the Arroyo administration it even issued Administrative Order No. 247 on December 2008 ordering POEA and other government line-agencies to aggressively market OFWs in the absence of clear rights protection mechanism for OFWs abroad.

Monterona further said that the consolidated bill also affirms the State principle that “recognizes and encourage OFWs to participate in the decision-making process & to be represented in institutions”, but appointing authority is still vested to the President; not the OFWs organizations themselves.

“Thus, with regards to the management of OFWs trust fund now amounting to Php.12-B held in trust to the government, OFWs and their organizations have never been consulted and are kept blind to the real status of the OFW trust fund, though there are appointed land-based and sea-based representatives at the OWWA-Board but they are simply working for and at the pleasure and confidence of the President making them weak and helpless against the political interests of the President,” Monterona averred.

Monterona also raises concern on the provision in the proposed consolidated bill, Sec 2 (i) which states that government fees and cost of recruitment is FREE; “This is vague as in Section 34 of the consolidated proposed bill, it states “fees shall remain at their present level”, which we believe the government could increase these fees anytime if they wanted to, and we can’t allow such riding provision that would only squeeze us further dry of our earnings,” the OFW leader added.

Monterona said another disturbing provision of the proposed consolidated bill is Section 15 about the creation of Emergency Repatriation Fund which source is to be collected from placement and recruitment agency contribution ranging from US$50 to US$100.

“Again just like the OWWA membership fee of US$25 supposed to be paid by the employer for the OFW, in reality it is being pass on and shouldered by the OFWs, same worry that the Emergency Repatriation fund will be pass on to OFWs, again burdening them too much,” Monterona continued.

Migrante-ME also express its opposition against the proposed mandatory insurance for OFWs as it is just an additional burden pass on to OFWs shoulder by unscrupulous recruitment agency.

“The above are just few of the many anti-OFW provisions that could be found in the proposed consolidated bill amending R.A. 8042; Migrante International has formally submitted its position paper to the House-Senate Bicameral Committee and we are hoping that they will seriously consider our petition as we are at the forefront protecting OFWs rights and welfare,” Monterona added.

The OFW-leader ended saying “Any amendment to the already anti-OFW Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or R.A. 8042 should not be made a mockery of government responsibility to protect OFWs abroad, and an excuse to disguise government’s continued neglect to OFWs rights and welfare happening now under the most anti-OFWs administration of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.” –end-

Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

OFW group to Congress

OFW group to Congress: Investigate alleged diversion of OAV funds

11 September 2009
Press Release

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations based in the Middle East, today said to shed light on the issue of alleged diversion of OAV funds intended for the implementation of OAV registrations abroad, the Congress House Committees on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA), and Foreign Affairs must investigate the issue.

“In aid of legislation, the Congress concerned committees such as the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and the Committee on Foreign Affairs must conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged diversion of OAV funds intended for OAV registration,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said they were informed that the budget intended for the conduct of OAV registration was released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), not to the Commissions on Elections.

“We wonder why for this year’s OAV registration, the DBM released the budget for the conduct of OAV registration to the DFA and not to the COMELEC as the lead agency on this particular exercise. In fact, the COMELEC could only deputize different RP posts abroad for mobilization and implementation of the OAV law (R.A. 9198) but it is still the COMELEC that is in-charge of the enforcement, administration and implementation of the OAV law,” Monterona added.

Monterona said if there is a separate budget allocated to DFA-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat intended for the expenses associated with OAV registration; then the DFA must account this to the public for scrutiny.

“Because until now, it is still puzzling us why the registration period for overseas absentee voters has been shortened from thirteen months (13) to seven (7) months that ended last 31 August 2009 if in fact there is budget intended for it to complete the original registration period of 13 months same as of previous OAV registrations?” Monterona queried.

“We would like to know that if the budget for OAV registration was really used for what it is intended and if it has something to do with the shortening of OAV registration from originally 13 months to 7 months long,” Monterona added.

Monterona said the shortening of OAV registration is a major issue as to the implementation of the OAV law (R.A. 9198) as we have seen it resulted to disenfranchisement of the millions of OFWs and Overseas Filipinos abroad.

Monterona cited that as at end of August, the deadline for the shortened OAV registration, there are only 200,637 new registrants; “This is way, way behind the original target of 1-M voters in the 2010 election,” he added.

“We reiterate our call to the members of the Congress to investigate the alleged diversion of funds for the OAV registrations abroad and determine if it has something to do with the shortening of OAV registrations that resulted to disenfranchisement of millions of OFWs and overseas Filipinos abroad,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

Real reason for shortening OAV registration

Real reason for shortening OAV registration:
Due to lack of funds or diversion of funds? –OFW group

Press Release
10 September 2009

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organization in the Middle East today said it can’t fully understand why the overseas absentee voting registration period that is supposed to be 13-month long were shortened to just 7-month duration that ended on 31 August 2009.

“Until now, it is still puzzling us, OFWs abroad, why the registration period for overseas absentee voters has been shortened from thirteen months (13) to seven (7) months that ended last 31 August 2009, the very main reason why OAV registrants have barely reached more than 200,000, way behind COMELEC’s original target of 1-M OAV voters for the 2010 elections?” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said the COMELEC en banc has passed a resolution to effect the shortening of this year’s OAV registration that started from 1st February and have ended on 31st August 2009; “Upon knowing that the COMELEC passed a resolution shortening OAV’s registration period, we issued statement asking why shorten the registration and have campaigned for its extension ‘til end of December,” Monterona averred.

Monterona further said the resolution passed by the COMELEC is per see a justification why it needs to shortened the OAV registration.

“Though we heard the reason cited by the COMELEC in deciding to shorten the OAV registration, it is as “shallow as the water in the pail”,” the OFW leader continued.

“Until we got the information that the budget intended for the conduct of OAV registration was released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), not to the Commissions on Elections,” Monterona added.

Monterona said the COMELEC being the lead agency for the registration of voters, just like previous OAV registrations, must receive the budget directly from the DBM so that it can properly manage the conduct of OAV registrations based on the original durations with funds on its hands.

“Now, we are asking a legitimate question: Is the COMELEC constrained then by the limited funds given to them by the Department of Foreign Affairs, thus it was forced to shorten the OAV registration to only 7 months?” Monterona queried.

Monterona said if that is the case, OFWs have reason to believe that it is the Arroyo administration’ s intention to disenfranchise the millions of OFWs abroad as the DBM and DFA are under the Executive branch controlling even the budget that is for the COMELEC limiting the latter to successfully implement OAV registrations.

“Is this part of the administration’ s grand scheme so that a big number out of the 10-M OFWs and overseas Filipinos could not participate in electing righteous opposition candidates?, thus the administrations candidate would surely win in the 2010 elections and the Arroyos’ continue to control the new administration to absolve her and her family from numerous graft and corruption charges? Monterona added.

“OFWs and their families will not brand the Arroyo administration as the most-anti OFWs and OFWs’ nightmare if its really working for the welfare and protection of OFWs; even the basic rights of OFWs to vote as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Overseas Absentee Voting law, is crippled by this most distrusted Arroyo administration,” Monterona ended.

Migrante-ME is calling the attention of the Congress to look into this matter during budget deliberations and to ensure that funds for a special purpose such as the OAV registration must be used for what it is intended by the law.

Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

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.

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.

####

Labor Chief lacks understanding on the effect of the global financial crisis

Press Release
8 January 2009

Labor Chief lacks understanding on the effect of the global financial crisis to migrant workers

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers organizations in the Middle East today said the plan by the Arroyo administration through its Labor department to send an "advance reintegration team" to Taiwan shows only its lack of understanding on the effect of the global financial crisis that are now adversely affecting thousand of migrant workers and their families.

"This "advance reintegration team" being organized by the Labor Department due to be sent in Taiwan in the coming weeks presumably to assist OFWs who are expected to lose their jobs is nothing but only to cover the vicious effect of the Arroyo administration labor export policy- the sell-out of cheap OFWs labor amidst continuous violations and attack on OFWs rights and welfare," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said Labor Sec. Marianito Roque keeps on denying that OFWs would not be adversely affected by the global financial crisis and yet he is desperate enough to finding new markets for possible OFW deployment and renewing labor agreements with other countries despite prior knowledge that OFWs rights such as the right for decent wage and social and welfare benefits, among many others, will be at disadvantage.

"The answer to the problem of OFWs being laid off due to global financial crisis is not finding new labor markets or resurrecting old labor agreements, but by making the local economy strong and vibrant", Monterona added.

The OFW leader opined that Philippine economy would only be revived if genuine agrarian reform program will be implemented alongside with the nationalization of basic industries to give a breathing space to our struggling economy heavily subjected and dominated by foreign monopoly-capitalists corporations to the exploit of our human and natural resources.

"What the Labor department ''reintegration team'' could do in a foreign land if in his own country it cannot provide jobs with decent wage to the millions of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos back home?" Monterona queried.

Monterona said Labor Sec. Roque should be reminded that the reason why many Filipinos forced to accept jobs abroad is because of un-availability of jobs locally with decent wage and benefits.

On his part, Andrew M. Ociones, Migrante-KSA Chairperson said the Arroyo administration's reintegration program is two-pronged: first, it provides a support mechanism to government's labor export program and secondly, it is more of fund-raising schemes purportedly for government programs and for its business partners franchising.

"That's why instead of providing genuine service, government's reintegration program only yields disservice to OFWs and their families," he added.

Migrante-ME further said creating jobs locally is a dismal failure of the Arroyo administration, thus its is selling its own people cheap, without concrete measures to protect its rights and welfare and to truly recognize them a potent economic force contributing much in keeping the Philippine economy afloat through billions of OFW remittances.

Monterona said the livelihood assistance provided by the Arroyo administration to lay off OFWs is a band-aid solution. '"We even doubt if these amount would surely benefits and go to laid off OFWs, and not to the pocket of corrupt government officials," he added.

"The Arroyo administration must squarely face the bitter reality and accept whole heartedly the fact of OFWs mass lay off, only then it could better understand the effect of the global economic crisis and realize that its large-scale labor exportation is sham and vicious, and must be stop," Monterona ended. # # #

For reference:

John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator,
Migrante Sectoral Party Vice-Chairperson
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

Please! Not another exaction scheme.

28 December 2008
News Release

Compulsary welfare insurance plan, another exaction scheme - Migrante KSA

Please! Not another exaction scheme.

Thus appealed Migrante Saudi Arabia Chairperson A.M. Ociones in response to Mindanao Representative Rufus Rodriguez' proposed compulsary welfare insurance plan for overseas Filipinos.

"While we welcome all efforts by our legislators to address the problems of migrants-in-distress, we believe this scheme would only aggravate the collection of all sorts of fees and fund-raising schemes from migrant workers," laments Ociones.

The bill, which promises a well-covered insurance plan also states that the premium would be paid by the recruitment agencies, a fee that Migrante Saudi Arabia expects would only be passed on to the would-be migrant worker.

"Thus we see only as an additional burden the $3 premium on top of the regular and already compulsary $ 25 Overseas Workers Welfare Adinistration (OWWA) fee and PhP 900 PhilHealth fee," Ociones asserted.

"Besides, where have all our OWWA funds gone?" Ociones asked, asserting further that all efforts should be exerted to maintain and protect the OWWA Funds coupled with a program to widen the benefits.

Instead of an independent insurance plan, Ociones proposed the following :

1. Scrapping the OWWA Omnibus Policy implemented in 2004 which essentially
   cut-off the assistance benefits of OFWs and migrants-in- distress at the same
   time expanding its mandate to include the benefit package proposed under HB
   5621;


2. Returning the medical insurance coverage from PhilHealth to
   OWWA;


3. Once returned to OWWA, the medical insurance coverage should
   be expanded by lowering the age of beneficiaries and spreading its scope to
   include other family members (which is especially true to OFWs who are single
   and/or, single parents);


4. Expanding the existing scholarship, entrepreneurship assistance and livelihood programs of OWWA;


5. Expanding the mandate of OWWA to function as social security, complete with a retirement plan and wider package of benefits.

"Otherwise, everything would all boil down again to milking the migrants while freeing the government of its responsibility towards migrants-in-distress," the Migrante Saudi Chairperson averred.

Ociones believes "an independent insurance plan to be started from scratch aside from being more costly; would only exacerbate the chronic hands-off policy of the government" towards migrants-in-distress.

The Rodriguez Proposal was announced at the website of the House of Representatives (click here for the announcement) during Christmas. However, a complete copy of the bill is still not available online for a thorough study.

# # #

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

Defy stamp tax collection on remittances

Press Release
18 August 2008

Defy stamp tax collection on remittances, money transfer firms urge by OFWs and families

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations based in the Middle East today urges remittance firms which are mandated by the government to charged 0.15% on every remittance sent by OFWs abroad as per the proviso in the Tax Reform Act of 1997.

“We are urging Western Union Co. and other money transfer firms to defy the collection of documentary stamp tax (DST) on OFW remittances as an act of good will in the performance of its company’s social responsibility to OFWs and their families,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Migrante ME said that though Western Union and other money transfer companies are mandated by law to collect 0.15% on every OFW remittance, as a matter on internal policy, it could consider not doing so in the performance of its company’s social responsibility to OFWs, thus easing the burden of OFWs and their families in time of economic crisis.

“Money transfer companies like Western Union should not allow the government to encroach its operations and thus use them as a channel to collect more taxes on OFWs. It’s like OFWs are the cows which Western Union is told by the government to milk until they bleed dry,” Monterona averred.

Migrante ME deplores the Arroyo administration that never contented and never ends up on imposing new taxes and additional fees that adds up to the worsening situation of OFWs and their families.

“The Arroyo regime is “over-killing” OFWs and their families. She said she cares for OFWs, but what her government doing is a lot more of tax impositions and exactions; even making OFWs huge remittances a collateral for more loans from International banks and financial institutions such as the IMF-WB and ADB,” Monterona said.

On 2006, OFW remittance posted more than double the total allotment for the government’s external debt service, five times (5x) more than Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), twenty-two (22x) time higher than the total Overseas Development Aid (ODA), and even more than a half of Gross International Reserves.

Not contented with the above benefits from OFW remittances, the Arroyo regime imposed a 0.15% Documentary Stamp Tax on every remittance transaction.

This would mean a deduction of P12.48 on every US$200 remittance; on a US$1 billion remittance monthly, the government is earning US$1.5 million or P62 million.

Migrante chapters around the world along with millions of OFWs are demanding to the Arroyo administration to scrap remittances fees and stamp tax by launching a signature campaign early this month.

Migrante lambasted the Arroyo administration whose only reply to the proposal to scrap remittances fess is that “it could be studied”.

“Malacanang’s reply to the demand of OFWs and their families to scarp remittance fees is nothing but just a word to pacify the growing discontent of OFWs around the world against the most anti-OFW Arroyo regime,” Monterona averred.

“This grave insensitivity of the Arroyo regime on the worsening economic plight of OFW families, who are basically families of workers and farmers, are pushing OFWs around the world to collectively speak and act on its behalf,” Monterona ended.

Migrante chapters and member-organizations from around the world along with other migrants from all over the world will gather in Manila on October 28-30, 2008 and will speak for themselves when the intergovernmental Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) holds its second session to discuss about issues surrounding migration and development.

Migrante and migrant workers’ organizations will challenge participating governments to unmask the anti-migrant agenda of GFMD. (end). # # #

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

Migrante condemns Malacañang's refusal to remove remittance charges

Press Statement
July 24, 2008

Migrante International, a militant alliance of overseas Filipino workers' (OFW) groups worldwide today condemns the refusal of Malacañang to remove charges and fees on remittances sent by OFWs.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo earlier stated that the government can not easily scrap or even lessen because they contribute largely to the economy.

"The refusal of this government to grant immediate relief to the OFWs and their families, which the government called the Bagong Bayani, shows that the Arroyo government sees OFWs as nothing but "milking cows".

Migrante likened the rejection of scrapping remittance charges to the refusal of Malacañang to remove 12% VAT on oil and power to provide a little relief for the people.

Migrante also warned President Arroyo not to use the plight of OFWs in her SONA.

The group said they will instead join People's SONA to demand the scrapping of remittance charges and to support the workers' demand for P125 wage increase, the removal of VAT on oil and the junking of the oil deregulation law.

Migrante said their chapters in different countries will also launch their own protests on July 28, the date of President Arroyo's SONA.

Migrante International is pushing for the scrapping of remittance charges because OFWs are also affected by skyrocketing prices of basic needs and services in the country.

Foreign exchange remitted by OFWs through banks reached another new high record of $1.4 billion in May according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

"While government through remittance taxes and big business, specifically banks, telephone carriers and other financial institutions are enjoying huge profits, OFWs are tightening their belts even more just to ensure that the average $200 that they send to their families can bring enough food to the tables," Migrante chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.

An initial study conducted by Migrante International revealed that for every $200.00 remittance sent every month, at least $15- 22 in service fees are charged. With 10 million OFWs sending this minimum, $1B are earned by the banks on a monthly basis alone.

On the other hand, not only have the billions of dollars worth of remittances been used by government to keep the economy afloat, but it also directly profits from taxes imposed on remittances, such as the .15% documentary stamp tax for every remittance transaction.

For every billion dollar remitted monthly, government is able to collect an average of $1.5M or P62M. This is apart from all the other fees that government charges even before the ofws leave the country.

Regalado said that the scrapping of remittance charges and taxes is but a just demand. She said that this predatory practice is practically feeding off the blood, sweat and tears of millions of OFWs.

For reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson (0927-2157392)

* * *

Kanta-lampagin si Gloria!

http://www.aimini.net/view/?fid=S4sG2SghbhLwd0N8Az8Q

Migrante ME to Arroyo: Scrap remittance fees, decide now!

Press Release
18 July 2008

Migrante ME to Arroyo: Scrap remittance fees, decide now!

“This administration is in a mode of “killing us softly”, thus declared today by an alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East .

“We can’t wait any longer for the Arroyo administration to fix its decision; it is imperative for Mrs. Arroyo to decide to scrap remittance charges,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Early this month, Migrante International, the largest alliance of OFW organizations worldwide started its campaign urging the Arroyo administration to scrap the charges on remittances for OFWs.

In its reply to OFWs demand, Department of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves during an interview in a local radio station in Manila last week said the government is considering to lower the remittance fees for OFWs in a bid to help their families cope with the effects of inflation rate.
“We are reminding the Arroyo administration that OFW-families are also hit hard by the weekly oil price increases that push up the prices of basic commodities,” Monterona added.

Monterona said OFWs average monthly wage of US$250 is not enough as the daily cost of living now for a family with six members is now P871.

“With a surge of OFW remittances reaching now to a total of $6.8 billion from January to May 2008, it is but sensible for the Arroyo administration to moderate its greed by deciding to scrap the remittance fees collected from OFWs as a concrete manifestation of its bid to help OFW families cope up the effects of rising prices of oil and other basic commodities” Monterona said.

Monterona said that instead of giving dole outs or any similar economic relief package for OFWs, it is more fruitful and meaningful for the Arroyo administration to scrap the remittances fees collected from OFWs.

“OFW dependents would be very happy, thankful for their husband or wife with complementary flying kisses and sweet text messages, to receive remittances complete or 100% without any charges for the very first time. This makes our fellow OFWs’ hearth grow,” Monterona added.

The OFW leader further said that if the Arroyo administration has a kind heart and concern for OFWs, it will surely decide to scrap remittances fees without any hesitation; “but it seems it is the otherwise,” he continued.

“Though we are not expecting that Mrs. Arroyo will decide on OFWs’ favor by scrapping the remittances fees rather than protecting the interests of money transfer companies, banks and, telecommunications companies and her own administration who is the main beneficiary of OFWs remittances, we will welcome if she will pronounce during her July 28 State of the Nations Address, the lowering of remittances fees and immediately direct the concerned government agencies for execution,” Monterona averred.

“Only then, OFWs and their families would say to her “Thanks, but no thanks” as after all, OFW remittance must be free of charge considering the valuable contribution of OFW remittances in keeping the economy afloat,” Monterona ended.

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

`Kanta-lampagin si Gloria' protests continue:

OFW group sings to the seamen

Press Release
July 18, 2008

Members of Migrante International today trooped to T.M. Kalaw in Manila to serenade seamen and seaman wanna-be's gathering in the famous street to find jobs aboard and bring their petition signing campaign.

"Here, we are certain that all are affected by the skyrocketing prices of food and fuel. The long queues for seamen jobs, despite the extreme loneliness and hazards seaman experiences while at sea, reveal how much Filipinos want to escape poverty," said Garry Martinez, spokesperson of Migrante International in explaining the group's "Kanta-lampagin si Gloria" campaign. "They are hard-pressed to look for whatever means to support their families.

Kalaw is popularly known as home to many seamen recruiting agencies.

"This is why we chose this venue to launch our petition signing campaign to scrap remittance charges in the area. These applicants for jobs abroad also need immediate economic relief from the government. The scrapping of remittance charges and remittance taxes will surely be of interest to them."

The petition signing was accompanied by songs from the group as part of their Kanta-lampagin si Gloria series. The song highlights the worries OFWs are facing with the severe economic crunch the country is suffering from.

Martinez continues, "The remittances OFWs send have reached another new high for the month of May. While government through remittance taxes and big business, specifically banks, telephone carriers and other financial institutions are enjoying huge profits, OFWs are tightening their belts even more just to ensure that the average $200 that they send to their families can bring enough food to the table. The scrapping of remittance charges and taxes is but a just demand."

In response to Migrant's calls, Vice President Noli de Castro and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves have earlier stated that the lessening of remittance charges is under study. Migrante is calling for a full scrapping of the charges.

"Migrante fully supports the workers' just demand for P125 wage increase, the removal of VAT on oil and the junking of the oil deregulation law," he said.

"We are determined to echo the Filipino people's just fight for economic survival under the exploitative Arroyo regime in theinternational stage," Martinez declared, adding that similar "Kanta-lampagin" protests are already in place here and abroad as part of the people's actions before Gloria's schedule State of the Nation Address.

For reference:
Garry Martinez, spokesperson
Migrante International
Tel. No.: 0921-7229740

###

DST on OFW remittances Slammed!

News Release
April 23, 2008

For reference:
Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
(0927-215-7392)

Migrante slams documentary stamp tax on OFW remittances

An alliance of organizations composed of OFWs and their families today slammed the planned collection of a documentary stamp tax on remittances through remittance companies as yet another Arroyo scheme to bleed OFWs dry.

According to a Western Union source in Dubai , cited by Migrante Middle East, the Arroyo government will soon collect a 0.15% documentary stamp tax (DST) on OFW remittances sent through remittance companies. Already, the Arroyo government collects a 0.15% DST from OFW families on remittances sent through local banks.

“It’s as if the knife the Arroyo government stabbed into our back just got deeper. Given that OFW families already reel from the lower dollar exchange rate as they try to grapple with rising food prices – it’s utterly unjust and immoral for them toadd this new ‘state exaction’. In fact, the intensifying economic crisis gripping the Filipino people merits the immediate scrapping of all service charges and fees against OFW remittances. And the first to go should be this documentary stamp tax,” says Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International Chaiperson.

For every US$200 (or P8,320 at a P41.60 exchange) remittance, the OFW family will be charged P12.48 in DST. Considering OFW remittances average US$1 billion monthly, that means US$1.5 million (or P62 million) monthly in DST revenue.

“That means P62 million goes to the corrupt Arroyo government instead of to OFW families. Every peso an OFW family saves is another peso they can spend for food. Besides, given the Arroyo administration’s reprehensible track record for high-level corruption, we oppose all schemes designed to pour more funds into her coffers. For all we know, this collection is gearedtowards fattening the administration’s campaign kitty for 2010,” she added.

The OFW leader noted that the DST is in addition to the other service charges deducted by the remittance company. For example an IMF study states average remittance charges for the Philippines range from US$15 to US$26 for a US$200 remittance.

“The expansion and collection of these burdensome ‘state exactions’ or government fees is all the more offensive because of thisadministration’s track record of exporting, exploiting and criminally neglecting countless OFWs and their families. We demand the immediate scrapping of the DST on all OFW remittance transactions, through bank and non-bank channels, as a form of immediateeconomic relief,” concluded Bragas-Regalado. #

Trash House Bill 1097

Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

News Release
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

Saudi OFWs blast Brion anew for lying

News Release
03 February 2008

On direct hiring memorandum:
Saudi OFWs blast Brion anew for lying
POEA MC 04 means exaction of new fees and abandonment of government's responsibility on distressed OFWs

Migrante Saudi Arabia today blasted DOLE Secretary Arturo Brion after the Secretary called the now controversial POEA Memoramdum Circular No. 04 setting guidelines on direct hiring of Filipinos as a move to “strengthen the protection mechanisms for overseas Filipino workers."

"Brion is once again lying," Bob Fajarito, Migrante Jeddah Chairperson said. "How can a Memorandum that seeks to enforce additional expenses on a system that has been proven beneficial to a lot of Filipinos working overseas meant to protect their interests?"

“Brion is definitely out of touch with reality when he says the employers will take care of burden, when numerous experience tells us this is not so," Fajarito asserts. "In this age of neo-liberal globalization, only a handful, generous and maybe philanthropic employers would dare take on the additional USD 8,000 burden without passing it on to the worker."

Basing on cases handled by Migrante KSA's Rights and Welfare Committee, even without this Memorandum employers in saudi Arabia have been charging various expenses on the OFWs.

Take for example the following cases from Migrante KSA's Rights and Welfare Committee:

• The employer of Rahima Aiko and Zorayda Dukay, both domestic helpers now in custody of the Jeddah Consulate's Welfare Center, refused to pay their salary for months (seven months and three months respectively) and is now charging them of SR 9,000 each purportedly for the employer's visa and recruitment expense.
  
• Syrel Morada was locked in the toilet for three days from New Years Eve and was given food only once a day for months but the employer wants her to pay SR 10,000 also for visa and recruitment expense after she sought refuge at the Welfare Center.

These cases, according to Migrante KSA are only the tip of the iceberg.

"With the Memorandum in place, Brion would only legalize what employers in Saudi Arabia has been doing all along~ charging their workers with expenses that employers should legally shoulder including iqama or work-permits, electricity and other utilities, accommodation, even medical insurance coverage," Fajarito closed.

Milking OFWs dry

Furthermore, Migrante KSA dreads the motive behind the Memorandum.

"Only two things are clear with the enforcement of this Memorandum: the present administration is hell-bent on exacting as much from the outbound flight of its citizens and at the same time, provide legal cover to its chronic abandonment of OFWs when problem arises," averred A.M. Ociones, Migrante Saudi Arabia Chairperson.

According to Ociones, the Memorandum is a follow up to the previous POEA Guidelines on the Deployment of Filipino Household Service Workers in 2007 which bled OFWs with additional expense on training and other requirements.

Add this to the fact that OFWs will now be at the mercy of recruitment agencies.

Abandonment of government responsibility

On the other hand, Ociones sees the "repatriation bond" as "another ploy to reinforce the OWWA Omnibus Policies which virtually erased government's (and OWWA's) responsibility."

“The repatriation bond," according to Labor Secretary Brion "shall guarantee the actual cost of repatriation of remains of directly hired OFW following death from any cause, and actual cost incurred for repatriation from other causes such as violation or non-compliance with the contract among others."

"First, they cleared OWWA and the government of any responsibility by way of the Omnibus OWWA Policies and transferred it to the recruitment agency," Ociones explains. "In turn, the Memorandum would effectively clear the recruitment agency of any hand on the repatriation of remains and OFWs in distress because POEA is pushing it to employers."

"But the employers would deduct the bond from the salary of the worker. So who's going to take responsibility for the OFWs in distress now?" Ociones closed.

And this, Migrante Saudi Arabia believes, is the most crucial question now.

References:
A. M. Ociones, Chairperson ~ Migrante Saudi Arabia
Tel. No. +966-566-793-202
Email: migrante_ksa@yahoo.com
URL: http://migrante-ksa.blogspot.com/

Bob Fajarito, Chairperson ~ Migrante Jeddah
Tel. No. +966 502-745-340

-----------------
Other sources:
DoLE: Direct hiring rules meant to protect OFWs
www.GMANews.TV 02/02/2008 02:55 AM

Petition vs POEA Memorandum Circular No. 04
(A Signature Campaign Sperheaded by Migrante in the Middle East Region for the Immediate Scrapping of POEA Memo. Circular No.04)
Petition by Migrante Middle East, February 2, 2008

Migrante slams new POEA memo on direct hiring
News Release by Migrante International, February 1, 2008