12 September 2008
Middle East
(Press Statement issued by Migrante-Middle East chapters and member-organizations: Migrante-Saudi Arabia, Migrante-Jeddah, Migrante-UAE, Migrante-Kuwait, Migrante-Qatar, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS-Migrante -Riyadh) and KGS-Al Jouf (Saudi Arabia)
'Employment sabotage': harassment of a new type to silence migrant rights advocates abroad critical to the Arroyo regime
On September 8, 2008, Migrante Middle East (ME) issued a statement on the illegal termination from work of Gil Lebria, Migrante-Kuwait chapter coordinator.
Migrante-ME believed that Mr. Lebria's termination from work is unlawful because it is without cause and in gross violation of Kuwait Labor Law and even the international labor laws. His termination from work is unexpected and dubious.
His immediate superior commended Lebria's satisfactory job performance. In fact his company Al Kharafi National gave Mr.. Lebria a salary increment this year; a proof that the company's management has recognized Lebria's valuable contribution to the attainment of its company's goals and accomplishment.
Early week of this month when he was verbally told by the company's administrative staff that he is terminated from work and would immediately be repatriated. Upon hearing the sad news, Mr. Lebria asked the staff what is the cause for his immediate termination, it has said nothing but advised him to talk with the company's Human Resources manager.
While working hard to earn for his children in the Philippines , Mr. Lebria is also an active defender and advocates of migrant rights and welfare. His active involvement and uncompromising stand in handling cases of abused, maltreated and ran away OFWs to ensure that OFW-victims rights and well-being will be protected and safe-guarded earned recognition and trust from fellow OFWs in Kuwait .
As a leader of a leading migrant organization in the Middle East, Mr. Lebria and Migrante-Kuwait issued series of statements and exposed embassy's neglect that put on the spot light the ineptness of Philippine Embassy officials widely publicized by the local media in Kuwait and in the Philippines. Without exaggeration, Migrante-Kuwait chapter under the leadership of Mr. Lebria is one of the active and respected migrant organizations in the entire Middle East region.
Migrant rights advocacy is not an easy task especially when those supposed to be the protector and guardian of OFWs would become detracting and furious when migrant advocates from Migrante like Lebria exposes their excessive neglect in handling OFW-victims' cases especially those who are abused, maltreated and aggrieved by their abusive employers. Instead of seeking refuge from inept embassy officials, OFW-victims have chosen to seek protection from migrant advocates and fellow OFWs whom they could be trusted and assured that their rights will be protected and defended.
Migrante-Kuwait chapter brought to the attention of RP officials in Kuwait the case of 20 OFWs who went on strike and were forced to scrounge trash just to eat and thus survive on their daily subsistence because their employer did not pay them their rightful wages; the case of 100 striking OFWs working for Al Jassim Trucking company because their employer did not paid their salaries on time, illegal salary deductions, not providing them medical insurance; the case of hundreds of jailed OFWs including the 40 in Kuwait Central jail where some of them are still waiting for their papers yet to be attended by the Philippine embassy so that they could join their families back home; the case of 10 nurses working for Al Orf Hospital who have received salary lower than what is stipulated on their employment contract; the case of mysterious deaths in Kuwait which Migrante has called on the Congress to investigate. These are only among the many cases Migrante-Kuwait brought to the attention of the public that put into test the capacity and credibility of RP officials in Kuwait headed by Ambassador Ricardo Endaya as the most inept RP envoy in the Middle East .
Even in the company where Mr. Lebria works, fellow workers have also their own agony as their company did not pay their rightful wages and overtime worked and over-extending its workers contract without giving them a vacation. Upon their collective actions, contrary to the claims of the Philippine Embassy that Migrante's Lebria has coerced them to execute a petition, the 32 OFWs working in Al Kharafi national sent their petition letter to its company's management which the latter has gave way to the legitimate demands of its workers (see attached petition of the 32 OFWs).
Migrante has basis to suspect that Mr. Lebria's termination from work was a handiwork of those who got fury with his expose and series of statements issued about the ineptitude of embassy officials who have been noticed to be negligent in handling OFW-victims cases. Only the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the POEA have the motive and power to coerce Mr. Lebria's recruitment agency and to influence its foreign employer to terminate him from work.
Sometime on September 2007, Mr. Lebria received an electronic mail from his agency in the Philippines, Globus recruitment agency, informing him that he will be repatriated as his deployment is the very caused why Globus agency's licensed was revoke and thus temporarily suspended by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Globus electronic mail implicated that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait through the POEA is pressuring Globus agency to arrange the immediate deportation of Mr. Lebria.
Migrante-ME believed this is part of a plan to harass, discredit, and silence migrant rights activists critical to the Arroyo administration through the POEA by coercing local recruitment agency, and through embassy officials to influence foreign employers to terminate or not to renew the contract of migrant rights activists critical to the Arroyo administration.
Migrante ME is calling all OFWs and their families to denounce what it called 'employment sabotage' by the Arroyo administration to migrant rights advocates abroad critical to the Arroyo administration.
'Employment sabotage' is harassment of a new type employed by the Arroyo administration to desperately discredit and silence migrant rights advocates and activists who have done nothing wrong only to uphold migrant rights, promote OFWs' welfare and to protect their well-being.
Migrante-ME vows to oppose and expose this new type of persecution orchestrated by the Arroyo regime through its ambassadors (read: 'employment saboteurs') against OFW leaders critical to her administration.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
IAMR vs GFMD
International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees
Manila, Philippines
28-30 October 2008
This is a collaborative efforts of
the International Migrants Alliance (IMA)
and Migrante International
and Migrante International
with the cooperation and support of
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM),
Ibon Foundation, Bayan-Philippines,
Asia-Pacific Forum on Women in Law and Development - Task Force on Labor and Migration (APWLD-TFLM)
and CARAM Asia.
Monday, August 18, 2008
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
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
Sunday, August 17, 2008
“Ten days that will shake the GFMD” campaign
Press Statement
17 August 2008
Reference: Eni Lestari
Chairperson
Tel. No.: (852) 96081475
“Ten days that will shake the GFMD” campaign
Grassroots migrants prepare to confront inter-government-led confab on migration and development
For grassroots migrants, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a process that shall intensify the labor export industry, aggravate the conditions in many backward and poor countries, and perpetuate forced migration of people. Its adherence to the framework of neoliberal globalization of the monopoly-capitalists shall make it so.
The 10 days leading to the GFMD, from October 19 to 29, shall be marked by the strongest opposition mounted by grassroots migrants all over the world. For 10 days, we shall shake the GFMD down to its core agenda.
The second GFMD is convened amidst the worsening crisis of the world’s capitalist countries that aggravates the condition of poverty and underdevelopment in the world. The promises of globalization have failed and instead of creating a better economy for everyone, it has greatly increased the disparity between superpower and poor economies and has plunged the globe into crisis and war.
Now, prodded by the world’s leading powers, many countries are jumping into the bandwagon of utilizing migration for development. While the GFMD nominally declares its non-adherence to such a policy, migration remains to be one of the main, if not the major, source of income that prop up sinking economies while also providing the needed cheap labor to work in factories, agriculture and service sector of the more advanced ones.
Combined remittance of migrants around the world total US$2.26 trillion dollars and such a huge amount is irresistible for monopoly capitalist banks as well as international financial institutions that are anxious for debt-ridden economies to pay off their loans.
The GFMD is not made for its supposed main stakeholders – the migrants themselves. What it aims to do is to cover up the devastating impacts of neoliberal globalization, address the crisis of monopoly-capitalist themselves and further constrict the severely limited “development aid” powerful countries and IFIs such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank give to underdeveloped countries.
For the GFMD to talk about the rights of migrants is devoid of sincerity and full of hypocrisy.
Violations of rights of migrants are rampant. To name a few: the arrest and threat of deportation of Chilean activist and political asylum seeker Victor Toro of the May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Workers Rights in the United States; the torture, abuse and deportation of Bangladeshi workers from Malaysia; deportation of 1,000 Bangladeshi workers who went on strike due to non-payment of wage and other worker’s rights violations in Kuwait; the criminalization and violent crackdown of undocumented migrants in South Korea; labour rights violations against foreign workers in Canada; the unified contract in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the sponsorship system in the rest of the Middle East countries that is reminiscent of slave-buying; the proposed policy on undocumented migrants by the European Union that shall impose stiff penalties, detain, and blacklist arrested migrants, and; the continuing wage cuts, levy and discrimination against foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Attacks to the rights of migrants, immigrants, refugees and other displaced people are happening everywhere, everyday. Ironically, the violators of the rights of migrants – through grave anti-migrant policies – are the same countries in the GFMD.
As the forum is to be held in Manila, it is evident that the GFMD holds in high-esteem the Philippine government’s system of labor export. To make the country a model of migration is short of scandalous given the Philippine government’s worse than poor record in upholding the rights of its overseas nationals.
Grassroots migrants shall let our stand be known and our voices heard during the GFMD.
We, who work in foreign households, labour in agricultural lands, sweat in factories and work in restaurants and other similar fields, will not stand aside as states discuss our future. Under their hands, there is nothing there for us but further exploitation and intensified commodification.
The International Migrants Alliance or IMA – formed and run by grassroots migrants – will be there to face the GFMD. Spanning the global regions of Asia-Pacific, Oceania, North America, Latin America and Africa, the 112-member organizations of the IMA effectively cover hundreds of thousands of grassroots migrants.
For years, many have spoken on our behalf. This time, we shall speak for ourselves and the GFMD is the most opportune period for us to speak out.
The “10 Days to Shake the GFMD” campaign will feature dramatic actions from different countries that will highlight the migrant’s national and international concerns. Such actions will complement the efforts of migrants and their families in the Philippines to bring out the migrant’s agenda to the GFMD.
IMA’s presence in all global regions will pose the most formidable challenge to the GFMD. We, being the grassroots migrants who are at the receiving end of numerous anti-migrant attacks, are the living proofs of the GFMD’s anti-migrant agenda and direction
This campaign shall culminate in the International Assembly on Migrants and Refugees (IAMR) on October 28 to 30. With the theme "Migrants' Challenge to the GFMD: End poverty, ensure jobs at home, stop forced migration! Uphold and Protect the rights of Migrants and Refugees!” the IAMR will be the genuine assembly of migrants where the real and concrete issues shall be discussed. The IAMR speaks for the grassroots migrants.
Our future is bleak and our rights are at stake in the GFMD. We vow to confront it with the power of the unified stand of grassroots migrants.#
Note: Migrante Saudi Arabia is one of the founding members of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA).
17 August 2008
Reference: Eni Lestari
Chairperson
Tel. No.: (852) 96081475
“Ten days that will shake the GFMD” campaign
Grassroots migrants prepare to confront inter-government-led confab on migration and development
For grassroots migrants, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a process that shall intensify the labor export industry, aggravate the conditions in many backward and poor countries, and perpetuate forced migration of people. Its adherence to the framework of neoliberal globalization of the monopoly-capitalists shall make it so.
The 10 days leading to the GFMD, from October 19 to 29, shall be marked by the strongest opposition mounted by grassroots migrants all over the world. For 10 days, we shall shake the GFMD down to its core agenda.
The second GFMD is convened amidst the worsening crisis of the world’s capitalist countries that aggravates the condition of poverty and underdevelopment in the world. The promises of globalization have failed and instead of creating a better economy for everyone, it has greatly increased the disparity between superpower and poor economies and has plunged the globe into crisis and war.
Now, prodded by the world’s leading powers, many countries are jumping into the bandwagon of utilizing migration for development. While the GFMD nominally declares its non-adherence to such a policy, migration remains to be one of the main, if not the major, source of income that prop up sinking economies while also providing the needed cheap labor to work in factories, agriculture and service sector of the more advanced ones.
Combined remittance of migrants around the world total US$2.26 trillion dollars and such a huge amount is irresistible for monopoly capitalist banks as well as international financial institutions that are anxious for debt-ridden economies to pay off their loans.
The GFMD is not made for its supposed main stakeholders – the migrants themselves. What it aims to do is to cover up the devastating impacts of neoliberal globalization, address the crisis of monopoly-capitalist themselves and further constrict the severely limited “development aid” powerful countries and IFIs such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank give to underdeveloped countries.
For the GFMD to talk about the rights of migrants is devoid of sincerity and full of hypocrisy.
Violations of rights of migrants are rampant. To name a few: the arrest and threat of deportation of Chilean activist and political asylum seeker Victor Toro of the May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Workers Rights in the United States; the torture, abuse and deportation of Bangladeshi workers from Malaysia; deportation of 1,000 Bangladeshi workers who went on strike due to non-payment of wage and other worker’s rights violations in Kuwait; the criminalization and violent crackdown of undocumented migrants in South Korea; labour rights violations against foreign workers in Canada; the unified contract in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the sponsorship system in the rest of the Middle East countries that is reminiscent of slave-buying; the proposed policy on undocumented migrants by the European Union that shall impose stiff penalties, detain, and blacklist arrested migrants, and; the continuing wage cuts, levy and discrimination against foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Attacks to the rights of migrants, immigrants, refugees and other displaced people are happening everywhere, everyday. Ironically, the violators of the rights of migrants – through grave anti-migrant policies – are the same countries in the GFMD.
As the forum is to be held in Manila, it is evident that the GFMD holds in high-esteem the Philippine government’s system of labor export. To make the country a model of migration is short of scandalous given the Philippine government’s worse than poor record in upholding the rights of its overseas nationals.
Grassroots migrants shall let our stand be known and our voices heard during the GFMD.
We, who work in foreign households, labour in agricultural lands, sweat in factories and work in restaurants and other similar fields, will not stand aside as states discuss our future. Under their hands, there is nothing there for us but further exploitation and intensified commodification.
The International Migrants Alliance or IMA – formed and run by grassroots migrants – will be there to face the GFMD. Spanning the global regions of Asia-Pacific, Oceania, North America, Latin America and Africa, the 112-member organizations of the IMA effectively cover hundreds of thousands of grassroots migrants.
For years, many have spoken on our behalf. This time, we shall speak for ourselves and the GFMD is the most opportune period for us to speak out.
The “10 Days to Shake the GFMD” campaign will feature dramatic actions from different countries that will highlight the migrant’s national and international concerns. Such actions will complement the efforts of migrants and their families in the Philippines to bring out the migrant’s agenda to the GFMD.
IMA’s presence in all global regions will pose the most formidable challenge to the GFMD. We, being the grassroots migrants who are at the receiving end of numerous anti-migrant attacks, are the living proofs of the GFMD’s anti-migrant agenda and direction
This campaign shall culminate in the International Assembly on Migrants and Refugees (IAMR) on October 28 to 30. With the theme "Migrants' Challenge to the GFMD: End poverty, ensure jobs at home, stop forced migration! Uphold and Protect the rights of Migrants and Refugees!” the IAMR will be the genuine assembly of migrants where the real and concrete issues shall be discussed. The IAMR speaks for the grassroots migrants.
Our future is bleak and our rights are at stake in the GFMD. We vow to confront it with the power of the unified stand of grassroots migrants.#
================================
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
================================
Note: Migrante Saudi Arabia is one of the founding members of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA).
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
No Whitewash!
13 August 2008
Press Release
For Reference:
Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
(0927-2157392)
No Whitewash!
Migrante demands Justice for Victim of Foul Play Eugenia Baja
Members of Migrante International and families of victims of mysterious deaths trooped to the Department of Foreign Affairs to demand justice and a more thorough investigation on the death of Eugenia Baja, a Filipina domestic worker who allegedly committed suicide in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last February 24. The autopsy report which the family recently received from the KSA further fueled their suspicions that Baja was a victim of foul play. The group presented to DFA officials pictures of the dead body.
Elizabeth Garcia, elder sister of Eugenia, said pictures of her sister's dead body tell another story. "May mga bugbog at galos ang iba't ibang parte ng katawan ng kapatid ko. May saksak pa ng kutsilyo sa may tagiliran," Garcia said.
"How can this be suicide?" questioned Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson of Migrante International. "The autopsy report revealed that Eugenia was starved for 28-35 days. The wounds and marks indicate that she had been severely maltreated. Why didn't DFA officials investigate at all?"
Baja's alleged suicide happened days after her family received text messages from her that she needed help. There were also conflicting reports about the cause of her death. The DFA informed the family that Baja killed herself by banging her head in the toilet tiles after three days of locking herself up in her room. Meanwhile, documents from KSA authorities which arrived with the corpse stated that Baja died in a hospital due to ulcer. It was only after a campaign by Migrante and her family that Baja's body was repatriated to the Philippines three months after, with the support and immediate assistance of Senate President Manny Villar.
Regalado continues, "This is again another case where the DFA and embassy officials have not only proven themselves to be callous and useless in protecting Filipino citizens. They have also shown how blatantly they can become so servile to a foreign government, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the truth, so willing to sacrifice yet another victim in return for the chance to export cheap labor and profit from our remittances! "
"How dare President Arroyo say she cares for OFWs, in no less than her SONA statement, when we have so many other Eugenia Baja whose deaths cry for justice! If she continues to do nothing about this case, it is a "blatant toleration of human rights violations against OFWs and is tantamount to being accomplice to the crime. The DFA must investigate this at once!"
Migrante has documented 23 cases of OFW "mysterious deaths" under the Arroyo administration.
Regalado also cited the recent "alleged suicides" of Maria Mitos Vergara and Jefrey Alberto So, in Dubai last June 24 and Gilbert Angeles, who was found dead in his apartment in Singapore on June 30
Regalado said these deaths show the real face of migration contrary to what the government is promoting.
She also said these cases and other issues concerning migrants will be tackled in the International Assembly of Migrants & Refugees, a 3-day gathering whereby genuine migrant groups and organizations together with migrant support organizations and institutions, will gather to discuss their own issues. The IAMR is the migrants' response to the Global Forum on Migration and Development to be hosted by the Philippine government this coming October. #
Press Release
For Reference:
Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
(0927-2157392)
No Whitewash!
Migrante demands Justice for Victim of Foul Play Eugenia Baja
Members of Migrante International and families of victims of mysterious deaths trooped to the Department of Foreign Affairs to demand justice and a more thorough investigation on the death of Eugenia Baja, a Filipina domestic worker who allegedly committed suicide in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last February 24. The autopsy report which the family recently received from the KSA further fueled their suspicions that Baja was a victim of foul play. The group presented to DFA officials pictures of the dead body.
Elizabeth Garcia, elder sister of Eugenia, said pictures of her sister's dead body tell another story. "May mga bugbog at galos ang iba't ibang parte ng katawan ng kapatid ko. May saksak pa ng kutsilyo sa may tagiliran," Garcia said.
"How can this be suicide?" questioned Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson of Migrante International. "The autopsy report revealed that Eugenia was starved for 28-35 days. The wounds and marks indicate that she had been severely maltreated. Why didn't DFA officials investigate at all?"
Baja's alleged suicide happened days after her family received text messages from her that she needed help. There were also conflicting reports about the cause of her death. The DFA informed the family that Baja killed herself by banging her head in the toilet tiles after three days of locking herself up in her room. Meanwhile, documents from KSA authorities which arrived with the corpse stated that Baja died in a hospital due to ulcer. It was only after a campaign by Migrante and her family that Baja's body was repatriated to the Philippines three months after, with the support and immediate assistance of Senate President Manny Villar.
Regalado continues, "This is again another case where the DFA and embassy officials have not only proven themselves to be callous and useless in protecting Filipino citizens. They have also shown how blatantly they can become so servile to a foreign government, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the truth, so willing to sacrifice yet another victim in return for the chance to export cheap labor and profit from our remittances! "
"How dare President Arroyo say she cares for OFWs, in no less than her SONA statement, when we have so many other Eugenia Baja whose deaths cry for justice! If she continues to do nothing about this case, it is a "blatant toleration of human rights violations against OFWs and is tantamount to being accomplice to the crime. The DFA must investigate this at once!"
Migrante has documented 23 cases of OFW "mysterious deaths" under the Arroyo administration.
Regalado also cited the recent "alleged suicides" of Maria Mitos Vergara and Jefrey Alberto So, in Dubai last June 24 and Gilbert Angeles, who was found dead in his apartment in Singapore on June 30
Regalado said these deaths show the real face of migration contrary to what the government is promoting.
She also said these cases and other issues concerning migrants will be tackled in the International Assembly of Migrants & Refugees, a 3-day gathering whereby genuine migrant groups and organizations together with migrant support organizations and institutions, will gather to discuss their own issues. The IAMR is the migrants' response to the Global Forum on Migration and Development to be hosted by the Philippine government this coming October. #
Thursday, July 24, 2008
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.
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)
* * *
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
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
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.
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
Garry Martinez, spokesperson
Migrante International
Tel. No.: 0921-7229740
###
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
OFWs grieve on Ka Bel’s untimely death
Press Release
May 20, 2008
Overseas Workers grieve on Ka Bel’s untimely death;
Migrante to give tribute for his great works of advancing and protecting workers’ rights
“Ka Bel’s untimely death is a surprised to all Filipino workers, local and overseas. But he has left us legacies that will remain alive in our and fellow worker’s hearts and mind” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said that OFWs and Families are grieving on the untimely death of one of the most respected Labor leaders of his time, Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. “We would like convey our condolences to his wife, family members and relatives,” he continued.
“Ka Bel is a genuine leader who himself came from the working class. His works and uncompromising stand defending workers rights and promotion of workers’ welfare is worthy of emulation by all Filipino workers, young and old, local and overseas, and even workers of other nationalities around the world,” Monterona added.
“I have been working with Ka Bel in a short time in Congress when he first became Anakpawis Representative and I treasure those days working with a genuine worker’s advocate and leader. I am deeply honored to be part of his legislative team as Consultant for Migrant Workers affairs though for a short time,’ Monterona tearfully recalled.
Migrante’s Monterona said that his group, fellow OFWs and families are very thankful with Ka Bel, who side-by-side working with Congressman Roseller Barinaga who then chairs the House Committee on Labor and Employment, consistently supported Overseas workers by filling several resolutions for the protection and welfare of Overseas Filipino workers and their families, in general; and has pushed for the creation of a special House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.
“His untimely death is a loss to the working class and the workers movement. But his works and legacies lives on the working class who are ever willing to follow the same path he has chosen,” Monterona said.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East will be having a special gathering to give tribute and planning to sponsor a Mass in the homeland for Ka Bel.
“Migrante, OFWs and families is giving the highest tribute to Ka Bel elevating him to the status such of Gat Andres Bonificio, the great plebeian of his time,” Monterona ended.
May 20, 2008
Overseas Workers grieve on Ka Bel’s untimely death;
Migrante to give tribute for his great works of advancing and protecting workers’ rights
“Ka Bel’s untimely death is a surprised to all Filipino workers, local and overseas. But he has left us legacies that will remain alive in our and fellow worker’s hearts and mind” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said that OFWs and Families are grieving on the untimely death of one of the most respected Labor leaders of his time, Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. “We would like convey our condolences to his wife, family members and relatives,” he continued.
“Ka Bel is a genuine leader who himself came from the working class. His works and uncompromising stand defending workers rights and promotion of workers’ welfare is worthy of emulation by all Filipino workers, young and old, local and overseas, and even workers of other nationalities around the world,” Monterona added.
“I have been working with Ka Bel in a short time in Congress when he first became Anakpawis Representative and I treasure those days working with a genuine worker’s advocate and leader. I am deeply honored to be part of his legislative team as Consultant for Migrant Workers affairs though for a short time,’ Monterona tearfully recalled.
Migrante’s Monterona said that his group, fellow OFWs and families are very thankful with Ka Bel, who side-by-side working with Congressman Roseller Barinaga who then chairs the House Committee on Labor and Employment, consistently supported Overseas workers by filling several resolutions for the protection and welfare of Overseas Filipino workers and their families, in general; and has pushed for the creation of a special House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.
“His untimely death is a loss to the working class and the workers movement. But his works and legacies lives on the working class who are ever willing to follow the same path he has chosen,” Monterona said.
Migrante chapters in the Middle East will be having a special gathering to give tribute and planning to sponsor a Mass in the homeland for Ka Bel.
“Migrante, OFWs and families is giving the highest tribute to Ka Bel elevating him to the status such of Gat Andres Bonificio, the great plebeian of his time,” Monterona ended.
# # #
References:
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012
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