1st P-Noy SONA makes OFWs guessing, but group vows to be watchful

 

After hearing President Benigno Simeon Noynoy C. Aquino III first State of the Nation Address on 26 July, a Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today said the President makes OFWs guessing.

 

“As OFWs contribution to the local economy are well recognized, about 10% of the yearly Gross domestic product (GDP), we were expecting that the President would mention on his 1^st SONA and re-state, clearly, boldly and in specific terms in accordance with his earlier marching orders to all concerned government agencies his action plan in attending OFWs woes and concerns,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

It could be remembered that during his inauguration on June, the President issued directives to all concerned government agencies to promptly attend on OFWs concerns.

 

Monterona however said that since the President issued such directive to all concerned government agencies, there is no concrete actions have been taken by these agencies as a response to the President’s directives.

 

“What makes us guessing is that he never mentioned anything on his SONA about OFWs concerns despite that various OFW groups and Migrante chapters abroad have promptly laid down their legitimate concerns and issues in what we called Migrants agenda prior to his first SONA,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona further said his group will wait but will remain watchful until he reached his 100 days in office, as this will give us a hint how he will treat OFWs and their families.

 

“Is he different from the previous administrations or he is like them? We hope the Aquino administration would not be anti-OFW,” Monterona ended. # # # 

 

 For reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

On GAMCA clinics report on rising numbers of OFWs with HIV/AIDS

 

 

Reacting on the recent reports released by GAMCA, an association of 17 medical clinics conducting medical check-up through the ‘referral decking system’ for OFWs bound to Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) countries, on the rising cases of OFWs infected with HIV and AIDS, an alliance of Filipino migrants rights group in the Middle East today said that the report was released with a motive and hidden agenda, that is to raise alarm in order to influence the new Aquino government to implement  compulsory AIDS test for all Mid-east bound OFWs.

 

“HIV/AIDS is a global phenomenon, and a concern of governments around the world; but it is totally misleading and unfair to equate that the country’s rising numbers of HIV and AIDS cases came from the OFWs especially those going and/or coming from the Middle East,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said GAMCA’s 21 recorded cases of OFWs who have possibly been infected with HIV and/or AIDS from January to June of this year is in fact only represent a very small percentage to the huge numbers of deployed OFWs in the Middle East. He said there are about 1.8-M OFWs deployed in the Middle East.

 

“We recognize the need for the government to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS infections in the country, but to single out OFWs as HIV/AIDS carrier is unpleasant and at most foul!,” Monterona exclaimed.

 

Monterona, however, said GAMCA’s report must carefully and thoroughly be studied.

 

“There might be an increase on the numbers of HIV and AIDS infections in the country, but attributing it to OFWs as AIDS carriers is sweeping and unfounded,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said the increase of HIV and AIDS cases could be attributed on the failure of previous administrations through the Health department to develop the needed HIV/AIDS awareness campaign or relevant program to address this concern despite the 2005 reports by the Philippine National AIDS Council on the increasing numbers of HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines.

 

“Since 2005, the issue of increasing numbers of HIV and AIDS infections has already been raised; now GAMCA is re-cycling this issue to justify the need for all Mid-east bound OFWs to undergo compulsory AIDS test,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona questions GAMCA’s motive for releasing its report as it is tainted with self-serving motive and hidden agenda.

 

“If GAMCA, which most member-clinics are still practicing the “referral decking system”,  would later recommend and lobby to the Aquino government the compulsory implementation of AIDS test for OFWs, then we’ll be ready to rally our ranks and protest against it,” Monterona warned.

 

Migrante’s Monterona said that mandatory AIDS test is unreasonable and may impinge the basic right of individuals such as its freedom of choice in relation to subjecting to the AIDS test.

 

“Mandatory AIDS test is unreasonable because in the first place previous administrations failed to implement a comprehensive HIV/AIDS awareness program. You can’t force someone to do what he is not aware in the first place,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona also warned that if the mandatory AIDS test is implemented, thus charge OFWs the required fees, OFWs and families will protest because it is only an additional burden to OFWs in time of soaring prices of commodities and economic crisis.

 

“OFWs and their families will vow to protest against it,” Monterona declared.

 

Monterona, however, suggested that it is better for the government to start massive awareness campaign program on HIV/AIDS so that the public may know.

 

“As to requiring AIDS test to be compulsory and charging OFWs an additional fee, for sure this will face a strong opposition from OFWs and their families. Instead, voluntary and free-of-charge AIDS test could be good to be included in the awareness campaign program,” Monterona ended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Migrant rights group hits Aquino govt., POEA on OFWs mandatory membership to PAG-IBIG

Receiving complaints from OFWs that the government through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is already charging an additional amount of Php.600 to all out-bound OFWs to get their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) on top of other fees such as OWWA membership fee and Philhealth contribution, an alliance of Filipino migrants rights group today hits the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for implementing a mandatory PAG-IBIG membership covering all OFWs.

 

“While we recognize the sound intent of the housing program of the government by providing housing loan facility for OFWs who mostly have no house of their own, we question the implementation of the new Memorandum Circular No. 06, Series of 2010, issued by the POEA on 7 July 2010, requiring OFWs mandatory membership to PAG-IBIG,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said The Home Development Mutual Fund, popularly known as PAG-IBIG, has already an existing housing loan facility for OFWs implemented for quite sometime.

 

“Before it is only optional, not mandatory, thus giving OFWs and their dependents leeway to choose which is better, appropriate, and practical considering the family’s priority, to get a housing loan from PAG-IBIG or just gradually built their own house from their earnings,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said making OFWs membership to PAG-IBIG compulsory is like “hold-up” (i.e. robbing)  because it is tied up to getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), required for all out-bound OFWs and would-be OFWs.

 

“So an OFW would be paying, in order to get an OEC, P1,164 for OWWA membership, P900 for Philhealth, and the newly imposed P600 for PAG-IBIG, plus the P100 processing fee for a total of P2,764; this is on top of other fees and charges imposed by the government and the placement fee collected by recruitment agency,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona also deplores the POEA that is already charging OFWs P600 for PAG-IBIG coverage despite that it’s issued MC #6 clearly stated that the implementation of mandatory PAG-IBIG coverage shall start on 1 August 2010.

 

“Fellow OFWs have told us that upon getting an OEC at POEA main building, they were asked to pay P600 for PAG-IBIG membership -it was on the first week of July” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said the worst is yet to come in terms of imposing additional fees and charges as the Aquino government would need more funds, thus it would not hesitate to impose additional fees and charges to its citizens to augment the needed funds beefing up the government’s meager budget that was depleted by the Arroyo administration.

 

“Like the Arroyo administration, the Aquino government will likely be “mukhang pera” by imposing more burdens to its own people in the form of government fees and charges and more taxes to come,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona said OFWs are always the government’s easy targets, imposing numerous unnecessary fees and charges and yet there is no or only meager program and services to OFWs and their dependents provided by the government.

 

“After hearing P-Noy first SONA, we are asking “is he only dreaming or he will be true to his words? The President did not even bother to say again his marching orders and directives to all concerned government agencies to attend OFWs concerns and issues. This is a bad indication that he too would be anti-OFWs?” Monterona ended.

 

 

 

Akala ba namin walang korap? Investigate Romulo in anomalous e-passport contract - Migrante Int'l

Migrante International today called on the Aquino administration to stop the increase in e-passport application fees 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.

 

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and applicants have been complaining of the rise in the cost of passport fees following issuance of the new e-passports by the DFA to comply with international standards.

 

The new e-passport now costs P950 to P1,200 from P550 to P750 in the Philippines, while e-passport costs have risen in Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, in the Middle East and some parts of Europe to as much as thrice as the previous rates, and approximately $6 (USD) more than the fee prescribed for e-passports in the Philippines.

 

Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, questioned the increase, saying that the DFA contract with French-owned Oberthure is marred with irregularities and grossly overpriced. (please see attached media briefer)

 

In an investigative report by the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines, it was found out  that the cost of procurement of laminates used for the e-passport is overpriced by P50 per laminate or at least P120 million per year if the DFA releases three million e-passports annually.

 

The contract still has pending corruption cases at the Office of the Ombudsman and Supreme Court. The P857 million e-passport deal has also been the subject of congressional inquiries and investigations since 2007.

 

“Akala ba namin walang korap sa gobyernong ito? Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin sinasagot at napapanagot si Romulo tungkol sa isyung ito pangungurakot,” Martinez said.

 

Martinez said that the DFA had no right to increase e-passport fees if the contract is overpriced.

 

“We demand a renewed investigation and immediate resolution to the alleged corruption in the e-passport contract. Instead of passing on the burden to our OFWs, corrupt officials involved in the illegal and overpriced deal should be held accountable,” he said.

 

Martinez also said that it is lamentable that the DFA has “squandered millions of pesos in corruption but neglected to provide welfare services, protection and much-needed assistance to our OFWs, especially those in distress and facing death row.” “Hindi na nga natutulungan ang ating mga OFW, kinokotongan pa,” he said.

 

Migrante International is set to file corruption complaints against Romulo and other officials involved in the e-passport contract before the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice. “We also ask Pres. Aquino to seriously consider recalling Romulo’s re-appointment as DFA head.”

 

On the first State of the nation Address of President Aquino on July 26, Migrante International will be raising its protest against the e-passport fee hike, among many other concerns, in an internationally coordinated action with its chapters abroad.

Regain passport ownership from employers of Mid-east based OFWs, migrant group urges RP posts

 

 

 

 

An alliance of overseas Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today urges the various RP posts in the Middle East to regain proprietorship of OFWs passport that were “surrendered” upon demand by their respective employers.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator said it became a normal practice by employers in Arab countries confiscating the passport of their hired OFWs upon arrival to job site.

 

He said various RP posts representing OFWs, should regain their passport that has been ‘confiscated’ by their employers.

 

Monterona cited that at the back of the old Philippine passport (the green one) it stated “This passport is the property of the Republic of the Philippines.”

 

“It is only in the Middle East that OFWs passports are confiscated by employers,” Monterona averred.

 

“Confiscation of OFWs passport by their employer has a negative connotation and serious implication on the status of the hired worker albeit the inhumane treatment to OFWs by their employers,” he added.

 

In Arab countries, migrant workers have been hired under the ‘sponsorship’ system whereby the employer will provide a work permit for its workers as sponsor.

 

In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the work permit is called “Iqama”, while in Qatar it is known as “Pataka”.

 

Monterona said in Saudi Labor Law for instance, setting the general principles and rules of an employer-employee relations, does not even mention that the hired worker’s passport needs to be surrendered or must be confiscated by the employer. “There is no obligation imposed by the host government labor law to surrender the passport of hired OFW,” he continued.

 

“In our initial study and research, there is no legal requirement imposed by the host-receiving governments in the Middle East to confiscate or surrender OFWs passport to their employer,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona cited that in the UAE for instance, its government has implemented a rule that migrant workers passport must not be confiscated from them by employer. However, still there are companies that are confiscating their hired workers passport.

 

“OFWs are paying costly passport only to be confiscated by their employer upon arrival to their respective job site,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said this is OFWs rights issue but has been there for so long that even various RP posts didn’t mind at all. “What RP consular and labor officials doing about it?” he queried. (end) # # #

 

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

 

 

 

 

PNoy Must Act Now or Be Sorry Later! MIGRANTE-Japan Lays Demands for President Aquino's SONA

 

Press Release


MIGRANTE-Japan joins the call for PNoy to once-and-for-all address the plight of
millions of OFWs around the world.

In view of PNoy’s first SONA, the group composed of 15 Filipino organizations
across Japan calls on President Aquino “to state clearly his action plan on
behalf of more than 8 million OFWs in the remaining days of his first 100 days
in office and not just offer a mouthful of promises that he may never deliver.”
“Without a whimper to show concern for the sorry condition of many hard-working
compatriots overseas, President Aquino must lay clearly what’s in his agenda for
us and what’s his take on our demands,”  Nestor Puno, MIGRANTE-Japan
spokesperson said.

For one, the group demands PNoy to immediately recall erring Philippine embassy
and consulate officials in Japan who are not responsive and intolerant to their
needs and interests. Second, the Tokyo Embassy and Consulate General’s Office in
Osaka must streamline procedures to attend to Filipino nationals who are in dire
need of assistance, especially the sick, victims of abuse, and those in
detention for various reasons.  And third, pull down the cost of its services,
particularly the overpriced passport and other consular documents that is
siphoning whatever limited resources they have.

“Embassies and consulates are no haven for government officials who sleep on
duty while we suffer various forms of abuse and are unjustly treated,” said
Puno.

For the longest time, Japan-based Filipinos complain about arrogant and
irresponsible embassy and consulate officials who, according to them, never
cease to demand money from migrant Filipinos in exchange for run-of-the-mill
services.

“The sick and those in detention awaiting deportation have to beg for their
services. Embassy and consulate officials have always been detached from the
community; they hardly knew what’s going on in the field. Even paid employees
are very arrogant; they abhor us whenever we call to ask for assistance. These
must be stopped,” Puno lamented.

The group also complains about bureaucratic red tape inside the Tokyo embassy
and Consulate General’s Office in Osaka.

“These officials have the habit of introducing policies that instead of
streamlining procedures make them even more burdensome to us.  That is why the
sick die unattended while those in detention wallow in misery while waiting for
their action,” added Puno.

Meanwhile, the cost of passport in Japan is 4 times more expensive than its
actual cost in the Philippines.  Puno said that an e-passport in Japan costs Y
7,800 or roughly 4,000 pesos.  This has been the bone of contention considering
the current economic slump in Japan that is hurting migrant workers, in
particular. Puno’s group also complains about the extended processing time of 45
days and the very stiff requirements to secure the passport.

“The cost of e-passport in Japan is scandalously high for most Filipinos in
Japan who are already downed by the ongoing economic crisis.  We cannot fathom
why a passport made in Japan could be this expensive when the same could be
acquired in the Philippines for just PhP 950.  This is highway robbery,” said
Puno.

Around 30 leaders of various Japan-based groups and associations allied with
MIGRANTE have met recently to formulate their demands to PNoy and to call for
his immediate intervention on the sorry condition of OFWs in many parts of the
world, particularly the more than 40 cases of OFWs on death row and the recent
murder of two Filipina OFWs in Kuwait.

“Under the Arroyo government, migrant Filipinos in Japan had endured 9 years of
neglect and abuse.  We will not bear another day of misery that is why PNoy has
to immediately act on our demands or he shall lose face and risk getting the ire
of OFWs worldwide,” concluded Puno.

OFWs victim of labor malpractice appeal to P-Noy for help

Note: A press release from Migrante

 

More than 20 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have sent their appeal letter address to President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, a day before his First State of the nation Address (SONA), pleading for help as they have been victims of their employer’s labor malpractice and inhumane treatment.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said that on 22 July, more than 20 distress OFWs have sought assistance from the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), member organization of Migrante-Middle East.

 

“Our KGS-Migrante officers headed by KGS Secretary-General Mike Garlan have met the distress OFWs on July 22 upon their request for assistance as they have been subjected to various labor malpractices by their employer,” Monterona added.

 

The distress OFWs have been deployed early this year by batches during the first quarter of this year, while others have already been working for about a year.

 

They are working for Nuzha Project Group, a Riyadh-based contracting company.

 

“They were deployed by 3 different recruitment agencies in the Philippines such as Wavex agency, Real World agency, and World Production International Manpower Corporation, as mentioned on their signed letter, a copy of which was given to KGS-Migrante,” said Garlan.

 

On their signed handwritten letter address to President Aquino, the distress OFWs said that they are not paid of their salaries, working more than 8 hours and yet their employer is not paying overtime pay, no health card or medical insurance, poor and unsanitary accommodations, among other complaints. 

 

The distress workers also allege that their respective recruitment agency in the Philippines have issued fake documents such as employment contract and expired work visa, that put their status at risks upon arrival to the job site.

 

“They told us that they have been forced to sign a new employment contract which terms and conditions are different from the original employment contract they have signed in the Philippines facilitated by their recruitment agencies,” Garlan added.

 

KGS-Migrante will be officially endorsing their case to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh and will be having a case dialogue on July 30.

 

Monterona, on his part, said the distress OFWs are clear victims of labor malpractices, not only by their employer but also by their recruiters in the Philippines that deployed them. “It’s like a double whammy!” he exclaimed.

 

Monterona added these are the same cases of labor malpractices, abuses, maltreatment, lack of on-site services and welfare programs, recipient of numerous unnecessary government fees and charges, among many other OFWs concerns, we would like to convey to Pres. Aquino so that he may do something about it.

 

“On his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) Migrante chapters in the Middle East challenge Pres. Aquino III to re-iterates his previous marching orders and directives during his inauguration, but this time he should make it clear, bold and specific what actions to take such as providing more on-site services and protection for OFWs abroad, lowering or scrapping of unnecessary fees and charges imposed to OFWs by the government, among many others,” Monterona ended. 

 

 

 

 

OFWs urge gov't to investigate passport fee overprice

 Migrante International today called on the Aquino administration to investigate the overpricing of e-passport applications 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.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and applicants have been complaining of the rise in the cost of passport fees following the issuance of the new e-passports by the DFA to comply with international standards.

The new e-passport now costs P950 to P1,200 from P550 to P750 in the Philippines, while e-passport costs have risen in Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, in the Middle East and some parts of Europe to as much as thrice as the previous rates, and approximately $6 (USD) more than the fee prescribed for e-passports in the Philippines.

“Wala na bang katapusan ang pangongotong ng gobiyerno mula sa OFWs?” declared Gina Esguerra, Secretary general of Migrante International. “President Aquino must prioritize this issue as this not only involves OFWs but all other Filipinos applying for a passport.”

Esguerra also questioned the e-passport fee increase, saying that the DFA contract with Oberthure, the French company which won the bidding for the procurement of e-passports, is marred with irregularities and grossly overpriced.

In an investigative report by the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines, it was found out  that the cost of procurement of laminates used for the e-passport is overpriced by P50 per laminate or at least P120 million per year if the DFA releases three million e-passports annually.

The contract still has pending corruption cases at the Office of the Ombudsman and Supreme Court. The P857 million e-passport deal has also been the subject of congressional inquiries and investigations since 2007.

 “DFA Sec. Romulo has yet to answer all allegations hurled against him with regard to this issue. The DFA should stop imposing e-passport fee hikes until this issue is resolved. There should be no reason for an increase if the e-passport contract is truly overpriced. Instead of passing on the burden to our OFWs, corrupt officials involved in the illegal and overpriced deal should be held accountable,” said Esguerra.

 She added that the e-passport contract follows the same pattern and course as high-profile corruption cases such as the NBN-ZTE deal and the Cyber-Education project under the Arroyo administration.

 She said that Migrante International is mulling the filing of administrative and criminal charges against Romulo and other officials involved in the overpriced e-passport deal.

 On the first State of the nation Address of  President Aquino on July 26,  Migrante International will be raising its protest against the e-passport fee hike, among many other concerns, in an internationally coordinated action with its chapters abroad.

 

 

 

Migrante to Noy: Heed wangwang of OFWs in distress

 

Migrante International today called on Pres. Noynoy Aquino to urgently heed the wangwang (distress calls) of overseas Filipino workers in death row, seeking immediate repatriation and overstaying in jails abroad.

 

In a press conference, Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, presented cases of OFWs "that cannot afford to wait for Pres. Aquino's 100 days to finish."

 

"Kung galit si Pres. Aquino sa mga wangwang, ibahin niya itong wangwang na distress call ng ating mga OFW. Kumbaga, tulad ito ng wangwang ng ambulansya na kailangan ng agarang lunas at kung hindi'y maaaring ikamatay ng ating mga kababayan ," Martinez said.

 

Martinez said that according to data gathered by their Migrants Assistance Committee, there are currently 101 cases of OFWs in death row, of which  66 are from China and 26 from the Middle East; while 226 are stranded and languishing in Filipino shelters in the Middle East, Somalia and Taiwan.

 

He also urged Aquino to immediately address the sending back home of the remains of six OFWs majority from the Middle East Region.

 

There are also hundreds of OFWs, he added, who are presently overstaying their sentences in jails abroad.

"They are enduring the most deplorable and cruel of conditions and are lacking much-needed legal and financial support from the DFA,  Philippine embassies and consulates.”

Martinez accompanied to the press conference relatives of Joselito Zapanta, Nerissa Neri and Sergio Garcia who tearfully appealed to Aquino to provide aid and assistance to their loved ones.

 

Zapanta was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia last April. He accidentally killed his abusive employer in self-defense. He already appealed his case before the designated deadline last May 1 but his relatives say that the DFA has neglected to them update since.

 

Neri was drugged and raped by a Bangladeshi national in Saud Arabia in August 2009. Her employer sent her to jail "for having an illicit affair" upon discovering that she was pregnant. No thanks to the government, Neri will soon be released because her rapist was caught. However, she will still receive 50 lashes, according to Muslim law. Priority must be given for her immediate repatriation.

 

Garcia is a cargo salesman in Jeddah who has served his one year jail sentence but is yet to be released. His family has also not yet received word from the DFA.

 

" We expect Aquino to make public his plans and course of action on these cases as soon as possible," Martinez said.

 

He urged the president to seriously review and consider Migrante's "10-point migrant challenge" which presents viable solutions to address the protection, welfare and defense of OFWs, including the immediate release of the yearly P1 million Legal Assistance and P1 million Repatriation Fund for migrant workers and OFWs in distress.

PASAR Row Ends

 

NCMB reported today the settlement of the labor dispute at Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR).

 

PASAR owns and operates the only copper smelter and refinery in the Philippines. It is located in LIDE, Isabel, Leyte.

 

Union and management representatives of the company earlier sought the assistance of National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) after plant-level negotiations for the last two years of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) resulted in a deadlock.

 

Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque assumed jurisdiction over the dispute on June 16, 2010 after the parties remained firm in their respective positions despite conciliation efforts to find a mutually beneficial solution to the impasse.

 

Notwithstanding the assumption order, the parties continued their negotiations that resulted in a compromise agreement signed at the plant on June 23, 2010. 

 

They formalized their compromise agreement through a joint manifestation which they submitted during the preliminary hearing on June 25, 2010. The agreement thus, rendered moot and academic the order issued by the Secretary.

 

The agreement benefits some 708 workers with an estimated P65M in CBA package spread over two years, from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012.

 

NCMB also reported the successful resolution of the disputes involving Hi-Eisai Pharmaceutical Corporation, Inc.  and Cathay Pacific Steel Corporation, both in NCR.

 

The dispute at Hi-Eisai Pharmaceutical Company involved Federation of Free Workers (FFW) Hi-Eisai Pharmaceutical Workers Chapter, which filed a notice of strike against the company on June 3, 2010, alleging deadlock in bargaining negotiations, particularly on salary increase, signing bonus, mid-year bonus, car plan, and additional dependent (HMO).

 

The company also filed a notice of lockout against the union on the same day, raising the issues of wages, mid-year bonus and signing bonus.

 

On June 22, 2010, the parties signed a compromise agreement.

 

The agreement includes provisions for P1,200 per month additional basic pay to each covered employee, merit reward based on performance of P800 per month, one-time financial assistance of P1,000 for each covered employee, funeral benefits, rice subsidy of P1,000 per quarter for each covered employee, signing bonus of P5,000 for each employee, medicine allowance, dental benefits and prescription glasses.

 

Total CBA package amounted to P6,384,320 benefiting 71 workers.

  

The labor dispute at Cathay Pacific Steel Corporation was likewise settled through conciliation on June 9, 2010.

 

The union, Samahan ng Manggagawa ng Capasco – Taguig (SAMACAT), accepted management’s offer of P2.7M as separation pay for 20 union members.

 

The cases involving the aforementioned companies are just three of the 135 strike notices docketed by NCMB since January, which declined 4 percent from the 140 new cases received during the same period in 2009.

 

NCMB also reported a declining trend in preventive mediation cases. Only 190 cases have been filed since January, 25 percent lower than those filed during the same period in 2009.

 

Workers involved in both types of cases, however, recorded significant increases from 2009 figures. Workers in strike notices increased by 11 percent, while those covered by PM cases increased by 8 percent.

 

Cumulative monetary benefits facilitated from conciliation-mediation cases have reached P363.8M benefiting 4,554 workers as of June 29, 2010.

 

Of this amount, P352.5M represents CBA packages benefiting some 3,906 workers. Some 648 workers also received P11.3M in separation pay and other compensation.

 

Meanwhile, worker complaints processed through the Single Entry Approach (SENA) has reached 452 as of June 29, 2010. These cases involve 1,096 workers.

 

The resolution of SENA cases paid 419 workers with P7.3M in compensation.

 

DOLE inks pact with Iran for Filipino seafarers' recognition, employment

 

 

 

 

 

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque has signed a bilateral agreement with Iran that provides for the Iranian recognition of the Filipino seafarers’ certificates of competencies, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.

 

Roque  as chair of the Maritime Training Council (MTC) signed the Memorandum of Agreement  with  Deputy Managing Director for Maritime Affairs Saeed Izadian of the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization in Manila recently following the conclusion of the five-day 2010 Diplomatic Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping  (STCW), as amended, and its associated STCW Code for Seafarers held in the country last week.

 

Roque expressed his appreciation of the Iranian government for its willingness to enter into an agreement with the Philippines as this expands the international recognition of the Filipino seafarers’ certificate of competencies pursuant to Regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention.

 

He said such recognition is essential to the continued employment of Filipino seafarers in the international maritime industry, adding that the MOA with Iran is the 45^th bilateral agreement that the country has so far entered into to ensure the international recognition of the Filipino seafarers’ certificates.

 

The DOLE has actively negotiated for bilateral agreements on the recognition of Filipino seafarers’ certificates in accordance with the STCW convention.  It has previously facilitated bilateral agreements with 44 countries, namely, Egypt, St. Kitts & Nevis, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Eritrea, Republic of Korea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Switzerland, Poland, Ukraine, Belgium, Mongolia, Georgia, Ireland, Commonwealth of Dominica, Hellenic Republic, Kuwait, Cambodia, Indonesia, Panama, Malaysia, Luxemburg, Australia, Belize, Liberia, Italy, Barbados, Sweden, Isle of Man, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Norway, Hong Kong, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Singapore, Brunei, Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan.

 

“These agreements demonstrate the confidence of the international maritime industry in the maritime education, training, assessment, and certification system of the Philippines,” Roque said.

 

He assured the international maritime industry that even as he is leaving his post as Labor and Employment Secretary, the DOLE will continuously work with other stakeholders in the Philippine government and the private sector to ensure the country’s continuous compliance to the STCW Convention and to maintain the globally known competence and skills of the Filipino seafarers.

 

The DOLE through the MTC, intensely pursues efforts aimed at ensuring the country’s observance of the STCW Convention, as amended.  Under the supervision of DOLE, the MTC ensures that the evaluation of the quality standards of government instrumentalities involved in the seamen certification system, training courses and programs, and examination and assessment including the qualification of instructors and assessors are conducted in accordance with the Convention. 

 

With the MTC’s painstaking efforts, the Philippines has sustained its compliance with the STCW Convention and subsequently the country’s inclusion in the International Maritime Organization’s White List since 2000.  This ensures the recognition of the international maritime industry to the certificates of competencies issued by the Philippine government to its seafarers, which is essential in the latter’s continued employment in international shipping. 

 

 

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