Ratification campaign for ILO Convention 189 gathers momentum as DOLE goes island-wide

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The campaign for the ratification of ILO Convention 189, or the Domestic Workers' Convention, is gathering momentum as it takes on board many more social partners. This month, the campaign is also going around the country's regions and provinces to reach out to more people.

In a speech before enthusiastic partners from the tripartite sectors and civil society at the three-day National Summit on Domestic Workers at the Ateneo de Manila University last week, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz thanked supporters of ILO Convention 189 for coming all out for its ratification.

"This demonstrates that our effort to bring vulnerable workers under the umbrella of decent work will not just be "ningas cogon" (passing enthusiasm), but will soon be a reality. This also attests to our capability to face up to our responsibility in responding decisively to the vulnerability at work of our disadvantaged workers," she said.

"Napakalinaw po ang mensahe na mayroon po tayong gustong ayusin at baguhin sa hanay po ng mga sinasabi nating vulnerable sectors at talagang ipinakikilala natin na kaya po nating harapin ito at dalhin sa mas mataas na antas ng paggawa ang ating mga domestic workers," she added.

The labor and employment chief announced that in the next two weeks, the DOLE-led campaign, spearheaded by the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Domestic Work headed by Labor Relations Undersecretary Hans Leo G. Cacdac, will hold forums in the Visayas and Mindanao to elicit further inputs to the Kasambahay Bill and drive home the point that domestic work is decent work and that domestic workers, like any other worker, have rights to social protection.

The campaign is part of the Philippines's efforts to be the first two countries in the world to ratify ILO Convention 189 required to bring it to global force and effect.

Another goal of the campaign is the enactment into law of the Kasambahay Bill or Magna Carta for Domestic Workers, which Baldoz said no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III had certified as a legislative priority of the administration.

Baldoz lauded the participation in the Summit—organized by the Visayan Forum and the Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Manggagawang Pantahanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (SUMAPI)—of the country's trade union movement, notably the Federation of Free Workers, and employers represented by the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), key government agencies, and non-government organizations.

She also thanked the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference for Human Development, the Ateneo de Manila University's Institute of Social Order, other religious groups, the academe, and civil society organizations for galvanizing support to the ratification.

Other prominent supporters of the ratification campaign that she cited included the US Department of State Department, the UK-based Anti-Slavery International and Comic Relief, and the ILO.

Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, president and executive director of the Visayan Forum Foundation, had complimented the DOLE for its efforts and commitment to sustain the ratification campaign. She noted that the DOLE under Secretary Baldoz was instrumental in the adoption of Convention 189 by the 183-member country ILO in June.

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http://www.dole.gov.ph/secondpage.php?id=2407

ILO official cites PH efforts in protecting domestic workers

Amy King-Dejardin, Chief Technical Adviser for Domestic Workers of the International Labor Organization's Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, Social Protection Sector, has cited Philippines on-going efforts to ratify ILO Convention 189, saying the country serves as a shining light in the global initiative to ensure minimum standards and uplift one of the world's most disadvantaged workers.

"We at the ILO are happy and satisfied with the way the Philippines is setting the example, not only in protecting and ensuring the welfare of its own domestic workers, but in exerting effort to be one of the first two states in the world required to ratify and give global effect to ILO Convention 189," King-Dejardin said during the recent DOLE-organized forum, "Marangal na Hanapbuhay para sa Kasambahay: A Forum on ILO Convention 189" held at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila.

The forum was part of the DOLE's advocacy campaign for the ratification of C 189 and was held primarily for local and overseas employment agencies.

In her message at the forum, King-Dejardin lamented the fact that while Asia and the Middle East accounts for some 41 percent of the world's estimated 53 to 100 million domestic workers, the region is not able to protect them.

In contrast, the ILO official pointed out that Latin America has striven to cover 45 percent of its domestic workers with minimum wage laws, while only five percent of the world's lowliest paid workers are similarly covered in the Asia-Middle East region.

But she also cited similar efforts of some labor receiving countries, particularly Lebanon, to craft a law protecting foreign domestic workers under clear terms. "Even China has recognized the effort to provide dignified, decent work to domestic workers, in the process linking up with its own private recruitment and placement agencies," she said.

C 189, adopted overwhelmingly in June during the 100th International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland together with Recommendation 201 sets new international labor standards in the employment of domestic workers.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz, who headed the Philippine delegation to the conference, had said the adoption of C 189 was a victory for global social justice and had urged for its immediate ratification.

Baldoz said that the Philippines efforts to craft a national law in harmony with Convention 189 speak of the inclusive growth strategy of President Benigno S. Aquino III which calls for massive job creation and economic growth so that "no one is left behind".

"The Philippines should demonstrate its leading role in achieving social justice and uplifting the plight of domestic workers by ratifying the Convention," she said, adding that the Convention, once it takes effect, would effectively cover the estimated 1.93 million Filipino domestic workers working in local households and 100,000 household service workers in many countries overseas.

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Baldoz urges labor-receiving nations to strengthen protection of migrant workers

Governments around the world, especially labor-receiving host nations, must share in the global collective effort to protect and uplift the welfare of vulnerable migrant workers by aligning themselves with the international treaties or conventions of the International Labor Organization, and by promoting and strengthening protective social and economic legislation to prevent abuses and ensure proper working conditions, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said yesterday.

Speaking at The Regional Conference of Migrant Workers sponsored by LO Norway, the Norwegian trade union confederation and its local Philippine trade union partner, the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), Baldoz said nations hosting migrant workers, especially women, must strive to protect them to help lessen their vulnerability and the social costs of international migration.

Baldoz's call is part of current campaign being waged by the Philippine government and its tripartite partners, advocacy groups, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to fast-track the ratification of ILO Convention 189 Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers following its adoption during the 100th International Labor Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in June this year.

Baldoz expressed the hope that by year's end, the instrument of ratification can be sent to the Congress of the Philippines for endorsement.

"Addressing the need for labor and social legislation protective of migrant workers, particularly domestic workers, is a step in the right direction," she said.

"Much has to be done by the labor-receiving countries of the world as only a few of them have ratified the ILO Conventions," she added.

Baldoz explained to her audience that for the Philippines, "the protection of our citizens especially our contract workers abroad, is one of the pillars of our foreign policy".

"The Philippine Constitution clearly emphasizes the rights of our workers whether organized or unorganized, and whether local or overseas, and the domestic workers are included in this light," she said.

Baldoz further said that the Philippines has an enabling law that gives substance to the Constitutional protection on the rights of our workers when they go and get work overseas, referring to the Labor Code from which a separate law had sprung, Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, as amended.

Relating the Philippines's experience in successfully managing worker migration, Baldoz said the country exempts overseas workers from paying taxes; maintains 39 Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) and Filipino Workers Resource Centers that assist the overseas Filipino workers; and implements programs covering the entire cycle of labor migration prior to departure, onsite, and when they are about to return or have returned.

She added 11 of the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Aquino III is devoted to the welfare and protection of the OFWs. "And internationally, where social and labor legislation are deficient or absent in host countries, the Philippines is constantly pursuing bilateral agreements to ensure the protection of its overseas workers," she said.

Furthermore, Baldoz said the Philippines is now working very hard with its co-members in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) concerning the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

Held around the theme, "Organizing: A Trade Union Response to Labour Migration", the three-dayregional conference opened on November 8 with a message by Counsellor Knut-Are SprautenOkstad of the RoyalNorwegian Embassy in the Philippines and the joint remarks of labor leader Daniel L. Edralin, chair of the Alliance of Progressive Labor, and Advisor for Asia of the LO Norway, Diis Bohn.

The conference was attended by participants from various labor receiving and sending countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Norwegian trade union leader Diis Bohnapplauded the Philippines's campaign to ratify ILO Convention 189, saying Norway had been hoping to be the first to ratify the Convention. She also congratulated the Philippines for taking the lead in the global effort.

"I am impressed with the comprehensive and substantial work you done,leaving no stone unturned in addressing all possible issues to organize responses and advance solutions to the situations and challenges confronting migrant work worldwide," Baldoz finally said as she thanked both LO Norway and the APL for conducting the regional conference.

Local, overseas recruitment agencies express support to Decent Work Convention

2011-11-14 + Larger Font | - Smaller Font

Representatives of the country's local and overseas recruitment industries yesterday expressed support for the immediate ratification of the ILO's Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, or C 189, and said they are one with the government in pushing efforts to uplift the conditions and ensure decent work for kasambahays or domestic workers.

Victor Fernandez, president of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) and Captain Lou H. Atienza, president of Interglobe Manpower and Consultancy Services who represented the Overseas Placement Association of the Philippines (OPAP) collectively expressed the sectoral support during the DOLE-organized forum, "Marangal na Hanapbuhay para sa Kasambahay: A Forum on ILO Convention 189", held at the Bayleaf in Intramuros, Manila last week.

"In supporting efforts for the ratification of C 189, we are pushing for the realization through strong regulation and implementation of laws that protect our domestic workers. We are also pushing for the Philippines to pursue bilateral arrangements with migrant-receiving countries in ensuring the protection and welfare of our household service workers worldwide," said Fernandez.

Labor Undersecretary for Labor Relations Hans Leo G. Cacdac, who represented Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz at the forum, hailed the sectors for the expression of support.

Baldoz earlier noted that no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his State of the Nation Address, has certified the need for a law protecting the country's disadvantaged domestic workers as an urgent national priority.

"The pronouncement is consistent with President Aquino III's aim in his 22-point labor and employment agenda to strengthen the employment, welfare, and conditions of all Filipino workers in an atmosphere of social justice and industrial peace," Baldoz said.

It was Baldoz who, in her capacity as the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, had led in 2007 efforts to ensure the uplift of Filipino domestic workers under the POEA's Reform Package for Household Service Workers.

Citing that the Philippines had been instrumental in the adoption of the new ILO Convention at the 100th International Labor Conference in June this year, Baldoz said
C 189 sets forth the minimum standards for the employment of an estimated 53 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide and the more than 1.9 million working in local households in the Philippines.

Cacdac said the forum for local and overseas recruitment agencies is one of several consultative activities to elicit support for the ratification of the Covention.

"We are holding a series of island-wide consultations with the tripartite sectors, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in order to secure support for the ratification of Convention 189," Cacdac said.

"The consultations would generate from all pertinent sectors important inputs and feedbacks that would enable the legislative branch to craft a national law on the kasambahays in line with the global
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minimum standards set forth under the new ILO instrument," he added.

At the forum, Ms. Amy King-Dejardin, Chief Technical Adviser for Domestic Workers of the Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, Social Protection Sector, of the ILO, said she satisfied with the progress of the Philippines's efforts to ratify C 189.

Director Ma. Criselda R. Sy of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) cited the unity and cooperation of the local recruitment industry and other stakeholders in understanding and pushing forward the ratification of Convention 189. It was the BLE which, together with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, co-organized the forum.

POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr. also commended the participation of licensed overseas recruitment agencies in the goal of the Philippines "put into flesh a national law protecting domestic workers," and make the Philippines one of the first two countries in the world to ratify C 189. Cao cited the positive development in Saudi Arabia which, he said, has indicated to craft legislation that would strengthen the protection of overseas Filipino workers, including household service workers, in that country.

DOLE-National Capital Region Director Raymundo G. Agravante, on the other hand, cited that in the light of existing labor laws, the DOLE would continue to ensure and implement the enforcement powers necessary to protect and ensure the conditions and welfare of workers engaged in domestic work.

Other officials who participated in the forum were Institute for Labor Studies Deputy Executive Director Katherine B. Brimon, presented the "Policy and Program Responses for Domestic Workers in the Philippines and the DOLE Action Plan on the Ratification of C189"; Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics Director Maria Teresa V. Peralta, who provided a statistical overview on domestic workers in the Philippines; POEA Planning Branch officer-in-charge Director Mona Quijano who gave a profile on overseas household service workers; and ILO Country Office for the Philippines Senior Programme Assistant Dianne Respall who gave an overview on international labor standards.

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Local, overseas recruitment agencies express support to Decent Work Convention

2011-11-14 + Larger Font | - Smaller Font

Representatives of the country's local and overseas recruitment industries yesterday expressed support for the immediate ratification of the ILO's Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, or C 189, and said they are one with the government in pushing efforts to uplift the conditions and ensure decent work for kasambahays or domestic workers.

Victor Fernandez, president of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) and Captain Lou H. Atienza, president of Interglobe Manpower and Consultancy Services who represented the Overseas Placement Association of the Philippines (OPAP) collectively expressed the sectoral support during the DOLE-organized forum, "Marangal na Hanapbuhay para sa Kasambahay: A Forum on ILO Convention 189", held at the Bayleaf in Intramuros, Manila last week.

"In supporting efforts for the ratification of C 189, we are pushing for the realization through strong regulation and implementation of laws that protect our domestic workers. We are also pushing for the Philippines to pursue bilateral arrangements with migrant-receiving countries in ensuring the protection and welfare of our household service workers worldwide," said Fernandez.

Labor Undersecretary for Labor Relations Hans Leo G. Cacdac, who represented Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz at the forum, hailed the sectors for the expression of support.

Baldoz earlier noted that no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his State of the Nation Address, has certified the need for a law protecting the country's disadvantaged domestic workers as an urgent national priority.

"The pronouncement is consistent with President Aquino III's aim in his 22-point labor and employment agenda to strengthen the employment, welfare, and conditions of all Filipino workers in an atmosphere of social justice and industrial peace," Baldoz said.

It was Baldoz who, in her capacity as the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, had led in 2007 efforts to ensure the uplift of Filipino domestic workers under the POEA's Reform Package for Household Service Workers.

Citing that the Philippines had been instrumental in the adoption of the new ILO Convention at the 100th International Labor Conference in June this year, Baldoz said
C 189 sets forth the minimum standards for the employment of an estimated 53 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide and the more than 1.9 million working in local households in the Philippines.

Cacdac said the forum for local and overseas recruitment agencies is one of several consultative activities to elicit support for the ratification of the Covention.

"We are holding a series of island-wide consultations with the tripartite sectors, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in order to secure support for the ratification of Convention 189," Cacdac said.

"The consultations would generate from all pertinent sectors important inputs and feedbacks that would enable the legislative branch to craft a national law on the kasambahays in line with the global
-more-
NEWS RELEASE 648-2011

minimum standards set forth under the new ILO instrument," he added.

At the forum, Ms. Amy King-Dejardin, Chief Technical Adviser for Domestic Workers of the Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, Social Protection Sector, of the ILO, said she satisfied with the progress of the Philippines's efforts to ratify C 189.

Director Ma. Criselda R. Sy of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) cited the unity and cooperation of the local recruitment industry and other stakeholders in understanding and pushing forward the ratification of Convention 189. It was the BLE which, together with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, co-organized the forum.

POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr. also commended the participation of licensed overseas recruitment agencies in the goal of the Philippines "put into flesh a national law protecting domestic workers," and make the Philippines one of the first two countries in the world to ratify C 189. Cao cited the positive development in Saudi Arabia which, he said, has indicated to craft legislation that would strengthen the protection of overseas Filipino workers, including household service workers, in that country.

DOLE-National Capital Region Director Raymundo G. Agravante, on the other hand, cited that in the light of existing labor laws, the DOLE would continue to ensure and implement the enforcement powers necessary to protect and ensure the conditions and welfare of workers engaged in domestic work.

Other officials who participated in the forum were Institute for Labor Studies Deputy Executive Director Katherine B. Brimon, presented the "Policy and Program Responses for Domestic Workers in the Philippines and the DOLE Action Plan on the Ratification of C189"; Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics Director Maria Teresa V. Peralta, who provided a statistical overview on domestic workers in the Philippines; POEA Planning Branch officer-in-charge Director Mona Quijano who gave a profile on overseas household service workers; and ILO Country Office for the Philippines Senior Programme Assistant Dianne Respall who gave an overview on international labor standards.

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POEA recalls Resolution Number 7 which bans the deployment of OFWs to 41 countries. This came after the DFA had withdrawn the certifications on those countries as regards their failure to comply with guarantees on OFWs' welfare and accession to international agreements. In addition, the department had also requested for a 90 -day period wherein the government will work out bilateral agreements with such countries. 

http://www.poea.gov.ph/GBR/2011/gb_8_2011.pdf

OWWA Announces 2011 MOFYA Regional Winners

From News - 9 November 2011 05:59 AM

OWWA Announces 2011 MOFYA Regional Winners

 

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration proudly announced the 34 regional winners for the Land-based and Sea-based categories for the 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).  The 34 were selected based on the wholesomeness of family, civic and community involvement, success in managing finances and investments in successful entrepreneurial projects.

 

The awarding of the Regional Winners will be held on 06 December 2011 at the Heritage Hotel in Metro Manila.  Cash prizes and other awards will be given to the 34 regional winners courtesy of Globe Telecom and BDO Remit.

 

Two (2) National Winners, one each from the land-based and sea-based categories, will be chosen from among the regional winners.  In addition, two (2) special awards will be given for the OFW family with Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship. 

 

The National Awards Ceremony is slated on 07 December 2011 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City.  Major prizes await the national awardees.  Top institutional partners who have supported the MOFYA are Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe, BDO Remit, SM Supermalls, Landbank of the Philippines, and Development Bank of the Philippines.

 

The MOFYA is now on its 7^th year.

 

The regional awardees are the following:

 

RWO	Land-based	Sea-based
NCR	Engr. Danilo F. Bildian	Capt. Gaudencio T. Dumapias
CAR	Mary T. Tumapang	Bobby O. Sauri
RWO 1	Engr. Orlando Ramos Bartolome	Manolo Totaan Gacutan
RWO 2	Joylita Q. Rector	George C. Canonizado
RWO 3	Lourdes Salazar Mangahas	Capt. Celso Licuanan Banag
RWO 4A	Pablito Marasigan Pantas	Capt. Jose Remo L. Librodo
RWO 4B	William M. Peneyra	Capt. Gerardo A. Sabuya
RWO 5	Juan Blanqueza Segarra, Jr.	Ireneo Aguilar Malapo
RWO 6	Orlando Alba	Hector M. Dalen
RWO 7	Dr. Carlito L. Astillero	Candido S. Caminero
RWO 8	Cesario Gomez De Dios, Jr.	Capt. Teddy Victorioso Abrea
RWO 9	Arnold R. Gavenia	Leandro R. Villacanas
RWO 10	Mauro C. Pandero	Capt. Ereberto C. Caberte
RWO 11	Engr. Arnel M. Gallardo	Capt. Eutropio S. Jayectin
RWO 12	Ferdinand Garlit Seril	Ronnie Buyco Noman
CARAGA	Engr. Gerardo Callare Ampo	Francisco Tumampos Aguirre
ARMM	Hja. Rahma Mallande Nur-Abantas	Jamil F. Usman

 http://www.owwa.gov.ph/wcmqs/news/OWWA+Announces+2011+MOFYA+Regional+Winners.html