DOLE seeks tripartite efforts to boost global demand for Filipino seafarers

To sustain the country's status as manning capital of the world, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will push for tripartite efforts to immediately address various issues and difficulties confronting the Philippine maritime sector, especially in expanding the sea-based sector as source of overseas employment for Filipinos.

"The DOLE will vigorously support its partners in the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) not only in addressing common problems in the maritime sector but also in their target of capturing at least 50 percent of the total global requirements for Filipino seafarers in the next six years," Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said, adding "this is part of efforts to expand the sea-based OFW sector amidst the turmoil in the Middle East which has led to the repatriation of OFWs from Libya."

Baldoz initiated the establishment of the MITC early this year to provide the tripartite partners in the maritime sector a venue where common concerns can be addressed to ensure the country's capability to produce competent seafarers and port workers. Members include the Joint Manning Group (JMG), the umbrella organization of manning agencies.

JMG leaders, in a meeting with POEA Administrator Carlos Cao Jr., said the country's seafaring industry is aggressively targeting to increase global requirements for Filipino seafarers from 30 percent at present to 50 percent until 2016. To achieve this, the industry has invested heavily in putting up world class training modules and facilities for Filipino seafarers to enhance their competitiveness and employability in the international maritime industry.

Baldoz thanked the seafaring industry, saying that the DOLE, through the MITC, is prepared to support the industry's efforts in capturing a larger portion of the international market for seafarers.

Meanwhile, the Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), the largest organization of seafarers in the Philippines and the whole world, has joined the DOLE in tripartite efforts for the advancement of the Philippine maritime sector.

Baldoz said the AMOSUP has declared full support to the MITC as means through which stakeholders can address problems in the maritime industry, particularly those affecting Filipino seafarers and port workers.  

Founded 50 years ago by the late Capt. Gregorio Oca, AMOSUP is internationally recognized leader of seafarers' organizations, being the largest union of marine officers and seamen in the world with around 90,000 members.

"The support of AMOSUP to the MITC is an affirmation of tripartism as an effective means of building consensus and collaboration of social partners in mutually beneficial activities that will drive the growth of the maritime industry and promote the welfare, employability, and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers and port workers," Baldoz said.

AMOSUP president Dr. Conrado F. Oca, son of Capt. Oca, who expressed the AMOSUP's appreciation to Baldoz for jumpstarting the establishment of the MITC, also underscored the importance of tripartism in achieving industrial peace, in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of seafarers and port workers, and in pushing for the ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006. The latter provides for comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers.

"The MITC will be venue for the tripartite partners to craft policies and regulations, including a national action plan for the ratification of the MLC 2006," Baldoz said. End/laa

OFW deployment surges to 1.376 million in 2008

The total global deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) surged to more than 1.376 million in more than 190 host destinations worldwide in 2008, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today reported.

At the same time, Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said that notwithstanding the global financial crisis, global OFW remittances to the country’s economy reached US$15 billion in the first 11 months (January to November) of 2008.

Roque cited a preliminary report of the DOLE’s Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) that a total of 1,376,823 OFWs were deployed worldwide in the entire 2008, representing a growth of 27.8 percent compared to the 1,077,623 OFWs deployed in 2007.

Roque was apprised by the POEA that on a daily basis, some 3,772 documented OFWs were deployed globally in 2008, adding that the more than 1.376 million OFWs deployed worldwide represents 137.7 percent of the country’s one million annual OFW deployment goal.

Meanwhile, the Labor Chief cited the latest update of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that the $15 billion remitted by the OFWs to the country’s economy from January to November 2008 is 15.1 percent higher than the level recorded in the comparable period in 2007.

The BSP emphasized that the continued demand for professional and skilled OFWs in overseas economies substantially contributed to the sustained dollar remittance flows to the country in 2008.

Meanwhile, Roque said that the potential effects of the continuing global economic slowdown on deployment could be mitigated by the strong labor demand in host countries like Canada, Bulgaria, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The DOLE, through its Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in more than 30 strategic host destinations worldwide, continues to conduct marketing missions and employment facilitation programs to widen the productive opportunities for Filipino workers both in the local and global spheres.
Roque earlier indicated that the DOLE’s overseas employment facilitation efforts will complement the country’s responses to cushion and mitigate the effects of the ongoing global crisis on OFWs.

Japan to recruit Pinoy nurses, caregivers starting this year

Starting this year, Japan would recruit Filipino nurses and caregivers for training and employment in that country under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines (JPEPA), Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque announced Monday.

Roque said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) providing for the recruitment of Filipino nurses as candidate-kangoshi and caregivers as candidate-kaigofukushishi to Japan under the Framework for the Movement of Natural Persons of JPEPA, which came into force on Dec. 11, 2008.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili and signed for the Philippine side, while Japan was represented by Takashi Tsunoda, managing director of JICWELS. The signing of the MOU at the Blas F. Ople Development Center in Intramuros, Manila and witnessed by Secretary Roque.

Roque said the MOU provides for the roles and responsibilities of the two parties and the working conditions for the Filipino nurses and caregivers, that would ensure their welfare and protection while training and working in Japan.

He said the hiring program shall commence with the initial recruitment of 200 Filipino nurses and 300 caregivers whom the POEA would endorse to JICWELS. The latter, for its part, would match the nurses and caregivers to hospitals and institutions in Japan that it had pre-qualified to receive the Filipino candidates.

He said the Filipino nurses and caregivers shall be covered by a fully transparent employment contract adding the Filipinos shall receive the same salaries equivalent to what Japanese nurses and caregivers receive, based on similar tasks and qualifications.

For her part, Administrator Manilili said that prior to their actual work with their respective employers in Japan, the selected candidates shall nonetheless undergo a six-month language and culture training. During the training, the candidates shall receive allowance of not less than 40,000 yen or more than P21,000 per month.

“The language training shall help them prepare to eventually take the Japanese licensure examination. The examinations can be taken not more than three chances within three years in the case of candidate-nurses, and once on the 4th year of stay in the case of candidate-caregivers,” Manalili said.

She added that before obtaining their qualification as full-fledged nurse in Japan, candidate-nurses shall work under the supervision of a Japanese Kangoshi to fully familiarize them with the Japanese system. After passing the licensure or certification examinations, the fully qualified nurse and certified caregiver shall have the option to stay for an unlimited period in Japan to practice their profession based on new and upgraded employment contract with their employer.

Registered nurses with at least three years experience are qualified to apply for training and employment in Japan. Candidate caregivers, on the other hand, should be a graduate of a four-year course and should be certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Graduates of a nursing course may also apply as caregiver.

Applicants shall be required to undergo an aptitude test and interview by JICWELS to facilitate their matching with employers,. After selection, they must pass the required medical examination to conclude the employment contract and to successfully qualify to enter Japan. Nominal expenses of application shall be borne by applicants for document submission/authentication, medical examination (P1,500 basic) and visa fee (P1,150).

Airfare and onsite training costs are shouldered by the employers or the Government of Japan.

Qualified nurses and candidates are invited to apply with the POEA and to register online at www.eregister.poea.gov.ph.

RP, British Columbia to Finalize Guidelines on OFW Employment, Deployment

Assistant Deputy Minister Mike Carter of the Ministry of Technology, Trade, and Economic Development, Executive Director of Canada’s Labor Market Development Mark Gillis, and other officials of the Canadian Province of British Columbia will arrive in Manila Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, to help Canadian employers find needed skills and finalize the proposed guidelines on the employment and deployment of overseas Filipino workers to British Columbia.

Minister Carter will subsequently meet with Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque at the Department of Labor and Employment in Intramuros, Manila.

Roque said the Canadian team would collaborate with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in the conduct of a pilot recruitment project wherein three Canadian companies are set to interview applicants already pre-screened by Philippine licensed recruitment agencies based on the qualification criteria for the required positions provided by the employers.

The employers participating in this recruitment mission need hotel workers, food counter attendants, and long haul drivers. Other types of skilled workers will be needed for the succeeding recruitment by British Columbia companies and establishments.

The DOLE Chief said the outcome of the project would serve as inputs to the discussion of the proposed guidelines on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the DOLE and the Province of British Columbia concerning human resource development and deployment of OFWs to British Columbia.

The priority concerns for discussion include recruitment procedures, employment contracts, British Columbia-specific orientation package, identification of skills requirements, criteria for employers and sending agencies, and HRD mechanisms.

The MOU was forged in January this year to provide for cooperation in the fields of labor, employment, and human resource deployment and development between the Philippines and British Columbia

Roque said the MOU’s working committee consisting of DOLE officials and representatives of the Labour Market Development led by Executive Director Gillis will convene and discuss the proposed framework on the MOU’s implementing guidelines during their visit.

“We aim to finalize the implementing guidelines to facilitate the recruitment and deployment of OFWs to British Columbia in accordance with the MOU between the DOLE and British Columbia,” Roque said adding “ this is to ensure that OFWs bound for this Canadian province are accorded ample benefits and protection.”

At the same time, the Canadian team led by Michael Chew, manager of the Provincial Nominee Program, will conduct briefings on the British Columbia nominee program for the participating recruitment agencies and applicants.

The team is also scheduled to visit the TESDA Women Center in Taguig City, the hospitality department of the Lyceum of the Philippines in Intramuros, and the Department of Trade and Industry in Makati City.

RP, Alberta Forge Agreement on OFW Deployment

The Department of Labor and Employment on October 1 entered into an agreement with the Canadian Province of Alberta that would provide for their collaboration and cooperation in the exploration of opportunities for human resource development and the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Alberta.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque signed for the Philippine side while Alberta was represented by its Minister of Employment and Immigration Hector Goudreau.

Roque said the DOLE and E & I would cooperate primarily for the ethical recruitment, selection, and protection and skills development of OFWs who would be deployed to Alberta in line with the laws and standards of the Philippines, Alberta, and that of international bodies.

He noted that Alberta has recognized the capabilities of OFWs to fill its skills requirements, like the other Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba, which also forged similar agreements with the DOLE.

The DOLE Chief said the MOUs with the four Canadian provinces underscore efforts aimed at ensuring that Filipino workers seeking overseas employment are afforded ample protection from unscrupulous illegal recruiters and exploitative employers overseas.

Roque cited the agreement with Alberta, wherein the DOLE and E & I would prioritize their cooperation and collaboration on the following initiatives:

Expedite the approval of selected OFWs for employment opportunities in Alberta, ensure that Alberta’s occupational standards are met through training and credential recognition activities, provide programs for the well being and protection of OFWs in coordination with employers, promote sound and equitable recruitment and employment practices, and establish other areas for collaboration such as HRD programs.

Both parties, he said, shall establish a working committee tasked to coordinate activities on their shared priorities.

In line with the priorities, Roque said the DOLE shall develop mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of qualified OFWs to Alberta. E & I for its part, will encourage Alberta employers who recruit Filipino workers working temporarily outside the Philippines to course their manpower request through the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and to advise the said office of the names and employment particulars of the workers shortly after their arrival.

The DOLE Chief also mentioned that OFWs who would like to work in Alberta should still apply for relevant vacancies through recruitment agencies authorized to recruit workers for Canada.

He emphasized that all recruitment costs related to the hiring of OFWs under the MOU shall be covered by the employers in Canada. Hence, the employment agency in Canada and the recruitment or sending agency in the Philippines are not allowed to charge any recruitment fees in any form from OFWs bound for Alberta.

Review of deployment guidelines for Canada -Recruiters' Group

Federated Associations of Manpower Exporters, the umbrella group of ten associations of licensed recruitment agencies serving country-specific labor markets, is urging Labor Secretary Marianito Roque to undertake a review of the guidelines for the deployment of overseas workers to Canada.

In a letter to Roque coursed through Undersecretary for Employment Rosalinda Baldoz, the federation thru its president Eduardo Mahiya said that at a recent meeting held by several top-deploying Philippine recruitment agencies and a delegation of Canadian employers from the province of Alberta, it was learned that the no placement fee policy for Canada, embodied in POEA Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2007, does not apply to Alberta.

“Employers from Alberta clarified that the no placement fee policy applies only to the “Red Seal” which refer to engineers, welders and other highly-technical staff whose recruitment and processing expense are paid by them (employers), Mahiya said. “But for lower categories like service crew, janitor-cleaners, etc., the placement fee equivalent to one month salary should be adhered to.”

Mahiya explained that employers from Alberta will not defray the cost of placement and recruitment services for low- skill workers, and for that reason a large section of overseas Filipino workers will be deprived of employment opportunities in Canada if recruitment agencies are not allowed to collect the equivalent of one month salary in placement fee that will cover for the recruitment costs.

DOLE forms team to implement labor agreements with Canada

Department of Labor and Employment has begun efforts for the implementation of the labor agreements with western Canadian provinces, that will provide Filipino workers greater access to employment opportunities in Canada.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque issued Administrative Order No. 303, series of 2008, creating a composite team tasked to work out mechanisms for the implementation of the memoranda of understanding which the DOLE entered into with the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba to strengthen areas of cooperation with the Philippines in the employment and deployment of Filipino workers to these parts of Canada.

The DOLE forged the MOUs with the provincial governments of Saskatchewan in December 2007 and British Columbia and Manitoba early this year. It is scheduled to enter into a similar agreement with the Canadian province of Alberta this month.

Roque said the DOLE team has been directed to address urgent concerns affecting the employment of Filipino workers to Canada in areas provided for in the MOUs such as ethical recruitment, human resource development, training and credentials recognition, and workers protection.

The team is headed by Undersecretary Luzviminda Padilla with technical representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and DOLE Canadian Desk as members.

He said the MOUs specifically provide for an ethical, orderly, and expeditious recruitment and deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Canada, non-collection of placement fees, protection of OFWs' rights and welfare, and for the provinces to encourage employers to support HRD efforts for OFWs and the reintegration of returning OFWs to the Philippines.

He added that the DOLE team, pursuant to the MOUs, shall exert efforts towards the setting up of the Philippines-Canada joint consultative council or working committee in a bid to ensure the implementation of the MOUs’ provisions.

“The successful implementation of the MOUs would pave the way for many skilled OFWs to find better-paying and more quality employment that ensures ample protection of their rights and welfare in Canada,” the DOLE Chief said.

He said the team shall specifically discuss recruitment guidelines with the respective government representatives of the Canadian provinces particularly on procedures and requirements for hiring workers under the temporary workers and the provincial nominee programs involving government and private employers in Canada.

The team shall also explore talks on HRD to provide for Filipino-Canadian cooperation in skills training and upgrading of Filipino workers, Roque said adding the DOLE has already drafted an HRD framework upon which the talks would be based. The DOLE team shall likewise endeavor to address kinks in credential recognition affecting Filipino nurses and other professionals and trades people. It shall also determine each province’s skills requirement to facilitate skills matching, training, and employment of Filipino workers in the provinces of Canada.

Talks on skills certification and training program of Saskatchewan and training collaboration with other western Canadian provinces shall also be explored. At the same time, the DOLE team shall start discussions on the extension of the MOU with Saskatchewan, which is due to expire on December 2008.

Suspension of Domestic Worker Deployment to Jordan Partially Lifted

Filipino household service workers returning to work with the same employer in Jordan have been exempted from the temporary suspension order earlier imposed against the deployment of HSWs to that country.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque has issued Department Order No. 93-08, Series of 2008, granting the partial exemption, “provided that the salary of the returning HSWs shall in no way be lower than the prescribed monthly pay for Filipino household service workers of US$400.”

DOLE, concerned about the growing number of distressed Filipino workers being housed in the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Jordan, earlier issued Department Order No. 88-08, Series of 2008, temporarily suspending the deployment of HSWs to Jordan effective January 21, 2008.

Upon the issuance of the new Department Order, Roque instructed both the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Jordan (POLO-Jordan) to resume processing the employment documents of the qualified returning HSWs.

Roque also instructed the POEA and POLO-Jordan to disseminate the information and to monitor the terms and conditions of employment of the HSWs returning to the same employers in Jordan.

DOLE set the monthly pay of HSWs to US$400 to ensure that only legitimate and capable employers can avail of the services of Filipino HSWs and eventually eliminate abuse and exploitation against them.