Pinays Jailed in Dubai

 

 

46 Pinays jailed in Dubai

Angel L. Tesorero

 

Dubai, UAE – Forty-six Filipina migrant workers were rounded up by the Ajman police at their company accommodation on Villa 72, 159th Street in Ajman, an emirate 35 kms northeast of Dubai, early Thursday morning following complaints from their neighbors who thought something “unusual” was happening in the housing compound which is off-limits to males.

 

Those arrested were part of the 84 contractual workers who have been earlier reported living without electricity and potable water bearing intense heat that goes as high as 39°C for more than a month now. Their employer has vanished without paying the utility bills and two months of their salaries.

 

The migrant workers were roused from their sleep by female officers in abaya (local dress for females) and policemen directing flashlights and shouting at them. They were all sleeping in the front yard and on the roof top because it was too hot inside their rooms.

 

They were recruited by Al Farabi Manpower Service in Manila and employed by Dubai-based Lavito Building Cleaning Services as cleaners and office assistants in various schools in the UAE.

 

Filipino Community (FilCom) leaders in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, church leaders and concerned individuals took the cudgels of providing food and other provisions for the hapless OFWs. Filipino male doctors also gave free medical services to some migrant workers who were suffering from skin rashes.

 

But apparently the neighbors were alerted that a lot of people particularly men were going to the place even at night bringing food, water and medical supplies, according to Philippine Labor Attache Amilbahar Amilasan.

 

The police, responding to calls from the neighbors, checked on the situation and found out that the Filipinas have expired visas and sent them to the Immigration and Detention Cell in Al Aweer, Dubai.

 

Amilasan said he immediately responded to the situation and sought the release of the migrant workers who filed a case against their employer in a Dubai court.  The Dubai Department of Naturalisation and Residency released the OFWs to the custody of the POLO-OWWA (Philippine Overseas Labour Office- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) late Thursday afternoon.

 

Menwhile, Migrante-UAE said the entire incident could have been prevented if only POLO-OWWA acted “prudently on the case and right away took custody of the victims as soon as their water and electricity were cut off.”

 

“We put the blame entirely on our inutile POLO-OWWA officers. We called their attention almost a month ago and asked them to house our kababayans at the POLO-OWWA Migrant Centre,” Yuri Cipriano, Migrante-UAE chairperson said.

 

“What is more appalling is that this happened on the eve of President Aquino’s 100 days in office. Isn’t it ironic that our government is not leading us (OFWs) to a straight path of economic recovery but to a jail of misery?” Cipriano added.

 

In an interview with GMANews.TV, Amilasan admitted they could not immediately accommodate the 84 workers from Ajman since the Centre in Abu Hail, Dubai is brimming with runaway domestic helpers and other abused OFWs.

 

“A case has already been filed in the courts and the workers initially opted to stay in their accommodation to seek out part time jobs,” Amilasan added.

 

Liza Concepcion, newly-elected chairperson of the Filipino Community in Dubai, agreed with Migrante-UAE. “The safety of our kababayans is of utmost importance. They should have been immediately transferred to the POLO-OWWA Centre,” she said.

 

Concepcion coordinated with a Filipino school in the UAE to arrange for the transportation of the 46 migrant workers from the jail to the POLO-OWWA Centre, since Amilasan told her that they don’t have any budget for the transportation. ###

 

 

 

 

 

Letter to President P-Noy Re: Deployment of senior career diplomat as RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia

 

 

11 October 2010

 

Hon. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

President, Republic of the Philippines

Malacanang Palace, Manila

 

Subject: Deployment of senior career diplomat as RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia

 

Dear Sir,

 

Warm greetings!

 

We have known that as of now there is no RP ambassador to Saudi Arabia after the recall of Ambassador Antonio Villamor, a political appointee by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

 

We would like to convey to you that we prefer to have a career diplomat. The 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve the genuine and pro-active service of a well experienced career diplomat with strong credentials on various OFWs woes and concerns.

 

We uderstand that it is your government's platform to change the decadent system in the government and this must include the various diplomatic post abroad. Thus, we urge you to consider the deployment of a career diplomat rather than appointing your political allies for the RP ambassadorship in Saudi Arabia.

 

The 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia deserve genuine service from the government, under your leadership, being the recepient of the billions of OFWs remittances that is keeping the economy afloat; OFWs deserve 'pay back' from you rather than your political allies by sending a well experienced senior career diplomat in Saudi Arabia.

 

It is almost 4 decade now since deployment of OFWs in the '70's; OFWs in Saudi Arabia have long been deprived of genuine service, on-site services and welfare programs that would alleviate the deplorable conditions of OFWs mostly domestic and construction workers as the most vulnerable among OFWs sectors.

 

The 7–10 OFW cases of abuses and maltreatment, aside from illegal recruitment cases, Migrante chapters in the Middle East have been receiving daily is a serious concern that the government must seriously looks on.

 

A highly qualified career diplomat, as Ambassador in Saudi, first job is to ensure that OFWs' well-being, rights and welfare will be protected.

 

We hope that this matter would merit your attention and would act favorably.

 

 

For OFWs rights and welfare,

 

John Leonard Monterona (signed)

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

The unbeaten PICE-EPSA crowns themselves PPO-SA 2010 Sportsfest KINGS OF THE HOOPS

By Dessert Fox

 

Al Khobar - It is no Big Dome, the venue of the heated 2010 UAAP finals.  The PICE – EPSA duplicated Ateneo Blue Eagles and run roughshod on all its opponents.

 

The unheralded PICE–EPSA quintet with only wily and smart guard, Homer Pascual as holdover to last year's star-studded line-up has shown a big heart to snare this year's 2010 PPO–SA basketball plum. Pascual is a member of the MBA's Pampanga dragons.  PICE-EPSA president, Jesus C. Mandi, after the team's last assignment with PICPA was ecstatic with "the shear walls-like defense and unstoppable offense won the title rather with ease."  The PICPA encounter was over in a heartbeat as the proud civil engineers unleashed a devastating 16-0 run early in the fisrt quarter and then zoomed to many 42-point leads and never looked back as it claimed PPO-SA Sportsfest Kings of the Hoops.

 

Ten exciting basketball matches featuring five professional organizations were played the last two Fridays; September 17th and 24th.  Five games were played each Friday.  There was a short programme hosted by UAP's Geraldine Suede and Carlo Gregorio of PICPA.  POLO-ERO's Labor Attache, the Honorable David Des T. Dicang extolled all the participants to display camaraderie and sportsmanship.  The initial tip-off featured PICE and UAP with the former toying around and humbled the latter with a huge 46 points winning margin; 83-37.  The succeeding game was a see-saw affair between PICPA and PSME.  The Honorable Dicang reminisced his youth by playing off guard to the PICPAs. PSME won by 3 points; 63-60. PICE proved its first match was no fluke, anticipated a crucial match with the defending champion, IECEP by employing an unrelenting full court press. And frustrating the much taller IECEP no end by another big game; 75-44.  PSME ruled over UAP; 75-58 on the fourth game.  IECEP on the last game of the day avenged its sorry loss to PICE by scoring its first win versus PICPA; 54-46.

 

The sixth game was a battle royale between unbeaten teams; PICE versus PSME.  The battle cry then of the third game of the civil engineers is to beat the mechanical engineers with the same big winning margin.  And win PICE did; by limiting Ted Carian, its biggest offensive threat,  67-46. PICPA on the seventh game needed an extra 5 minutes to eventually win over UAP; 68-67 in overtime. IECEP escaped with a 52-47 score versus its nemesis, PSME on the nineth game.  Feleo A. Gines, PICE head coach before its last assignment against the accountants went on to challenge the players to provide the same gusto and drive by "we were counted off right from the start, this is the time to prove ourselves and the opponents worthy to be kings of the hoops among peers of the professional groups."   And went on to register a lopsided victory; 83-39.  Lemuel Caballero shone brightest with 22 huge points in the first game and timely assists to the big men.  Justin Arien, the prized point guard is consistent, averaging 16points a game.  A steady force Pascual still exhibited his winning clever presence inside the court.  Pascual wrought havoc with his 3-point plays against a notorious PSME squad. A Freddie Abuda clone, Taha Metaphor was scavenger resurrected.  Giovanni Hallara, wove offensive magic, what with his 11 crucial points during a mild rally at the latter part of the third quarter against the accountants.  Rodel Ludovice and Joel Navaratte were equally effective manning and protecting the shaded lane even against much taller and heftier big men.  The PICE quintet with a solid first five played big in each game.  Carmelo Ayunon, Marlon Lazo and Elsier Organo complimented and contributed quality minutes each match.  Christopher A. Gonzales ably assisted in the coaching chores.  The BODs and ex-officio directors were also in attendance bolstering support. The hapless UAP yielded to the defending champion, IECEP; 40-60 on the last match.  IECEP this year is relegated to first runner up while PSME placed second runner up.  PICPA and UAP are third runner up and fourth runner up respectively.  

 

PPO–SA is Philippine Professional Organization–Saudi Arabia.  PPO–SA is an umbrella group of professionals consisting of the accountants' PICPA-KSA-EP; the mechanical engineers' PSME-SA; the electrical engineers' IIEE-ERCSA; the civil engineers' PICE-EPSA; the architects' UAP-KSA-EPC and the electronics and communications engineers' ICEP-KSA-ERC.  UAP's Liyo C. Cefre is the sports chairman while Erwin Pelaez of PICE is the basketball sports coordinator.  IECEP's Anthony M. Laid heads as president of the PPO-SA officers.

 

Bringing out the best in each other, this year's theme exemplified the atmosphere among the participating professional groups.  Other sporting events like lawn tennis, table tennis, darts, billiards and bowling are also being played at IPSA and Al Gosaibi Sports Center.  Exciting volleyball matches and the battle of wood pushers are anticipated before the closing ceremonies on the first day of October.

 

IPSA, yes the International Philippine School of Al Khobar; not the Big Dome is the venue and witness to this basketball milestone.  

Expats, including 14 OFWs, apprehended during 'forbidden' worship in Saudi

 

 

 

Expats, including 14 OFWs, apprehended during ‘forbidden’ worship in Saudi

 

A Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today said there are about 100 expatriates, including 14 OFWs, who were apprehended by Saudi cultural police on Friday during a religious service in an undisclosed place.

 

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said there were two OFWs who have called him on separate occasions last Saturday morning informing him of the said incident.

 

Monterona said both OFWs, who have requested not to be named, were asking assistance, specifically in working for the release of their fellow OFWs who were among those apprehended.

 

Monterona said based on the information given to him by the OFW callers, their fellow OFW friends  attended a ‘Christian religious’ service on Friday, when all of a sudden a number of Saudi cultural police went through the place where they are performing a religious worship.

 

“The OFW callers pleaded for help for their detained companions, particularly to get them released from jail,” Monterona added.

 

Based on the information provided to him, Monterona said there are about a 100 expatriates of various nationalities, including 14 OFWs, who have attended the ‘prohibited’ religious worship.

 

Conducting religious activities other than Islam is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and in most of the middle-eastern countries. 

 

However, there are Born Again Christian groups and other similar religious groups that are clandestinely performing religious activities even if it is strictly banned by the host government.

 

“We would like to remind our fellow OFWs to respect the cultural prohibitions imposed by the host country specifically performing religious worship other than Islam; we are ‘foreigners’ of third class category here in Saudi,” Monterona averred.

 

“To avoid getting into trouble like this one, our fellow OFWs must be cautious and must have a ‘sense of extra care’ especially in Saudi Arabia which has been known to be strictly implementing its cultural laws not only to their own nationals but as well as to expatriates or foreign workers including OFWs,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said Migrante case officers have been instructed to coordinate with the concerned RP embassy officials and to get more information such as the names of the OFWs so that their respective employer would be immediately informed and ask them to get their detained OFWs a provisional release under their custody. (end) # # # 

 

 

Filipino migrant rights group calls on RP post officials to provide assistance to ailing OFW

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today calls on the Philippine Embassy welfare officials to immediately provide the needed assistance to an ailing OFW who has undergone a brain surgical operation last August 24, 2010 in a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

“We are calling the attention of the concerned RP post and welfare officials in Riyadh to immediately provide assistance to OFW Tamano Saltan Ismael, 35 years old, a Maguindanaon, who has recently operated due to spontaneous cerebeller heamatoma,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said based on the medical reports obtained by Eric Jocson, chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), a member-organization of Migrante based in Riyadh, OFW Tamano has been rushed to King Saud Medical complex on the August 24 after his consciousness level had dropped while blood pressure found to be at 200/120.

 

Subject OFW was immediately given a CT brain scan that revealed large cerebeller heamatoma with midline shift. He has been operated on the same day.

 

A couple of days after his brain operation, the attending neurosurgeon declared that his “condition gradually improved and conscious level becomes better”. The ailing OFW has been transferred to Shumesy hospital and was released on September 16.

 

According to KGS welfare case officers who have visited him, the ailing OFW Tamano is now staying at his employer’s provided accommodation in Riyadh and has been watched by his co-workers and fellow OFWs.

 

“But his condition is not going any better since he has not given proper medication and care staying only at his employer’s provided accommodation; noticeably his health condition already deteriorated,” Monterona observed.

 

Monterona said upon the request of OFW Tamano himself, Migrante-ME and the KGS are calling the attention of Philippine Embassy welfare officials to immediately provide medical assistance to the subject OFW without delay and properly represent him to his employer and demand proper medication and assistance due him.

 

‘We believed, he should be returned and re-confined in the hospital so that he would be given proper medication, care and attention, till he has been fully recovered,” Monterona averred.

 

“We are worried since the DFA’s proposed budget for the assistance to the nationals and legal assistance funds has been cut by the Aquino administration on its 2011 national budget; case like of OFW Tamano and many other similar cases, may not be given the proper assistance, as what is actually happening right now, by the concerned RP post and the DFA. Thus, we are protesting against this illegal budget cut!,” Monterona ended. # # #

  

 

DBM chief explanation on OFWs legal assistance fund a 'spin' to mislead OFWs and their dependents -migrant rights group

 

 

'Give to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar; Give to OFWs what is due to OFWs'

 

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today scores Department of Budget and Management secretary Butch Abad saying on what it calls a “spin” explanation provided by Abad on OFWs legal assistance fund that has been cut on the proposed 2011 national government budget.

 

DBM chief Butch Abad issued an explanation about the status of the legal assistance fund and at the same time assured the OFWs and their families that the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) for OFWs will be worth at least 100-M, as required by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act as amended or RA 10022.

 

But Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona reacted on Abad’s explanation calling it a “spin” to mislead the OFWs and their families.

 

“We won’t buy his ‘spin’; first if not of the collective efforts of Migrante and other OFWs organizations protesting the budget cut for LAF and assistance to the nationals fund, the DBM would not be forced to provide an explanation, and yet the explanation provided is a twist in order to justify an illegal act,” Monterona said.

 

Monterona said it was now revealed that there are un-used balances of funds from previous years allocated for LAF, and yet, he said there are numerous cases that have never been given the legal assistance by the DFA as the distress OFWs’ families are pleading for legal assistance.

 

Monterona is referring to the 52.6-M and 67.7-M LAF balances for fiscal year 2009 and 2010 respectively.

 

“Obviously, if one will include these balances to the meager amount from the general appropriation and other sources of funds stipulated by the law, then it would result to an increase LAF,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona said RA8042 and RA 10022 that amended the former, clearly mentioned the sources of the legal assistance funds (LAF) as follows:

 

50-M from the Contingency fund of the President

30-M from the President Social Fund

20-M from OWWA Welfare fund

30-M from the yearly General appropriation act

 

“Thus the law stipulates that the LAF would not be less than 100-M,” Monterona explained.

 

However, according to Monterona, the Aquino govt. allocation is as follows:

 

50-M from DFA budget

20-M from OWWA Welfare fund

22.67-M from Contingent fund

 

From the above, Monterona said, it could be deduced that the government allocation is contrary and in violation of the law.

 

“Specifically, the allocation from the Contingent fund of the President was reduced -that should be 50-M to barely 22.6-M, and where is now the 30-M from the President social fund?,”  Monterona asked.

 

Monterona said they will continue to protest the budget cut for LAF and assistance to the nationals fund.

 

“We would like to remind Sec. Abad of the biblical passage “Give to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar,”, give to OFWs what is due to OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona ended. # # #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: Photo news-PINOY ABROAD- Migrants protest budget cut for OFWs

Caption:

While Pres. Noynoy Aquino and his group are enjoying hotdogs in New York, migrant workers under Migrante-UAE are protesting the recent budget cut for OFWs. The group said that the rights and welfare of migrant workers do not seem to be a priority for Noynoy. The indoor protest was held in Karama, Dubai on Friday. (photo by Angel L. Tesorero)

 

 

 

 

Palace unjustified, illegal budget cut on OFWs legal aid funds to face massive protest actions from OFWs around the world –Migrant rights group

 

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights groups based in the Middle East, today said the unjustifiable budget cut on OFWs legal aid and assistance to the nationals funds that forms part of the Foreign Affairs department 2011 budget submitted by Malacanang in Congress during budget deliberation, will be facing massive protest actions from OFWs and their organizations to show their disgust to what it called an ‘anti-OFW and transgression’ on the mandate of the Migrant Workers Act by no other than the Aquino administration.

 

“We are convinced that the Aquino administration would only listen to our concern about the unjustifiable cut on OFWs legal assistance funds, among other OFWs concerns, if we will make our actions a concerted effort, internationally, enough for President Aquino to hear even if he is inside the Malacanang,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said after the news broke out about the unjustifiable cut on OFWs legal assistance fund during the DFA budget deliberation in Congress, a considerable numbers of OFWs and various OFWs organizations have expressed their strong opposition and conveyed their support to join Migrante chapters in the Middle East on its advocacy for an increase government budget for OFWs on-site services and welfare programs.

 

“Our various Migrante chapters in the Middle East, along with other OFWs organizations and the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Libya, and Israel are now consulting on what specific actions to take to show our strong opposition against this first anti-OFW act by the Aquino administration,” Monterona added.

 

The Saudi-based OFW leader further said there are strong negative responses from OFWs and their families disgusted how they felt betrayed by P-Noy who had promised to provide better assistance and programs to OFWs and their families during presidential campaign sorties.

 

Monterona revealed some OFWs and OFWs organizations have suggested initiating an online petition and signature campaign, issuing a manifesto to be signed by various OFWs organizations and their leaders and representatives, press conferences, indoor protest actions, among others, against the Aquino administration’ budget cut on OFWs legal assistance funds.

 

 “The budget cut for OFWs legal assistance and assistance to the nationals’ funds is an indication that OFWs and their families would remain marginalize, whose issues and concerns would again be set aside by the Aquino administration who had promised to attend on their concerns swiftly upon his assumption to the Presidency on July, amid the worsening conditions of OFWs abroad,” Monterona ended. # # # 

 

 

ABAD: LEGAL FUND FOR OFWS WILL BE MORE THAN P100M IN 2011

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad today assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families that the government's Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) for OFWs will be worth at least P100 million, as mandated by law.

 

He also said that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) agreed to submit an erratum to Congress to increase the government allocation for LAF in 2011 to P30 million, as mandated by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended (Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by R.A. No. 10022).

 

"Hindi po natin pinapabayaan ang ating mga bayaning OFW (We are not neglecting the needs of our OFW heroes). Contrary to earlier reports, our funds for legal support to our OFW in 2011 will be sufficient, and even more than required," he said.

 

He said the department projects that the total LAF for 2011 could at least be P129.96 million to as much as P217.76 million. He said this depends on how the 2010 balance will be used for the rest of the year, with the department assuming conservatively that half will be used.

 

Abad said that the department's record shows that only 6.7% or P14.5 million of the P135.518 million in LAF for 2010 has been used as of June 30. Furthermore, there is a fund balance of P52.63 million in 2009, which is carried-over due to the continuing nature of the fund.

 

The P2.7 million will come from the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund, also a continuing fund with current balances that could be used to augment the LAF. Additional funding could also come from balances of existing legal assistance or defense fund.

 

Under R.A. No. 10022, a LAF should be established in the amount of P100 million, to be sourced from the President's Contingent Fund (P50 million), the President's Social Fund (P20 million) and the Overseas Workers' Welfare Fund (P20 million).

 

The amended law mandates that an annual appropriation of not less than P30 million for LAF shall be provided in the national budget, with total LAF not being less than P100 million. LAF is treated as a Special Fund in the National Treasury, and its balances cannot revert back to the General Fund.     

OFW rights group re-iterates calls to address rampant contract substitution victimizing OFWs in the Middle-east

 

 

Press Release

 

 

Worried over the swelling up of contract substitutions cases victimizing OFWs deployed in the Middle East, an alliance of OFW rights group today calls on the Department of Labor and Employment and its Overseas labor offices to address the rampant cases of contract substitutions victimizing OFWs.

 

“Contract substitution has been a recurring problem encountered by OFWs especially those deployed in the Middle East, we wonder why until now the Labor Department and its Overseas Labor offices could not solve this,” asked John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said contract substitution occurs when the deployed OFW upon arrival to the job site will be forced to sign a new contract by his or her employer with different terms and conditions from the originally signed contract that was facilitated by the local recruitment agency in the Philippines.

 

“On our records of cases, 5 out of the average 8 cases recorded daily are about contract substitution and violation consciously committed by the employers, it is worsening because victims are now by group collectively complaining against their employer about contract substitution,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said an OFW will feel bad if at the end of the month he would received a lower salary compared to what is stipulated on the original contract he has signed.

 

“Aside from a lowered the salary, OFWs victim of contract substitution normally complaints of non-payment of overtime work, no medicare or health card which is to be provided by the employer, some complained of unexplained salary deductions, among others,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona cited the recently reported case of the 84 OFWs who are working as cleaners in the United Arab Emirates after their employer abandoned them without food and water.

“The case of 84 Pinay cleaners in the UAE is in addition to the already long lists of contract violations we have monitored numbering to little less than 3,000 already from January to September of this year alone, aside from the lists of cases from previous years which some are not yet resolved,” Monterona claimed.

 

Monterona further said there is something wrong in the system of the deployment of OFWs from processing the required formalities between the recruitment agencies and the POEA and the Philippine overseas Labor office (POLO) that approved the job orders to actual deployment of OFWs.

 

“It appears from our initial investigation that the contract signed by the OFW while he is still in the Philippines is only for formality purposes -for his registration to the POEA as hired workers facilitated by the recruitment agency; the recruitment agency representing the prospective foreign employers,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said the role of the recruitment agencies in contract substitution cases must be thoroughly investigated by the DoLE-POEA and by the Philippine Congress.

“The inept Labor attaché on contract substitution cases must also be investigated, because it is on his jurisdiction and duty to protect the labor rights of our deployed OFWs against the malpractices of the employer including contract substitution and violations,” Monterona added.

 

“For this purpose, we are calling the Senate Labor committee and the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation and in crafting appropriate measures or policy, so that this highly irregular, illegal contract substitution would be prevented,” Monterona ended. # # #

 

 

Migrant rights group welcomes Kuwait government scrapping of 'sponsor-ship' system

 

 

 

 

Press Release

 

 

Receiving reports from its local chapter in Kuwait, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today said the serious intention of the Kuwait government to abolish the sponsor-ship system, locally know as ‘kafeel’ system, is a good indication that Kuwait is geared towards respecting the rights and well being of expatriate workers in the former Iraqi-occupied country.

 

“We are glad to hear that Kuwait Minister of Social Affairs and Labor recognizes the need to abolish the sponsor-ship system in Kuwait as it would give leeway and freedom to expatriate workers in terms of travel and the opportunity to change and look for a better job within Kuwait, ,” said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator for Migrante Middle East.

 

Yesterday, a local newspaper in Kuwait (Al-Rai newspaper) quoted Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Mohammed Al-Afasi as saying that the "kafeel" system will be scrapped when a public authority for the recruitment of foreign workers is established in February.

 

"This will be our gift to foreign workers on the anniversary of Kuwait's liberation," from seven months of Iraqi occupation in 1991,” the minister said as he is quoted in Al-Rai newspaper.

The sponsorship system serves as the legal basis for one’s residency and employment in Kuwait and in other Gulf States.

Monterona said expatriates cannot enter, work, change jobs or leave the country until they have permission from their sponsor, usually a GCC citizen, company or ministry officials.

“The sponsorship system requires that an expatriate can work only for the sponsor and is entirely dependent on the contract in order to remain in the country,” Monterona explained.

 

Monterona added usually the laborer’s employer is the one who issues the visa invitation letter which requires the employee to work only for the original employer, who is also called the employee’s ‘sponsor’.

 

“In essence and in practice, sponsorship system is but an indentured servitude; a person under sponsorship simply called as bonded laborer who is under contract of the employer in exchange for an extension to the period of indenture, which could thereby continue indefinitely,” Monterona continued.

 

He further said that in the very nature of the prevailing system of sponsorship as practiced in the Gulf States, migrant workers as indentured servants were subject to abuses at the hands of their employers in the homes or fields in which they worked.

 

“That is why we often encounter cases where migrant workers have not been given a vacation despite they have already been completed their 2-year contract and other labor malpractices and abuses committed by the employers against the bonded laborer,” the OFW leader continued.

 

Sponsor-ship system emanates from the old social system of slavery whereby slaves are considered a private property.

 

Monterona said Migrante as an organization of OFWs recognizes the need to lead the formation of a broader lobby group along with other migrant workers in the Gulf States supportive to the call made by the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) in Saudi Arabia and same entities in any Gulf States.

 

“This lobby group to be composed of migrant workers’ organizations in the Gulf States would be a special formation that is committed to lobby from host governments to ultimately decide to abolish the sponsorship system. This lobby group will likewise urge its respective governments to lobby the same to its counterpart host governments,” Monterona added.

 

Aside from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, calls for the abolishment of sponsorship system got widespread supports in Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates amongst expatriates and nationals of those states.

 

"We are urging other host governments in the Gulf States to follow the same step taken by the Kuwaiti government in abolishing the sponsorship system,” Monterona added.

 

Migrante's Monterona however noted that OFWs and their families are disappointed to their own government the Aquino administration which failed to craft a clear and genuine program for the protection of OFWs as cases of abuses, maltreatment and labor malpractices continue to swell up.

 

Monterona said that host governments in the Gulf States like Kuwait are in fact have shown their willingness to cooperate with labor-sending government like the Philippines in terms of protecting the rights and well being of Filipino migrants.

 

"Nearly 100 days in office, we have noticed the Aquino administration’s reluctance in pushing and concluding OFWs rights protection pact with host governments; the Aquino administration unwillingness is a manifestation of its lip service to the sector keeping the Philippine economy afloat," Monterona ended. # # #

 

Fw: 09.09.10; I was told to Pass to Filipinos I know so here

Note: A forwarded message

To the Hongkong and PRC People:   You hate the Filipino people for the hostage fiasco that unfortunate incident that went out of control at the end. This was a hostage situation that was under control and which netted 7 Chinese tourists to be released upon the efforts of our policemen.   You appear and sound sanctimonious and have even stepped upon our sovereignty. You have demanded apology, the moon and the heavens. You hate the Filipino people as if we wanted this unfortunate incident to happen. First and foremost, we offer our condolences to the families of the 8 that were killed in this incident. Secondly, we are sorry for the bungled handling of this hostage taking. It was unfortunate, it was an accident, we never planned it that way. Is it fair to blame a whole nation for a situation that was never planned?   Let me ask you this question, "Should we hate you also for the lead poisoning caused by the paint you used in your baby furniture and toys for the children of the world, Should we hate you also for the use of cardboard in the "siopao" that you sell to tourists? Should we hate you also for the melamine contamination wherein not 8, but hundreds, maybe even thousands have suffered and some even died?   Or, let us talk of Filipino casualties. A few years ago, 3 Filipino tourists, all surnamed Madrigal, a family of 5 were walking on Tienemen Square and Beijing . One Chinese stabbed the father and two of his children, killing all three. Were you even sorry for what this one Chinese did? Did the Filipino people even demand that China apologize for this unfortunate incident. This was PRE-MEDITATED MURDER.   Just as the use of lead, cardboard, melamine was pre-meditated - used because they were cheaper materials, in order to generate PROFITS for the Chinese businessman. Did you pay damages the same way you are demanding damages from the Filipino nation and people.   Where was the anger of the Chinese and Hongkong people? Did you even apologize to the world? My God in the case of melanine, you even kept this information from the world, until you were exposed for what you are!!!   Enough! We symphatize but don't blame the Filipino people.   So you want to send our OFWs home, that take care of your children? They play an important part in your lives. Both spouses are able to work, earn money because of the tender loving care being heaped on your children by Filipino maids and yayas/amahs. While you pay our OFWs for the work they do, you earn more for the love and care they bestow on your children. Go ahead, send our OFWs home. Let us see how that will affect your family incomes.   Enough! is Enough!!!!   Pass this to all Filipinos you know. If you love your country, perhaps you'll send this.   May God Bless Us All.

On Aquino's US trip, Aquino, like Arroyo, will continue to peddle unprotected OFWs abroad

 

Press Release

20 September 2010

 

On Aquino’s US trip

Aquino, like Arroyo, will continue to peddle unprotected OFWs abroad -migrant group

 

Reacting on the first foreign trip of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in the US, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights group today said, like Arroyo, Aquino is likely to continue to peddle Overseas Filipino workers abroad without protection.

 

“P-Noy’s first trip abroad spells out a more intensified labor exportation program as it only re-affirms his economic programs based on the US government imposed neo-liberal policies of globalization such as liberalization, deregulation, and privatization that is pushing our people in dire poverty,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

 Monterona said because of the RP government, past and present administrations’ blind adherence to neo-liberal policies of globalization, the socio-economic conditions of the Filipino masses becomes more deplorable.

 

“The Filipino masses –majority are workers and farmers, and even professionals, have no options left because the government is forcing them to find 3D (dirty, dangerous and dehumanizing) jobs abroad amid the scarcity of local jobs and rising cost of living and prices of basic goods and services,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said that the labor export program is a conscious labor policy implemented by the Marcos regime when the country is pleading for foreign aid from IMF-WB and other foreign financial institutions and in order to ensure the in-flow of dollar reserves as a guarantee to foreign debt payments and more loans to in the future.

 

 “Thus, labor export program (read: peddling human labor) has now been institutionalized as a government’s ‘viable’ labor policy as part of the structural adjustment program, an imposition by the US-led IMF-WB and other foreign financial institutions,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said since P-Noy’s US trip primary objective is to meet with US investors for his administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and witness the formal signing of a US$434-million compact grant agreement under the US government’s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), and thereby hoping to avail financial assistance from MCA, then it is apparent that he would, like previous administrations, be willing to succumb to the wishes (read: impositions) of the US government.

 

“Adherence to neo-liberal policies of globalization (liberalization, deregulation, privatization) would lead to the intensification of labor export program by the government to ensure dollar reserves for debt payments, P-Noy therefore would continue to peddle unprotected OFWs abroad, who are sending billions of remittances yearly,” Monterona averred.

 

The Saudi-based OFW leader ended saying “The Filipino masses must expose and oppose the continued and blind adherence of the RP government on US neo-liberal policies of globalization, and must defend their socio-economic and political rights against the attacks of imperialists countries led by the US government. (end) # # #

 

 

Filipino migrant rights group pushes thorough, transparent auditing of OFWs trust fund

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of various Filipino migrant groups advocating OFWs rights and welfare, today pushes the conduct of a thorough and transparent auditing of OFWs trust fund held in trust to the government.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said the call for a thorough and transparent auditing of OFWs trust fund held in trust to the government through its primary welfare agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an adjunct agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), is based on the 22-point labor and employment agenda set-out by President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III upon his assumption to the Presidency.

 

Monterona cited item No.11 of the 22-point Labor and employment agenda of the Aquino administration, which states “Audit the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to rationalize the management of its funds, in terms of the benefits provided as well as how the funds are invested.”

 

The OWWA trust fund is a compulsory collection of US$25 membership fee charge to every deployed OFWs.   Membership fee to OWWA should be paid by foreign employers but was later charge solely to OFWs.

 

“Barely more than a month ‘til his 100 days in office, we have not heard anything from Aquino’s labor honchos  about the status of the above-cited labor agenda which is of particular interest to us -the millions of OFWs abroad, amid the scarcity or practically inadequate programs and welfare services to OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona further said despite of the fact that the OFWs trust fund is immensely growing proportional to the 3,800 OFWs deployed daily based on government own records, the fund is believed to have reached 12.8-B now and still growing relative to the growing numbers of OFWs deployed yearly.

 

“Logically, if the trust fund is growing merely due to the membership contribution of OFWs, OWWA should have come up sufficient programs and welfare services to cater the needs of OFWs on-site and their dependents back home; sad to say numerous OWWA’s programs and services have been stopped when the OWWA Omnibus Policies has been implemented on 2004 under the anti-OFW Arroyo administration,” according to Monterona.

 

Monterona said his group would also welcome if the auditing of the OWWA trust funds should be joined and witnessed by representatives of various OFWs groups in the name of transparency.

 

“Open disclosure of the status of the OWWA funds, owned by the OFWs themselves, is also demanded,” the Saudi-based OFW leader added.

“In line of the memorandum recently issued by the President instructing government agencies to develop their respective Medium-term development economic programs, we will welcome if our group and various OFWs organizations will be consulted as it is necessary so that a more responsive and doable programs and services could be crafted based on OFWs actual and prevailing needs and concerns, or else, we would not expect at all to the Aquino administration coming up more responsive programs and welfare services to OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona ended. # # #