Philippines (see also Hong Kong, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Malaysia, Australia, Other Pacific)
11 Filipinos in Iraq not trafficked
Returning from Iraq, Roy Cimatu confirmed that only 11 Filipinos flew from Kuwait to Baghdad, contrary to testimony of Rory Mayberry before the US House Oversight Committee on 26 July. Mayberry claimed that he was asked to escort 51 Filipinos on a flight from Kuwait to Baghdad in March 2006. The workers were recruited for the construction of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Mayberry said that the Filipinos were trafficked by First Kuwaiti. Cimatu talked with four Filipinos who were on that plane and all of them said they knew that they were going to Iraq. Three of the 11 workers had returned home in 2006 and four others had reportedly transferred to other companies. The Kuwait-based First Kuwaiti General Trading and Contracting Co. earlier denied allegations that 51 Filipinos were recruited to work in Dubai but were taken to Baghdad without their consent. Cimatu's fact-finding team helped in facilitating the repatriation of 95 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) trapped in Iraq. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has suspended the two Philippine-based recruitment agencies – Great Provider Services Exporters Inc. and MGM Worldwide Manpower and General Services – that sent Filipinos to Iraq in violation of the deployment ban.
Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the US State Department could not be blamed for the recruitment of Filipino workers because the construction of the embassy was contracted to First Kuwaiti, which subsequently recruited workers. According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr., the Philippine government is not accusing the US of smuggling/trafficking of Filipino workers. He added that the report of Cimatu will be the basis for engaging the US government on this issue.
Meanwhile, the government is considering taking tougher measures to stop Filipinos from sneaking into Iraq. According to Cimatu, Filipino workers use neighboring countries like Kuwait and the UAE as entry points to Iraq. He met with officials of the Philippine embassies in Kuwait, Oman, the UAE and Iraq to discuss tougher measures against the continuous entry of Filipinos into Iraq. Senator Mar Roxas II also called for stronger action against human trafficking syndicates preying on desperate Filipinos. Roxas suggested that the Philippine embassies in Kuwait and the UAE should inform Filipino workers in the two countries about the deployment ban to Iraq. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the POEA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrations (OWWA) are expected to further strengthen the government's existing travel ban to Iraq. On the other hand, Emmanuel Geslani, consultant of Manila-based recruitment agencies, accused the government of remaining powerless in enforcing the ban. He also said that the best way to protect OFWs is to lift the ban so that authorized agencies can negotiate with foreign companies for good paying jobs and welfare benefits.
According to Nina Patricia Sison, executive director of the International Justice Mission in the Philippines, very few perpetrators of trafficking have been apprehended compared to the large numbers of victims. So far, only 10 perpetrators were apprehended and convicted since the passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Their office has helped rescue 92 victims.
As part of efforts to combat trafficking, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan ordered on 29 August an intensified drive against human trafficking in the country's airports and subports. The Bureau of Immigration will assign more officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other major ports to enhance the agency's capacity to monitor arriving and departing passengers.
In related news, Quezon City Councilor Bernadette Herrera Dy proposes to create a reward system for persons who provide information leading to the arrest of individuals engaged in human trafficking and the establishment of a local committee on anti-trafficking.
17 of 49 death penalty cases of OFWs commuted
The DFA said that 17 out of the 49 death penalty cases involving OFWs in various countries have been commuted. Five of the jailed OFWs had been released and repatriated, including Sarah Dematera, 35, who arrived from Riyadh in May after the family of her victim accepted around P25 million. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Esteban Conejos Jr. said since January 2006 the DFA has been closely monitoring the 49 death penalty cases through its diplomatic posts. The 26 remaining cases are in various stages of trial or appeal and five are under investigation.
Legislative inquiry on rape incidents
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed a resolution seeking a legislative inquiry on the increasing incidents of rape against overseas Filipina workers. The legislative inquiry aims to formulate measures to ensure the safety and protection of Filipino domestic workers. Santiago urged the Senate committee on foreign relations to initiate the probe. She suggested that the DFA and the DOLE jointly establish mechanisms for receiving rape complaints and assisting victims in Philippine consulates.
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia rescued a Filipino domestic worker, identified as Rosa, 23, allegedly raped by her employer's sons on 14 June 2006. The incident was repeated in November 2006 and videotaped by one of the rapists through a mobile phone. She is now under the protective custody of the consulate. The Philippine Consulate was informed of Rosa's plight by her husband in Davao City. The consulate is looking for another Filipina, identified as Melissa, who was allegedly raped by her employer's son and videotaped on a mobile phone. Authorities came to know about Melissa's case through the phone video clip that has been circulating in the Middle East.
Call to protect mail-order brides
Senate President Manuel Villar filed Senate Resolution 101, urging the Senate committee on youth, women and family relations to inquire into the plight of mail-order brides. Citing three websites (www.2bwed.com, www.afilipina.com and www.1mailorderbrides.com), Villar claimed that their practices clearly violate Republic Act 6955, enacted on 13 June 1990.
OFW deaths
A Filipino seafarer died after the ship MV Douala Tide sank off Port Alfred in South Africa, said the DFA on 30 August. Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. reported that South African maritime authorities rescued nine other Filipino seafarers and a Honduran ship captain on 23 August. Embassy officials went to Port Elizabeth to assist the Filipino survivors and repatriate Reyes' body.
In Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Villamor said that the body of Reynaldo Cortez cannot be repatriated. Cortez was buried in a common grave following Saudi tradition, and there is no record of where the grave is located. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, at the request of his family, asked the Saudi government to repatriate his remains. Cortez was beheaded for the murder of a Pakistani taxi driver.
Deployment down, esp. for domestic workers and OPAs
According to POEA data, the total number of deployed workers in the first half of 2007 reached 546,212, down by 5.1 percent compared to the figures in the same period in 2006. Of the total deployment, 422,262 were land-based workers and 123,950 were sea-based workers. Both sectors registered a decline by 3.2 percent and 11.1 percent compared to figures in the same period in 2006.
The drop in the deployment of domestic workers was marked. Only 6,602 Filipino domestic workers were deployed abroad from 1 January to 13 August 2007, or just a little more than one-tenth the 57,923 deployed for overseas jobs in the corresponding period last year. The local recruitment industry rued the trend, saying that more than 50,000 Filipino domestic workers have lost potential employment and earnings due to the government's new deployment policy. They also pointed out many Filipinos were still able to leave the country with the help of illegitimate agents to work abroad as domestic workers. On the other hand, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines welcomed the drop in the deployment of Filipino domestic workers.
Also on the down trend is the deployment of overseas Filipino artists (OPAs), which has dipped by 90 percent over the last two years after the Japanese government adopted tougher rules in employing foreign entertainers. POEA data confirm that the deployment of Filipino entertainers has drastically declined since 2005. A total of 42,633 OPAs were deployed in 2005 and 10,615 in 2006. The BI is negotiating with the Japanese government to relax the policy on the hiring of Filipino entertainers. Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan proposed group accreditation of entertainers and proposed an inter-agency group composed of the BI, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the DOLE that would screen the applicants.
Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said there has been an increase in the deployment new hires to countries like Canada, Cyprus, Italy, New Caledonia and New Zealand from January to July. The increase is attributed to the rising demand for skilled workers and the demand for caregivers and domestic workers by countries offering better terms and conditions of employment. POEA head Rosalinda Baldoz said the share of professionals and skilled workers in the total deployment went up by two percent from 12.4 percent in the first half of 2006 to 14.4 percent for the same period in 2007. More important, the skilled group accounted for 73 percent of the total new hires, whereas the low-skilled group constituted only 27 percent.
Filipino teachers migrating to the US, Thailand
A growing number of Filipino teachers are leaving because of attractive salary rates and other incentives overseas. Filipinos account for some 100 out of the 115 teachers the Los Angeles school district recently recruited. In an attempt to curb this trend, several bills have been filed to upgrade the salaries of teachers. House Bill No. 800 or the "Act Upgrading the Minimum Salary Grade Level of Public School Teachers in the Elementary and Secondary Levels from Grade 10 to 15" is one attempt. Senator Edgardo Angara introduced a similar bill with a bigger adjustment of salary rates from Grade 10 to 19. A public school teacher under a Salary Grade 10 is entitled to a gross pay of P9,939 a month (P12,456 for a Salary Grade 15 teacher and P16,792 for a Salary Grade 19 teacher). The proposed rates are still much lower than the salaries offered overseas.
There have been reports of Filipino teachers falling prey to fraudulent agents. In El Paso, Texas, Noel Cedro Tolentino and Angelica Tolentino and Noel's mother, Florita Tolentino, all Filipinos, had been charged with some 40 counts of criminal offenses including conspiracy to smuggle foreigners and visa fraud. The three have pleaded not guilty.
Filipino teachers have also discovered Thailand. More than 3,000 Filipinos are teaching English in Thailand, where they earn salaries ranging from 12,000 baht to 30,000 baht a month.
IT professionals migrating to Singapore
There are an estimated 14,000 IT-related Filipino workers in Singapore. They gain valuable experience working for multinational firms and contribute to the Philippine economy with their remittances. However, some quit their jobs at home in a hurry, leaving behind unaccomplished projects. Some have been known to violate the 30-day resignation notice in order not to lose offers for mid-to-senior level position that fetches $3,000-4,000 monthly salary. The situation is aggravated by the aggressive recruitment of some Singaporean recruitment agencies. Apart from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and America are also favored destinations of Filipino engineers.
Deployment of nurses to Japan delayed
The training and employment of Filipino nurses and caregivers to Japan has been suspended due to the delay in the ratification of the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said the draft was ready, the Philippines is ready to send two batches of nurses and caregivers to Japan. Each batch has 500 healthcare professionals. The first batch will be sent to Japan for language training as soon as the JPEPA is ratified and the next batch will leave several months later.
Senator Pia S. Cayetano said that the JPEPA may not generate benefits for Filipino healthcare workers and the Philippines. She consulted with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA). Cayetano pointed out that the restrictive standards set by Japan are likely to discourage and effectively bar Filipino nurses from entering Japan's healthcare industry. She also shared the PNA's concern that Filipino nurses who fail the board exams written in Nihongo could end up as caregivers or prostitutes. Cayetano supports the "Health Facility Partnership Agreements" proposed by former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan. The proposal requires the country hosting Filipino doctors and nurses to provide the Philippines with official development assistance for the improvement of health institutions and professionals, in the form of training and scholarship grants and financial assistance to improve services and facilities in public hospitals.
Senate President Manny Villar Jr. also sent a letter to President Arroyo on 23 August, demanding a scientific assessment of the effects of the JPEPA on Filipino professionals.
New UK migration policy will affect Filipinos
The new UK points-based migration system will affect the job opportunities of Filipinos in the UK. Filipinos have been migrating to the UK since the 1990s when there were severe labor shortages in the service and health industries. They have worked as services worker and health workers in the National Health Service and privately-run care homes. There are currently more than 60,000 Filipino workers in the UK and some 15,000 in Ireland, mostly in the health care industry.
In related news, thousands of Filipino senior care workers will be given an extension to work in the UK after the government reversed its earlier position based on a new set of guidelines from the Borders and Immigration Agency. In addition, the new annual salary rate of ￡14,600 or the hourly rate of ￡7.02 will apply to them.
Irish govt urged to regulate recruitment agencies
Fr. Alan Hilliard, director of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants, has urged the Irish government to provide legislation to regulate the activities of recruitment agencies bringing in Filipino workers to the country. The 2006 Census shows that a total of 9,327 Filipinos are in Ireland. Of them, 7,426 are in Leister. Most of them work as domestic workers or healthcare workers.
Addressing health worker migration
Dr. Leah Paquiz, president of the Philippine Nurses Association, appealed to Filipino doctors not to take up nursing jobs abroad. More and more doctors are determined to leave the country due to the bigger pay and incentives. She also appealed to the government to put health care in its list of priorities and look into the salaries of doctors and health workers.
In related news, Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar, chief of the Department of Health-Region 7 said that the right policies on medical tourism could prevent health professionals from leaving the country. According to official data, some 150,000 healthcare professionals left the country from 1994 to 2006.
NCLEX testing center opens in Manila
Some 90 candidates took the first National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) held in the Philippines on 23 August. Dante Ang, chief of the presidential task force on NCLEX, said Filipino nurses could now save as much as P100,000 because they do not have to fly to other NCLEX sites abroad. Robert Whelan, president of Pearson Vue, which owns and operates NCLEX testing centers in various parts of the world, including the first center in Makati City, said that 90 examinees were set to take the NCLEX daily and some 4,000 have been scheduled to take the exam in the next few months. The demand for nurses in the US will remain high for the next 10 years, said Casey Marks, associate executive director of the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing. There is a future anticipated shortfall of more than a million nurses in the US.
New Filipino nurses are less qualified
Henry Seno, president of the American Dream Review Institute Inc., said that the decline in the demand for Filipino nurses abroad is due to a change in the work attitude of the latest batch of nursing professionals. Seno said that nurses in the Philippines are no longer of the same quality as the nurses in the past, noting a decline in the work ethic of new nurses. Seno noted the growing number of nursing schools in the Philippines and nursing graduates lacking in hands-on experience and a good grasp of educational background. He also blamed local recruitment agencies for providing hospitals and health institutions with Filipino nurses who are not qualified for nursing jobs.
Minimum wage rule to be strictly enforced
The government is reviewing the minimum wage rule it has imposed for Filipinos working as domestic workers in the Middle East amid reports from Philippine embassies that recruiters are breaching the rule. Philippine Embassy labor attaché in Bahrain Alejandro Santos said the rule was under review in order to determine the loopholes; he ruled out the possibility of scrapping it. The embassy's shelter has accommodated several distressed domestic workers whose employers failed to pay them salaries stipulated in their contracts. The embassy blacklisted a few errant agencies.
Senate to probe added course for seafarers
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. called for a Senate probe on the move of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to require seafarers to take an additional management-level course (P42,000 for the marine deck course; P54,000 for the engine course). Most of the topics in the course are already covered in the four to five-year marine deck and marine engineering courses. The PRC ignored the appeal of seafarers' groups to scrap the additional requirement. Seafarer groups alleged that there was a strong lobby by training centers for the adoption of the new course.
Training programs for OFWs in Milan
Thirty OFWs have begun basic computer lessons at the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Italy. The computer training course seeks to bridge the communication gap between Filipino migrant workers and their families in the Philippines. Balikatan, an organization of Filipino workers in Italy, is the Consulate's community partner in implementing this DOLE-OWWA-Microsoft Tulay Project. The consulate in Milan reported that its caregiver course is now training a second batch, while its massage therapy training will begin with the fourth batch on 13 September.
No placement fees for Australia-bound OFWs
Recruitment agency MAB international Services Inc. (Mabis) and some of its Australian partner-employers have agreed to waive the placement fees for Filipinos deployed to Australia. The recruitment agreement contract also stipulates that the employer shall encourage his/her Filipino employees to remit some of their earnings to families in the Philippines.
In anticipation of future inflows of Filipino workers to Australia, the DOLE is preparing to open POLO in Sydney in two to three months, said Victor Ablan who has been assigned to head the office as labor attaché.
Govt vows to curb irregular migration
The BI has taken additional measures to curb the entry of irregular migrants. A thorough check of arriving foreigners to ensure they are not on the "derogatory" list of foreigners is one of the security and contingency measures, said Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan. All immigration officers in all ports of entry have been instructed to strictly enforce relevant regulations. The BI has set up a national operations center at its head office to monitor immigration-related issues. In cooperation with the DFA, the BI has launched border-crossing patrols especially in Mindanao. Starting on 3 September, the bureau will also launch "Operation Coastal Seal" in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs.
Only licensed agencies can conduct online recruitment
Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the POEA allows only licensed agencies and their legitimate representatives to post vacancies and recruit Filipinos workers through the Internet. Brion urged workers seeking overseas jobs through the Internet to check with the POEA whether the agency or individual posting vacancies are legitimate and whether the vacancies are complemented with appropriate job orders from abroad. Also, job applicants were warned of online job recruiters requiring upfront payment. Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran suggested that the DOLE and POEA accredit online recruiters who pass their standards.
POLOs to receive OFW complaints
The POEA Governing Body issued a new resolution on 9 August 2007, directing the network of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLOs) to receive OFW complaints regarding violations of POEA rules and regulations. More than 30 POLOs are posted in countries with significant OFW populations. The resolution states that POLOs will assist OFW complaints in the preparation of affidavits and reception of evidence to be endorsed to the POEA for follow-up action.
Mission in Bahrain to crack down on agencies
The Philippine Embassy is planning a crackdown on recruitment agencies that bring Filipino workers to Bahrain illegally. Labor Attache Alejandro Santos said that sponsors continue to employ domestic workers for salaries as low as US$160. Santos said dozens of illegal recruitment agencies were believed to operate in Bahrain, but it was difficult to track them down. Bahrain hosts an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers.
Incentives for illegal recruitment victims, witnesses
In a bid to curb illegal recruitment, the DOLE has initiated an incentive program for those who cooperate in the prosecution of fraudulent recruiters. Many illegal recruitment cases are often dismissed because complainants fail to pay the required docket fees in court. The POEA Governing Board has approved a resolution to provide aid to victims and witnesses of illegal recruitment by paying docket fees and other court or legal fees. Victims of illegal recruitment shall also be given priority for overseas employment.
Woman offering fake jobs arrested
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apprehended travel consultant Angelina Revilla Reodique, who lured two high school teachers to work in a hotel in Australia. She collected P123,750 as placement and other fees from the two victims, Amelita Laureaga and Johnson Saet, since October 2006. The victims later checked with POEA and discovered that Reodique was neither licensed nor authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment. They sought the help of NBI, which carried out an entrapment operation to arrest the suspect.
Filipinos are largest group of deportees in the US
A total of 112 Filipinos have been expelled from the US for various offenses from 1 October 2006 to 25 July 2007, according to a report by Manila Mail, a Filipino American biweekly newspaper based in Washington DC. Among Asian countries, the Philippines had the most number of deported fugitives, followed by China (46), India (41), Korea (29), Laos (11) and Cambodia (3). As for other countries outside Asia, Mexico ranked first in the number of deported fugitives with 8,495, followed by El Salvador with 1,043.
Filipino deported for making fake passports
A US District Court in New Jersey ordered the deportation of Roehl Rivera, who sold at least 50 fake Micronesian passports for up to US$15,000 each to smuggle fellow nationals to the US. He served 18 months at the Passaic County jail while awaiting sentencing. Meanwhile, his co-conspirator Enrico Calderon, a former Micronesian embassy employee, was sentenced to 26-month in jail. They were arrested last year for illegally brining in more than 50 Filipinos to the US. The passports were allegedly supplied by former ambassador Jesse Marehalau. On 14 May, the government of the Federated States of Micronesia field criminal charges against Calderon and Marehalau
Nurses face inquest in NY
Ten of the 27 Filipino healthcare professionals who filed a case of illegal recruitment against the New York-based Sentosa Recruitment Agency in 2006 will face an inquest hearing on 22 August. The hearing will determine the merits of a criminal case filed against the Filipino nurses by the Avalon Gardens nursing home, where they used to work. The nursing home said the nurses endangered the lives of their patients when they abandoned their jobs. Connie Regalado, Migrante International chairperson, criticized POEA's lifting of suspension on Sentosa, allegedly due to pressure from Malacañang and a US senator.
It has been 17 months since Felix Vinluan, the Filipino-American legal counsel of the 26 Filipino nurses and a physical therapist, filed their case with the POEA against Sentosa for violations of Philippine recruitment rules and regulations. Sentosa allegedly represented itself as a direct-hire agency catering to nursing facilities in New York. Sentosa violated the contract when it turned the nurses over to Sentosa Care LLC and to Prompt Nursing Employment Agency/Sentosa Services. Vinluan welcomed the initiative of Senator Lacson to investigate the case, adding that POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz failed to deliver on her promise to decide on the case by June 2007.
Justice for enslaved Filipina
The 14th criminal court in Istanbul has acquitted Filipino ship captain, Reynaldo Derige, and four of his crew of charges of smuggling marijuana into Turkey last May. The Filipino crewmembers cleared of the charges include Julio Cagampan, Othoniel Bungalso, Alberto Jose and Bosun Francisco Pontillas. The charges stemmed from the discovery of marijuana inside metal containers attached to the bottom of their ship. It was Derige himself who saw the metal containers and who reported the matter to Turkish authorities; this helped in clearing him and his crew of all charges.
Consul cleared of trafficking charge
The DFA has cleared Anthony Mandap, a vice consul in the Consulate General of the Philippines in San Francisco, of involvement in the alleged trafficking of a Filipino domestic worker. He was admonished, however, for taking Arlene Gado to California in 2005 as nanny for his children but turned her over to his in-laws in New Jersey to take care of an elderly patient. Gado claimed she was forced to work for Mandap's parents-in-law in the past two years. Mandap's mother-in-law, Angelita Reyes, 68, pleaded guilty, on 24 September, to criminal restraint charges before the Superior Court in Mercer County. Mandap claimed there was no abuse of diplomatic privileges involved in the incident. His family decided to accept the plea offer because his mother-in-law could no longer withstand the rigors of trial due to her age.
New reintegration strategy
The DOLE, private sector and NGOs have signed a memorandum of agreement on 17 August to put their efforts together to promote the economic reintegration of OFWs. Labor Secretary Arturo Brion, chair of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), led the NGOs and some nine banks which promised to map out a "progressive" reintegration plan for returning OFWs. The new strategy involves reaching out to educate migrants through the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar. The participating banks will develop and offer special remittance and financing schemes to encourage OFWs to transfer funds to the country using formal channels. They will also promote savings consciousness and sound investments among OFWs and their families. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Agriculture and other NGOs are willing to train OFWs who want to start their own businesses. Brion said the new reintegration strategy will be spelled out in the NRCO's three core programs – personal reintegration, community reintegration and economic reintegration.
Remittances up
Overseas Filipinos have remitted $7.034 billion in the first six months of this year, up 18 percent from the $5.958 billion generated during the same period in 2006. In June, OFW remittances slowed down to reach $1.12 billion, a trend attributed to the volatility of the US economy. Remittances remained strong despite a decline in deployment levels. According to initial estimates by the POEA, the total number of deployed workers declined by 5.1 percent to 546,212 in the first half of 2007 from the same period last year; land-based and sea-based workers declined by 3.2 percent (to 422,262) and 11.1 percent (to 123,950), respectively.
OFWs bat for fixed foreign exchange rate
The Jeddah-based group of OFWs, the V-Team, will meet with Vice President Noli de Castro to seek his help in putting forward its petition for a fixed foreign exchange rate for OFWs. The V-Team launched a campaign for the petition on 1 August, requesting President Arroyo to take steps in fixing the foreign exchange rate at P50:$1. Government economic managers have argued that a special exchange rate for OFWs could violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution and is also against the BSP's policy to let the market determine the exchange rate. Some groups of OFWs are thinking of staging a partial boycott on remittances.
Dr. Cayetano Paderanga Jr. of the Institute for Development and Economic Analysis (Idea) and Credit Information Bureau Inc. said that fixing the peso at a certain rate below or above the US dollars is not a viable solution at the moment.
I-Remit to expand to Malaysia
I-Remit Inc., a Filipino-owned nonbank remittance company, has signed a partnership agreement with Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd, one of the four major remittance business houses in Malaysia, in a bid to meet the needs of the growing population of OFWs in Malaysia. There are an estimated 60,000 OFWs in Malaysia. Their numbers may grow because of the growing demand for IT workers in Penang, Johore and Kuala Lumpur.
Women migrants send more money
Women migrants from Bukidnon Province in southern Philippines tend to send more of their earnings to their parents than men, according to a study by World Bank economist Dr. Agnes Quisumbing. Her paper, "The Impact of Migration and Remittances on Assets, Consumption and Credit Constraints: Evidence from Bukidnon, Philippines," noted that daughters tend to remit more to their parents because they are "socialized to give more to their family" and sons have their own families to feed. In Bukidnon, 60 percent of parents have children who migrated to urban areas. Daughters tend to migrate to urban areas to work, while more sons stay in the rural areas because they inherit the land. She explained that remittances do not have an impact on the credit status of households since they invest in assets such as consumer durables and human capital.
Migrant Workers Hospital proposed
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed a bill in the Senate seeking to build a special hospital for OFWs and their dependents, calling attention to the long hours of work, different environment and emotional stress affecting this sector. Estrada named the OWWA to supervise the Migrant Workers Hospital.
US-based Filipinos help hometown
A public library and a senior citizens' building were built in Valencia, Negros Oriental with the help of Valencianons based in California. Members of the United Valencianons in California conceptualized the establishment of a public library three years ago and have carried out fund-raising activities since then. A total of US$3,000 was used to purchase DVD players, fax machines, computers and other items. The group also donated books and magazines.
International alliance of migrant workers
Siklab-Canada, a national formation of OFWs, is preparing for the launching of the International Migrants' Alliance (IMA) in Malaysia in December 2007. IMA will promote the rights, livelihood and welfare of migrants, refugees and displaced persons across the world. Siklab is currently campaigning for the scrapping of Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program. Roderrick Carreon, chairperson of Siklab-Canada, noted that most Filipinos in Canada are live-in domestic workers. The program requires migrant workers to live in their employers' homes for two years. Tied to their employers, migrant workers are often vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and oppression. Glecy Duran, vice-chairperson of Siklab-Canada, has called on migrants of all nationalities to join the IMA.
International cooperation on migration
Addressing the third ministerial meeting of the Forum on East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (Fealac) in Brazil, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo called for stronger cooperation on migration among countries in East Asia and Latin America by sharing best experiences and practices and eventually promoting cooperation to address these issues. Mexico, Australia and Costa Rica strongly supported the Philippines' call.
Call to protect mail-order brides
According to statistics provided by Senate President Manny Villar, some 300,000 to 500,000 Filipino women leave the country for marriage each year. He filed a resolution – Senate Resolution 101 – urging the Senate committee on youth, women and family relations to inquire into the plight of these women. Citing three websites (www.2bwed.com, www.afilipina.com and www.1mailorderbrides.com), Villar claimed that their practices clearly violate Republic Act 6955, enacted on 13 June 1990. He called on the government to implement legislation prohibiting the violation against Filipino women and look after distressed Filipinas suffering abuse by foreign spouses.
New immigration body to monitor foreigners
The BI has activated a 24-hour National Operations Center at its main office in Intramuros, Manila to monitor immigration-related issues. The center monitors incidents involving foreigners, such as foreign terrorists, activists taking part in local rallies and demonstrations, and foreigners involved in drug trafficking and kidnapping. It will also take part in the arrest, exclusion and offloading of foreigners at airports, implementation of hold-departure orders, and the escape of alien detainees from the BI jail in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Amnesty for overstaying foreigners
The BI is granting amnesty to overstaying foreigners in the country. Irregular migrants would not be arrested if they update their documents and pay the necessary fees. However, this offer only applies to those who have been staying in the country for less than two years. Those who have overstayed for more than two years are encouraged to voluntarily leave the country.
In related news, Libanan announced the relaxed rules on visa extension by extending the period of stay of foreign tourists in the country for up to two years in the country. Several lawmakers criticized the new policy, but Libanan argued that the new policy was formulated after consultations with concerned sectors.
Chinese construction workers arrested
On 16 August, immigration agents arrested 91 Chinese construction workers for working illegally at the construction site of the Fontana Leisure and Development Corp. inside the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. Sixty-three were found working without work permits, while 28 others had permits that did not match their actual work. Pampanga residents asked the BI to investigate two foreign officers of Fontana for allegedly laying off 100 Filipinos and replacing them with irregular Chinese migrants.
The 28 workers holding work permits issued by the Clark Special Economic Zone were released. The Chinese Embassy discussed with BI the possibility of granting the 63 detainees a three-month special work permit.
Human smugglers nabbed
On 25 August, the BI held 15 foreign smugglers arrested by elements of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) during a raid of several warehouses in Tondo, Manila.
Machine-readable passports available
The DFA began issuing machine-readable passports to Filipinos renewing their passports on17 August. The new passports have security features to make them difficult to be forged. Applicants should apply in person for fingerprinting and picture taking. The DFA will keep fingerprints in its computerized biometric database. The old passports will still be issued to Filipinos applying for passports for the first time until 17 September, when all applicants will be issued the new machine-readable passports. The DFA plans to have the new passports available in all its 87 diplomatic posts and regional consular offices across the country by June or the third quarter of 2008.
Sources: Luis Gorgonio, "Migrant workers gear up for international alliance," GMANews.TV, 16 August 2007; Mark J. Ubalde, "Firm waives placement fees for Aussie-bound OFWs," GMANews.TV, 16 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Australian employers offer to subsidize deployment of OFWs," Inquirer, 16 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Senate to probe case of OFW's rape on video," Inquirer, 16 August 2007; "Miriam seeks probe of rising cases of rape of OFWs," GMANews.TV, 16 August 2007; "Remittances gain 185 at $5.96 B," Manila Bulletin, 16 August 2007; "Fixing forex not viable, pay debts instead – economist," GMANews.TV, 16 August 2007; Jose Rodel Clapano, "3,000 Pinoys teaching English in Thailand," Philstar, 17 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "US demand for Filipino nurses declining – educator," GMANews.TV, 17 August 2007; Mark J. Ubalde, "Filipino teachers leaving in droves to the US," GMANews.TV, 17 August 2007; AP, "91 Chinese caught working illegally in RP to be deported," Inquirer, 17 August 2007; "Brion: Filipinos need not be forced to go to Iraq," GMANews.TV, 17 August 2007; "Roxas: Prosecute recruiters who sent OFWs to Iraq," GMANews.TV, 17 August 2007; "DFA: 17 of 49 death cases involving OFWs commuted," GMANews.TV, 17 August 2007; Dennis Carcamo, "Chinese workers in Clark to be deported," Manila Standard Today, 18 August 2007; Francis Earl A. Cueto, "Machine-readable passports out," The Manila Times, 18 August 2007; Gloria E. Melencio, "OFW program launched to prevent rags-to-riches-to-rags phenomenon," Arab News, 18 August 2007; Gloria Esguerra Melencio, "Filipino migrant women remit earnings home more than the men do: study," Arab News, 19 August 2007; AP, "Filipinos deny coercion over job with Iraq contractor," Gulf News, 18 August 2007; "DFA official clears US of 'smuggling'," Manila Bulletin, 18 August 2007; "Jinggoy wants gov't to build hospital for OFWs," GMANews.TV, 18 August 2007; "89 aliens arrested by immigration agents in Clark," Manila Bulletin, 18 August 2007; Raymund Antonio, "OFWs to be given extension in UK," Manila Bulletin, 19 August 2007; William B. Depasupil, "Immigration operations center formed," The Manila Times, 19 August 2007; AP, "Authorities arrest 91 Chinese working illegally in Philippines," Etaiwan News, 19 August 2007; "Senate resolution seeks investigation on Sentosa," GMANews.TV, 19 August 2007; "Report: US deporting more Filipinos," GMANews.TV, 19 August 2007; Jerome Aning, "DoLE reviews ban of OFW in Iraq," Inquirer, 20 August 2007; Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., "Senate to probe nurses' recruiter," Inquirer, 20 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Advocates of fixed forex rate seek meet with Arroyo," GMANews.TV, 20 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Medical tourism can keep doctors, nurses in RP – DoH director," GMANews.TV, 20 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "RP to set up labor office in Sydney – official," Inquirer, 20 August 2007; AP, "100 Filipino teachers fill hard-to-staff posts in LA," GMANews.TV, 20 August 2007; PNA, "US-based Pinoys set up public library," The Manila Times, 20 August 2007; Joey Aguilar, "Fontana: Not all Chinese workers illegal," The Manila Times, 21 August 2007; Jerome Aning, "Aliens focus of new immigration body," Inquirer, 21 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "POEA board to Polos: accept OFW complaints," GMANews.TV, 21 August 2007; Mayen Jaymalin, "Government mulls lifting of OFW deployment ban to Iraq," Philstar, 21 April 2007; Fidel Jimenez, "Lawyer welcomes Senate probe of 'Sentosa 27' case," GMANews.TV, 21 August 2007; Michael Punongbayan, "Pinoys most deported Asian in US – report," Philstar, 21 August 2007; Michelle V. Remo, "OFW remittances seen remaining healthy," Inquirer, 21 August 2007; Majah Moralde, "95 OFWs due in Manila from Iraq," ABS-CBN, 21 August 2007; "Labor offices abroad directed to receive complaints on violations of overseas employment," Department of Labor Employment, 21 August 2007; "More jobs for Pinoys as UK launches points rule," ABS-CBN, 21 August 2007; Cheryl Arcibal, "I-remit partners with Malaysian firm to serve OFWs," GMANews.TV, 22 August 2007; Dennis Carcamo, "Immigration to press probe of 91 Clark employees," Manila Standard Today, 22 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Drop in DH deployment is 'positive trend' – TUCP," GMANews.TV, 22 August 2007; Mayen Jaymalin, "POEA allows online recruitment," ABS-CBN, 22 August 2007; Michael Punongbayan, "Pinoys most deported Asian in US – report," ABS-CBN, 22 August 2007; Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, "Delay in JPEPA signing affects deployment of nurses to Japan," Philstar, 22 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Nurses in illegal recruitment case in New York face inquest," Inquirer, 22 August 2007; "Rigid process renders Jpepa benefits for RP nurses illusory – Cayetano," GMANews.TV, 22 August 2007; "US couple who slaved Pinay pleads guilty to trafficking, forced labor," GMANews.TV, 22 August 2007; Only licensed agencies allowed to conduct Internet-based recruitment," News Release 122-2007, Department of Labor and Employment, 22 August 2007; Lenn Almadin-Thornhill, "Pinoy deported for making fake US passports," ABS-CBN, 23 August 2007; Raymund Antonio, "Nurses take NCLEX for US jobs starting today," Manila Bulletin, 23 August 2007; Maricel E. Burgonio, "Remittance company to expand to Malaysia," The Manila Times, 23 August 2007; Gigi M. David, "Human trafficking rampant, mission says," Manila Standard Today, 23 August 2007; William Depasupil, "Labor OK's online job hiring," The Manila Times, 23 August 2007; Nikko Dizon, "US demand for nurses to remain high in next decade – official," Inquirer, 23 August 2007; Lee Ann P. Ducusin, "Big drop in deployment of maid welcomed," Journal Online, 23 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Romulo seeks stronger cooperation on migration," GMANews.TV, 23 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Rep. Beltran warns against online recruitment," GMANews.TV, 23 August 2007; Komfie Manalo, "25 pct. Of global human trafficking victims are Filipinos," All Headline News, 23 August 2007; Gloria Esguerra Melencio, "Victims offered jobs as reward for pursuing cases against illegal recruiters," Arab News, 23 August 2007; Linda Stein, "Woman admits to keeping nanny captive at home," NJ.com, 23 August 2006; Veronica Uy, "Faster visa processing seen with new RP passport," Inquirer, 23 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Body of beheaded OFW can't be brought back from Saudi – DFA," Inquirer, 23 August 2007; "OFWs in Milan take up basic computer course," GMANews.TV, 23 August 2007; "Filipino IT engineers flocking to Singapore," channelnewsasia.com, 23 August 2007; Geoffrey Bew, "Rogue agencies clamp planned," Gulf Daily News, 24 August 2007; Titus Filio, "Manila wage rule for housemaids to stay," Bahrain Tribune, 24 August 2007; Rendy Isip, "Clark welcomes probe of 92 Sino workers," Manila Standard Today, 24 August 2007; AP, "Pinay held for 2 yrs in New Jersey by consul's in-law," GMANews.TV, 24 August 2007; AP, "Filipina spends two years in servitude," Bahrain Tribune, 24 August 2007; "23 Chinese workers released in the Philippines," China Daily, 24 August 2007; "Immigration releases 28 Chinese in Philippines," china.org.cn, 24 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Banker says fixed forex rate for OFWs is doable," GMANews.TV, 25 August 2007; Amita Legaspi, "RP consul clears name in maid's New Jersey case," GMANews.TV, 25 August 2007; Francis Earl Cueto, "Turkish court clears 5 Filipino seamen," The Manila Times, 27 August 2007; "Reward sought for informers on human trafficking," Manila Bulletin, 27 August 2007; "Tougher measures eyed vs Iraq-bound Filipinos," GMANews.TV, 27 August 2007; "Manila takes steps to prevent illegal online recruitment," Gulf News, 27 August 2007; "Turkish court clears Pinoy captain, 4 crew in drug case," GMANews.TV, 25 August 2007;
Lenn Almadin-Thornhill, "Filipino diplomat linked to trafficking case in NJ," ABC-CBN, 28 August 2007; Raquel Bernal-Crisostomo, "Belgium approves dual citizenship," ABS-CBN, 28 August 2007; Julie Javellana-Santos, "Abused maid rescued in Taif," Arab News, 28 August 2007; Mayen Jaymalin, "Over 50,000 foreign jobs lost due to new hiring policy of government," Philstar, 28 August 2007; Mayen Jaymalin, "Pinoy entertainers abroad a vanishing breed?" Philstar, 28 August 2007; Edu Punay, "BI offers amnesty to overstaying aliens," Philstar, 28 August 2007; Mark J. Ubalde, "Villar: What's the real score on Pinoy's job prospects under Jpepa?" GMANews.TV, 28 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Caregivers in Japan earn lower than in US, UK," Inquirer, 28 August 2007; Ricky Velasco, "Chief nurse urges docs to stay in RP," ABS-CBN, 28 August 2007; "Fewer household workers deployed abroad," Manila Bulletin, 28 August 2007; "Raped Pinay helper in Jeddah rescued," ABS-CBN, 28 August 2007; Raquel Bernal-Crisostomo, "Belgium approves dual citizenship," ABS-CBN, 29 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Priest seeks clearcut rules in hiring Filipinos in Ireland," GMANews.TV, 29 August 2007; Tetch Torres, "Immigration intensifies anti-human trafficking campaign," Inquirer, 29 August 2007; "NBI arrests woman offering fake jobs in Australia," GMANews.TV, 29 August 2007; "Consul cleared of trafficking; moved to Turkey," GMANews.TV, 29 August 2007; "Labor group praises BI for protecting workers," Manila Bulletin, 29 August 2007; Jerome Aning, "RP, Japan discuss easing limits on Filipino entertainers," Inquirer, 30 August 2007; Jerome Aning, "RP deploying more skilled workers abroad, says DoLE," Inquirer, 30 August 2007; William B. Depasupil, "BI moves anew vs human trafficking," The Manila Times, 30 August 2007; Jun Ramirez, "BI detains suspected smugglers," Manila Bulletin, 30 August 2007; Mark J. Ubalde, "Villar seeks inquiry on Filipino mail-order brides," GMANews.TV, 30 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "Filipino seafarer dies in ship mishap off South Africa," Inquirer, 30 August 2007; Veronica Uy, "RP banks vow special remittance system for OFWs," Inquirer, 31 August 2007; "Pinoy carers in UK continue fight vs new visa policy," GMANews.TV, 30 August 2007; "India follows RP's 'supermaid' initiative – Brion," GMANews.TV, 30 August 2007; "Pinoy seaman dies, 9 rescued off South African coast," GMANews.TV, 30 August 2007; "3 Pinoys hurt in freak accident at Cyprus airport," GMANews.TV, 30 August 2007; "In support of OFW reintegration RP banks to develop special remittance system for OFWs," News Release 126-2007, 31 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Fixed forex rate petitioners turn to Kabayan for help," GMANews.TV, 31 August 2007; Luis Gorgonio, "Added course for seamen is unjustified – Pimentel," GMANews.TV, 31 August 2007