Experts from 10 East Asian and 15 European Union nations plus other concerned sectors will hold a conference in London beginning 6 October to combat child prostitution in Asia. More than a half million minors are estimated to be involved in a trade catering to "sex tourists". Britain and the Philippines at the Asem meeting in April initiated the meeting. The End Child Prostitution Pornography Trafficking campaign (Ecpat) said that while it welcomed Asem’s rile in fighting child abuse, more resources are needed to the effort. Ecpat has estimated that there are 200,000 children lured or forced into prostitution in Thailand, many smuggled in from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and from China’s Yunnan province. According to Unicef, in Cambodia, a third of prostitutes are aged 17 or below and some are just 10-12, while the Philippines has 60,000-100,000 sex workers.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party failed to win a single seat in Australia’s general elections (3 October). Hanson herself was not reelected as an MP, let alone other candidates of her party. Several reasons explain her party’s failure: her policies on national issues were simplistic and flimsy, the 11 members of One Party who won a seat in the Queensland Senate were not able to initiate any major policy or legislation, the major parties campaigning against Hanson pointed out that Australia needs Asia (tourism, trade and business) and Hanson’s policies would affect Australia’s relations with Asia, Australia has become a multi-cultural society and this cannot be reversed, and lastly, younger Australians support the multi-cultural society. Although the great majority of Australians rejected One Party’s racist policies, the one million who supported One Party is an indication that racism continues to be a worrying issue for Australia.

Sources: Manjit Bhatia, "Hanson under siege", Bangkok Post, 1 October 1998; "Talks target child prostitution", Hong Kong Standard, 5 October 1998; Harun ur Rashid, "Australians bury ‘racist’ party at the polls", The Daily Star, 9 October 1998

Ye Hong, 32, a Chinese doctor who claims she will be persecuted because of her opposition to the government’s one-child policy failed to win refugee status in Australia. She claimed she had been detained for two months after complaining in writing in 1992 about the one-child policy to the Women’s Association of Chine, the Red Cross and the vice-health minister in her provincial city. After coming to Australia in 1996 intending to marry, she sent a written article criticizing the Chinese article, back to China. In his judgment on 2 October, Justice Brian Tamberlin of the Federal Court said the tribunal found contradictions in Ms. Ye’s evidence. The tribunal was not satisfied that her difficulties with the Chinese authorities constituted persecution within the meaning of the international convention on refugees.

Source: "Court rejects plea for refugee status", Hong Kong Standard, 3 October 1998

Nearly 100 foreign domestic helpers joined a rally organized by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions to protest the recent trend of cutting workers’ pay and laying off staff. The proposal by Provisional Urban Council member Jennifer Chow to cut foreign domestic workers’ wages by 20 percent angered the 178,000 foreign maids in Hong Kong. The Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers Association further suggested a 35 percent pay cut for the workers. Ms. Chow said her proposal was "more sensible and reasonable" based on the 20 percent decline in household incomes at this time. The Asian Migrant Co-ordinating Body (AMCB), an alliance of migrant organizations from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, said it would oppose any attack on the domestic helpers’ wages. The group said that agreeing to salary cuts to avoid unemployment was like yielding to blackmail. The Labour Department warned employers not to pay their foreign maids less than the government-set level of HK$3,860 a month. The department has received 52 complaints between July and September on underpayment, non-payment and reduction of wages, which is not much different from the number of complaints (53) in the same period in 1997. Employers who underpaid their staff could face a fine of HK$200,000 and imprisonment for one year. Employment agencies which negotiate for less than the minimum monthly wages were also warned. Cynthia Tellez of the Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers said they have received 587 new complaints in the past six months, of which 49 percent involved salary deduction. In general, it would seem that the worker abuse in increasing. According to the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), the number of complaints of exploitation the FTU receives each month has increased by 20 percent, mostly involving wage cuts and unpaid overtime work.

Unions opposed to foreign labor scheme

A spokesperson for the Education and Manpower Bureau said the government had completed the review of the suspended Supplementary Labour Scheme and had concluded it should continue to operate as is, pending an annual review. Trade unions continue to oppose the scheme, particularly when the job rate in August reached a 15-year high of 5 percent. It is expected to rise further to 7-9 percent because of the economic crisis. Prof. Lau Siu-kai of the Chinese University’s sociology department said that Mr. Tung understands the feelings of local workers, but he has to consider long-term benefits. Further, he said that while unemployment is high, there is labor shortage in some industries.

New immigration chief Ambrose Lee unveiled the department’s priorities. On top of the list is to increase the quota of mainland tourists. The number of mainland tourists in August was more than 40,000, double last year’s figure. The tourist quota was boosted by 30 percent in June. The number of one-way permits issued has stayed about 130 per day this year, against a 150 cap. He said there was no plan to reduce the quota in the current economic situation. Another priority task will be to push for a visa-free entry for SAR passport holders, especially in European Community countries and spouses of local residents. The department will also explore easing the flow at major immigration checkpoints. These initiatives would have to struggle with tight resources in the coming years.

Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the bureau would review a proposal by a legislator to allow ore professional workers from the mainland to enter Hong Kong. This means the government would need to introduce another separate system from the one-way permit scheme to allow Hong Kong to select mainlanders with relevant qualifications that would be beneficial to the SAR. Currently most mainlanders migrate to Hong Kong on a one-way permit that gives priority to those who relatives or spouses in Hong Kong. Of the daily quota of 150, 134 are taken on average, and the remaining 16 could be used to allow the entry of needed skilled mainlanders. Mrs. Ip mentioned that illegal migration from the mainland fell to 8,644 in the first eight months of 1998, a drop of 29 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sources: "Maids join HK rally against pay cuts", Hong Kong Standard, 2 October 1998; Tessi Cruz, "Angry maids vow to fight wage cut ‘blackmail’", Hong Kong Standard, 5 October 1998; Lucia Palpal-latoc, "Unions oppose influx of foreign workers into SAR despite job crisis", Hong Kong Standard, 7 October 1998; "Plan may let in skilled mainlanders", Hong Kong Standard, 10 October 1998; "Worker exploitation on rise as downturn bites", Hong Kong Standard, 10 October 1998’ Simon Ng, "Immigration plans to tighten belt", Hong Kong Standard, 15 October 1998

Japan

Justice Minister Shozaburo Nakamura announced a set of changes to immigration policies; these are part of the country’s administrative streamlining. One change is the extension of the re-entry period which will affect some 82,000 nonspecial permanent residents and about 857,000 nonpermanent residents. Another change is in response to the number of visitors from Australia. He pointed out that Japanese can go to Australia with no visa if their stay does not exceed three months while visas are required for Australian short-term visitors who come to Japan. The Justice Ministry agreed with the Foreign Ministry to waive the visa requirement for Australians.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will offer counseling services for foreigners on everyday life problems in October and November. Counseling for foreigners will cover such topics as status of residence, housing, marriage, education, medical and health care systems and labor issues.

Sources: "Tokyo offers counseling for foreigners", The Japan Times, 9 October 1998; "Immigration to ease rules on re-entry permits, Australians", The Japan Times, 15 October 1998

According to the Justice Ministry, there were 147,000 foreigners illegally staying in Korea as of the end of 1997, about 38 percent of the 386,000 foreigners in the country at the time. The ministry plans to intensify entry checks at seaports and airports to prevent further illegal influx. For the third time, the ministry is offering an amnesty for illegal foreign workers to return home voluntarily. Those who leave between 15 and 30 October will be exempted from paying a fine for their unlawful stay in Korea. A total of 61,686 foreign workers left the country under the first two programs. Some 94,000 illegals are still in Korea. After 30 October, police will conduct a massive crackdown on illegal foreign workers. Errant foreign workers and their employers face severe punishments. The law provides that illegal foreign workers are subject to a fine not to exceed 10 million own or to a prison term of not less than three years.

In his visit to Japan, Pres. Kim Dae-jung told Korean residents in Japan that his administration fully backs a move to allow them to get voting rights in local elections and to hold posts in local government offices. It is not yet clear whether the Japanese government will consider these proposals. Aside from Tokyo, he also stopped in Osaka, where he reiterated his support to promote the rights of ethnic Korean residents in Japan. He thanked them for their support since the economic crisis erupted last year. There are more than 600,000 ethnic Koreans in Japan. There are 670,000 Korean residents in Japan, about 320,000 live in the Kansai region, 180,000 of whom live in Osaka prefecture.

Sources: "Kim advocates voting rights for ethnic Korean residents in Japan", Korea Times, 7 October 1998; "New leniency set for illegal foreign workers", Korea Times, 8 October 1998; "Kim vows to up rights of Koreans in Japan", 9 October 1998; "President Kim greets fellow Koreans in Kansai", The Japan Times, 9 October 1998; "Illegal foreign stayers here number 147,000", Korea Times, 14 October 1998

Taiwan announced a new rule that will allow 2,400 of the Chinese spouses to immigrate to Taiwan each year, up from the current 1,800. With nearly 20,000 in line to receive residency permits, those who begin to apply now will have to wait at least eight years before they can obtain residency rights. Marriages between people on the two sides have become common since Taiwanese began visiting and investing in China in the late 1980s. The Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament, is expected to approve the new quota this year.

Another goodwill gesture is Taiwan’s repatriation of 218 illegal mainland Chinese immigrants. Political analysts said the move was made possible only after Beijing agreed to accept the immigrants in what was seen as a goodwill gesture ahead of meetings between Mr. Koo Chen-fu, chairman of the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation, and Chinese leaders, including President Jiang Zemin.

Sources: "Taiwan relaxes immigration rules", The Star, 7 October 1998; "Taipei repatriates Chinese ‘aliens’", The Straits Times, 12 October 1998

The General Directorate of Immigration and Passports had, in the past three months, deported 845 illegal foreign workers for violating immigration and residence regulations. The Directorate had deported 7999 while the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs deported 46.

Source: "845 illegal workers deported", Bahrain Tribune, 7 October 1998

"Refugee Week"

The UNHCR mission in Kuwait will organize a "Refugee Week" on 17-22 October to raise awareness of the global refugee problem. The UNHCR mission chief, Martin J. Loftus, said the week will feature a photo exhibition titled "Bosnia: from war to peace"; two panel discussions will also be organized. Mr. Loftus thanked the Kuwaiti government for their contribution of $200,000 to the UNHCR and he hope these contributions will continue. The UNHCR started operations in Kuwait soon after the outbreak of the Gulf war. During the last five years, the UNHCR has resettled some 500 people from Kuwait; mostly Iraqis who feared returning home.

Source: "UNHCR mission to organise ‘Refugee week’ in Kuwait", Kuwait Times, 10 October 1998

United Arab Emirates (see Indonesia)

Employers have been advised not to give false information in labor contracts to help their employees obtain residence visas for their families, otherwise they will face legal action. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has apprehended several employers who inflated their employees’ monthly salary in order to meet the requirements for family visa. As per law, only those with a monthly income of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 and accommodation are entitled to family residence visa. Employers who "helped" their employees have ended up in labor disputes with their employees who tried to blackmail them. In some cases, the employee after termination of contract or upon termination would claim full gratuity as per Labour Law. Thus, employers may end up paying the entitlements or proving that it was false information and still face legal action.

The Bangladeshi consulate won an appeal to allow four Bangladeshi garment factory workers who were jailed for overstaying their visas for more than a year to waive the fines because of their unusual circumstances. The consulate will repatriate them. The workers were among the 65 workers from Eastern Garments whose visas were not renewed by their Pakistani employer who had left the country. The workers – from Bangladesh (38), India (6), Pakistan (11) and Nepal (10) – have not been paid for periods ranging from five months to a year. The other workers whose visas are still valid were permitted to find jobs until a final verdict is delivered on the salary dispute.

Sources: Muawia E. Ibrahim, "Employers advised against giving false information", Khaleej Times, 15 October 1998

Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad chaired a Cabinet Committee meting to discuss the employment of Bangladeshis in foreign countries. Overseas workers remitted about Tk3533.47 crore in the first six months of 1998. Earnings from manpower export in 1997 stood at Tk6709.15 crore. A total of 166,446 people were sent abroad through official channels. The government aim to send 202,900 workers in 1998. Among the decisions reached at the meeting are lifting the blanket ban on the export of women workers, except housemaids, including to the Middle East and requiring a minimum salary of at least 300 Saudi riyal for Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia. The meeting also discussed market development and a national policy on manpower export. The Ministry of Labour and Employment will prepare a policy paper on employment abroad which will be discussed in the next meeting.

A study revealed that 2,600 children, mostly girls, have been reported lost or suspected to be victims of human trafficking in the last seven years. According to the Dhaka-based Centre for Women and Children Studies, 96 percent (2,504) of the total children lost during the period were girls. Only 228 were rescued from kidnappers. Police said some 15,000 women and children are smuggled out of Bangladesh every year. Most of them end up brothels or in virtual slavery as domestic workers in India, Pakistan and in the Middle East, where young boys have been reportedly used as camel jockeys. The common routes for smuggling children are Bangladesh’s southwestern Bagerhat area to India’s western states or cities like Punjab or Bangalore, also the launching points for Middle East destinations.

Recently, Bangladesh police rescued 21 Myanmar children and arrested eight people for trying to smuggle them abroad. (Another report said 42 Myanmar women and children were rescued in separate raids and 14 were arrested for trying to smuggle them to the Middle East.) Police and local officials said that children of Rohingyas, Myanmar Moslems who fled to Bangladesh in 1992 (some 21,000 still remain in Bangladesh), often fall prey to traffickers.

An editorial noted that government efforts to attack human trafficking are uncoordinated, unlike the organized and networked activities of traffickers. Regional cooperation is also needed, as belatedly recognized by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders in its last summit. Poverty is the main reason behind trafficking. As long as there is rural poverty, human trafficking will always be there.

Sources: "Expat Bangladeshis remit Tk3533 cr in 6 months", The Daily Star, 5 October 1998; "Bangladesh police rescue 21 Myanmar children", Daily News, 6 October 1998; "2,600 Bangladeshi girl children missing in 7 years: report", Daily News, 7 October 1998; "Human trafficking" (Editorial), The Daily Star, 10 October 1998

Rumors about new resettlement opportunities in western countries drove thousands of Afghan refugees to besiege UNHCR offices in Islamabad and Peshawar in the past few weeks. The UNHCR has since received about 10,000 applications. UNHCR’s representative in Pakistan, Jacques Mouchet, clarified that there is no new resettlement program to western countries and appealed to Afghans not to come to their offices because they will only be disappointed.

The Federal Investigation Agency in Karachi arrested two brothers involved in arranging forged documents (including those issued by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice), and over 100 people had so far been sent to the US on such documents. The FIA initiated the probe last month based on information from the US embassy about 19 people "waiting to be slipped to New York most probably on parole documents" at a hotel in Sadar. According to the 19, each of them paid Rs350,000 to Nasir Siddique alias Dr. Malik, for arranging their entry into the US. Further investigation by the FIA uncovered links with other groups and other activities. US authorities had also initiated a probe in New York to find out how the forged parole letters of the INS were got issued. Sources said the racket was charging Rs500,000 to Rs800,000 for sending a person to the US, while a fake parole letter cost them US$4,000.

The deputy of Jamaat-I-Islami, Prof. Khurshid Ahmed, expressed grave concern over reports of torture in police custody of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and a Pakistani Professor, Dr. Munawar Anees, 52, for their alleged involvement in sodomy case. Prof. Khurshid said, "It seems that the Malaysian authorities intend to settle scores with their political rivals by using an overseas Pakistani academician". He urged the government to issue directives to the Pakistani High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to look into the situation of the Pakistani professor and to provide him legal counsel.

Sources: "Plea to save Pakistani doctor in Malaysia", Dawn, 4 October 1998; "UNHCR has no resettlement plan for Afghan DPs", Dawn, 6 October 1998; Tahir Siddiqui, "Human smuggling on forged US papers detected", Dawn, 9 October 1998

Residents of villages north of Trincomalee are being resettled in their villages after three years. Three months back, Security Forces cleared the area to prepare for the return of Sinhalese and Muslim families. LTTE cadres used the coastal belt as a supply route to feed cadres in the operational areas. The security situation in the Trincomalee district is under the control of the army. Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of refugees in the North of the Eastern Province has been halted because of lack of funds.

Sources: Ranil Wijayapala, "Sinhala and Muslim refugees to return home", Daily News, 5 October 1998; "Refugees’ rehabilitation halted due to lack of funds", Sunday Observer, 11 October 1998

Indonesia (see also Malaysia)

Indonesia’s Manpower Department told labor suppliers in Singapore that beginning 1 October, it would stop processing applications of new maids. The three-month suspension is in protest against Singapore agents doubling the sum they deduct from the maids’ wages. Apjati, the Indonesian association that represents 186 maid agencies, said it alerted the Manpower Department that Singapore agents have deducted as much as S$1,800 from the maids over the past five months, compared with about S$800 before. The deductions are done in installments payable in six to eight months. The money covers such costs as insurance, medical check-ups, the agent’s overheads and transport from the airport to the agency. Agents said the increase was partly to make up for the lower fees they charge employers, which are now as low as S$1 or zero, compared with between S$500 and S$1,000 previously. Competition between firms and lower demand due to the economic slowdown are the reasons for the cuts, said Ms. Fiona Ong, president of the 80-member Foreign Maids Employment Agencies. There are some 40,000 Indonesian maids in Singapore; they earn S$230 a month.

Pres. B.J. Habibie’s September 16 decree to remove the distinction between pribumi and non-pribumi, recognizing only one category of Indonesian citizenship, is a welcome change. However, such an important presidential decree has been kept under wraps all these weeks. If the government wants to get the message across, it should hasten the establishment of the proposed Law Reform Team and ensure that it carries out its delayed promised mandate. Changing the law helps, but it should also be reinforced by a thorough education process to persuade people to view the 10 million ethnic Chinese as Indonesians. For a start, Dr. Habibie must punish those who were responsible for the recent violence; otherwise the minority will remain uneasy and insecure. Thailand is an example to be followed where the ethnic Chinese are very much a part of the national scene.

Several activists helping rape victims or those investigating the cases have complained about receiving death threats. When 18-year old counselor Martadinata Haryono was stabbed to death in her home, some human rights groups read the murder as a form of intimidation. Martadinata and her mother both worked for Volunteers for Humanity. She was the first such volunteer to be killed, police said. The family of the victim clarified that Martadinata was not a rape victim in the May riots and her murder was a pure crime. The police had already arrested a common thief who had confessed to the murder. Indonesia’s national police threatened legal action against anyone trying to politicize the murder to attract publicity and revive interest in the May riots.

According to the Indonesian embassy in the UAE, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Indonesians seeking jobs there. Based on embassy records, there were about 3,500 Indonesians in the UAE in 1996, which rose to 4,300 in 1997. As of the end of September, there were around 7,000. Last year housemaids comprised the bulk (87 percent) of the Indonesian work force; now they constitute 80 percent. More Indonesians in the semi-skilled category are working in the UAE.

Sources: "122 Indonesian nurses due to arrive", Gulf News, 2 October 1998; Patrisia Prakarsa, "Young rape victims’ counsellor found murdered in Indonesia", Sunday Observer, 11 October 1998; "Counselor for Indon rape victims killed", The Star, 11 October 1998; Leong Chan Teik, "Recruitment ban on maid suppliers", The Straits Times, 12 October 1998; "Indonesia for Indonesians" (Opinion), The Straits Times, 12 October 1998; "Indon police threaten suit over murder", The Star, 14 October 1998

Malaysia

The Immigration Department will crack down on illegals from 1 November to flush out illegal immigrants who remain in the country when the two-month amnesty program ends on 31 October. Director-general Datuk Aseh Che Mat said 90,254 illegal immigrants were deported from January to 1 October, including 23,614 who surrendered for a special pardon and deportation without action. Of the total deported, Indonesians topped the list (80,930), followed by Bangladeshis (4,215), and Myanmars (1,291). The others included Indians (970), Filipinos (959), Pakistanis (664), Thais (457), Chinese (132), and other nationalities (167). The department is set to deport 4,702 illegal immigrants detained at eight detention camps nationwide. A total of 1,067 Indonesian immigrants were deported on 12 and 13 October. The immigrants were brought from four detention camps: Lenggeng in Negri Sembilan, Macap Umboo in Malacca, Langkap in Perak, and Tanah Merah in Kelantan.

According to Umno information chief Datuk Dr. Yusof Noor, information gathered by his office showed that the demonstrators at the pro-reform movement’s illegal assemblies supporting Anwar Ibrahim were made up largely of foreign workers. Police were asked to investigate who were behind the participation of foreign workers. Information Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Rahmat warned foreign workers to keep out of local politics. He said foreign workers should respect Malaysian laws. He said those caught in anti-government demonstrations would be deported. He proposed a new condition requiring employers to only hire foreign workers genuinely seeking employment and are respectful of Malaysian laws.

Indonesia’s embassy officials have also warned their nationals not to take part in illegal assemblies, protests and demonstrations. Five Indonesian workers were detained because they did not disperse when police told them to. The five claimed they were just observing the demonstration and were not aware of the Malaysian law on illegal gatherings.

The Immigration Department and the police have been conducting various investigations to look into immigration-related offenses. The former has been alerted that the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) might be used by syndicates to smuggle out false passports. This came to the department’s attention when seven people who claimed to be Iraqis were found to be in possession of false passports from Sweden, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands. In Penang, the department has uncovered a syndicate which sells Malaysian birth certificates and identity card (IC) receipts to foreigners who then use the documents to apply for international passports. Three Indian nationals were recently arrested when they tried to apply for Malaysian passports with such documents. The three admitted they paid RM4,000-6,000 each for the documents’ they would be charged under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and/or the Passport Act 1996. In Petaling Jaya, police have launched a statewide operation to flush out foreigners involved in recent gang fights in which two Indonesians were killed and 14 others were injured. One incident involved Indonesians and Pakistanis; the other incident involved Indonesians from Flores vs. those from Madura. The police sought the help of officials from the Pakistani and Indonesian embassies.

International travelers seem to be generally aware of the new foreign exchange control which took effect on 1 October. Effective 1 October, all international travelers regardless of age and nationality entering and leaving Malaysia are required to declare the amount of ringgit up to RM1,000 and foreign currency up to an equivalent of RM10,000. Nonresidents can only bring out up to RM1,000 and foreign currency up to the amount originally brought in. Custom officers have the discretion to approve export of foreign currency up to an equivalent of RM50,000. Immigration officers were tasked to help implement the new regulation by making sure that travelers comply with the requirement. On 1 October, more than 10 travelers, mostly foreigners were caught at the Penang International Airport for violating the currency declaration ruling.

Sources: "All Immigration counters open", The Star, 2 October 1998; "More than 10 people ‘caught’ at Penang airport", The Star, 2 October 1998; V. Chandrasekaran, "Dept to get tough with illegals", The Star, 4 October 1998; "Malaysia will crack down on illegal immigrants", The Daily Star, 4 October 1998; Nelson Benjamin, "Op to nab foreigners involved in gang fights", The Star, 7 October 1998; "’Most demonstrators were foreigners’", The Straits Times, 7 October 1998; N.T. Lau, "Most travellers aware of foreign exchange control", Sarawak Tribune, 9 October 1998; "Stay out of local politics, foreign workers warned", The Star, 13 October 1998; K. Saithuruka, "Steer clear of trouble, embassy tells Indons", The Star, 14 October 1998; "Over 1,000 Indons sent home in operation", The Star, 14 October 1998

Burma (see Thailand)

In his visit to Singapore, Pres. Joseph Estrada delivered a message to the Filipino community to convey "the message and prayers of a grateful nation". He told an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,000 Filipinos at a Suntec City convention hall that they were heroes shouldering the burden of the economic downturn now affecting the country. Pres. Estrada said that remittances by Filipinos abroad were doing more for the country than foreign investments. Remittances – estimated at US$6 billion annually – play a major role in saving the economy.

Sources: Paul Jacob, "Estrada applauds Filipinos overseas", The Straits Times, 12 October 1998; "Filipino turn up in droves for Erap", The Straits Times, 13 October 1998

Singapore (see also Indonesia)

The government said mandatory caning for illegal immigrants and people who aid illegal entry is being applied. Parliament passed tougher measures in September to stop further influx of economic refugees. For the first seven months of 1998, 9,449 illegal immigrants and 5,425 overstayers were arrested, compared with 7,599 and 6,314 in all of 1997. Under the amendments, attempted illegal entry is now punishable by up to six months’ jail and a minimum of three strokes, up from the previous maximum of two years’ jail and a fine of S$4,000 with no caning. The maximum penalty for attempted illegal departure will be six months’ jail and a S$2,000 fine, compared with three months and the same fine before. People who aid illegal entry will receive at least three strokes, plus six to 24 months in jail. Those over 50 – and therefore exempt from caning – will be fined S$10,000, plus six to 24 months in jail. Companies which hire immigration offenders will be fined S$200,000, up from the previous S$100,000.

Concerns about competition from foreign talent was an issue that seemed very much on the minds of students who attended the forum on the five Singapore dilemmas: foreign talent vs. Singaporeans, the old vs. the young, stress vs. drive, globalization vs. rootedness, and consultation vs. quick action. As Rear Adm. Teo explained to the students that it is indeed difficult to convince a local person who lost a job to a foreigner that the foreigner has increased his or her opportunities. But at a macroeconomic level, foreign talent spurs growth and creates jobs because it makes Singapore a more attractive place for companies to do business.

Training for maids

A reader of The Straits Times supports the idea to implement some form of standardized training (2-3 days) for foreign domestic helpers to equip them better for their chores and duties. This will also help alleviate problems by employers and the maids. The training should cover cooking, ethics, etiquette skills, baby and child care and social interaction skills. The government, in cooperation with employers’ associations in Singapore, can implement and supervise the project.

Foreign workers holding work permits will have a new identity card from next year, which will also carry their fingerprints. The new IC will combine three existing documents: the work permit card, the immigration disembarkation and embarkation card, and the visit pass. With the fingerprint on the card, it will be easier for the police and other authorities to identify workers, and more difficult for the cards to be forged. Workers entering Singapore will have their fingerprints recorded before they are issued work permits, while those already in Singapore will need to have it done when they renew their permits. Fingerprinting will start with workers in the construction sector, the largest employers of foreign workers and also accounts for the most cases of illegal employment and work permit forgery. The new ruling was made in response to the increasing numbers of illegal workers and forged permits found.

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Sen told parliament that the ministry has decided not to implement overseas voting for now. Only 3.5 percent of electors were unable to vote as they were abroad, and their small number does not justify having a complicated voting system. Voting at overseas missions is limited by the 26 missions Singapore has. Electronic voting is an option, but verification of the voter is not foolproof and it does not offer hard evidence in the event of a dispute. For now, the ministry is keeping the requirement that a Singaporean must return home to vote as a practical test of his or her links to Singapore. The issue, however, would be reviewed from time to time as the number of overseas Singaporeans rise.

The Trade and Industry Ministry reports that Singaporeans’ overseas spending have been increasing: S$7.2 billion in 1995, S$8.2 billion in 1996, and S$9.1 billion in 1997. Malaysia is the most popular destination for Singaporean tourists, where Singaporean tourists spent about S$2.98 billion in 1997; Indonesia is second, which got S$1.5 billion. On the other hand, the Singapore Tourist Board reports that foreigners are bringing in fewer revenues to Singapore. Foreign tourists spent just S$4.78 billion in Singapore in 1997. The Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry voiced concern that too much was being spent in Malaysia (mostly in Johor Baru) to the detriment of local retailers, especially Malay/Muslim ones. The recent bilateral row with Malaysia seems to have resulted in a dip in the number of Singaporeans heading for Malaysia.

Sources: "Foreigners beneficial to Singapore", The Straits Times, 2 October 1998; Walter Fernandez, "S’poreans foreign spending up", The Straits Times, 5 October 1998; "Implement some form of training stint for new maids" (Letters), The Straits Times, 6 October 1998; "Illegal immigrant caning laws in operation", South China Morning Post, 6 October 1998; Leslie Koh, "Foreign workers to get new identity cards", The Straits Times, 14 October 1998; Leslie Koh, "Overseas voting ruled out for now", The Straits Times, 14 October 1998

Immigration Bureau commissioner Chidchai Wannasathit said the office has deported 270,019 illegal foreign workers, arrested 34 people for smuggling foreigners into the country, and arrested 111 persons for housing illegal foreign workers since January. Another report cites that between January and August this year, a total of 260,825 illegal workers were sent home, including 212,822 Burmese, 6,824 Laotians and 35,383 Cambodians. The bureau has also established a unit to suppress international crimes, particularly forgery of immigration documents, the flesh trade and mafia-type activities. Since January, suspects engaging in such crimes were mostly Chinese.

Under the Labour Ministry’s policy to push foreigners back home, the employment of foreign labor will be allowed only in six industries. Labour Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri said that a sub-committee to solve the problem of foreign labor agreed not to allow more alien employment after it had permitted fisheries operators in 22 provinces, swine raisers in 11 provinces, rice millers in 33 provinces, rubber growers in 12 provinces, and shippers in Bangkok to continue hiring foreign workers for another year. Henceforth, the Labour Ministry will no longer support the use of foreign workers and will not renew work permits for foreigners which due to expire next month. As this developed, entrepreneurs from 25 businesses nationwide reportedly submitted their requests for alien employment to the committee for consideration.

Visa-free travel between Vietnam and Thailand was to have been one of three agreements to be signed during the three-day visit to Thailand of Vietnam President Tran Duc Luong. However, Vietnam has reservations about a clause Thailand added, which calls for the two countries to take back nationals who overstay their 30-day visa-free welcome. Thailand’s proposal has to be seen in the light of its open door to half a million Indochinese since the communist takeover in 1975 in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Many were eventually resettled, but many remained in Thailand through the late 1980s, and to this day. Hanoi’s reservation, on the other hand, has to do with having to take back Vietnamese who fled the communist takeover, and have since found new homes in the west. Thailand proposed for the two countries to "cooperate" in ensuring the return of overseas Vietnamese to their current countries of residence, but this was not enough. Overseas Vietnamese in northeastern Thailand have expressed mixed feelings about the proposed provision. Those who already hold Thai citizenship are happy while those still to be granted Thai citizenship feared they would not be allowed to return to Thailand. Those who do not have Thai nationality or do not hold an alien card would risk losing their right to live in Thailand if they travel outside the 13 designated provinces without prior permission from provincial authorities. Vietnam was the one who put forward the idea of allowing visa-free travel for their citizens way back n November 1995. Visa requirements were waived for government officials and diplomats in 1997. The waiver for ordinary citizens would have been Hanoi’s first such agreement with a fellow member of the ASEAN. The tow agreements that will be signed pertain to cooperation in judicial and legal affairs and on the suppression of narcotics.

From 1 October, Thailand’s 80 missions abroad will be operating under the "Team Thailand" approach to reduce work duplication and increase efficiency. The approach brings together all agencies abroad under the same umbrella to be led by 50 ambassadors and 30 consuls-general in each country, said Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan. The agencies currently operating in foreign missions include the military, commerce, the Board of Investment, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It will take two years to fully reorganize foreign services. The restructuring is part of the ministry’s initiatives last year which called for a reduction of ministry staff in foreign missions. Today, only 229 agencies remain active in foreign countries, compared with 293 offices in 65 countries in the past 10 years.

The US-based Human Rights Watch released a report criticizing Thailand for undermining refugee protection in regards to Burmese asylum seekers. Thailand, according to the report, makes little distinction between refugees and migrants, lacks effective refugee determination procedures, and may be deporting people with a valid claim to refugee status. Thailand’s failure to ratify the 1951 convention is part of the problem and the group urged Thailand to do so. The report also criticized UNHCR for not being able to "challenge" Thai policies. Kobsak Chutikul of the Foreign Ministry rejected these charges, saying Thailand had given shelter to some 99,700 Burmese for some time, and had never forcibly pushed back any refugee. UNHCR said it was regrettable that Human Rights Watch did not check with UNHCR before releasing the report. Among things omitted are recent developments, particularly the Royal Thai Government’s invitation to UNHCR to have an expanded role at the Myanmar border. Mr. Kobsak said Thailand had not ratified the UN convention because it would commit the country to give refugees far reaching rights. Even without ratifying the convention, it is Thailand’s policy to allow refuge to people fleeing from armed conflict.

The Foreign Ministry clarified that they did not receive a letter of protest from Burma over a recent attack by Karen rebels that left two Burmese villagers dead. Instead, a letter signed by Burma’s secretary to the Thai-Burmese town border committee to seek cooperation in from the Thai side in suppressing the Karen National Union. The letter followed an incident on 25 September during which four rounds of heavy artillery, allegedly from Thai soil, were fired at Kok Ko border village in Burma.

Sources: Penchan Charoensuthiphan, "Ministry to allow foreign labour in only 6 industries", Bangkok Post, 2 October 1998; Achara Ashayagachat, "Visa agreement signing axed from tour agenda", Bangkok Post, 5 October 1998; Bhanravee Tansubhapol, "Vietnamese-Thai have mixed reviews about travel home", Bangkok Post, 5 October 1998; "Burma lodged no protest – Ministry", Bangkok Post, 7 October 1998; Bhanravee Tansubhapol, "Bid to improve efficiency of overseas Thai missions", Bangkok Post, 9 October 1998; "UNHCR unhappy over rights report", Bangkok Post, 9 October 1998; Anucha Charoenpo, "Over 270,000 sent home", Bangkok Post, 12 October 1998

Vietnam (see also Thailand)

State firms have been ordered to produce timetables for phasing out the dual-pricing system for locals and foreigners. State companies have long charged foreigners up to five times the prices paid by locals for goods and services. The targeted firms are not that keen to make the change. The change would help the country in line with WTO requirements and future trade agreement with the US.

Source: Ken Stier, "State firms ordered to phase out overcharging of foreigners", South China Morning Post, 14 October 1998