News| Saudi stops hiring of Filipino domestic workers after impasse on contending labor issues

Press Release

30 June 2011

Pres. Aquino’s gigantic task ahead: Jobs creation at home as main labor market shrinks


President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, who will be completing its first year in office today, faces real and maybe its greatest challenge: jobs creation at home and shun away from massive peddling of overseas Filipino workers, said Thursday by an alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said on Thursday that it is imperative for the Aquino govt. to get focus and give more efforts on jobs creation at home rather than banking on sending OFWs abroad as major labor markets are now shrinking primarily because of the worldwide economic crisis that resulted to high rate of unemployment even in the most economically stable countries in the middle east like Saudi Arabia.

Monterona is referring to the announcement made by the Saudi govt. through its ministry of labor, after temporarily suspending the hiring of household service workers (HSWs) otherwise known as domestic workers last March, fixing its decision that it will no longer hire Filipino domestic workers. The labor ministry also said they will hold the issuance of work visa for Indonesian domestic workers.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Labor has been quoted in Arab News report saying: “The Ministry of Labor will stop issuing work visas for domestic workers for the Philippine and Indonesia from Saturday (July 2).”

“This is a huge setback to the PH economy that is too dependent on OFWs remittances. It will also give rise to the already high rate of unemployment with about 11.2-M Filipinos unemployed in the Philippines,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said the Saudi govt. decision to stop hiring Filipino domestic workers is a result of a breakdown on the negotiations between the two countries –more than 3 months impasse on contending labor issues imposed by the Manila govt. such as the minimum monthly wage of US$400, the submission of prospective Saudi employers of the location map of their residence and the opening of bank account by the employer for the hired domestic workers to ensure that latter will be paid of her salary, among others.

Monterona said the Saudi govt. policy ‘stop hiring’ of Filipino domestic workers and the Saudization’s Nitaqat scheme is a ‘double whammy’ to the Philippines which will have a huge impact to the local economy and will affect about 25,000 to 35,000 prospective domestic workers and 360,000 OFWs employed in Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued a statement saying that the Saudi government’s implementation of its labor scheme Saudization has ‘only very minimal impact on prospective OFWs and those already working in Saudi Arabia”, which the migrant group disputed.

“We beg to disagree to the assessment of DoLE Sec. Baldoz on the impact of the Nitaqat system under the Saudization program as we were receiving reports since two weeks ago of jobs terminations, while private companies put a halt on hiring expatriate workers including OFWs here in Saudi Arabia.”

Monterona said the Saudization’s Nitaqat scheme will affect 30% of the 1.2-M which is translated to around 360,000 OFWs employed in Saudi Arabia.

He said recruitment leaders in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia share the same estimate of OFWs to be affected once the Nitaqat will be fully implemented.

 “This will affect across all trades, category or position,” Monterona added.

Monterona also revealed that even Filipino banks executives working in major cities of Saudi also expressed their worries as foreign banks have already cut the numbers of their foreign workers by 1/3 to ½ of their staff.

“I was also informed by Filipino engineers working for a consultancy firm in Dammam, about 18 of their co-workers, including Filipino staff, were terminated which they believed was due to their company’s compliance to the Nitaqat scheme,” Monterona added.

On Saturday, Saudi labor minister Adel Fakeih was quoted in local news paper saying “the labor ministry is working on new rules and regulations aimed at phasing out unskilled foreign workers from the Kingdon and replace them with Saudis.”

“With this announcement, even the unskilled construction, factory and farm workers are not spared on the effect of the Saudi’s Nitaqat system,” Monterona added.

Monterona added: “Certainly, Saudi’s shrinking labor market will be shaken up by its Saudization program which primary aim is to employ about 500,000 jobless Saudis. All migrant-sending governments including the Philippines should ready its safety nets to lessen the impact to migrant workers.”

“It is on this view that we are urging the Aquino govt. through the DoLE and other government agencies not only to expect for the best, but also to prepare for the worst in regards to the impact of Saudization,” Monterona averred.

“We are urging the Aquino govt. to bare its safety nets or a comprehensive plan to lessen the impact of jobs termination or dislocation among OFWs who will be affected by the Saudization,” Monterona added.

He added: “Soon the Aquino govt. would realize that intensified labor exportation is not a long-term and viable economic labor policy. To improve the economy he must seriously implements 

genuine agrarian reform program and starts towards nationalization of PH basic industries as prerequisites in building a strong economic base.”

Saudi Arabia is the over-all no.1 OFWs top destination and no.4 in the deployment of domestic workers since 2003 to 2010.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| DoLE chief asked to reveal safety nets for OFWs to be affected by Saudization instead of downplaying its impact

Press Release

29 June 2011

Reacting to the statement issued by Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that the Saudi government’s implementation of its labor scheme Saudization have ‘only very minimal impact on prospective OFWs and those already working in Saudi Arabia”, a migrant rights group expresses disagreement with the labor secretary.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said: “We beg to disagree on the assessment of DoLE Sec. Baldoz on the impact of the Nitaqat system under the Saudization program as we were receiving reports since two weeks ago of jobs terminations, while private companies put a halt on hiring expatriate workers including OFWs here in Saudi Arabia.”

Monterona said the Saudization’s Nitaqat scheme will affect 30% of the 1.2-M which is translated to around 360,000 OFWs employed in Saudi Arabia.

He said recruitment leaders in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia share the same estimate of OFWs to be affected once the Nitaqat will be fully implemented.

 “This will affect across all trades, category or position,” Monterona added.

Monterona also revealed that even Filipino banks executives working in major cities of Saudi also expressed their worries as foreign banks have already cut the numbers of their foreign workers by 1/3 to ½ of their staff.

“I was also informed by Filipino engineers working for a consultancy firm in Dammam, about 18 of their co-workers, including Filipino staff, were terminated which they believed was due to their company’s compliance to the Nitaqat scheme,” Monterona added.

On Saturday, Saudi labor minister Adel Fakeih was quoted in local news paper saying “the labor ministry is working on new rules and regulations aimed at phasing out unskilled foreign workers from the Kingdon and replace them with Saudis.”

“With this announcement, even the unskilled construction, factory and farm workers are not spared on the effect of the Saudi’s Nitaqat system,” Monterona added.

Monterona added: “Certainly, Saudi’s shrinking labor market will be shaken up by its Saudization program which primary aim is to employ about 500,000 jobless Saudis. All migrant-sending governments including the Philippines should ready its safety nets to lessen the impact to migrant workers.”

“It is on this view that we are urging the Aquino govt. through the DoLE and other government agencies not only to expect for the best, but also to prepare for the worst in regards to the impact of Saudization,” Monterona averred.

“We are urging the Aquino govt. to bare its safety nets or a comprehensive plan to lessen the impact of jobs termination or dislocation among OFWs who will be affected by the Saudization,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| OFW inmate sells pants to pay for rented-mobile-phone calls

Press Release

29 June 2011

“Sir, tulungan nyo ako.. nagbenta lang ako ng pants ko para may pantawag sa inyo,” (Sir, please help me.. I just sold my pants to pay for rented-mobile phone to place a call to you), conveyed by an overseas Filipino worker detained in a jail in Saudi Arabia.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said yesterday, at about 4:15pm, Saudi time, OFW Romeo Mendoza called him in a cracked voice asking for assistance direct from his cell in Dammam Central Jail, Dammam, eastern part of Saudi Arabia.

“It’s a normal day for me to receive calls from OFWs inside their cells in various Saudi jails asking for assistance, some are complaining there is no assistance given to them by the PH embassy alleging they have not been visited by embassy officials, and some would like to get an update on their respective case,” Monterona confirmed.

Monterona said: “Before, I am surprised how our OFW inmates could place a call since I am quite certain mobile phones are prohibited inside the jail, only to knew later that some of the inmates (including other nationalities) and even jail authorities are keeping ‘for rent’ mobile phones inside.”

Monterona said he used to ask the OFW inmate during conversation ‘whose mobile phone he’s using?”; the inmates would usually reply ‘rented eto Sir’.

OFW Mendoza was recruited and deployed by Al-Habib International Services, a Manila-based local recruitment agency, sometime on November 2009. He worked as a truck driver for Al-Thubaiti International Corporation in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

OFW Mendoza and other co-workers and fellow OFWs were arrested by the Saudi police on the charge of theft as alleged. They received a sentence of eight (8) months imprisonment and 75 lashes plus deportation.

“Two months ago, according to OFW Mendoza, they’ve completed their sentence but wondering why they have not been deported; thus he is asking assistance from us to follow his case with the PH embassy,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he called and had spoken with Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, head of the embassy’s assistance to the nationals section regarding the status of OFW Mendoza, et.al.

“The embassy official conveyed that he had already requested for the inmates’ airfare to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, but still awaiting reply and approval,” Monterona revealed.

Meanwhile, Monterona said also received calls from OFWs incarcerated in Al-Tuqba Jail, also in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, asking for assistance.

On a separate text message to Monterona, the OFW inmates claimed that there is no case yet filed against them, but were in jail for 5 months already.

The OFWs are Froilan Amparao, Michael Nahilat, Edwin Sapnu, Erlito Chan, Rodmar Gonzaga, Ramil Antonil, and Renato Lamsin.

“According to them, they were wrongly accused of illegal drugs possession, but maintained their innocence,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he is now interfacing with the PH embassy officials to get update on the status of their case and sort out a course of action to provide assistance to the accused OFWs. (end)

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

News| OFW on death-row appeals to PNoy while criticizing PH post over wrong information, false assurances

Press Release

28 June 2011

OFW on death-row appeals to PNoy while criticizing PH post over wrong information, false assurances

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is on death row in Saudi Arabia asked to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a Filipino migrants rights group, to help convey his appeal to Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III to raise the needed ‘blood money’ in exchange of his freedom while assailing that the Philippine Embassy is “giving him wrong information and false assurances and is ‘sleeping’ on his case.”

Migrante-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona confirms that Don Lanuza, on Monday, sent him text messages expressing his disgust to the PH embassy as the latter alleges that embassy officials are ‘sleeping’ on his case and providing him wrong information and false assurances.

“For info po, kausap ko lang now ang head ng Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC) informing me na wala daw dumalo sa meeting last night from our embassy. Four (4) months na akong napatawad ng aggrieved party on the promised na iaabot ang agreed amount of ‘blood money’,” Lanuza’s text message to Migrante’s Monterona.

In 2000, OFW Lanuza was convicted for killing a Saudi national, which he claimed was an act only to defend his self. Since then, he is incarcerated in Dammam Central jail, Dammam, eastern part of Saudi Arabia.

In 2003, the family of the aggrieved party issued an ‘affidavit of desistance’, which means they will issue ‘forgiveness’ to Lanuza in exchange of undisclosed amount of diyya or ‘blood money’, but this arraignment initially failed for unknown reason.

“OFW Lanuza informed me that sometime in February this year, the Saudi Reconciliation committee arranged a meeting with the family of the aggrieved party which was attended by PH embassy officials. During the said meeting, the aggrieved party agreed to issue ‘forgiveness’ to OFW Lanuza providing the diyya (blood money) will be produce in two months time,” Monterona added after speaking with Lanuza over the phone.

Lanuza, speaking to Monterona, added: “Nangako din ang embassy sa SRC na within two months maiaabot nila ang ‘blood money’ to the aggrieved party pero 4 months na po ang nakalipas walang pang ginagawa ang embassy to help me raised the amount for blood money.”

“OFW Lanuza expressed serious worries that the aggrieved party may suddenly change their mind as the agreed date to provide the ‘blood money’ already lapsed; thus he is pleading for assistance from the PH government through the DFA,” Monterona added.

Monterona disclosed that he got a chance to talk with an official of the SRC yesterday.

“The SRC official told me that it took them 6 years to get the nod of the aggrieved family to issue ‘forgiveness’ in exchange of a diyya. He urged the PH govt. to help OFW Lanuza raised the amount as time is ticking fast,” he continued.

Monterona asked Pres. Aquino III to provide assistance to OFW Lanuza and other OFWs in Saudi death-row.

“The President should take this opportunity to prove his critics wrong -that he is attending OFWs issues and concerns -and he is providing assistance to our OFWs especially distress, run away, and jailed,” Monterona averred.

“We call on Pres. Aquino to instruct the DFA and other concerned government agencies to attend and get serious on its efforts to save the life of OFW Lanuza and others on death row,” Monterona added.

On Sunday, Migrante-Middle East gave a failing grade to Pres. Aquino for his ‘unsatisfactory’ performance on his first year in office. The President assumed the presidency on June 30 last year.

"We are giving him a failing grade of 65 percent, 10 points below the 75-percent passing grade. During his inaugural address, PNoy made a marching order to all concerned government agencies to attend on various OFWs issues and concerns that fell short on the deaf ears of his officials. After that, we never heard of any orders and actions from him improving the plight of our OFWs and their dependents,” Migrante-ME declared.

Monterona said he appreciates the President reaction to their criticism. “These are constructive criticisms, not to assail him personally,” he said.

“If the President himself could claim that the DFA, embassy and labor officials abroad are not performing well and miserably failed to do their job and meet the expectations of the OFWs communities and groups, then he should not think twice to fire these inept officials,” Monterona suggested.

Meanwhile, the OFWs communities in Saudi Arabia and around the world have initiated a fund-raising campaign to help OFW Don Lanuza raise the needed amount for the ‘blood money’.

“On their own little way, OFWs groups and communities are now raising funds for the blood money of OFW Don Lanuza. We would like the Aquino govt. do its share,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

POEA clarifies new exit clearance procedure; group welcomes clarification with a piece of advice

Press Release

27 June 2011

After receiving stern criticisms from overseas Filipino workers and Migrante-Middle East, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued Monday a clarification on the revised procedures in the processing of Balik-Mangagawa (BM) or returning OFWs.

Signed by POEA administrator, Advisory No. 31 clarified that the “new two-phase procedure merely provides options to returning workers to manage their time better instead of waiting for hours for the release of their documents”.

The new procedures for processing Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is made an option due to the big volume of BM applicants queuing at the BM Processing center at the POEA Main offices, averaging 1,500 – 1,600 daily on regular days and 2,500 to 3,000 on peak seasons, such as Christmas holidays and school graduations, according to POEA chief Carlos Cao.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, welcomes the clarification made by the POEA.

“We have raised our criticism against the new procedure based on valid and reasonable grounds –that the two-phase OEC procedures will only be an added burden to vacationing and returning OFWs. By raising our criticism, we expect POEA to clarify the matter,” Monterona added.

Monterona said that it is better to be vigilant than be passive as concerned government agencies did not even bother to consult OFWs stakeholders in formulating policies and procedures detrimental to OFWs welfare.

“If the plan or policy is implemented without consulting and hearing the side of OFWs, then we could only expect it to draw flak from the affected sector such as this new two-phase procedure in getting an OEC when it was first issued via POEA Advisory No.30, Series of 2011,” Monterona averred.

Monterona explained this situation warrants a genuine OFWs representation in the POEA board and other decision-making bodies of concerned government agencies.

“Though there are appointed OFWs representative or member of the Board in POEA and OWWA, they were appointed by the President on the basis of its political affiliation or color; the OFWs sector is not given the hand to select their own representatives,” Monterona added.

Monterona conveys an unsolicited piece of advice to POEA chief Cao: “Hear us, OFWs and their leaders, and openly communicate with  us in terms of policy-formulation to help ease OFWs deplorable plight.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

News| Year one in the Presidency: Migrant group gives P-Noy failing grade

Press Release

26 June 2011

Year one in the Presidency: Migrant group gives P-Noy failing grade

Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of progressive Filipino migrants’ groups in the Middle East, today gives President Benigno Simeon Aquino III a failing grade in his 1^st year in the Presidency after assuming the top post in the government on June 30 last year.

“After a thorough consultation and deliberation and assessment on what the Aquino presidency had done so far after a year, We, member-organizations of Migrante in the Middle East, declare that he failed to deliver what he had promised during presidential campaigns and policy pronouncements during his inaugural and public speeches. Thus, we are giving him a failing grade of 65%, 10% point below the 75% passing grade,” declared by John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said his group’s parameters in assessing the performance of President is based on what it promised to do, in the absence of a concrete plan for OFWs, and what it actually had done during his first year in the Presidency.

“During his inaugural address, P-Noy made a marching order to all concerned government agencies to attend on various OFWs issues and concerns that fell short on the deaf ears of his officials; after that we never heard any orders and actions improving the plight of our OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona added.

Monterona added the OFWs and their families have seen from the Aquino III govt. were the following:

-       Patent criminal neglect and dilly-dally in repatriating and providing assistance to OFWs in war-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa such as in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yeman, and Syria.

The Aquino govt. had been caught unprepared in repatriating OFWs in these worn-torn MENA countries and admitted that it can’t do mass repatriation of affected OFWs; worse it even required vacationing OFWs to issue a ‘waiver’ in effect absolving the govt. of its responsibility to provide assistance and protection to returning OFWs.

-       During P-Noy’s 1st year in office, three Filipinos were executed in China.

-       The numbers of OFWs on death row surge to 122 from 108 in various countries around the world. There are around 7,000 OFWs in various jails worldwide mostly in the Middle East. Every day, there are 6 to 10 OFWs arrived in coffins in several airports in the country. Many jobless would-be OFWs have fallen prey to human smugglers and drug traffickers.

-       In his first year in office, P-Noy did not seriously act providing protection to OFWs especially in the Middle East. Many still have been abused, mistreated, jailed, tortured, raped, murdered, and other with trumped-up charges, with no due process, much less indemnification from those who have done them wrong.

-       Amid numerous reports on misuses and corruption on OFWs trust fund and other government allocated funds for OFWs and their families, P-Noy failed to move for the criminal prosecution of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her erring officials.

-       Despite yearly increases in OFWs remittances keeping the local economy afloat, the Aquino III govt. failed to move in scrapping unnecessary government fees and charges that add to the burden of OFWs.  

-       Instead of easing vacationing OFWs formalities to return for work, the POEA will be implementing a new procedure in getting an exit clearance which entails additional time and cost, an added burden to OFWs.

“We note that he (Pres. Aquino III) is just a year in office and that he has enough time left, 5 years more in his term, but 1 year is too long for an unproductive president as an empty stomach of our people couldn’t wait. As days go by, poor Filipino people will be more disgruntled and will mass up in the streets to demand genuine change in the government and the society at large,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| POEA chief asked to reconsider new OFWs travel clearance procedure

Press Release

24 June 2011

“Hold consultations among OFWs groups”

After criticizing the new procedure in getting travel clearance for overseas Filipino workers saying that it will only cause an added burden, a Filipino migrants’ rights group Friday urges Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Mr. Carlos Cao, Jr. to reconsider the new procedure and instead conduct a consultation with OFWs groups and their leaders.

On Thursday, POEA chief Carlos Cao, Jr. had been quoted by local reports saying the new procedure in getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) that serves as a travel clearance for all OFWs would “allow to efficiently manage OFWs time in securing travel exit clearance by adjusting the processing time in two phases.”

 The new procedure will take effect on July 1, according to the POEA.

“If this new procedure will be implemented on July 1 amid OFWs protestations, then we will be up in arms, so to speak, to wage an international campaign against this burdensome and anti-OFW procedure,” Monterona warned.

The new procedure entails two phases: one phase is submission of the required documents for verification and to be done on the first day, while the second phase for the second day -to be pre-scheduled by the POEA- is the paying of fee and issuance of the OEC.

“The POEA chief being new to his job, could better solicit bright and meaningful insights from the OFWs and their organizations whom I believed may contribute in its effort to unburden the OFWs from bureaucratic processes,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona explained that not all OFWs are living within Metro Manila and nearby provinces. “In fact, most of our OFWs are coming from the provinces, thus the new procedure that entails a 2-day undertaking will only be an added burden, cost and time, to get exit clearance,” he added.

Monterona said for one, the POEA could link-up with local government units (Cities/Municipalities and Provincial governments) to set up a processing section that will do the renewal and issuance of exit clearance for vacationing OFWs in their provinces.

“I’m certain, the Mayors and Governors will agree on this set-up as this is for the benefit of their OFWs constituents,” Monterona added.

Monterona added that there may be more ideas to solicit from various OFWs groups in regards to decongesting the Balik-Mangagawa center in POEA main office in Pasig.

“The POEA chief should think that the foremost consideration is to unburden our OFWs, not only POEA employees,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

News| POEA new OFWs travel clearance procedure a ‘bureaucratic nightmare!’ –group

Press Release

23 June 2011

POEA new OFWs travel clearance procedure a ‘bureaucratic nightmare!’ –group

‘It’s nothing, useless, just an added burden and will only bring bureaucratic nightmare to OFWs,” thus said today by the Saudi-based Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, reacting to the new procedure adopted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in processing the required travel clearance for all out-bound OFWs.

On June 14, POEA chief Carlos Cao, Jr. issued POEA Advisory No.30 outlining the new procedure in getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) that serves as a travel clearance for all OFWs would “allow to efficiently manage OFWs time in securing travel exit clearance by adjusting the processing time in two phases.”

The new procedure will take effect on July 1, according to the POEA.

“POEA chief Cao, in implementing such bureaucratic phases in getting an OEC, does not know and failed to study what will be the effect of the new procedure to vacationing OFWs especially those living from the provinces. It is just an added burden, time-wise and cost-wise,” Monterona said.

Monterona explained that not all OFWs are living within Metro Manila and nearby provinces. “In fact, most of our OFWs are coming from the provinces,” he added.

The new procedure entails two phases: one phase is submission of the required documents for verification and to be done on the first day, while the second phase for the second day is the paying of fee and issuance of the OEC.

This will totally contradict the principle ‘one-stop-shop’ policy, letting OFWs get all his requirements in a single day, implemented by previous POEA administrator.

“I think even DoLE Sec. Baldoz would not allow this new procedure to be implemented. She supported the ‘one-stop-shop’ policy, but here is the new burdening procedure imposed by Mr. Cao negating the previous policy,”

Monterona added in implementing such procedure, it needs a thorough study. “POEA chief Cao should think if such procedure will benefit OFWs; the foremost consideration is to unburden our OFWs!” he averred.

“The POEA chief did not even bother to consult the OFWs and their organizations, which will be affected badly by this new procedure,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said his group will be sending a letter to POEA Cao or better seek a dialog with him to clarify this new procedure.

“Our opposition in this new procedure is reasonable as this is only an added burden, time-wise and cost-wise, to our already overburdened OFWs,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Complaints against arrogant embassy official; group presses probe and suspension

Press Release

23 June 2011

Migrante-Middle East, a Filipino migrants’ rights group, today said it is receiving complaints from fellow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against an official of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona disclosed that his group had been receiving several complaints against Mr. Jerome Friaz, case officer of the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance to the Nationals section. 

“Mr. Friaz, an ANS case officer assigned to attend on cases of jailed male OFW inmates, is the subject of several complaints from fellow OFWs and their relatives who have sought assistance from the embassy,” Monterona said. 

Monterona said the latest of the complaint M-ME received against Mr. Friaz is from a friend of a jailed OFW who is asking an update on the status of his case.

On his signed complaint dated June 22, sent to Migrante’s Monterona, Al-Khobar-based OFW ‘Roger’ (not his real name) stated: “Nais ko lamang po ireklamo sa inyo ang pagiging arogante ng mga tauhan ng ating Embahada namely Mr. Jerome of the National Assistance…. ng aking ilahad ang aming kinakaharap na problema, ako po ay sinagot ng “MAGSUMBONG KAYO KAHIT KANINO”.

Monterona recalled that sometime in April he had already received complaints against Mr. Friaz from OFW inmates at the Malaz Central jail complaining too, for his arrogance.

“The inmates told me that Mr. Friaz shouted and scolded them when they inquired update on their case and pleading for assistance as some of them already served their jail term,” Monterona added.

On June 19, Monterona added that he officially endorsed another complaint against Mr. Friaz to Mr. Ezzadin Tago, PH embassy’s Charge de Affaires, ad interim.

“I received a complaint from a fellow OFW whose name I intend to withheld to protect him.

We may ask please that ANS officer Friaz be summoned, reprimanded, and suspended for his attitude unbecoming as a public official,” Monterona stated on his letter to Tago.

Migrante-ME urges CDA Tago to impose a high standard of service, good conduct and ethics to all embassy and consulate staff in the performance of their duty.

“Failure to adhere or committing a breach on public officials’ code of conduct warrants suspension or even termination from service,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Women OFW inmates seek repatriation

Press Release

22 June 2011

Some thirty (30) women overseas Filipino workers incarcerated in Saudi jail are seeking repatriation, according to a Filipino migrants’ advocacy group.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said he came to know that there are about 30 women OFW inmates at the women section of the Malaz Central jail as per the information provided by OFW Leonora who was deported yesterday after serving her 6-month term in jail and was included in the Royal clemency granted by the Saudi King on February. 

“Leonora (not her real name) sent me text messages hours upon her arrival in the Philippines thanking us for the assistance we accorded her and interfacing with the PH embassy officials for her repatriation,” Monterona added.

Monterona said: “Leonora informed me that there are about 30 more OFW inmates asking for assistance and to convey their plea to us”.

“Most of the women OFWs were charged of absconding, ‘mixed crowd’ and illicit affairs. But most of them claimed that they have already served their jail terms. Other said they’re awaiting their sentence though have been in jail for more than 3 months,” Monterona added.

Monterona said once he got their names and case numbers, it will be officially forwarded to the PH embassy and will ask to look into the status of their respective cases. 

“I called and talked with embassy’s Assistance to the Nationals section head, about this matter. He promised to look into their cases and send us an update,” Monterona added.

The embassy, however, clarified that those who have been jailed for petty crimes after the granting of Royal pardon on February will not be included in the royal clemency.

“I asked the embassy official to provide us the list of pardoned OFWs, but he declined as it needs to get permission from the higher ups,” Monterona averred.

“According to our reliable source, there are 120 OFW inmates granted pardon. This represents only 15% of the 800 jailed OFWs in Saudi,” Monterona noted.

He added Migrante monitored that there are 40 inmates have been released and repatriated courtesy of the royal clemency.

“We are still exploring with the PH embassy to submit the names of inmates, especially those who have completed their jail term but were not pardoned and those who were recently sent to jail, for royal clemency during the Ramadan,” Monterona added.

The Saudi King, honoring its tradition, normally grants royal clemency for all inmates who have committed petty crimes without private rights liability during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Woman OFW inmate, a victim of human smuggling, arrived home

Press Release

22 June 2011

“Sir, si (name withheld) po eto. Dumating na po ako. Maraming salamat po sa tulong nyo,” a text message from ‘Leonora’ (not her real name) to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona few hours after her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Saudi Airlines flight no. SV 860.

“Her family and relatives in Baguio are expecting her arrival yesterday as it was confirmed by an embassy official that she boarded on a Saudi Airline passed mid-night flight,” Monterona said.

Monterona said ‘Leonora’ was supposed to leave Riyadh from prison cell at the Malaz Central jail on June 14 but it was cancelled for unknown reason.

“I asked the PH embassy case officer handling her case, he too could not provide us an answer why her flight schedule was cancelled on June 14,” Monterona averred.

Sometime in February, a composite team of local police raided a villa in Diriyah district in Riyadh where they nabbed OFWs Leonora and Sophia (not their real names) along with three  male Indian nationals. Both OFWs were charged of ‘mixed crowd’, a petty crime as per the host government customary laws.

“Upon further investigation, we have found out that OFWs Leonora and Sophia and women migrants of other nationalities were victims of human smuggling, after they ran away from their employers due to alleged abuses and maltreatment,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he had been receiving short messages from the mother of Leonora asking for assistance. “Please help my daughter, she already served her sentence and completed it on May 24,” according to the mother of ‘Leonora’.

“The PH embassy confirmed that she had served her jail term and in fact she’s one of those pardoned by virtue of the Royal pardon granted by the Saudi King announced on February,” Monterona added.

Monterona revealed that there are about 30+ women OFWs inside Malaz jail.

“Most of the women OFWs were charged of absconding, ‘mixed crowd’ and illicit affairs. But most of them claimed that they have already served their jail terms. Other said they’re awaiting their sentence though have been in jail for more than 3 months,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he just got their names and case numbers and will be officially forwarded to the PH embassy and will ask to look into the status of their respective case.

Migrante-Middle East calls on the PH embassy to attend on women OFW inmates’ predicament and promptly conduct a jail visit and make proper representation to Saudi authorities so that those who have served their jail term will be repatriated without further delay and those remaining will be applied for royal clemency announced by the Saudi King on February. (end)

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228