News| Migrant group bats for increase OFWs funds allocation from the government

Press Release

1 August 2011

As President Benigno Simeon Aquino III announced during his 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) that his administration will immediately be submitting its proposed national budget for Fiscal Year 2012, a Filipino migrants rights group in the Middle East today said it will lobby hard for an increase budget allocations for OFWs and their dependents.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the Aquino govt. must have learned and correct its previous year budget planning wherein it substantially slashed funds allocated for OFWs such as the assistance to the national and legal assistance funds, both are included in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) budget.

Monterona cited for instance the DFA approved budget for fiscal year 2011. He noted the approved DFA’s budget for this year is about P11-B, which is a far cry from the department’s original proposal of P19-B.

“What is disgusting is that the allocations for DFA’s assistance to the nationals and legal assistance funds have been substantially slashed,” Monterona added.

Monterona claimed the already extremely inadequate DFA allocations (from P200 million to P109.3 million) for programs on assistance to nationals that include repatriation and legal assistance programs for the estimated 10 million overseas Filipinos, is in violation of the Amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (Republic Act 10022).

The amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (R.A.10022) require a P100-M legal assistance fund, excluding the assistance to the nationals’ fund, to be allocated from various sources, as follows:

"Fifty million pesos (50,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the President;

"Thirty million pesos (30,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the President Social Fund;

"Twenty million pesos (20,000,000.00) from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers established under Letter of Instructions No. 537 as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1694 and 1809.

“This fiscal year (2011) the DFA’s approved allocation for legal assistance was reduced to P27-M from P50-M of last year during Arroyo administration,” Monterona noted.

Monterona added due to OFWs and their organizations persistent campaigns and protest actions, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was forced to submit an “erratum” to Congress to include allocations from the Department of Foreign Affairs (P50M, increasing the initial P27M), OWWA welfare fund (P20M) and Presidential Contingency Fund (P22.6M), to come up with a total of P129.9M for the 2011 LAF.

Monterona said instead of cutting the budget for OFWs and their dependents, the Aquino administration must seriously consider having contingency funds intended for ‘unforeseen’ events such as the on-going political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa and the tsunami and earthquake in Japan and New Zealand for emergency evacuation and repatriation of affected OFWs and their families.

Monterona also suggested that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) reintegration and job placements program must be improved and made easily accessible and prioritize those who will be displaced due to ‘Saudization’ and other similar labor market constraints and other ‘unforeseen’ events.

“The bottom line is the Aquino govt. must come up a sound and feasible budget allocation wherein OFWs-concerned government agencies such as the Foreign Affairs and Labor departments should not cite no adequate funds as an excuse and it could respond to the needs and concerns of OFWs whose billion dollars remittances are helping the economy afloat,” Monterona added.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle-East will be lobbying hard not only to the Aquino administration but as well as to members of the Congress, both in the Senate and House Representatives, to approve a sound and adequate budget allocations for OFWs and their dependents during budget deliberations by sending letters, petition and other forms of lobbying. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

News| Ready lists of OFWs inmates in anticipation of Royal clemency, group urges PH posts

Press Release

31 July 2011

Ready lists of OFWs inmates in anticipation of Royal clemency, group urges PH posts

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in Saudi Arabia today calls on the Philippine embassy to ready the lists of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) languishing in various jails for petty crime offences.

“We are urging the PH embassy, not only in Saudi Arabia but as well as other PH posts, to ready the lists of OFW inmates in various jails who committed petty crimes in anticipation that the host governments will grant clemency to petty crimes offenders without private rights liability,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona noted, for instance in Saudi Arabia, His Highness and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, had been granting clemency to all petty crimes offenders without private rights liability during the Holy month of Ramadan in previous years.

Petty crimes are offences such as illegal possession of liquor, engaging in gambling activities, ‘mixed’ crowd, illicit affairs, and violating other culture-related laws of the host country.

“There were a hundred of OFW inmates granted clemency and were eventually freed and deported in 2009 and 2010,” Monterona added.

Monterona said the Holy Month of Ramadan depict forgiveness to those who have sinned; he is anticipating that the Saudi King will grant royal clemency in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Monterona noted that there are still OFW inmates awaiting repatriation from those who were granted pardon by the Saudi King last February.

He noted that there were 120 OFWs availed the February royal pardon, but only around 50+ of them were repatriated as per Migrante-ME monitoring.

“There are OFW inmates regularly calling me from their prison cells in Malaz and Al-Hair jails, both in Riyadh, Al-Thuqba jail and those at Dammam Central prison, both in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, asking for update of their release and deportation,” Monterona added.

Monterona added the OFW inmates told him that they have already completed the required clearance, and yet inmates could not understand why they are still in jail two to 3 months after they’ve accomplished a clearance form.

Monterona said the OFWs inmates also complained that embassy officials are not giving them information on the update of their release and deportation.

“I’ve been calling the concerned PH embassy official to follow the update on the release and deportation of the remaining inmates that were granted pardon but to no avail,” Monterona.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| OFWs in Mid-east, Islamic countries urged to abide “Don’t’s” during Ramadan

Press Release

30 July 2011

As Islamic countries in the Middle East will about to start the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan on August 1, a Filipino migrants rights group Saturday urges overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East and in other Islamic countries to closely observe the prohibitions imposed by the host governments during Ramadan.

“This is just to caution our fellow OFWs. Though, non-Muslims are not obliged to fast, for instance, we advice our fellow OFWs to observe the religious and cultural prohibitions by the host governments in regards to the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Aside from fasting, Muslims are prohibited to smoke, refrain from lust, violence, greed, envy, angry or sarcastic retorts and gossiping, and even making noise.

“Obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided too,” Monterona added.

Monterona said during previous years’ Ramadan, his group monitored a number of OFWs who were caught by the religious and cultural police locally known as ‘Mutawa’ for violating the host govt. prohibitions which are considered petty crimes and punishable by imprisonment of three months to 6 months to 1 year plus lashes.

“In 2009, as per Migrante-ME records, there were around 20 OFWs apprehended, while about 35 last year nabbed for violations on the prohibitions during Ramadan,” Monterona added.

In offices and job sites, Monterona noted that non-Muslim expatriate workers are not forced to fast; “but prudence dictates that we should conduct ourselves in a manner that would not cause disrespect to our Muslim managers, supervisors, employers and to fellow Muslim co-workers during Ramadan.”

Monterona added that Pinay domestic workers need to be reminded too.

Many Pinay DHs are expected by their Muslim employers to fast just like them during the entire Ramadan.

Citing complaints received from ran away domestic workers, Monterona said during Ramadan maids are required to do household and other chores starting early in the morning until late at night.

“Thus, it’s no surprise that during Ramadan, the number of runaway OFW-DH goes up. They run away because they can no longer bear the treatment they’re getting from their employers,” Monterona noted.

On Friday, Monterona added there are 3 OFW-DHs who have asked for assistance as they wanted to go home but their respective employers did not allow them to go despite that they have already completed their employment contract months ago.

“Employers normally reasoned out that their hired domestic workers can’t go until they could look for replacement and of course because it is Ramadan wherein the services of a domestic worker are badly needed,” Monterona averred.

Migrante’s Monterona calls on PH labor and welfare officials to be pro-active in providing assistance to abused and maltreated OFWs especially domestic workers.

“The PH labor and welfare offices must create a quick reaction team (QRT) to swiftly respond on emergency call for assistance from abused and distress OFW-domestic workers,” the Saudi-based OFW leader urges.

Migrante-Middle East greets all Filipino Muslims and Muslim expatriate workers ‘Ramadan Kareem!’ (end) # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Creation of overseas employment and ‘welfare’ agencies, compulsory OEC, among proofs of govt.’s labor export policy –group

Press Release

29 July 2011

Who says that labor exportation is not an official policy of the government? Or to put it clearly: there is no labor export policy declaration by the government? 

The Filipino migrants’ rights group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), says otherwise.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said there are specific provisions on Overseas Employment in the Labor Code of the Philippines, which would negate the govt. denial that labor exportation is not an official govt. policy.

Monterona said labor exportation was first declared as a state policy through Presidential Decree No. 442 that first amended the Labor Code of the Philippines during the time of former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Monterona cited Article 17 of PD 442 that created an Overseas Employment Development Board which is now called the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). (http://www.poea.gov.ph/rules/labcode.html)

Monterona said the OEDB, which is now the POEA, as per PD 442 is task “to undertake a systematic program for overseas employment of Filipino workers in excess of domestic needs and to protect their rights to fair and equitable employment practices.”

Monterona cited PD 442 vested the OEDB, 4 outlined powers and duties such as:

1. To promote the overseas employment of Filipino workers through a comprehensive market promotion and development program;

2. To secure the best possible terms and conditions of employment of Filipino contract workers on a government-to-government basis and to ensure compliance therewith;

3. To recruit and place workers for overseas employment on a government-to-government arrangement and in such other sectors as policy may dictate; and

4. To act as secretariat for the Board of Trustees of the Welfare and Training Fund for Overseas Workers.

Monterona also cited POEA’s guidelines and regulations on overseas employment, both for land-based and sea-based, as another proof of government’s existing labor export policy (LEP).

(http://www.poea.gov.ph/rules/POEA%20Rules.pdf,http://www.poea.gov.ph/rules/SB%20Rules%202003.pdf)

“The creation of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the supposed govt. premier agency providing welfare and social programs for OFWs is another proof of govt. labor export policy,” Monterona added.

Monterona also cited that the compulsory Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a proof in itself that there is really an official govt. policy on labor exportation or overseas employment.

“The Aquino govt. is hypocritical not to admit that his govt., like the previous administrations, is in fact intensifying labor exportation, while on the other-hand announced about the 1-M jobs created during his first year in office, mostly are overseas jobs,” Monterona added.

“Wrong economic policy thrust subservient to foreign impositions of neo-liberal globalization would not lead the Philippines to economic development and will continue to exploit its own workforce cheap labor by peddling them abroad without guarantee that their well being, rights and welfare will be protected,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| OFWs hired as fishermen in KSA seek repatriation

Press Release

28 July 2011

Ten overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were told to believe by a recruitment agent that they will work as fishermen only to find out, upon arrival to Saudi Arabia, there are no such jobs waiting for them, according to Migrante-Middle East, an alliance of Filipino migrants group providing assistance to distress OFWs. 

OFWs Richard Mendoza, Jose Alforque, Felipe Batinsela, Ronnie Maro, Arden Unsipedo, Redentor Hubahig, Oliver Perez, Isabelo Salbado, Jupiter Lawan, and Henerio Colis –all were deployed, by batches, on 2010 by Placewell International Services Corporation, a Manila-based recruitment agency with branch offices operating in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“The OFWs applied at the branch offices in Mindanao and Cebu, where most of them came from, of the said agency and were told that a Saudi-based employer is hiring fishermen,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said the OFWs were offered a monthly salary of 1,500 Saudi Riyals, roughly equivalent to P17,000. According to the OFWs they’ve spent around P20,000 for their formalities and the agency said a salary deduction totaling to P60,000 will be deducted from their salary.

“We never received a salary as upon arrival to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia we were barred by Saudi authorities to catch fish as it is prohibited. Only Saudis are allowed to do so,” the OFWs conveyed to Monterona.

Monterona said since they could not perform their job and no incomes for their employer to be able to pay their salaries, the OFWs were forced to run away from their employer.

“I was told by the OFWs that they have sought assistance from POLO in Jeddah since last year but until now they are still awaiting their repatriation,” Monterona added.

Monterona said the OFWs are staying at the consulate-rented flat inside the Hajj terminal in Jeddah.

“The OFWs are jumping from one part-time job to another in order to survive for their daily subsistence, though undocumented, and for them to be able to send remittance for their families in the Philippines,” Monterona added.

“Now they wanted to be home. PH labor officials must assist them and call the attention of their recruitment agency and the employer-sponsor and arrange for their exit clearance and airfare,” Monterona averred.

“We could not understand why POLO officials in Jeddah could not immediately repatriate them.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 5 3592 1228

News| Postponement of Nitaqat must come from Saudi govt., not from PH-based recruiters

Press Release

27 July 2011

‘The implementation of Nitaqat (localization of labor) was announced by the Saudi government through its labor ministry, thus an announcement to defer it must also come from the Saudi government.’ 

This is the reaction by a Filipino migrants’ rights group on the reports that Saudi’s Nitaqat labor scheme will be deferred ‘til March next year.

“We welcome the report if this is true. This will lessen our worries of losing our jobs,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator and an OFW himself.

Though, Migrante’s Monterona said he welcome the report, he however said ‘this is still unconfirmed. We have not heard any announcement or even news reports from the local newspapers about the postponement of the Nitaqat.”

“As far as we knew, the Nitaqat scheme is on its first phase –that is still in the process of categorizing companies into coded colors facilitated by a committee created by the Saudi labor ministry,” Monterona added.

He added that the categorization of companies into coded colors will continue until September or may extend until December. ‘

“The host govt. would like to give a chance to Red-coded companies to elevate its status and avoid penalties and forced termination by the Saudi labor ministry of their expat workers working for more than 6 years in Saudi Arabia,” Monterona averred.

Monterona added once the categorization have been completed, then we could see a full implementation of the Nitaqat scheme.

“Once the Nitaqat is fully implemented, those expat workers, including our OFWs, belonging to Red and Yellow-coded companies will not be spared because there Iqama (work permits) will not be renewed by the Saudi govt., in effect this is forced termination of expat workers by the host govt.,” Monterona added.

Monterona cited that as of 2^nd week of July, his group ‘Sagip Migrante’ campaign monitored 39 OFWs were terminated from their jobs.

“Most of them are OFWs nursed working in Saudi Health ministry-run hospitals and in the Saudi-German hospital, both located in Jeddah,” Monterona revealed.

Meanwhile, Monterona calls on the Philippine Labor officials in Saudi Arabia to verify the report on Saudi’s deferment of Nitaqat for the information of the 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

“We are calling PH labor officials to seek and verify the veracity of the report regarding Nitaqat’s postponement. If this is true, then it is indeed good news for us, OFWs, working here in Saudi Arabia,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| 1st case hearing set for OFW accused of stealing P4.3-M worth wedding ring

Press Release

26 July 2011

An alliance of Filipino migrants’ rights group providing assistance to distress OFWs today said the Saudi-based female OFW who was accused of stealing her employer’s wedding ring worth P4.3-M is set to have her first hearing in court.

OFW ‘Rosalinda’,(not her real name), 29, from the province of Rizal, works as a baby-sitter for a Saudi couple in Al-Khobar. She is accused by her employer of stealing the latter’s wedding ring, but she vehemently denies the accusation against her.

“Napagbintangan po akong magnakaw ng wedding ring worth 375,000 SR. Di ko po talaga ginawa iyon,” Rosalinda on her short message to Monterona.

Based on the Arabic-translated-to-English documents acquired by Migrante-ME, the local police confirmed that ‘the case of domestic helper, ‘Rosalinda’ (not her real name), a Filipino national was referred to Dammam Court. She was accused of stealing a wedding ring worth (375,000) Saudi riyals.”

The case was filed on June 29, 2011.

Yesterday, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said he had a talked with ‘Rosalinda’. She conveyed that the case filed by her employer is already docketed in Dammam court and that the first hearing is set on the 1^st week of August.

“Hindi po sure kung may lawyer ako dahil costly daw eto sabi sakin ng taga-OWWA,” Rosalinda told Monterona during yesterday’s conversation over the phone.

Monterona added that Rosalinda is asking him to convey to the PH embassy her request that she be given a lawyer to defend her in court which 1^st hearing is set on the 1^st week of August.

“I immediately called on the PH embassy official in-charge in her case to formally inform them her request to have a lawyer who will handle her case and defense during case hearings,” Monterona added.

Monterona added the PH embassy official told him that a request for legal assistance had already been sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) that handles the legal assistance services for distress OFWs like Rosalinda.

“In behalf of OFW Rosalinda and her family, we are calling Usec. Conejos of DFA-OUMWA to arrange the approval of the budget for legal assistance as soon as possible as her case hearing is scheduled early next month,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he had advised Rosalinda to inform her family to proceed to the DFA-OUMWA office in Pasay to follow the approval of the request for legal assistance.

OFW ’Rosalinda’ is temporarily staying at the shelter of the Saudi Social Welfare Agency (SWWA), a facility for abused and run away female migrant workers located in Dammam. (end) # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Aquino urged to include inept embassy, labor officials abroad under ‘Wang-wang’ policy

Press Release

26 July 2011

A Filipino migrants rights group at the forefront of advancing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rights and welfare and providing protection to abuse and distress, today urges President Benigno Simeon Aquino III not to spare inept embassy and labor officials from its so called ‘Wang-wang’ policy. 

“We urging PNoy to let his ‘wang-wang’ policy be heard and impose at various diplomatic post abroad to warn inept embassy and labor officials who are not doing their jobs especially in providing assistance to distress and abused OFWs,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said” “If PNoy’s ‘wang-wang’ policy aimed to correct wrong doings, then inept embassy and labor officials in various post abroad must be strongly reminded of their duty to provide the best public service it could deliver to its clientele, the OFWs and their dependents.”

“If ‘wang-wang’ policy is indeed true and will be strictly implemented to all diplomatic posts, then only few genuine public servants posted abroad will be retained,” Monterona averred.

Monterona cited for instance the complaints of around 69 run away and distressed female OFWs, though temporarily seeking refuge at the embassy-run Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Damascus, Syria, have been staying there for more than three to 6 months.

The FWRC is a half-way center run and manage by the Philippine Embassy providing temporary refuge for run away and distress female OFWs.

“The information that there are around 69 distress OFWs is corroborated by our reliable source who is an insider at the PH embassy’s FWRC. The same information we are getting direct from the distress OFWs staying at the FWRC and their families in the Philippines who are asking our assistance,” Monterona added.

Monterona said they’ve learned that most of the distresses OFWs are run away from their employers. “Running away from their employer is the only option left after they’ve been abused, maltreated, and work like slaves,” he added.

Monterona added though the distress OFWs are now under the ‘care’ of the PH embassy in its resource center, many of them complained that they were not given food and toiletries for their used.

“The OFWs claimed their mobile phones and other personal belongings were confiscated by the embassy,” Monterona quoting its source at the PH embassy’s FWRC.

Monterona also learned that 50 of them were padlocked at the underground room of the FWRC building. “They are those who have been staying for 3 to 6 months at the FWRC and whose cases are not yet been solved.”

“The distress OFWs at the FWRC should not be treated like prisoners. The poor or even inhumane treatment by the PH embassy in Syria is condemnable,” Monterona averred.

Monterona added: “Their being ‘absconders’ or run away from their abusive employers or being an undocumented should not be cited a justification why they’ve been treated like prisoners at their very own PH embassy building, considers a part of Philippine territory.”

“We would like to call on and remind PH Ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan to attend on the needs of the distress OFWs now staying at the FWRC. Their rights as human beings must be respected and guaranteed more so that the OFWs are under the custody of the PH embassy,” Monterona added.

Monterona also cited the case of an undocumented OFW who was found dead at his rented flat in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

The OFW is identified as Leonardo Bascos, 58, from Iloilo province, who was was found dead on July 21, around 6:00p.m inside his own rented flat in Dammam.

According to the initial medical report, the OFW died due to multiple organ failure secondary to cancer of the liver.

His remains lie at the morgue of Dammam central hospital.

“POLO-OWWA officials in Al-Khobar already knew his deteriorating condition due to liver complication, but they did not even attempted to offer medical assistance or care to the sick OFW,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| PNoy’s SONA just ‘like picking good apple’, lacks vision, no plans for OFWs and dependents –Migrante-ME

Press Release

25 July 2011

Reacting to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA), a Filipino migrant rights group today said the President who delivered his ceremonial function SONA is just like ‘picking good apple’ as it mentioned bits of accomplishment his administration have done so far  on its first year in office.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator said: “The President is like ‘picking good apples’ delivering his SONA rather than outlining in concrete terms its plans and programs for the Filipino people, the various marginalized sectors including the OFWs and their dependents.”

Monterona said he had watched and heard via internet live streaming PNoy delivered his SONA hoping that he could hear PNoy’s work programs and plans for OFWs and their dependents.

“Notably, same last year he thanked OFWs and other sectors who have contributed and are helping the economy afloat, but plans and programs to uplift their conditions?, no mention about it,” Monterona dismayed.

Monterona questioned the 500,000 jobs available posted in Philjobsnet as mentioned by PNoy.

“Many of the 500,000 jobs may not exist in reality. They are just based on a data bank of recruitment agencies on speculative jobs opening as advertised by foreign employers,” Monterona added.

Monterona said what is disgusting is that even PNoy pointed that there is jobs mismatched, thus he will instruct to look into revisiting Philippine schools’ curriculum to suit for the needs of these jobs requirements.

“Basically foreign companies’ requirements; not based on the needs of the Philippine industries and to improve our agrarian-based economy towards national industrialization and development,” Monterona added.

Monterona also said the 1-M jobs created last year are not purely local jobs. “Many of these are overseas jobs,” he averred.

“PNoy failed to outline in concrete terms how to create or generate local jobs. Of course, we are expecting decent jobs to be created not just overseas jobs which are demeaning and dangerous as there are no protection for OFWs working abroad from abuses, maltreatment and labor malpractices,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he could not visualize where the Philippines is going through while listening on PNoy’s SONA speech.

“PNoy and his administration failed to present a clear vision for the country an ordinary Filipino could imagine where are we going. A graft-free Philippines pronouncement is not enough, and yet no single corrupt officials of the previous administration including the Arroyos have been sent to jail,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| OFW group says they will listen on Aquino’s SONA, but will deliver ‘Kontra SONA’

Press Release

24 July 2011

OFW group says they will listen on Aquino’s SONA, but will deliver ‘Kontra SONA’

Tomorrow, July 25, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III will deliver its 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA). The progressive alliance of Filipino migrants group, Migrante-Middle East, says it will listen to Aquino’s SONA, but they too will deliver it so called ‘Kontra SONA’ focusing on the real state of OFWs under the Aquino regime.

“We will listen to Pres. Aquino’s SONA. But it doesn’t mean we will agree to what he will be saying especially if it’s just a litany of promises and presenting statistics that does not mean anything to uplift the worsening socio-economic conditions of the Filipinos including our overseas workers,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said while listening to the President delivers his SONA tomorrow, Migrante-ME will particularly take note of any policy pronouncements, if there are any, related to OFWs issues and concerns.

“We would like to compare and contrast what he had said during his 1^st SONA and his 2^nd SONA tomorrow. His 1^st SONA, as he did not mention anything about our OFWs, underscores the insincerity of the Aquino administration on numerous woes and concerns of our OFWs abroad and their dependents,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said what the Aquino administration had done so far, like previous administrations, is only lip service manifested by its ‘wait-and-see’ stance on numerous OFWs woes and concerns in the absence of a concrete and doable program for OFWs and their dependents.

Last week, Migrante-ME outlined its so called ‘Migrant Challenges’ to the Aquino administration. On top of these challenges is jobs creation.

“For 37 years since 1974, the labor export program has not led to economic development. Worse, from one administration to another, it depended on labor export to keeping the struggling local economy afloat, while maintaining agriculture backward and domestic industry foreign-dominated and controlled,” Monterona averred.

Aside from jobs creation, Monterona outlined its so called ‘migrant challenges’ to the Aquino govt.:

-       1. Protection for migrant women and minors as they are the most vulnerable sub-group OFWs many of whom are victims of virtual slavery, servitude, and sexual harassments such as group rape, molestation, and that the government remains largely inutile in protecting them.

-       2. Direct services and assistance to OFWs and their dependents. The Aquino govt. must ensure that sufficient financial and material resources come from government funds to address the needs especially of distressed OFWs including legal assistance, support for repatriation and reintegration, and other related needs.

-       3. Stop all forms of illegal recruitment and trafficking. The Aquino govt. must intensify tracking down erring recruitment agencies and enforce fines, suspension, cancellation of registration, and prosecution whenever necessary. It shall clean the list of POEA accredited agencies and call for strict monitoring. Mechanism must be put in place to catch, bring to court, and jail traffickers.

-       4. Scrap unnecessary govt. exactions and exorbitant fees. The Aquino govt. shall move to scrap all unwarranted and excessive govt. fees, taxes, and charges that only adds burden to an already struggling OFWs.

-       5. Accountability of erring govt. officials. The Aquino govt. must seriously move for the criminal prosecution of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her cohorts for the plunder of OFWs trust funds, for the neglect of OFWs leading to the violation of their economic, political and social rights.

-       6. Justice and indemnification to all OFWs victim of human rights violations. The Aquino govt. shall move to prosecute violators of human rights and apply the law strictly to bear upon unscrupulous and illegal recruiters, traffickers, and abusive employers.

-       7. Review bilateral agreements to conform international labor standards and instrumentalities. The Aquino govt. shall move to scrutinize bilateral labor agreements and move for renegotiations or scrapping of exploitative ones.

-       8. Repeal of all anti-migrant laws and policies. The Aquino govt. shall immediately repeal the OWWA Omnibus Policies that only gives even greater discretion to the Office of the President to access OFWs trust funds entrusted to OWWA, and also undermines the access of OFWs to welfare services.

-       9. The Aquino govt. must actively works in saving the lives of OFWs on death row. As per our monitoring, there are 8 of them here in Saudi Arabia and more than 70+ around the world. A high-level task force must be created for this effort.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia and in other mid-east countries will re-convey their “Migrants Challenges” to Aquino on Monday through a press conference to be attended by Filipino community leaders.

“Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia will hold a press conference cum indoor rally on Monday evening after Pres. Aquino delivers his SONA. We will state our ‘Kontra SONA’,” Monterona added.

Aside from OFWs issues and concerns, Monterona added his group will also declare its support to the peace process initiatives between the Aquino govt. and rebel group’ political-wing National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) paving the way for the attainment of just, humane and progressive Philippine society as both parties will tackle social and economic issues.

“As a gesture of goodwill and concrete expression of building confidence on the peace process negotiations, we are urging Pres. Aquino to immediately grant unconditional and omnibus amnesty to all political prisoners in the Philippines,” Monterona ended.# # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

News| Undocumented OFW found dead inside a rented flat; group claims no assistance from PH officials

Press Release

22 July 2011

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who has been undocumented for 10 years in Saudi Arabia was found dead inside his rented flat in Dammam, eastern part of Saudi Arabia, according to Filipino migrants’ rights group. 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said he received today a report from a member of its allied organization, Kasanga, based in Dammam.

A member of Kasanga identified the OFW named Leonardo Bascos, 58, from Iloilo province, was found dead yesterday around 6:00p.m inside his own rented flat in Dammam.

“His flat mates and fellow OFWs found him inside his room without any sign of life, according to the reports we received from a Kasanga officer,” Monterona added.

According to the initial medical report, the OFW died due to multiple organ failure secondary to cancer of the liver.

His remains lie at the morgue of Dammam central hospital.

OFW Bascos has been undocumented for 10 years after he ran away from his employer due to claims of labor malpractices such as non-payment of salary and illegal deductions.

He arrived in Saudi Arabia in 1981 to work as a painter.   

“Kasanga endorsed OFW Bascos case to POLO-OWWA in Al-Khobar on the first week of June and requested that he be given assistance and attend to his deteriorating condition,” Monterona added.

Monterona said Kasanga officer told him that their request to provide medical assistance to OFW Bascos was never attended by POLO-OWWA in Al-Khobar.

“Again, this is a clear case of disservice by apathetic and inept POLO-OWWA officials to a sick OFW who needs medical attention and care,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said Migrante officers in Al-Khobar will be getting affidavit from Kasanga officer and will file a formal complaint against inept POLO-OWWA officials who did not provide assistance to OFW Bascos.

Monterona said Migrante officers in Al-Khobar are now coordinating with POLO-OWWA to  inform the families as soon as possible and attend for the immediate repatriation of his remains.

“We will be asking POLO-OWWA to provide assistance to the family of OFW Bascos such as burial and other financial assistance as for sure he was once a member of OWWA until his being undocumented ten years ago,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228