OFWs group bats for reasonable, fair, and extortion-free ‘offloading’ immigration guidelines

Press Release

1 November 2011

OFWs group bats for reasonable, fair, and extortion-free ‘offloading’ immigration guidelines

“What we want, OFWs and their dependents, is a set of immigration guidelines that is reasonable, fair, and extortion-free,” thus said today by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Migrante’s Monterona is reacting on Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns, statement quoting the latter on local news reports that the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which he serves as its chairman emeritus, is now reviewing the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) absolute discretion in ‘offloading’ or preventing OFWs kin and dependents holding tourist visa.

Binay was on a side trip to the United Arab Emirates last Friday after his 2-day state visit in Saudi Arabia to represent Pres. Aquino and the Philippines to condole with the Royal families on the death of its Crown Prince who was laid to rest on Wednesday, Oct.26.

“We welcome the announcement by VP Binay that the IACAT has created a technical working group (TWG), which is now reviewing the BI’s absolute discretion in ‘offloading’ or preventing Filipinos holding visit visa leaving the country despite that they have with them all the necessary documents such as visit visa and an Affidavit of Support (AoS) declaration,” Monterona added.

Monterona suggested that the IACAT’s TWG must conduct consultation among OFWs groups and hear their views so that the ‘new guidelines’ that will be created is reasonable, fair, and above all will eventually put a stop on the rampant extortion activities allegedly committed by BI officials.

Monterona added that migrant workers and member of their families’ right to travel is guaranteed by the PH 1987 Constitution and other international instruments which the Philippines is a signatory and had ratified such as the International Convention on the Protection of all Migrant Workers and members of their Families.

“It’s a matter of upholding migrant right to travel while the PH govt. puts restrictions but only those necessary in matters of national security, public order, and public health,” Monterona averred.

Early this month, various OFWs groups spearheaded by the local chapters of Migrante and Gabriela in the UAE staged a campaign calling for the scrapping of the ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement.

The AoS is a documentary requirement certifying that an OFW dependent who will be entering UAE holding a visit visa has the support of his or her OFW relative working in the host country.

Only the PH Consulate and embassy in the UAE is authorized to issue an AoS with a corresponding fee of 100 UAE dirhams (roughly equivalent to P1,200).

OFWs groups claimed that the continued arbitrary imposition of the AoS with a fee of 100 UAE dirham charged by the PH posts in the UAE betrays the Aquino administration’s policy thrusts.

“First, its fight against corruption; secondly, its efforts to bring ease to already over-burdened OFWs and their dependents; and third, it undermines the govt. campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Rising numbers of undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia seen - group

Press Release

31 October 2011

A Filipino migrants’ rights group actively providing assistance to distressed, abused and jailed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East today says the numbers of overstaying and undocumented OFWs is seen to surge amid the host government’s full implementation of its localization of labor scheme called Nitaqat.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona recalled that Saudi’s Nitaqat or the localization of labor giving priority hiring its own jobless nationals over expatriate workers have entered a new phase since September this year.

Saudi labor ministry is providing benefits and incentives to private companies employing Saudis since Sept.10 and will continue to receive incentives until November 26 while it intensifies inspection of private companies and punish those who are violating the Nitaqat scheme.

The labor ministry, as per news reports, already received 1.5-M Saudi jobs seekers even before Nitaqat new phase of implementation started.

M-ME’s Monterona cited Saudi’s Labor ministry recent announcement that it will be putting 20 percent ceiling on the country’s expatriate workers.

“As per Saudi Labor ministry there are 8.42-M expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia and it accounts about 31 percent of Saudi’s population,”Monterona added.

Saudi Arabia current population is estimated to have reached 18.7-M.

“This would mean around 3-M expatriate workers will be sent out to their respective countries in the coming years amid the implementation of Saudi’s Nitaqat,” Monterona noted.

However, Monterona said there are a numbers of OFWs who were terminated from their jobs but refused to go back home as the OFWs sought assistance to his group.

“They were given ‘final exit’ clearance but managed not to go through on their flight back home and instead tried to seek a part time job even though their work permits were already cancelled,” Monterona disclosed.

Monterona added: “What the terminated OFWs demonstrated is fully understandable as they are certain that they could not easily find a job in the Philippines amid grinding poverty and high rate of unemployment.”

He said many OFWs if terminated from their jobs will do the same, thus would add up on the growing numbers of undocumented and overstaying OFWs in the oil-rich Kingdom.

According to Monterona, as per his group monitoring, there are around 8,000 to 10,000 undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia. “This number will surge up to at least 20 to 25 percent by early next year,” he added.

Monterona noted there are about 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia, placing third on expatriate population with India in the no.1 spot with 1.6-M migrant workers, next Bangladesh with 1.4-M workers in Saudi Arabia.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFWs group welcomes anti-trafficking body setting ‘new guidelines’ on outbound OFWs, but…

Press Release

30 October 2011

“What we want, OFWs and their dependents, is a set of immigration guidelines that is reasonable, fair, and extortion-free,” thus said today by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Migrante’s Monterona is reacting on Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns, statement quoting the latter on local news reports that the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which he serves as its chairman emeritus, is now reviewing the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) absolute discretion in ‘offloading’ or preventing OFWs kin and dependents holding tourist visa.

Binay was on a side trip to the United Arab Emirates last Friday after his 2-day state visit in Saudi Arabia to represent Pres. Aquino and the Philippines to condole with the Royal families on the death of its Crown Prince who was laid to rest on Wednesday, Oct.26.

“We welcome the announcement by VP Binay that the IACAT has created a technical working group (TWG), which is now reviewing the BI’s absolute discretion in ‘offloading’ or preventing Filipinos holding visit visa leaving the country despite that they have with them all the necessary documents such as visit visa and an Affidavit of Support (AoS) declaration,” Monterona added.

Monterona suggested that the IACAT’s TWG must conduct consultation among OFWs groups and hear their views so that the ‘new guidelines’ that will be created is reasonable, fair, and above all will eventually put a stop on the rampant extortion activities allegedly committed by BI officials.

Monterona added that migrant workers and member of their families’ right to travel is guaranteed by the PH 1987 Constitution and other international instruments which the Philippines is a signatory and had ratified such as the International Convention on the Protection of all Migrant Workers and members of their Families.

“It’s a matter of upholding migrant right to travel while the PH govt. puts restrictions but only those necessary in matters of national security, public order, and public health,” Monterona averred.

Early this month, various OFWs groups spearheaded by the local chapters of Migrante and Gabriela in the UAE staged a campaign calling for the scrapping of the ‘Affidavit of Support’ requirement.

The AoS is a documentary requirement certifying that an OFW dependent who will be entering UAE holding a visit visa has the support of his or her OFW relative working in the host country.

Only the PH Consulate and embassy in the UAE is authorized to issue an AoS with a corresponding fee of 100 UAE dirhams (roughly equivalent to P1,200).

OFWs groups claimed that the continued arbitrary imposition of the AoS with a fee of 100 UAE dirham charged by the PH posts in the UAE betrays the Aquino administration’s policy thrusts.

“First, its fight against corruption; secondly, its efforts to bring ease to already over-burdened OFWs and their dependents; and third, it undermines the govt. campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Saudi to impose migrant workers' remittance cap?

Press Release

30 October 2011

Saudi to impose migrant workers' remittance cap?

Amid the announcement of Saudi Arabia labor ministry that it is going to implement a ceiling on remittances by expatriate workers including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ‘to protect its economy’, a Filipino migrants rights group today urges the Philippine government to seek clarification on the host govt. ‘salary protection’ policy.

Citing local reports, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said Saudi labor ministry disclosed last week its plan to implement what it called ‘salary protection’ program under which expatriate workers could only sent a prescribe amount of their salaries to be sent home.

A high-ranking Saudi Labor official was quoted by local newspapers saying, “About nine to 10 workers in the country are foreigners. This has led to millions of riyals being transferred back to their home countries, harming the local economy.”

Based on host govt. available data, there are around 8-M migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, 6-M of them are employed in the private sector. Expatriate workers are transferring in a form of remittances roughly 100-B Saudi rials to their respective countries.

“The ‘salary protection’ program which the host govt. announced to implement is a mechanism of control in the outflow of remittance which may violates expatriate workers right on how to manage the fruits of their labor,” Monterona added.

Monterona, however, clarified that the host govt. labor ministry did not mention how much of the percentage of migrant worker’s income will remain with them and how much is allowed to be sent home to their families once the program is implemented.

“If this will be implemented by the host govt., it is but proper for the sending governments including the Philippines to seek clarification on how it will be implemented as it will surely affect our fellow migrant workers and their families who are dependent on their remittances,” Monterona averred.

Monterona citing POEA 2010 statistics, the 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia sent US$1.5-B remittances on year 2010 placing it 3^rd, next to OFWs in Canada (2^nd) and those in the United States (1^st) with US$2-B and US$7.8-B, respectively.

Last year, a total of US$18.76-B remittances sent by OFWs as per POEA 2010 statistics.

Monterona said, in macro-economic perspective, the Saudi govt. ‘salary protection’ program will certainly affect the Philippines as remittances from OFWs equating to 10% of country’s annual gross domestic product is keeping the economy afloat.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group hits Aquino govt. ‘No money’ policy for death row OFWs blood money request

Press Release

27 October 2011

Group hits Aquino govt. ‘No money’ policy for death row OFWs blood money request

A progressive overseas Filipino workers’ rights group in the Middle East today scored the Aquino administration’s ‘No money’ policy for death row OFWs’ blood money saying ‘it is brazenly insensitive to the plight of OFWs on death row despite numerous appeal from their families, relatives, fellow OFWs and various OFWs organizations.’

“Comparatively speaking, the Aquino govt. is much more insensitive to the plight of our OFWs on death row compared to the previous administration,” Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona lamented.

Monterona said despite numerous appeals from the death row OFWs specifically from OFW Rogelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza and his family, relatives, and friends and pressure from the public and various OFWs organizations, the Aquino govt. is yet to come up its policy on OFWs blood money.


"The Aquino govt. provided P5-M for the MILF, while it has nothing to contribute for the blood money of OFWs on death row," Monterona lamented.

Monterona recalled last July 20 a technical working group was formed by Pres. Aquino III after a meeting called by Malacanang with representatives of foreign affairs, justice, budget and management, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on political affairs.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda was quoted, during a news briefing last July 21, saying “A decision was reached to form a technical working group to really study the policy when it comes to blood money because its cost continues to increase.”

“We came to know recently and by all indications, the Aquino govt. don’t want to spent even a single centavo for OFWs blood money, specifically helping OFW Lanuza, who has been in jail for 11 long years after his conviction for accidentally killing a Saudi sometime on August 2000,” Monterona avered.

Monterona said OFW Lanuza’s mother called him on Monday (October 24) from her home in the US after she came from a vacation in the Philippines weeks ago to personally appeal to the Aquino govt. for helping them raise the blood money in exchange for her son’s life and freedom.

Monterona added Ms. Lanuza informed him that during her stay in the Philippines, she was able to talk to an official of DFA-OUMWA and a staff of VP Binay office, ‘but dismayed and frustrated because she did not get an assurance that the govt. will be helping them raise the blood money.’

“We came to know that even DFA Sec. Del Rosario is hesitant in providing blood money for OFW Lanuza from his department’s legal assistance funds,” Monterona added.

Monterona added: “Lumalabas na moro-moro lang ang pagtatayo ng Technical Working Group (TWG) na kunwari pag-aaralan kung saan pwede makahanap ng pondo ang gobyerno, pero sa katunayan ayaw naman nitong tumulong sa pag-raise ng amount para sa blood money.”

Tap former envoy to Saudi to deal on cases of OFWs on death row

Monterona suggested that former envoy to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor must be tapped by the Aquino government to help deal cases of OFWs on death row specifically negotiating with the aggrieved Saudi family.

“Amb. Villamor was instrumental, under pressure from Migrante’s ‘Save Dematera’ campaign, for saving OFW Sarah Dematera, got her released and eventually was repatriated. He has the experience and expertise to deal cases of OFWs on death row especially in Saudi Arabia and other mid-east countries,” Monterona opined.

OFW Sarah Dematera was sentenced to death after killing her employer on 1992.

She was spared from execution when the family of the aggrieved Saudi family agreed to show mercy for her in exchange of ‘diyya’ or blood money amounting to SR.2.5-M, roughly equivalent to P-28M.

“Amb. Villamor was able to established closeness and good camaraderie with Saudi high-ranking officials which would be an advantage such as seeking assistance with them urging the aggrieved family to accept forgiveness in exchange of blood money and on Dematera’s case he was able to raised the needed amount on a specific date demanded by the aggrieved Saudi family,” Monterona added.

Monterona appeals to fellow OFWs to continue supporting the “Barya mo, Buhay ko’ fund raising campaign for the blood money of OFW Lanuza.

Monterona disclosed that the group of Mrs. Loida Nicholas Lewis, a US-based Fil-Am, had signifies its intention to help raise an amount for Lanuza’s blood money-fund campaign.

“Let us once again prove that with our concerted efforts, we could save a life of an OFW on death row, while the Aquino govt. is still dilly-dallying, if not at lost, how it could help the death row OFWs who were victims of forced migration due to poverty and joblessness in the Philippines,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

OFW imprisoned over ‘dirty finger’ illustration

Press Release

25 October 2011

OFW imprisoned over ‘dirty finger’ illustration

If you are fond of doing illustrations with offensive meaning refrain from doing it as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was sent to jail after he had allegedly drawn a dirty-finger on a piece of paper, according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group local chapter in Saudi Arabia.

Eric Jocson, chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East), the Riyadh-based local chapter of Migrante in Saudi Arabia, said OFW Willie (not his real name), 32, from Laguna, a factory worker, was sent to jail on October 14 and now detained in Azizia Police station, Exit 20 in Riyadh.

“He was allegedly caught by his supervisor with an illustration of a dirty finger on a piece of paper under it a caption that says ‘Fuck you Mohamad’,” Jocson added.

Jocson said upon seeing the dirty-finger sketch, OFW Willie’s supervisor asked him ‘what is that?’, the OFW replied back ‘not for you’. His supervisor quickly said “If not me, to whom you said that?  

Jocson added that the subject OFW and his supervisor had an argument on that day as OFW Willie is complaining on his supervisor’s decision to transfer him to another job site.

Talking to OFW Willie’s co-worker and fellow OFW over the phone yesterday, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they came to know that on the same day (Oct.14), his supervisor allegedly reported the ‘dirty finger’ illustration to a Mutawa or religious police who arrested OFW Willie and sent him at Azizia police station in Riyadh.

“It is unfortunate that because of what he had sketched, he was sent to jail and might probably face a case over violation of customary prohibition,” Monterona added.

Monterona said his group will be consulting a local Shariah lawyer if what OFW Willie had drawn really constitute an offense of host govt. customary prohibition.

“It is totally wrong to equate that what he had drawn is in reference to Mohamad, the prophet, as we OFWs had high regard and respect to the Muslim prophet. Blasphemy must be ruled out,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said he believed OFW Willie had just expressed his disgust and frustration to his supervisor that prompted him to draw a dirty finger, instead of engaging in a long and heated argument with his supervisor.

Monterona said he will be coordinating today with the PH embassy officials in Riyadh to send a consular team to provide assistance to the jailed OFW.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Oman OFWs seek repatriation; 19-yr. old OFW victim of human smuggling

Press Release

26 October 2011

Oman OFWs seek repatriation; 19-yr. old OFW victim of human smuggling

There are 30 plus distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), all women, in Oman temporarily seeking refuge at the Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), according to a Filipino migrants rights group providing assistance to distressed and abused OFWs.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said some of the distressed OFWs discretely managed to call him on Sunday as they plead for their repatriation.

“I am expecting a call from the distressed OFWs after some of their kin in the Philippines called me last week also seeking assistance for their OFWs’ repatriation,” Monterona confirmed.

Monterona said most of the distressed OFWs were run away from their employers due to alleged abuses and labor malpractices by their employers.

“Most of them have been in FWRC for 2 to 3 months, while others for over 6 months,” Monterona calling the PH embassy to fast track the repatriation of the distressed OFWs.

Among the 30 distressed OFWs is OFW ‘Ruby’ (not her real name), who is only 19 years old, from Maguindanao.

OFW Ruby was deployed by a local agency in Manila on July 10, 2011 as a household service worker, but she only works for 10 days in her employer in UAE.

Monterona found out that the counterpart Abu Dhabi-based agency of the Manila-based recruitment agency transferred OFW Ruby to Al Ain to work for another employer.

“She was brought to Oman by her new employer, where she also ran away over alleged abuses and maltreatment,” Monterona added.

Monterona said: “Clearly, OFW Ruby was a victim of human smuggling. She is underage and should have not been deployed in the first place.”

Illegal recruitment, human smuggling still rampant

On Sunday, Monterona said his group continuously receiving, on a daily basis, an average of ten (10) cases of OFWs as victim of illegal recruitment and human smuggling.

“Our group monitoring of illegal recruitment cases in the Middle East revealed that an average of 10 OFWs were victim of illegal recruitment asking for assistance,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona citing POEA 2010 statistics, it handled 1,648 cases of illegal recruitment but it only acted and resolved 283, translated to 17.2% disposition rate; 1,365 cases were pending at end year of 2010.

“On 2004, only 12 persons were arrested and 6 recruitment agencies were closed, out of the 1,648 case of illegal recruitment handdled by the POEA,” Monterona noted.

Illegal recruitment cases disposition recorded by the POEA which was its highest rate recorded on 2004 with 44.5% or 650 cases have been acted out of 1,462 illegal recruitment cases.

“The low incidence of illegal recruitment and trafficking cases officially recorded by the government is due to the govt. agencies and labor offices abroad reluctance to pursue and provide support to OFWs to file cases against illegal recruiters,” Monterona added.

He observed that instead of providing support to the victims of illegal recruitment, labor officials are often cited by the victims discouraging them to file cases either in host country labor court or in the POEA or in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

Monterona urges the Inter-Agency Committee against Trafficking (IACAT) headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns, to work hard in filling and pursuing cases against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

Meanwhile, Monterona lauded the Supreme Court in upholding the Nov.29, 2005 life sentence verdict of the Zamboanga City Regional Trial on two human traffickers who had sent four women, including a minor, to work as prostitutes in Malaysia.

“We would like to see more illegal recruiters and human smugglers prosecuted and send behind bars, while we call on our fellow OFWs and would-be OFWs to be vigilant and report any illegal recruitment and human smuggling activities to the concerned authorities,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Average of 10 victims of illegal recruitment daily

Press Release

23 October 2011

‘There will be no victims, if there are no illegal recruiters’

Thus, said today by a Filipino migrants’ rights group providing assistance to distressed and abused Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

Migrane-Middle East (M-ME) said it continue to received, on a daily basis, an average of ten (10) cases of OFWs as victim of illegal recruitment.

“Our group monitoring of illegal recruitment cases in the Middle East revealed that an average of 10 OFWs were victim of illegal recruitment asking for assistance,” M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said.

Monterona said following the strictest sense of the definition of illegal recruitment activities as defined by law (RA 10022), the average number of OFWs as victim of illegal recruitment will surge.

“Illegal recruitment has been fully defined in the newly amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or RA 10022. The amended law indentifies more or less 21 illegal recruitment activities that fall within the category of either syndicated or large scale illegal recruitment,” Monterona noted.

Monterona cited for instance charging of excessive placement fee by a recruitment agency to an OFW or would-be OFW is an illegal recruitment activity -a crime, which of course, is punishable by law.

Contract tampering and substitution is also an illegal recruitment activity, wantonly committed by recruitment agencies in cahoots with its counterpart local agencies in the host country, according to Monterona.

Monterona citing POEA 2010 statistics, it handled 1,648 cases of illegal recruitment but it only acted and resolved 283, translated to 17.2% disposition rate; 1,365 cases were pending at end year of 2010.

“On 2004, only 12 persons were arrested and 6 recruitment agencies were closed, out of the 1,648 case of illegal recruitment handdled by the POEA,” Monterona noted.

Illegal recruitment cases disposition recorded by the POEA which was its highest rate recorded on 2004 with 44.5% or 650 cases have been acted out of 1,462 illegal recruitment cases.

“The low incidence of illegal recruitment and trafficking cases officially recorded by the government is due to the govt. agencies and labor offices abroad reluctance to pursue and provide support to OFWs to file cases against illegal recruiters,” Monterona added.

He observed that instead of providing support to the victims of illegal recruitment, labor officials are often cited by the victims discouraging them to file cases either in host country labor court or in the POEA or in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

“The Aquino administration has to work hard in filling and pursuing cases against illegal recruiters and human traffickers if it’s really sincere in combating the rampant illegal recruitment activities victimizing thousands of OFWs and applicants,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group sees no effect in Saudi’s policy on OFWs amid death of Crown Prince

Press Release

22 October 2011

Group sees no effect in Saudi’s policy on OFWs amid death of Crown Prince

A Filipino migrants’ rights group today said it sees no effect on Saudi’s policy on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid death of the oil-rich Kingdom’s Crown Prince.

On October 22, Saudi’s Royal Court announced on a statement issued on the same day that Crown Prince Sultan, 85, died on Saturday. Prince Sultan serves as deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.

Asked if the death of the Crown Prince would affect Saudi’s policy of OFWs, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said “I don’t think so” adding that the Crown Prince in his capacity as deputy premier is supporting King Abdullah’s employment program for millions of unemployed Saudis.

Monterona added that the Crown Prince served as the minister of defense and aviation, not as the minister of labor. “But just the same, the Saudi govt. is on its way implementing the Nitaqat scheme or the localization of labor,” he added.

Monterona cited Saudi’s Labor ministry recent announcement that it will be putting 20 percent ceiling on the country’s guest workers.

“As per Saudi Labor ministry there are 8.42-M expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia and it accounts about 31 percent of Saudi’s population,”Monterona added.

Saudi Arabia current population is estimated to have reached 18.7-M.

“This would mean around 3-M expatriate workers will be sent out to their respective countries in the coming years amid the implementation of Saudi’s Nitaqat,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said there are about 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia, placing third on expatriate population with India in the no.1 spot with 1.6-M migrant workers, next Bangladesh with 1.4-M workers in Saudi Arabia.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group warns ex-OFWs, would-be OFWs on illegal recruitment in Libya; urges POEA to issue an advisory

Press Release

22 October 2011

Group warns ex-OFWs, would-be OFWs on illegal recruitment in Libya; urges POEA to issue an advisory

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today warns former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) especially those repatriates during the surge of the political upheavals in Libya to take caution on jobs offered by some unscrupulous recruitment agents amid existing deployment ban.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said he is receiving queries from former OFWs who used to works in Libya about jobs offered by recruitment agencies, local and foreign, for deployment in Libya.

“It was expected that ex-OFWs, mostly repatriates due to the Libyan upheavals, are considering a comeback to work there; aside from them, there are would-be OFWs, too, now looking for jobs deployment to Libya,” Monterona said.

Monterona added it is fully understandable that ex-Libya OFWs and would-be OFWs, as early as this, are now seeking jobs for deployment in Libya as the only option left amid dire economic condition and being jobless in the Philippines.

About 17,000 OFWs were repatriated from Libya since the PH govt. ordered OFWs forced repatriation at the height of the Libyan upheavals.

Prior to the surge of the Libyan conflict, according to Monterona, there were around 22,000 to 24,000 OFWs, mostly working in infrastructure and construction projects, while others are in oil and gas refineries.

Nurses and related medical professions share an ample number of OFWs working in Libya, mostly in government hospitals.

On Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will not lift the ban on OFWs deployment in Libya despite the capture of Libyan strongman Moamar Gadhafi.

“We are urging the DFA to properly assess the objective situation in Libya. Ano ang recent assessment nila sa present political situation sa Libya sa kabila ng pagkakapatay kay Gadhaffi? Magulo pa ba? Ano ang scale ng labanan or sporadic na kaguluhan na lang ba? Ano ang saklaw ng gulo, saang cities magulo pa? The bottom line is safe na ba once mag-deploy ng OFWs sa Libya?” Monterona averred.

Monterona calls on the POEA to issue an advisory that OFWs deployment to Libya is not yet allowed as the ban stays, for the information and guidance of OFWs.

“We are urging the POEA to issue an advisory in this regard to guide and avoid our fellow OFWs becoming victim of illegal recruiters and human traffickers,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Muslim-Christian group says Aquino govt. ‘half-hearted’ peace efforts suffered huge setback

Press Release

20 October 2011

Muslim-Christian group says Aquino govt. ‘half-hearted’ peace efforts suffered huge setback

The Saudi-based Muslim-Christian alliance today expressed doubts on the Aquino III govt. sincerity talking peace with rebel groups saying that it already suffered a ‘series of setbacks’ because of its half-hearted stance pursuing peace talks with the other parties.

Sonny Saleh Rivera, one of the conveners of the Saudi-based Muslim-Christian Alliance for Justice and Peace in the Philippines (MCA-JPP) a native of Basilan, said he and his fellow Muslims are saddened by the recent clashes that ensued Tuesday in Basilan between govt. forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters resulting to the death of 19 govt. soldiers and undisclosed number of casualties from both sides.

“Eto na iyong resulta ng hindi sinserong usapang pangkapayapaan ng Aquino govt. at ng MILF pagkatapos maunsyami ang pag-uusap sa pagitan nila (This is now the result of insincere peace talks between the Aquino govt. and the MILF after its failed efforts of talks between them), Rivera added.

He added: “Mataas ang expectations ng both sides at umasa pero ng naunsyami dahil sa kakulangan ng sinseredad sa pag-uusap, kaya iyong nangyari sa Basilan ay isang malaking set back sa peace efforts na hindi sinsero (Both sides has high expectations and hope but when it was stalled due to lack of sincerity, then the incident in Basilan is a huge setback to peace efforts that is not sincere anyway.)

On his part, Gerry De Guzman, counterpart-lead MCA-JPP convener, said in the peace negotiations between the Aquino govt. and the communist group, CPP-NPD-NDF, was already hindered amid the indefinite postponement announcement made by GPH peace panel chair Alexander Padilla.

“Instead of clearing the way to peace, the GPH peace panel is sticking on its gun asking the other group to lay their arms so that it could continue talking peace while breaking its vow to work for the release of NDF consultants and other political prisoners and its continued refusal to honor previous agreements,” De Guzman adding that such was a sign of the Aquino govt. insincerity on peace negotiations with the rebel group.

Meanwhile, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, one of the conveners of the MCA-JPP, scored the Aquino administration for its failure to put a stop on extra-judicial killings of social and political activists whose latest victim was the Italian missionary Fr. Fausto Tentorio.

“Again, the usual suspects are military agents whose manner of extra-judicial killing operations were perfectly the same of previous victims,” Monterona noted.

He said Pres. Aquino being the Commander-In-Chief of the whole military institution, if he is really sincere and in control of, could root out the culture of impunity.

“For one, the Pres. Aquino could order to send back to barracks all military units and its commanders, who were accused, if not allegedly involve, on extra-judicial killings. Filing criminal cases against military officials, if evidence warrants, must be the Aquino govt. serious undertaking,” Monterona concluded.

MCA-JPP and Migrante-Saudi Arabia chapter will stage an indoor indignation action and will hold a press conference on Friday, October 20 calling on the Aquino administration to act on extra-judicial killings, resignation of GPH peace adviser Teresita Delles, among others.

For references:

Gerry de Guzman

Convener, Muslim-Christian Alliance for Justice and Peace in the Philippines (MCA-JPP)

Mobile No.00966507373906

Sonny Saleh Rivera

Convener, Muslim-Christian Alliance for Justice and Peace in the Philippines (MCA-JPP)

Mobile No. 00966515127742

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

‘OFWs joining ‘occupy’ movement abroad inevitable’

Press Release

19 October 2011

‘OFWs joining ‘occupy’ movement abroad inevitable’

Thus, said today by a Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East as the ‘occupy’ movement around the world gains support from various groups and sectors denouncing ‘corporate greed’ by big businesses and establishments who got control most of a nation’s wealth.

“To say that our OFWs, who are scattered around the world numbering to around 8-M to 10-M, are not affected of so called ‘corporate greed’ thus there’s no reason for them joining the ‘occupy’ movement is an understatement,” said Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Monterona said OFWs, just like the workers of the host countries, are robbed of the ‘real fruits of their labor’ by big businesses and establishments owned and controlled by the few.

“The Filipino workers abroad just like their counterpart in the host countries have been exploited and alienated of the fruits of their own labor. They were paid low wages, lack of protection and are victim of contractualization, and other forms of labor rights violations and malpractices,”Monterona added.

Monterona added under the capitalist economic system in the pretext of neo-liberal globalization policies such as liberalization, deregulation, privatization and denationalization, the interest of businesses and profit is given priority over the welfare and rights of the working people/class.

The governments of the First World countries headed by the so called G-8 often resorted to selling of puppet government corporations and agencies to local and foreign businesses, removal of government control and pricing of major commodities such as oil, electricity, rice and govt. cut spending on social services.

“Complete opening up of the country and the economy for investment, control, intervention and ownership of foreign capital and multinational/transnational corporations is the ploy to continue the cycle of exploitation in the name of profit,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said since the Aquino govt. also adheres to US govt. neo-liberal globalization policies, the Filipino workers wage, service, employment protection and rights are under attack.

“The Filipino workers, local and overseas, only option left is to link arms with the ‘occupy’ movement abroad by joining the protest actions/demonstrations peacefully,” Monterona added.

“The birth of an ‘occupy’ movement in major cities of Third World countries including the Philippines, given the dire socio-economic condition of the workers who are exploited and oppressed, is almost expected,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

PH consulate to appeal OFW ‘illicit affairs’ conviction by Dubai court –OFW group

Press Release

19 October 2011

PH consulate to appeal OFW ‘illicit affairs’ conviction by Dubai court –OFW group

The Philippine Consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, today confirms that it will file an appeal on behalf of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was sentenced by Dubai Court to one year imprisonment over an ‘illicit affair’ case filed against her, according to Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

On Tuesday, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona citing The National, UAE English newspaper, reported a Filipina whose name initial is NR, 25 years old, was meted out Sunday a sentence of one (1) year imprisonment for having an illicit relationship with her fellow OFW whom she claimed was her husband.

Consul general Benito Valeriano, speaking on the phone Wednesday morning with M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, confirmed that his office will file an appeal once it received a copy of their marriage certificate.

                                     

“We will file an appeal once we receive a copy of their marriage certificate,” Congen Valeriano confirming to Monterona during a phone conversation.

During hearings, OFW NR testified in Dubai Court of Misdemeanors that she and her husband got married on June 10, 2007 in the Philippines, three days before she moved to Dubai for work.

"We didn’t know we would need marriage documents to prove our relation," NR stated as per court records obtained by The National.

Dubai Court of Misdemeanor rendered it’s sentenced of 1 year imprisonment to OFW NR last October 9. As per Dubai rules of court, she has 15 days to file an appeal.

On October 10, Monterona said he had endorsed OFW NR case to PH Consulate requesting to provide assistance for her specifically the filing of appeal on the Court’s ruling.

Monterona said his group is trying to get in touch with her husband through Migrante staff in the Philippines to get a copy of their marriage certificate and send it to the PH consulate soonest.

“I conveyed to Congen Valeriano to study also the option of filing an appeal for the reduction of her sentence once the OFW and her husband failed to produce the marriage certificate within the 15-day grace period allowed to file an appeal,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he had urged Congen Valeriano to send a consular team to visit OFW NR who is detained along with her 2-month old baby at Dubai Central Jail in Al Aweer Area.

“We need to provide assistance, not only to OFW NR, but to her 2-month old baby and ensure that they’re in good condition inside the jail,” Monterona averred.

“I conveyed to Congen Valeriano to ask the jail authority to extend preferential treatment to her and her 2-month old baby,” Monterona added.

On August 2011, Monterona revealed that there are more or less fifteen (15) women OFW inmates with children in Dubai jails, as per his group monitoring.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Utilize OWWA funds to provide assistance, support to undocumented, jobless OFWs

Press Release

18 October 2011

Utilize OWWA funds to provide assistance, support to undocumented, jobless OFWs

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a Filipino migrants rights group, today urges the Aquino administration to utilize the OWWA funds, a pool of $US25 OFWs membership fee, held in trust to the government through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an adjunct agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said a substantial fraction of the P12.6-B OWWA funds should be utilized as a support fund to undocumented and jobless OFWs who are in dire situation abroad.

“The OWWA and the funds it has collected from OFWs membership fees must serve its purpose and one of these is providing welfare programs and services to OFWs especially distress, undocumented and jobless, and their dependents,” Monterona averred.

On Saturday (October 15), M-ME regional revealed that some of the undocumented and jobless OFWs whom they have previously given assistance claimed that they were forced to ‘sell their blood’ and spent the money for their daily subsistence, while their meager income working part-time will be sent home to their families in the Philippines.

“The story of OFWs Roy and Miko (not their real names) is a sad reality involving thousands of undocumented and jobless OFWs who were mostly victims of labor malpractices and abuses; their dire situation should serve as an eye opener for the Aquino govt. to act by providing them assistance and support,” M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said.

Monterona noted since the story of Roy and Miko was published, he is receiving several calls from fellow OFWs saying that this had been ‘a usual survival act for undocumented and jobless OFWs’ as they could not get support from the PH embassy and labor officials in the Kingdom.

“What worries us are the revelations that were shared to us that not only ‘selling’ blood, which in fact is not an illegal act per see, but other illegal activities engaged by most of the undocumented and jobless OFWs. Ika nga kapit na sa patalim,” Monterona added.

Monterona said other illegal activities are selling liquor, betting on numbers game popularly known as ‘last three’, and even illegal drugs related activities.

“We fully understand the dire situation of our undocumented and jobless OFWs, but it won’t do well if they will engage in illegal activities for ‘easy money’. We appeal and advise them to abhor doing illegal activities,” Monterona added.

Monterona said his group will continue to press the Aquino administration and all concerned government agencies to provide assistance to distressed, undocumented, and jobless OFWs in the Middle East.

“We re-iterate our call, for the nth time, on the Aquino govt. to work for the regularization, if not repatriation, of all undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia and in other mid-east countries,” Monterona added.

Migrante chapter in the Kingdom has been urging the PH embassy in Riyadh to consider putting up a shelter for undocumented male OFWs who are in dire situation.

In Saudi Arabia alone, the no.1 destination of OFWs, there is around 8,000 to 10,000 undocumented OFWs as per Migrante-Middle East estimates.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228