Group says No to BIR tax imposition on OFWs voluntary contributions to SSS, Pag-Ibig

Press Release

1 December 2011

Group says No to BIR tax imposition on OFWs voluntary contributions to SSS, Pag-Ibig

A progressive Filipino migrants’ rights group today say it is oppose on the plan of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to impose taxes on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) contribution to the Social Security System (SSS) and to the Home Development Mutual Fund popularly known as PAG-IBIG.

On Wednesday, the BIR confirmed that it has issued a circular to study the imposition of tax to SSS and PAG-IBIG members who have contributed more than the amount allowed by law as it is considered as an investment, thereby should be taxed. The BIR though clarified that the proposal is still under study.

Reacting on the BIR proposal, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the OFWs contributions to the SSS and PAG-IBIG should not be considered and be classified as ‘investment to accumulate millions of profits’.

“Some of us, OFWs, opted to voluntarily contribute and avail the programs of the SSS and PAG-IBIG not for investment to gain millions of profits. It is just an investment enough to secure our needs when we retire and have our own house we could proudly say a product of our hard works abroad,” Monterona said.

Monterona added imposing taxes on OFWs voluntary contribution to SSS and PAG-IBIG defeat the very intent, purpose and spirit of the programs which is social security and housing loan if the government through the BIR will push through its plan of imposing taxes on OFWs contributions.

 “We know that it is the BIR’s duty to raise and collect taxes but the government must be reasonable and fair and must consider the present socio-economic plight of our people. The government must stop treating our OFWs as milking cows, while there are no or lack of govt. programs and welfare services for them,” Monterona added.

Monterona said if the BIR pushes through imposing tax on OFW voluntary contribution to SSS and PAG-IBIG, ‘many OFWs will stop their contributions.”

Monterona noted that OFWs membership to SSS is voluntary, while membership to PAG-IBIG is now mandatory when a law took effect amending the old law.

There are about 40,000 OFWs who are voluntary members of SSS. “If the govt. plan to impose tax on OFWs ‘investment’ to SSS is implemented, then the numbers will go down as expected,” Monterona added.

“Maghunos-dili naman sana ang gobyernong Aquino sa walang habas na pagpapataw ng buwis sa taong-bayan particular sa mangagawa, local or migrante, na pati ang kanilang kaunting impok sa SSS at PAG-IBIG ay bubuwisan na,” Monterona added.

Migrante-ME calls on Pres. Aquino and its economic managers to stop its plan to impose tax on OFWs contributions to SSS and PAG-IBIG.

“OFWs and their families will take up arms so to speak against its plan to impose tax on our SSS and PAG-IBIG contributions which is only an additional burden,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group urges Aquino govt. to work hard saving doomed OFW in China; presses formation of inter-agency task force to attend Filipinos on-death row abroad

Press Release

30 November 2011

Group urges Aquino govt. to work hard saving doomed OFW in China; presses formation of inter-agency task force to attend Filipinos on-death row abroad

A Filipino migrants’ rights group today called on the Aquino administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to work hard and intensify its efforts to save a Filipino convicted of drug trafficking in China.

In a statement issued on November 30, the DFA confirmed that a Filipino whom it did not identify is scheduled to be meted out death on December 8, more than a week from now.

“We are still praying and hoping that the execution will be halted, though Chinese authorities really adhere on its strict implementation of anti-drugs policy and have meted out death to those found guilty,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

He added fellow OFWs worries are revive like when the three (3) Filipinos were executed in China last March this year.

Monterona said this is a sad, bitter reality confronting us as a nation especially if we knew there are more than a hundred of them still on death row in various countries.

“We hope that our calls for the Aquino govt. to work hard to saving the lives of other OFWs on death row must be met with all seriousness and pro-active stance on the part of the present administration,” Monterona added.

Monterona reiterates his group calls on the Aquino govt. the formation of a high-level inter-agency task force that would find ways for the commutation of Filipinos’ death sentences and eventually spare them from execution.

The Saudi-based OFW leader also re-iterates calls for an intensified campaign initiated by the government, national and international in scope, involving all concerned government agencies, to prevent OFWs being victimized by international drug traffickers and syndicates.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535 921228

OFW group, distressed OFW ask PH labor office to fire inept case translator

Press Release

30 November 2011

OFW group, distressed OFW ask PH labor office to fire inept case translator

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in Saudi Arabia today calls on the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Jeddah to fire its labor case translator for misrepresenting a distressed overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who filed a case against his employer in Saudi labor court.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said Felipe Montealto Jr., 31, from Iloilo City, filed an illegal termination case on June 2011 against his employer who had also declared him an abscondee.

In Saudi Arabia, absconding or running away from the employer-sponsor is considered an immigration offense and is punishable by imprisonment and deportation.

OFW Montealto also complained breach of contract by his employer and unjustified salary deduction. He works for the latter since August 2010 as administrative assistant.

On 28 November 2011, OFW Montealto and his privately hired Saudi attorney appeared before the Saudi labor office to present his documentary evidence and oral argument in relation to the lawsuit he filed against his employer (name of the employer is being withheld as the case is now under litigation).

Speaking on a mobile phone yesterday with M-ME’s Monterona, OFW Montealto said during court proceeding, Mohamad Mamour S. Qassim of the POLO office in Jeddah is the case translator assigned to supposedly assist OFW Montealto, entered the sala of the judge sitting beside Montealto’s adversarial party.

“He testified against me claiming that I reneged on our agreed amicable settlement with my employer, which is not true. Me and my lawyer were surprised of his unexpected and unethical conduct being a case translator,” Montealto said.

OFW Montealto said POLO case translator was not authorized by him to make any representation on his case, not even during court hearing.

On his part, Monterona said POLO case translator Qassim action and statement issued in court during hearing are seen as ‘a serious breach of protocol and bereft of any basis, legal or moral.

“His action and statement issued in Saudi labor office constitute betrayal of the interest of a distressed OFW he must protect and serve,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said he called on POLO Labor attache Vic Cabe, Mr. Qassim’s immediate superior, to inform him of this incident and OFW Montealto’s complaint against his case translator Mr. Qassim.

“Labatt Cabe promised us that he will ask an explanation from Mr. Qassim and agreed to call both, OFW Montealto and Mr. Qassim, to clear this issue,”

According to Monterona, this is not the first time they received complaints from distressed OFWs against POLO case translator Mohamad Qassim.

“OFW Montealto and Migrante are now consulting Saudi and Philippine lawyers for legal action to be taken against Mr. Qassim’s misrepresentation in court and his conduct unbecoming an official of PH overseas labor office,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFW group to Aquino admin., DoLE: Don't downplay impact of Saudization

Press Release

28 November 2011

OFW group to Aquino admin., DoLE:  Don't downplay impact of Saudization

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today scored the Aquino administration and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for downplaying the impending impact of ‘Saudization’ to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the oil-rich Kingdom.

As per Saudi news reports, Nitaqat ‘grace period’ had officially ended on November 26, 2011. Days after, ‘important notices’ presumably issued by the Saudi govt. related to implementation of Nitaqat, Saudi’s localization of labor program, spread like wildfire in social networking sites and electronic mails.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the Aquino administration through the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and other concerned government agencies must now put their act together in evaluating the impact of Saudization.

“The DoLE and other concerned govt. agencies should now create programs and other mechanisms to lessen Saudization’s impact on OFWs who will be terminated from their respective jobs,” Monterona added.

Monterona said an estimated 100,000 OFWs, at the minimum, and 300,000 maximum will be affected though he admitted ‘it is really hard to gauge the real numbers of OFWs who will be affected’ by these ‘important notices’ unless the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the various PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia will institute a monitoring mechanism of those affected by these labor policies of the host government.

Monterona said he did try to get a reaction from POLO officials in Saudi Arabia but the latter declined to comment.

Monterona noted that the PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia do not have an estimated numbers of OFWs working in companies under ‘Red’ category and how many of them are working under the 18 jobs categories. 

“It is sad to not that even the PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia do not have the numbers of OFWs who will be affected by Saudization, thus how could the govt. be given prior notice and thereby create safety nets for the affected OFWs,” Monterona averred.

Monterona reiterates his group’s call to the Aquino govt. to prepare on the impact of the Saudi’s Nitaqat to our fellow OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. labor policy.

The Saudi-based OFW leader added: “We urged the Aquino govt. to waste no time in crafting safety nets for OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. protectionist labor policies.”

He added that the government must now shift to local jobs creation instead of relying to exporting cheap human labor.

As per POEA statistics, last year (2010) the 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia sent US$ 1.6-B remittances placing third on all-country remittances sources, next to OFWs from Canada (2^nd) and the United States (1^st).

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Saudi OFWs feel the crunch of Nitaqat’s full implementation

Press Release

27 November 2011

Saudi OFWs feel the crunch of Nitaqat’s full implementation

“Sir, good morning po, nagtatanong lang po ako tungkol po sa red category na Iqama dahil kami po ay nasa establishment lamang, confirm na po ba talaga na lahat ng red category ay pa-exitin na this coming 7^th of January 2012? (Sir good morning, I am just asking regarding ‘Red’ category of Iqama (work visa) because we are employed by an establishment only, is it already confirmed that all those in ‘Red’ category will exit this coming 7^th of January 2012?), thus asked by a Saudi-based Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sent via short message (SMS) to an official of a Filipino migrants rights group.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona confirmed the above SMS were just among the SMS he received recently from fellow OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking confirmation on the reports widely sent to social networking sites about the full implementation of the Kingdom’s Nitaqat labor scheme.

Another SMS received by Monterona from fellow OFW says: ‘Sana ma-inform nyo kami tungkol sa Nitaqat at iyong ‘important notice’ para makapag-handa kami (We hope that you’ll inform us about Nitaqat and the ‘important notices’ so that we could prepare),”.

On Monday (November 21) Monterona said he received an electronic email from expatriate workers of other nationalities about ‘important notices’ from the Saudi government which he says has ‘something to do on the on-going implementation of Nitaqat, Saudi’s program on localization of labor.’

Monterona, citing local news reports, Nitaqat ‘grace period’ had officially ended on November 26, 2011. A day after, the ‘important notices’ spread like wildfire in social networking sites and electronic mails.

The ‘important notices’ contained in the email, which maybe the English translation of the original Arabic text were read as follows:

-       The Government is set to effectively SUSPEND all sponsorship transfer for all nationalities effective 07 January 2012. Companies will be required to immediately submit their manpower requirement, visas or sponsorship transfer approval will be given after review by Labor Office, depending on category (GREEN/EXCELLENT).

-       Companies in RED CATEGORY must submit original passports/Iqama to Labor Office for Final Exit latest by 07-01-12 or they will be penalized SR.100, 000 and all system will be closed for company and employees.

-       Iqama for 18 job categories and sub categories will NO longer be renewed, Accountant/Secretary/Salesman/Administrator/Sales Manager/Sales Supervisor/Finance Manager/Chief Accountant/Senior Accountant/Office Manager/Sales Assistant/Administration Manager/Office Boy/Driver/Receptionist/Warehouse Manager/Forklift Operator/Logistics Supervisor.

-       People on Free Visa MUST now regularize their status or they will suffer seriously from 07-01-12.

Monterona added that if these ‘important notices’ are indeed true, then expatriate workers (including OFWs) 1) who are applying for sponsorship transfer, 2) those currently employed by companies in ‘Red’ category (meaning non-compliant to Nitaqat scheme), 3) those belongs to 18 jobs categories (as stated above) and 4) those with ‘Free Visa’ must be properly informed as they have until January 7, 2012.

Monterona said an estimated 100,000 OFWs, at the minimum, and 300,000 maximum will be affected though he admitted ‘it is really hard to gauge the real numbers of OFWs who will be affected’ by these ‘important notices’ unless the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the various PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia will institute a monitoring mechanism of those affected by these labor policies of the host government.

Monterona said he did try to get a reaction from POLO officials in Saudi Arabia but the latter declined to comment.

Monterona noted that the PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia do not have an estimated numbers of OFWs working in companies under ‘Red’ category and how many of them are working under the 18 jobs categories. “I’m quite sure PH labor offices do not have the numbers of OFWs on a ‘free visa’, too.”

“But just the same, we reiterate our call to the Aquino govt. to prepare on the impact of the Saudi’s Nitaqat to our fellow OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. labor policy,” Monterona asserted.

The Saudi-based OFW leader added: “We urged the Aquino govt. to waste no time in crafting safety nets for OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. protectionist labor policies.”

“In the long run, it will not only affect the OFWs in Saudi Arabia but as well as the amount of remittances coming in the country which the government badly needed to survive the local economy,” Monterona ended.

As per POEA statistics, last year (2010) the 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia sent US$ 1.6-B remittances placing third on all-country remittances sources, next to OFWs from Canada (2^nd) and the United States (1^st).

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group dares OWWA to ‘name names’ officials who failed to remit OFWs membership fees; presses probe on unliquidated OWWA expenses

Press Release

26 November 2011

Group dares OWWA to ‘name names’ officials who failed to remit OFWs membership fees; presses probe on unliquidated OWWA expenses

A Filipino migrants’ rights group today dares the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to release to the public the names of its officials abroad who failed to remit OFWs membership renewal fees.

OWWA is an adjunct agency to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) which main task is to provide welfare programs and services to OFWs and their dependents as it take cares of the trust funds it has collected of US$25 from every OFWs as per contract basis.

On Friday, OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon admitted that there is really an unremitted funds that incurred long ago since 2008 before she assumed office. This admission came after the COA releases its reports and found out that there are about P21-M unremitted funds from various OWWA officers abroad.

“We are not simply urging the OWWA to name names its officials who failed to remit the OFWs membership funds they have collected since 2008. This is a matter of invoking the stakeholder’s (OFWs) right on public information and in the spirit of transparency especially if it’s about our funds held in trust to the government through the OWWA,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added the OWWA officials who failed to remit the OFWs membership fees may be in transferred in another post which may complicate the disbursement to OWWA account in Manila.

“As far as we know, OWWA officials posted abroad have only 2-year tour of duty. They may be redeployed in another post or stay in its main or regional offices in the Philippines,” Monterona added.

Aside from demanding from OWWA to release the names of OWWA officials who failed to remit the OFW membership funds, Monterona is also urging OWWA chief Dimzon to investigate the unliquidated expenses of OWWA officials who have travelled abroad.

“We have heard allegations that there were millions of unliquidated expenses of some OWWA officials who have travelled abroad which were charged to OWWA trust funds. This unliquated expenses may surpass the unremitted OFWs funds and must be investigated, too,”Monterona averred.

He added that the OFWs funds being a trust fund collected from OFWs hard earned money must be given protection and must be secured by the Aquino government from any misuse and misallocation.

“Let us remind the government that the OFWs funds are just being held in trust to the OWWA. Proper accounting and utilization to the benefit of its stakeholders (OFWs and their dependents) must be ensured,” Monterona added.

He urged the Aquino govt. to instruct the concerned govt. agencies to conduct probe on unremitted OFWs fees and unliquidated expenses of OWWA officials.

“As per the information we’ve got, the OWWA trust fund is now amounting to P18-B or even more,” Monterona concluded.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

96 Saudi-based OFWs detained in 5 months duration–group

Press Release

24 November 2011

96 Saudi-based OFWs detained in 5 months duration–group

According to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants rights’ advocacy group with chapters in Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) countries, today said there were ninety-six (96) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) detained in various Saudi jails in 5 months duration.

M-ME regional director John Leonard Monterona confirmed that in just 5 months, from May 2011 to September 2011, they have monitored 96 OFWs detained in different Saudi jails for various petty crimes offenses.

“The data would mean on the average there were 5 OFWs put behind bars weekly,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said 58, out of the 96 OFW inmates, were charged of liquor possession, followed by those charged of drug-related cases with 25, 7 OFWs for immorality case, and 6 for theft.

Others were charged of physical injuries, seduction of minors, trespassing, road accident, and falsification of document.

Monterona added that 78 out of the 96 inmates are detained at the Malaz Central jail in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital city; while 10 are in Dammam jail, 6 in Al-Hassa jail, 3 both in Qatiff, Tuqba and Al-Hair jails, respectively, and 1 in Jubail Central jail.

Monterona said majority or 98% of the 96 OFW inmates are still waiting court decision though half of them have been arrested since May 2011.

According to Monterona, most of the OFW inmates were charged of petty crime offenses, aside from the 25 who were arrested on alleged drug-related activities. “Petty crimes are punishable of imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 1 year plus a number of lashes,” Monterona citing similar cases his group had previously handled.

“Most of the 96 OFW inmates have been in jail for five to 7 months already and no court decision yet on these cases,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said he had spoken to some of the OFW inmates in Malaz jail and asked them if the PH embassy hired a lawyer or have provided legal assistance to them, the inmates replied a resounding ‘No!’

Monterona said the PH embassy in Riyadh must pro-actively represent the OFW inmates in court and/or host govt. to fast track the resolution of their respective cases.

“We would like to reiterate for the nth time our call to the Aquino govt. through the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) to consider hiring local Shariah lawyers on retention basis to render legal assistance to all jailed OFWs in Saudi Arabia including the smooth facilitation of their release and deportation once they’ve completed their respective jail terms,” Monterona added.

The Saudi-based OFW leader has this advice to his fellow OFWs who are mostly were forced to accept jobs abroad due to grinding poverty and joblessness in the homeland: “The commission of petty crimes such as liquor, theft, and immorality as the most common cases could be avoided. We only need to impose strict self-discipline and be vigilant. We are here to work, for our families and children,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Migrante-ME calls for probe on unremitted OWWA membership dues

Press Release

23 November 2011

Migrante calls for probe on unremitted OWWA membership dues

‘Charge OWWA officials abroad who failed to remit OWWA membership fees’

Thus, urges today by a Filipino migrants rights group to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon amid reports issued by the Commission on Audit about unremitted overseas collection of OWWA membership fees by the supposed premier welfare agency for OFWs and their dependents.

Citing Philippine Daily Inquirer online news report, COA discovered that in 2010 OWWA officials abroad failed to remit about P21-M collections of OFWs membership fees to OWWA main office account.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said this unremitted amount of over P21-M OWWA membership fees is a ‘big, big blunder’ emphasizing that OWWA could not even handle its overseas operation in the collection of OWWA membership fees.

“If they could not make good in remitting the OFWs membership fees collection to account of OWWA in Manila, so how much more in delivering services and programs to OFWs and dependents abroad?” Monterona asked.

Monterona said OWWA administrator Dimzon owe an explanation to OFWs where the collections are and how they could secure the amount which are actually OFWs fees for their continued membership to OWWA.

“The OWWA fund is a trust fund. Thus, the fund must be protected and secured,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that his group is receiving complaints from some vacationing OFWs that despite that they’ve renewed their membership to OWWA, they could not avail OWWA programs as it appeared on OWWA records that they have not renewed their membership, though they actually paid their membership in OWWA overseas office.

Monterona calls on his fellow OFWs not to pay their membership dues to OWWA offices abroad until this issue is resolved.

“If they are going for vacation, then better pay their membership dues as Balik Mangagawa at POEA main office or its regional satellite offices in the Philippines,” Monterona added.

Monterona calls on the members of Congress (Senate Committee on Labor and House Committee on OFWs Affairs) to investigate this issue in aid of legislation aimed at protecting the OWWA funds.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Group asks DFA not to delay the repatriation of 160+ distressed OFWs in Syria

Press Release

23 November 2011

Group asks DFA not to delay the repatriation of 160+ distressed OFWs in Syria

Receiving reports from some of the distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) temporarily seeking refuge at the Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Damascus, Syria, a Filipino migrants rights group today asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) not to delay the repatriation of about 160 OFWs, some of them run away and those who opted voluntary repatriation due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

“The distressed OFWs in FWRC in Damacus, Syria sent an SMS (short messages) to me pleading for assistance to convey to the Aquino govt. through the Department of Foreign Affairs to fast track their repatriation,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

One of the SMS Monterona received from the distressed OFWs says “160 na kami dito. Di pa din kami maka-uwi. Sabi ng embassy waiting for funding pa din kaya di kami mai-uwi (We are now 160 here. We can’t be repatriated. Embassy told us they are still waiting for funds, thus we can’t be sent home)”.

Monterona said the distressed OFWs in FWRC are worried that they have been staying for more than 3 months, others for 6 months, since admission from the FWRC.

“The conflict in Syria is still intense between the anti-government protesters and Syrian government forces, thus it is but normal for the distressed OFWs at the FWRC to demand their immediate repatriation which actually taking months now,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said according to the distressed OFWs, they were told by embassy officials that the embassy is still awaiting the funds for their repatriation coming from the DFA in Manila.

Monterona added: “If that is the case, then we are urging the DFA to fast track the release of the required funds so that embassy officials in Syria could immediately arrange the repatriation of the distressed OFWs especially those who have their travel documents ready.”

“We thought that Ambassador Ricardo Endaya got more experience in repatriation than the former PH ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan, that’s why the latter was replaced. But seems nothing had happened until now and the distressed OFWs are still awaiting their repatriation,” Monterona averred.

Migrante-ME calls on the Aquino administration to instruct the DFA not to waste time in releasing the repatriation funds and immediately arrange the repatriation of the 160 distressed OFWs in Syria so that they could reunite with their families during Yuletide season.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

Nitaqat in full swing as ‘important notices’ issued

Press Release

23 November 2011

Nitaqat in full swing as ‘important notices’ issued

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today urges the Riyadh-based Philippine Overseas Labor office (POLO) to verify reports about ‘important notices’ purportedly issued by Saudi government which it says it received from ‘reliable sources’.

On Monday, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona confirmed that he received an electronic email from expatriate workers of other nationalities about ‘important notices’ from the Saudi government which he says has a ‘direct relation’ to the on-going implementation of Nitaqat, Saudi’s program on localization of labor.

The ‘important notices’ contained in the email, which maybe the English translation of the original Arabic text were read as follows:

-       The Government is set to effectively SUSPEND all sponsorship transfer for all nationalities effective 07 January 2012. Companies will be required to immediately submit their manpower requirement, visas or sponsorship transfer approval will be given after review by Labor Office, depending on category (GREEN/EXCELLENT).

-       Companies in RED CATEGORY must submit original passports/Iqama to Labor Office for Final Exit latest by 07-01-12 or they will be penalized SR.100, 000 and all system will be closed for company and employees.

-       Iqama for 18 job categories and sub categories will NO longer be renewed, Accountant/Secretary/Salesman/Administrator/Sales Manager/Sales Supervisor/Finance Manager/Chief Accountant/Senior Accountant/Office Manager/Sales Assistant/Administration Manager/Office Boy/Driver/Receptionist/Warehouse Manager/Forklift Operator/Logistics Supervisor.

-       People on Free Visa MUST now regularize their status or they will suffer seriously from 07-01-12.

Monterona noted that if these ‘important notices’ are indeed true, then expatriate workers (including OFWs) 1) who are applying for sponsorship transfer, 2) those currently employed by companies in ‘Red’ category (meaning non-compliant to Nitaqat scheme), 3) those belongs to 18 jobs categories (as stated above) and 4) those with ‘Free Visa’ must be properly informed as they have until January 7, 2012.

Monterona said an estimated 100,000 OFWs, at the minimum, and 300,000 maximum will be affected though he admitted ‘it is really hard to gauge the real numbers of OFWs who will be affected’ by these ‘important notices’ unless the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the various PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia will institute a monitoring mechanism of those affected by these labor policies of the host government.

Monterona noted that the PH labor offices in Saudi Arabia do not have an estimated numbers of OFWs working in companies under ‘Red’ category and how many of them are working under the 18 jobs categories. “I’m quite sure PH labor offices do not have the numbers of OFWs on a ‘free visa’, too.”

“But just the same, we reiterate our call to the Aquino govt. to prepare on the impact of the Saudi’s Nitaqat to our fellow OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. labor policy,” Monterona asserted.

The Saudi-based OFW leader added: “As early as this time, we would like to see the Aquino govt. crafting safety nets for OFWs who will be affected by the host govt. protectionist labor policies.”

“In the long run, it will not only affect the OFWs in Saudi Arabia but as well as the amount of remittances coming in the country which the government badly needed to survive the local economy,” Monterona ended.

As per POEA statistics, last year (2010) the 1.2-M OFWs in Saudi Arabia sent US$ 1.6-B remittances placing third on all-country remittances sources, next to OFWs from Canada (2^nd) and the United States (1^st).

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228