Saudi govt. intensifies crackdown on illegal, overstaying migrants

Press Release

1 April 2013

Saudi govt. intensifies crackdown on illegal, overstaying migrants

March 31 press conference. Filipino community leaders and stranded women OFWs and children calls for 'free and swift' mass repatriation of undocumented and stranded OFWs in the Kingdom

Group appeals to respect migrant rights, calls for ‘swift and free’ mass repatriation

Saudi authorities continue to round up illegal and overstaying migrant workers in its bid to force private firms to heed on the full implementation of Saudization locally known as Nitaqat, which means localization of labor, and clean the Kingdom from overtaying and illegal migrant workers, according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East.

“We have been receiving confirmed reports since last week about the crackdown on illegals and overstaying led by composite teams of police and Saudi labor officials in Saudi’s main cities Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Dammam. Since then we have received numerous calls from Filipino undocumented workers and other nationalities asking for guidance and assistance,” said Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, also the Vice-chairperson of MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and families.

Last week, it was reported in several local newspapers in Saudi Arabia that the Labor ministry have amended Saudi labor law specifically Article 39 giving power to the Labor Ministry to inspect and investigate violations related to expatriates employment in the Kingdom.

The Interior Ministry will arrest and deport those surplus workers who do not work for any company. It will also punish Saudi individuals and companies who employ such workers, according to the new article 39 of Saudi’s labor law.

While calling for the Saudi authorities to respect the rights of undocumented migrant workers, Monterona, however, clarified that their group understands the move by the Saudi govt. to rid the Kingdom of about a million undocumented and overstaying migrant workers saying ‘it is within the Saudi govt. local labor priorities, immigration and internal peace and order concerns’.

 “Many of our fellow expatriate workers were forced to run away from their sponsors due to alleged numerous labor violations such as nonpayment of salaries and overtime pay, working more than 8 hours, and contract substitution and illegal deductions by their recruitment agencies,” Monterona explained.

Expatriate workers in the Kingdom believed to have reached more than 8-M.

Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, Egyptians and Filipinos, got the most numbers of expatriate workers.

“We are urging the Saudi authorities to implement first a general amnesty as it announced weeks ago covering all undocumented and overstaying migrants. The amnesty will include provisions of free and swift mass repatriation of undocumented and overstaying migrant workers in the Kingdom. Foreign diplomatic posts are awaiting the guidelines of this general amnesty” Monterona added.

“We also appeal to the Saudi govt. to respect our fellow migrants, though undocumented and overstaying, basic human rights as enshrined in UN Conventions on the Protection of Migrants and members of their Families. We call on them to implement free and swift mass repatriation on undocumented migrants in the Kingdom,” Monterona added.

Last week, Monterona said his group had called on PH embassy and consulate officials during a press conference on 31^st of March to provide assistance to all undocumented and overstaying Filipino workers especially women OFWs who have children.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

MIGRANTE#96 leads March 29 press conference calling for free, swift, and mass repatriation of Saudi stranded OFWs

29 March 2013 Press Conference of the Samahan ng mga Stranded sa Jeddah, KSA joined and led by the officers of MIGRANTE partylist-Jeddah, Migrante-Jeddah, Jeddah Filipino Society, Moro Filipino Group, Gabriela-Jeddah calling for 'Libre, Kagyat, at Maramihan' na pagpapa-uwi sa mga Stranded at undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

1stP: OFWs groups press con calling for free, swift, mass repatriation of Saudi Stranded OFWs:http://youtu.be/sKzUmEWGvFQ

2ndP: OFWs groups press con calling for free, swift, mass repatriation of Saudi Stranded OFWs: http://youtu.be/vcC5GEO5qjA

3rdP: OFWs groups press con calling for free, swift, mass repatriation of Saudi Stranded OFWs:http://youtu.be/dqSipS2-Dj4

4thP: OFWs groups press con calling for free, swift, mass repatriation of Saudi Stranded OFWs:http://youtu.be/ooXnXwPdZEQ

5thP: Migrante-Middle East John Leonard Monterona during 29 March press con on Saudi stranded OFWs:: http://youtu.be/kSRgJSKoQoQ

6thP: Migrante-Middle East John Leonard Monterona during 29 March press con on Saudi stranded OFWs: http://youtu.be/mZEU8pSznl0

OFW on Saudi death row endorses MIGRANTE party-list

Press Release

23 March 2013

OFW on Saudi death row endorses MIGRANTE party-list

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who has been incarcerated in Saudi Arabia jail since 2000 for unintentional death a Saudi national, endorses a party-list group that represents the OFW sector vying for a seat in Philippine Congress on May 13, 2013 mid-term elections via party-list system.

On 21^st March 2013, Rodelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza, now 38 years old, from his detention cell at Dammam Central Jail in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, sent to Filipino community leaders via electronic mail a short message endorsing MIGRANTE for party-list.

A copy of the same email was also sent to Saudi-based Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, also Vice chairperson of MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families.

On his email, Lanuza said, “The Migrante Middle East through its representative John Monterona, was the key instrument for driving my case to the government’s attention that have inspired me to no end to be alive. Thank you for your tireless efforts on helping and fighting for the rights of our fellow OFWs.”

“Dondon Lanuza po, muling nangangatok sa inyong mga puso. Sa darating na halalan sa May 2013, suportahan po natin ang MIGRANTE no. 96 sa balota para Kongreso (Dondon Lanuza again knocking on your hearts. This coming May 13, 2013, let’s support MIGRANTE no.96 in the ballot for Congress),” he added.

Lanuza explained, “Migrante ang karadapat-dapat maupo sa pwesto upang patuloy na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, mabigyan ng proteksyon ang ating mga karapatan at upang maging malakas ang ating boses sa kongreso.”

On his part, Monterona cordially acknowledges Lanuza’s endorsement.

“We in MIGRANTE along with our supporters are happy to read Dondon’s open endorsement. We certainly need endorsement and supports from our fellow OFWs not only from those we have assisted in the Middle East but also from OFWs around the world and from their families in the Philippines,” said Monterona.

Monterona, however, clarified that though they are expecting good news soon for Lanuza’s eventual release, his group is still closely following Lanuza’s case.

“We have received information from reliable source that the Saudi King’s donation for Lanuza’s blood money was already sent to the aggrieved Saudi family through the Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are waiting for the confirmation from the aggrieved family. Only then we can expect them to issue an Affidavit of Forgiveness and waiver of Execution in the Court,” Monterona added.

Monterona calls on Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Ezzadin Tago to closely follow up this matter until Lanuza is released.

Meanwhile, two new chapters of MIGRANTE were formed last week and the previous week, respectively, according to Monterona.

MIGRANTE chapter formed in Rabigh, 88km away north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia_15 March 2013

On 15^th March, MIGRANTE chapter in Rabigh, 88km away at northern part of Jeddah, was formed after elections of its officers, while on 21^st March, a chapter was also formed in Taif, 200km away at southern part of Jeddah.

MIGRANTE chapter in Taif, 200km away south of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia_21 March 2013

“Our fellow OFWs working and leaving outside Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, Al-Khobar are calling and inviting us to visit and assist them to have their groups formed and all wanted to be affiliated with MIGRANTE,” Monterona concluded.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Vice Chairperson, MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families

Mobile No. 00966 559428739

Recorded videos of the 14th March 2013 Press conference on Sabah standoff by various OFWs groups in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Recorded videos of the 14^th March 2013 Press conference on Sabah standoff by various OFWs groups in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

1^st part: http://youtu.be/nX3rd_MG-Ko

2^nd part:  http://youtu.be/8wNNBRI-JtY

3^rd and last part:  http://youtu.be/eNZ4BhvR1ZI

Moro-Christian Alliance for Human Rights Concerns in the Philippines (MCAHRCP), composed of OFW organizations headed by Moro Filipino Community (MFC), Jeddah Filipino Society (JFS) , Migrants Association in Saudi Arabia (MASA), Gabriela-Jeddah, Migrante-Jeddah, and Migrante Sectoral Party-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during March 14 press conference calling for peaceful resolution on Sabah standoff, end the violence and all-out suppression of Malaysia internal security forces, and protection for all Filipino migrants and Moro in Sabah. The HR-based coalition group held PNoy and Malaysian governments responsible in the massacre of Sultan of Sulu followers and the displacement of Filipinos in Sabah.

Photo Release: 15 March 2013 Press conference of various OFW groups calling for peaceful resolution to Sabah standoff, end violence in Sabah

Photo Release

15 March 2013

Reference:         John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

                         Migrante-Middle East (M-ME)

Convenor, Moro-Christian Alliance for Human Rights Concerns in the Philippines (MCAHRCP)

Moro-Christian Alliance for Human Rights Concerns in the Philippines (MCAHRCP), composed of OFW organizations headed by Moro Filipino Community (MFC), Jeddah Filipino Society (JFS) , Migrants Association in Saudi Arabaia (MASA), Gabriela-Jeddah, Migrante-Jeddah, and Migrante Sectoral Party-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during March 14 press conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia calling for peaceful resolution to Sabah standoff, end the violence and all-out suppression of Malaysia internal security forces, and protection for all Filipino migrants and Moro in Sabah.

The HR-based coalition group held PNoy and Malaysian governments responsible in the massacre of Sultan of Sulu followers and the displacement of Filipinos in Sabah.

Rejoinder on OFW Zapanta extension of Blood money deadline

March 12, 2013

Rejoinder on OFW Zapanta extension of Blood money deadline

We are thankful for His Highness King Abdullah for issuing a royal decree halting the execution of all convicts on Saudi death row and that includes OFW Joselito Zapanta. We have heard that a decree was previously issued to this effect.

But again, our call to PNoy govt stays -that it should reconsider sending a 'mercy mission' to once and for all ask the Saudi govt. and the family of the Sudanese Zapanta had killed to issue forgiveness amid the efforts by the Zapanta side to raise the amount needed for the blood money.

A comprehensive legal and diplomatic blue print should be crafted by the concerned PH govt. agencies to save the OFWs not only in Saudi death row but as well as others in foreign jails.

-John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

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Press Release

12 March 2013

Send ‘mercy mission’ to KSA as last-ditch effort to save doomed OFW, group urges PNoy

Migrant rights group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) today urges President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to seriously consider sending a ‘mercy mission’ as last-ditch effort to save OFW Joselito Zapanta from execution.

Zapanta has been incarcerated in Riyadh jail since 2009 for killing his Sudanese landlord after a heated argument between the two ensued over house rental payment.

The family of the Sudanese, after several reconciliation efforts facilitated by the Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC), finally agreed to issue forgiveness to Zapanta in exchange of ‘tanazul’ or blood money amounting P55-M. The amount was reduced to P44-M roughly equivalent to 3.5-M Saudi rials.

The Sudanese family had imposed a deadline for the Zapanta side to fulfill the blood money until March 12, 2013. Failure to fulfill the blood money would mean a go for the doomed OFW’s execution.

“We are renewing our call to the Aquino III govt. to send a mercy mission as last-ditch effort to save OFW Zapanta,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added that this ‘mercy mission’ must be headed by Aquino’s top diplomatic officials, if not by his presidential adviser on OFWs concerns who is no other than Vice-president Jejomar Binay.

“Quoting news report, the kin of Zapanta were already in Riyadh as confirmed by VP Binay in a statement issued on Monday. The Zapantas’ should have been accompanied by PH high delegation to appeal to the Sudanese family and the Saudi government,” Monterona added.

Monterona lambasted the PNoy govt. for neglecting the flight of OFWs on Saudi death row.

“Just like the previous administrations, PNoy govt. failed to formulate a blue print to save the OFWs on death row precisely because it failed to recognize that most OFWs are victim of the government’s intensified labor export program, joblessness, and poverty,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East will spearhead vigil prayers and demonstrations to press the Aquino govt. to intensify its efforts to save OFW Zapanta and other OFWs on Saudi death row.

“We also renew our appeal to the Saudi govt. to spare OFW Zapanta from execution by urging the Sudanese family to give Zapanta’s family enough time to raise the blood money,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 559428739

Gabrielas’ in KSA, UAE celebrate Intl. Women’s Day

Press Release

8 March 2013                                                           

 Reference:    Chay Medina, Chairperson

                        Gabriela-Jeddah, KSA

                        Mobile # 00966 508647230

Call for women OFWs to rise up against abuses and exploitation

Gabrielas’ in KSA, UAE celebrate Intl. Women’s Day

Chapters of the women’s group Gabriela in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) today join the celebration of the 105^th International Women’s Day (IWD) in two separate but simultaneous occasions with a theme that calls for women to rise up against abuses and exploitation.

On Thursday night, 30 women OFW-members of Gabriela in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia gathered in an undisclosed place to commemorate the IWD and at the same time held its 2^nd general assembly.

Gabriela-Jeddah’s theme for this year IWD celebration and 2^nd assembly, “Palawakin, patatagin, at pakilusin ang hanay ng migranteng Kababaihan para sa tunay na pagbabago at demokrasya. Labanan ang Imperyalistang pandarambong at pagkatuta ni Aquino.”

Some of Gabriela-Jeddah members during its 2nd General Assembly & Intl. Women's Day 

Celebration

Chay Medina, chairperson of Gabriela-Jeddah, said, “We are determined to mobilize our ranks against violence against women (VAW) especially among women OFWs here in the Middle East being the most vulnerable sub-group of OFWs. We vow to continue giving education to fellow women OFWs about their rights and stage various campaign to advance women’s interest and welfare.”

Medina added that most women OFWs, who comprised about 40% of an estimated 10-M OFWs scattered around the world, are victims of forced migration due to worsening poverty in the Philippines.

She further said, “It’s a bitter reality that even women, traditionally known as ‘Ilaw ng tahanan’ were forced to work abroad just to earn a living and to send their children to school only to become victims of abuses and exploitation and a scores of them have died mysteriously.”

Medina scores the Aquino III govt. for continuously peddling Filipino women as household service workers and other related jobs and yet there is no guarantee that they will be protected against abuses and exploitation.

“PNoy govt. until now failed to create jobs with decent pay and benefits for our women workers,” Medina adding that Filipinos are not being ‘choosy’ as claimed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

“PNoy govt. and DoLE are just vainly trying to justify forced migration of Filipinos, thus it swiftly concluded that Filipinos are choosy on local jobs available. The truth is it is worsening poverty that drives many to look for work abroad,” Medina averred.

On why poverty in the Philippines under the Aquino govt. worsens, Medina believes that it is mainly due to Aquino III subservience to US imperialist neo-liberal policies of globalization, liberalization, privatization, and denationalization.

She cited the liberalized mining policy as an example that wantonly exploits the country’s natural resources by big foreign mining companies and displaces many families of Filipino peasants and farm workers.

Meanwhile, Gabriela chapters in Saudi Arabia and the UAE also join other sectors calling for peaceful resolution to Sabah standoff while it condemned the Aquino III govt. in supporting the Malaysia govt. all-out suppression against the armed followers of the Sultan of Sulu. # # #

Group hits COMELEC on additional OAV ballots resolution

Press Release

7 March 2013

Group hits COMELEC on additional OAV ballots resolution

Filipino migrants group, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), today deplores the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) over its rule on the printing of additional ballots for overseas absentee voters (OAVs) after the election body reinstated the 238,000 OAVs in a separate resolution it recently issued.

On March 5, the COMELEC en banc promulgated Resolution No. 9653, which directed its Allocation Committee to allocate ballots equivalent to 20 percent of the reinstated registered OAVs.

“We supposed the COMELEC is on the right track when it passed a resolution reinstating the 238,000 OAVs who failed to vote twice during the 2007 and 2010 elections, respectively. But, it does not make sense if it will limit the printing of additional ballots less than the numbers of OAVs it ruled to reinstate,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

“Willing ang COMELEC na i-reinstate ang 238,000 OAVs bilang pagkilala sa karapatang bumoto, but they will only provide 47,600 additional ballots on top of the 700,000 ballots for OAVs. So, what does it mean?” the Saudi-based OFW leader lamented.

Monterona further explained that it would mean only 47,600 of the 238,000 reinstated OAVs could cast their vote. “This is disenfranchisement, plain and simple. COMELEC resolution 9653 may suffer legal infirmities, but for sure it is illogical and it does not make sense in relation to an earlier COMELEC ruling reinstating the 238,000 OAVs.”

Monterona, also Vice chairperson of MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families, said he will urged MIGRANTE executive committee to officially send an urgent manifestation urging the COMELEC to reconsider its Resolution 9653 and thus print more additional ballots for the 238,000 reinstated OAVs.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966559428739

OFW group welcomes COMELEC move to reinstate 238,000 overseas voters

Press Release

6 March 2013

OFW group welcomes COMELEC move to reinstate 238,000 overseas voters

Reacting on the news report that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued a new resolution allowing the 238,000 overseas absentee voters (OAVs) to cast their vote on the May 2013 mid-term elections despite failure to vote twice during the 2007 and 2010 elections, a Filipino migrants rights group in the Middle East said it ‘welcomed the new rule and happy’ about this development.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator said, “The COMELEC new resolution will allow OAVs to cast their vote without the required Manifestation of Intent as a pre-condition. It only now requires mere presence at the designated polling places and precinct during the 1-month OAV.”

Monterona, also Vice chairperson of MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families, commended COMELEC commissioners ‘who have realized the special situation of our OAVs given the socio-political limitations imposed by the host governments in relation to the exercise of our right to vote.’

Monterona said his group will help disseminate this recent COMELEC rule to the most numbers of OFWs especially those who have failed to vote twice during 2007 and 2010 elections. “Right after we secure a copy of the said Resolution, we will stage massive information campaign and will mobilize all our chapters in the Middle East and in other countries for information dissemination.”

The Saudi-based OFW leader also urged the COMELEC to immediately send a copy of new resolution and guidelines to all PH diplomatic posts so that it can be posted on their respective websites and bulletin boards and issue a corresponding Advisory to the Filipino community and organizations.

Reference:

John Leonard Monteria

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966559428739

Muslim OFWs join calls for Sabah standoff peaceful resolution

Press Release

5 March 2013

Muslim OFWs join calls for Sabah standoff peaceful resolution

As the Sabah standoff and encounters intensify between the Malaysian security forces and the members and followers of Sultan of Sulu, Muslim overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East today join calls for the peaceful resolution of the Sabah standoff while expressing their sympathy to the members and followers of the Sultan of Sulu while the numbers of casualties reached to 27, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional coordinator, said Muslim members of their group conveyed to him their willingness to join OFWs organizations in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East calling for peaceful resolution of the Sabah standoff.

“Expressing sympathy to fellow Muslims now engaged in Sabah standoff, our Muslim brothers and sisters working here in Saudi Arabia could well understand the root of the struggles of the people belonging to the Sultanate of Sulu,” Monterona added.

Jalil, 28, a native of Indanan, Sulu, said, “Legitimate ang claim ng Sultan of Sulu at kaniyang mga nasasakupan, claim eto sa ancestral domain nila na iba ang nakikinabang. Sa tingin ko, handa talaga sila na magpakamatay para rito.”

On his part, Nabil, 34, an undocumented OFW in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and a native of Basilan province, said, “Hindi rin kasi sila at mga Moro binibigyan ng pansin at tulong ng gobyerno. Kaya sila gumawa ng ganung aksyon.”

Both Jalil and Nabil, being Muslim OFWs, said they hope a peaceful resolution to the Sabah standoff ‘para di na madagdagan pa ang mamamatay sa magkabilang panig lalo na sa mga members at followers ng Sultan ng Sulu, dahil dehado talaga sila.’

On their part, M-ME Monterona said, “The obvious one-sided stance of the Aquino administration when PNoy himself issued statements in dealing this confrontation in favor of the Malaysian govt. complicates the issue. It only showed PNoy govt. is incapable in dealing such delicate issue with its counterpart Malaysian govt.”

As an offshoot, Monterona said even the lives and works of an estimated 800,000 Filipinos working in Sabah and Malaysia is now at great risk.

“We could only expect the worst to come when a more stringent internal security measures by the Malaysian government will be implemented that will target the so called ‘stateless Filipinos’ in Sabah and undocumented Filipinos in Malaysia. Crackdown of Filipinos in Sabah and Malaysia is almost predictable amid this on-going Sabah standoff,” Monterona opined.

Notably, Monterona added the PH govt. is reluctant in extending assistance to Filipinos living and working in Sabah and Malaysia during previous intensified crackdown by the Malaysian security police.

“What is condemnable is the gross disregard of the Aquino govt. to provide protection and defend Filipinos in Sabah, which the Sultan of Sulu is claiming back,” Monterona averred.

In previous years, thousands of Filipinos yearly were deported from Malaysia as a result of intensified crackdown of illegals and undocumented Filipinos.

Reference:

John Leonard Monteria

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 559428739

Group to senatorial candidates: Commit, work for OFWs welfare; join calls to protect OFWs in Sabah

Press Release

2 March 2013

Group to senatorial candidates: Commit, work for OFWs welfare; join calls to protect OFWs in Sabah

To secure the votes of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in the May 13, 2013 elections, Senatorial candidates should not just ‘dip their fingers’ on various issues and concerns of the OFWs, according to Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East.

“Grandstanding by senatorial candidates and simply just making ‘epal at sawsaw’ on OFWs various issues and concerns is an exercise in futility and will fail to obtain the OFWs and their families’ votes,” said Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, also MIGRANTE Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families Vice-chairperson.

Monterona added, “Kapansin-pansin na dumami ang mga OFWs advocates among the Senatorial candidates. Karamihan sa kanila nasa posisyon na bago kumandidatong Senador na wala namang ginawa para isulong ang kagalingan naming mga OFWs at protektahan ang aming mga karapatan bilang migranteng mangagawa (We could noticed that OFWs advocates among Senatorial candidates have increased. Most of them are in the position already before they declare their Senatorial candidacy, but they’ve done nothing to advance OFWs welfare and protection of rights as migrant workers.)

He cited the Sabah standoff as a case in point, adding that they will welcome senatorial candidates who will denounce PNoy double standard approach in dealing territorial issues involving the Philippines.

“We urged senatorial candidates to join us in our call to the Aquino III govt. to resolve the conflict peacefully and protect our fellow Filipino migrants in Malaysia,” Monterona lamented.

There are around 800,000 Filipinos leaving and working in Malaysia.

Monterona also cited the rampant abuses and mysterious deaths among OFWs in the Middle East.

“We would like to hear from senatorial candidates what program of action they have to advance OFWs welfare and protect our rights while working abroad.”

On February 22, M-ME issued a statement challenging Senatorial candidates to ‘visit us, hold campaign sorties abroad’ in order for the 700,000 overseas absentee voters (OAVs) to ‘hear the candidates platform of governance and stand on specific issues that directly and indirectly affect the OFWs and the Filipinos in general.’

Monterona projected that there will be high voters’ turnout among the OAVs that will reach to 50% or even higher, out of the 700,000+ registered OFW voters around the world.

The Saudi-based OFW leader admitted that it requires intensified voters education, not just by the COMELEC, but also by various Philippine diplomatic posts and the Filipino communities and OFWs organizations.

“To win OFWs vote, our senatorial candidates must commit and work side-by-side with us in advancing OFWs rights and welfare,” Monterona averred. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 559428739