Migrante-Middle East

Stranded Pinoy seamen in Egypt to arrive March 9

2012-03-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

Press Release

7 March 2012

Stranded Pinoy seamen in Egypt to arrive March 9

More than 5 months stranded in an Egyptian port, twenty-nine out of the 32 Filipino seafarers will be arriving March 9 via Qatar Airways flight nos. 515 (Cairo-Doha) connecting to Manila flight no.646 (Doha-Manila), according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group that assisted the stranded Pinoy seamen.

On January 14, 2011, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said on his electronic mail sent to Sekur Manning Incorporated, the Manila-based manning agent of the Pinoy seamen, he received a message from the latter requesting assistance as they have been stranded at Damiettaport, Egypt.

“They conveyed to me that they have been staying in Damietta for almost 3 months now without being paid of their salaries and even allotment to support their respective families in the Philippines. Some of them said they have already completed their contract but your principal, the Sekur Holdings, is not allowing them to be sent back in the Philippines,” Monterona stated on his Jan.14 email sent to Sekur Manning Inc.

Yesterday, March 6, Monterona confirmed that he received a reply from Sekur Manning Inc. through its Crewing officer Ms. Josephine T. Laurea confirming that 29 Pinoy seamen ‘will disembark as scheduled’, while ‘3 decided to stay on-board and continue to finish their contracts’.

Sekur Manning Inc. also stated that ‘all arriving Filipino Seafarers will meet at the Airport (in front of letters STUVW) where we can monitor them at screen (TV) by Ms. Josephine with other Office staffs.

“In light of this positive development, we will be coordinating with the Pinoy seamen to issue their consent upon arrival in the Philippines so that the suspension order imposed by the POEA against Sekur Manning Inc. will be lifted,” Monterona adding that it is entirely up to the Pinoy seamen if they will agree to move for the lifting of the suspension.

“I think, lifting of the suspension will only take effect only after the entitlements like unpaid salaries and other benefits due them will be given,” Monterona opined.

Monterona commended the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for attending on the complaints of the Pinoy seamen. ‘In fairness to the POEA, then under Administrator Atty. Carlos Cao, they acted fast imposing a suspension to the manning agency so that the Pinoy seamen will be attended.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

Follow Singapore’s mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers, OFW group urges migrant-host governments in the Middle-east

2012-03-05T15:48:00.003-08:00

Press Release

6 March 2012

Follow Singapore’s mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers, OFW group urges migrant-host governments in the Middle-east

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today said the recent granting of mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) by the Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) poses a real challenge to middle-eastern governments hosting about 25-M domestic workers mostly from Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and India.

“We welcome Singapore government policy shift, through its Ministry of Manpower, in granting mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers, including our 65,000 Filipino domestic workers. It certainly geared towards humanization of domestic labor and recognition that domestic works is real work,” said Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, also an OFW based in Saudi Arabia.

Monterona added that Singapore’s granting of mandatory day off poses a “‘litmus’ test to middle-eastern governments hosting millions of FDWs.”

He cited, for instance, most of the Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) member-countries have reservations in recognizing domestic workers’ alienable rights as a worker and a human being citing ‘customary practices and traditions’.

“Kuwait for example opposes the granting of day-off and the internationally prescribed 8-hour work of domestic workers,” Monterona added.

On June 9, 2011, an official of Kuwait’s social affairs ministry had been quoted by Al-Qabas newspaper saying the granting of day-off and specific working hours to domestic workers “does not suit the habits, traditions and public ethics of Kuwait”. The Kuwaiti official added a maid during her day-off going to a place unknown to her sponsor is considered an offense to Kuwait’s public ethics.

“It has been known that other GCC countries and non-GCC governments also cited ‘preserving tradition and modesty of maids’ as reasons to restrict domestic workers freedom of movement and giving them day-off, among others,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said the rights of domestic workers should not be viewed as a ‘threat to host-countries tradition and customary laws.” “This could be harmonized by passing local laws that guarantees domestic workers rights while respecting the habits and traditions of the host country,” the Filipino migrant leader added.

“The slave-like view about domestic workers in the Middle East must be changed, first and foremost. This is what the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers had told the host governments including that in the Mid-east that domestic workers have rights too, rights that governments must recognize, guarantee and protect,” Monterona added.

“The passage of local legislation or policy recognizing domestic workers’ rights and welfare in the national level by the mid-east host governments must follow suit,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 535921228

OFWs urge Aquino III govt. to impose moratorium on tuition fee hikes

2012-03-02T22:02:00.003-08:00

Press Release

3 March 2012

OFWs urge Aquino III govt. to impose moratorium on tuition fee hikes

An overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) group in the middle-east urged President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to impose a moratorium on tuition fee hikes as it stressed that the impending plan to increase the tuition fees by public and private colleges and universities will impact them negatively into dire economic condition.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) confirmed that it already received application for tuition fee increases from about 400 colleges and universities, private and public, nation-wide.

Some colleges and universities are asking for tuition fee increase ranging from three to 15 percent.

“This is really bad news, though this has been the case every year -there is tuition fee increase. Walang OFW parents ang matutuwa sa TFI na eto,” said John Leonard Monterona, Saudi-based regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East.

Monterona lamented that another TFI at the opening of classes on June “certainly, will adversely affect the already overburdened OFW parents who have sons and daughters still studying in college”.

“Ang aming mga members at fellow OFWs ay talagang namang panay na reklamo at disgruntled dahil nga sa kabila ng di pag-taas ng sweldo at tumataas ding bilihin dito sa Mid-east. Please note product at commodity price hikes are also getting high here in mid-east due to inflation,” Monterona added.

He cited, for instance, an OFW-domestic worker or construction or service worker is normally receiving about P12,000 to P15,000 monthly, including overtime pay. “Sa kabila din ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin dyan sa Pinas dahil sa walang habas na oil price hikes, tapos meron pa etong TFI, papano nga namin ngayon pagkakasyahin ang aming kita?,” Monterona asked.

“Papano na lalo ang mga unemployed at underemployed workers dyan sa Pinas?” he added.

Monterona calls on the Aquino III govt. to implement a moratorium on tuition fee increase (TFI) and on other fees imposed by private colleges and universities, including public or state universities.

As to the never-ending oil price hikes, Monterona suggested that the expanded value added tax (EVAT) should be removed on all oil products.

“Repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law should be certified as an urgent bill in Congress,” Monterona added.

“The above actions, if taken or implemented seriously, will mitigate the negative impact on the worsening economic condition of our OFWs and local workers in the Philippines,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

3 Syria OFWs plead for assistance via SMS; claimed they were ‘forwarded’ to jail by PH embassy officials

2012-02-28T22:43:00.000-08:00

Press Release

29 February 2012

3 Syria OFWs plead for assistance via SMS; claimed they were ‘forwarded’ to jail by PH embassy officials

Out of their desperation seeking assistance from the concerned Philippine authorities in strife-torn Syria, three trapped overseas Filipino domestic workers were able to sent short message (SMS) pleading for assistance to an official of a Filipino migrants rights group.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said on February 21, 2012 at 4:15 p.m., he received a text message from a certain Rowena Ramos asking him to follow her case, along other two companions, with the PH embassy in Syria. (See attached).

“Gud pm! Sir, Rowena ramos po i2 fr.syria. sir pki-follow up nmn po case q s embsy.ngtgl po q don tas forward d2 s kulungn.2lungn u kmi sir.rowena,nelvic & romela (Good afternoon! Sir, this is Rowena Ramos from Syria. Sir, please help us follow our case with the PH embassy. I stayed long there but was forwarded in jail. Please help us Sir –Rowena, Nelvic, and Romela),” the complete SMS sent by the OFWs to M-ME’s Monterona.

Monterona, who is based in Saudi Arabia, said after reading the above SMS from OFW Rowena, he immediately called back on the mobile number (+693993733264) Rowena used, but he ‘could not get connected’.

“I did call her mobile number several times but an auto-answering voice on the other line says ‘phone is currently switch off or out of coverage area’. Since Feb.21, every day, I repeatedly called the mobile number but to no avail,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he would like to talk with OFW Rowena to get additional information from her such as which prison they were brought and why the PH embassy ‘forwarded’ them to jail.

“I could not understand why the distressed and trapped OFWs who were already under the custody of the PH embassy for a month or more were forwarded or were endorsed by the embassy to jail?” Monterona asked.

Monterona added: “Providing there was a pending case of absconding filed by their respective employers, the PH embassy should take prudence in sending the distressed OFWs in Syria jail who are in fact already under their custody considering the present peace and order situation in Syria.”

Monterona calls on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask an explanation to the PH embassy officials in Syria why they have sent the distressed and trapped OFWs in (Rowena Ramos and two other companions known only as ‘Nelvic’ and ‘Rowena’) in jail.

“We want this investigated. We want to know which jail the 3 OFWs are presently incarcerated. What is their condition?” Monterona lamented.

Monterona added that he already received information, prior to OFW Rowena’s text message, there were a number of ran away OFWs sent to jail by PH embassy in Syria though the OFWs are under the custody of the embassy for months.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

OFWs sneaking out, going to Syria and other banned Arab countries

2012-02-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Press Release

27 February 2012

OFWs sneaking out, going to Syria and other banned Arab countries

Group urges govt. to intensify crackdown on illegal recruiters, traffickers victimizing OFWs

Alarmed over reports of illegal deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) mostly household service workers (HSWs) in strife-torn Syria and other Arab countries with existing deployment ban, a Filipino migrants rights group today calls on the Philippine government and concerned agencies to intensify the crack-down on illegal recruiters and human traffickers who have continuously victimized innocent Filipinos who are desperate to work abroad.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they are receiving reports that there are OFWs successfully sneaked out of the country using Arab ‘open cities’, such as Dubai in UAE and Doha in Qatar, as jump-off points to Syria and other Arab countries where there is an existing deployment ban.

Monterona revealed the sources of the information are OFWs victim of illegal recruiters who were recently repatriated as their respective employers were ‘dissatisfied’ with the OFWs services.

“Reports reaching us, there are about 15 Pinay domestic workers arrived in Dubai and more or less 10 in Doha, two to 3 weeks ago, for deployment in Syria and Jordan, while others going to Lebanon,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona said what is puzzling him is that these OFWs were able to obtain Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), which means they were deployed legally with a recruitment agency or with the help of recruitment agents.

He suspected that these illegal recruiters a.k.a. unscrupulous recruitment agents would not be successful without the help of its counter-part foreign recruitment agents (FRAs) who will facilitate the entry of the deployed OFWs in the receiving host country such as Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

“If this is the case, then the only logical explanation is that there are recruitment syndicates who are in cahoots with POEA officials,” Monterona opined.

Monterona said his group has been repeatedly calling the Philippine government and all concerned agencies such as the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) to conduct an intense crackdown of illegal recruiters in the Philippines and file an appropriate case against those who will be apprehended.

Monterona calls on OFWs and would-be OFWs not to be swayed and avoid becoming ‘willing victims’ of illegal recruiters and human traffickers, noting that ‘the unemployed Filipinos will not be forced to go abroad if there are jobs with decent pay and benefits in the country.’

“We are urging the victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking to divulge information about their recruiters and traffickers to the concerned govt. agencies. The victims’ full cooperation is needed so that illegal recruiters and traffickers will be apprehended and an appropriate case will be filed against them,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Mid-east OFWs join fellow HK OFWs calling for removal of OWWA membership fees

2012-02-25T21:01:00.003-08:00

Press Release

26 February 2012

Mid-east OFWs join fellow HK OFWs calling for removal of OWWA membership fees

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East said they will be joining their fellow OFWs in Hong Kong in demanding the removal of membership fees paid to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) so that an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) will be issued to all departing and/or vacationing (Balik Mangagawa) OFWs.

“We Congratulates our fellow OFWs in Hong Kong headed by the United Filipinos-Migrante (UNIFIL-Migrante-Hong Kong) supported by the thousands of OFWs in leading the campaign for the removal of OWWA membership fees in the issuance of OEC,” declared John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added that if the Philippine Labor Overseas Office (POLO) in Hong Kong has the authority to effect a change in OWWA membership policy in relation to the issuance of OEC, then the POLO in other PH posts in the Middle East could also do the same or given the same authority.

“It would be unfair or unjust on the part of OFWs working in other countries if the removal of the US$25 OWWA membership fee would only be implemented in Hong Kong. There must be one policy for all OFWs in regards to OWWA membership fees vis-a-vis issuance of OEC to OFWs,” Monterona asserted.

“In fact, there is a question of legality in the government’s imposition of OEC to OFWs as it may violate one’s right to travel. It became more dubious when the US$25 OWWA membership fee was made a prerequisite in the issuance of OEC,” Monterona added.

Good precedent

During a community leader’s forum on February 12, Labor Attache Manuel Roldan was quoted saying that starting Feb.1, OFWs applying for an OEC would no longer be required to present proof that they had paid their OWWA membership fee.

“Labatt Roldan has set a good policy example if indeed he will do what he had said during a community leaders’ forum in Hong Kong last Feb.12,” Monterona adding that his group will be urging other Labor attachés in the Middle East to follow Labatt Roldan’s move in removing the OWWA fees in the issuance of OEC,” Monterona added.

Signature Campaign to be initiated

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East, in its effort to help the ‘removal of OWWA membership fees in the issuance of OEC’campaign, will initiate a signature campaign and to formally send a petition letter to DoLE and OWWA, a copy of which will be sent to President Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

M-ME statement on the Celebration of 26th National Migrants' Sunday, Feb.26, 2012

2012-02-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

Press Statement

25 February 2012

On the celebration of National Migrants’ Sunday: Working towards Humanization of Migrants

We are glad and convey our solidarity to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECPCMIP), which will be celebrating the 26^th National Migrants’ Sunday, February 26.

The National Migrants’ Sunday’s theme ‘Migration and the New Evangelization’ calls us Filipino workers abroad and our dependents to reflect and pray, and for the government and concerned agencies and officials to do something for the situation of distressed, abused, maltreated, and even those incarcerated in foreign jails.

There is no amount of OFWs remittances hitting high yearly record as usually announce yearly by the government that could equal or even surpass the social costs of migration, in general, and the sufferings of OFWs and their families, in particular.

We, OFWs, are living witness of our fellow OFWs sufferings abroad due to rampant cases of abuses, labor malpractices and other acts that dehumanizes migrants treating them like cheap commodity sold in the international labor market without protection of their well being, rights and welfare.

We will pray and work hard towards humanization of Migrants. We join our Church people and laymen in providing the needed assistance, care, and programs that could uplift the conditions of Filipino migrants and members of their families.

We will continue to call the attention of our government officials as well as the host governments to provide concrete on-site protection to all Migrants, including our OFWs, to recognize and respect their rights and well being. And the same time, we will be vigilant against the wrong doings and criminal neglect of our diplomatic officials abroad in providing assistance to abused and distressed OFWs.

Allow us to convey to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to seriously implement economic reforms that would benefit those who are at the lower social echelon –the majority of the farmers and workers and poor urban dwellers – who have been hit hard by the continued price hikes of oil products, basic commodities and services.

Specifically, we call on him to initiate, through his partymates and allies in Congress, the repeal of Oil Deregulation Law. The President should also seriously consider the removal of EVAT on oil products as a move to mitigate the burden of unabated oil prices hikes to the general public and consumers.

We reiterate our call for genuine implementation of agrarian reform program. The immediate distribution of lands that have long been under the hands of few is long overdue and if the Cory Aquino govt. was sincere in implementing its own center-piece Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Nationalization of the country’s basic industries must be done side-by-side the distribution of lands to the farmers. Our basic industries must provide the needed support to genuine agrarian reform program as well as spent govt. earnings from OFWs remittances in support of the agrarian-based economic activities.

We are glad that we share the above policy ideas with the CBCP in view of bringing economic progress and development to the country. Pro-people and pro-migrants economic policies are needed to end Philippineforced migration a.ka. intensified labor export program of the government.

Lastly, we congratulate the CBCP and the ECPCMIP leadership in honoring our Filipino migrants for tomorrow’s National Migrants’ Sunday celebration.

Long Live the Filipino people!

Long Live the Filipino migrants and members of their Families!

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona (Sgd).

Migrante-Middle East regional director

Mobile No.00966 564978012

OFW group calls probe on death of OFW repatriate from Syria while on stop over Abu Dhabi to Manila

2012-02-23T20:37:00.003-08:00

Press Release

24 February 2012

OFW group calls probe on death of OFW repatriate from Syria while on stop over Abu Dhabi to Manila

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today calls the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to conduct an investigation over the reported death of an overseas Filipino worker who died while in transit to the Philippines via Abu Dhabi.

“Our call for an investigation is premised on the conflicting reports we have received. OWWA official has been quoted confirming that the unnamed OFW died in Syria under the care of OWWA as she is about to be sent home, while fellow OFW repatriate named Lorelie Cortez, 37, said, as quoted on news reports, that immigration officials in Abu Dhabi left the Filipino woman under her care,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

OFW Cortez was one of the 11 OFWs who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 5 p.m. Thursday, Philippine Daily Inquirer/Inquirer.net reported.

“We are inclined to believe on the accounts by OFW Lorelie Cortez that the unnamed OFW who died while in transit Abu Dhabu International Airport was among with them, 11 OFW repatriates from Syria,” Monterona adding that he is ‘wondering why the PH embassy and OWWA officials in Syria allowed the sick OFW to travel without medical staff or assistant accompanying her.’

“Allowing a very sick OFW to travel is a gross negligence on the part of PH embassy and OWWA officials,” Monterona asserted.

“We want this investigated and impose disciplinary action, if not fired, those negligent embassy and OWWA officials with an aim that this would not happen again,” Monterona added.

Monterona is also urging the Congressional Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) and the office of the presidential adviser on OFWs concerns headed by Vice president Jejomar Binay to look probe the death of sick OFW repatriate from Syria.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Doha OFW, 5 mos. detained under investigation over alleged involvement on the death of fellow OFW; kin presses his release

2012-02-22T22:12:00.002-08:00

Press Release

23 February 2012

Doha OFW, 5 mos. detained under investigation over alleged involvement on the death of fellow OFW; kin presses his release

The kin of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) presses the Philippine Embassy in Doha, Qatar to provide legal assistance specifically hiring a local Shariah lawyer to defend him in court as the subject OFW has been detained for more than 5 months now without a case filed against him.

On electronic email sent to PH ambassador to Doha Crescente Relacion dated February 18, subject OFW’s kin stated “We, the relatives and family of Mr. Efren C. Latras, Jr. would like to appeal with your office for any legal assistance regarding his case. He was detained for almost five months now since September 9, 2011 at Capital Security Department but until now he has not been filed with any case against him.”

Mr. Latras Jr.,along with other two fellow OFWs, has been implicated over the death of Edilyn Buno Mirasol who was found dead allegedly ‘by hanging herself’ on September 8 at the roof top of the apartment they are renting with other fellow OFWs and co-workers.

“In this misfortune, being our Philippine Government representative here in Qatar, we are urgently seeking your action about this matter. Please provide us legal assistance as what was embodied in our OWWA Omnibus Code and other POEA Rules and Guidelines,” the kin of OFW Latras added.

The kin ascertained that OFW Latras has ‘no criminal record in the Philippines as he is humble and has a virtue of low profile personality and had neither any records of working conflicts with co-worker nor quarrelsome attitude.’

“For the moment his wife and children are gravely worried of what had happened to him here in Doha because he was accused of a crime that we knew he never committed,” his kin added.

In reply to the email inquiry sent by the Samahan ng Migranteng Mangagawa sa Qatar (SAMMAQA), Migrante affiliate in Doha, along with the referred email of the OFW Latras’ kin, Ambassador Relacion stated that ‘OFW Latras is in good and stable condition as ascertained during Assistance-to-Nationals Unit's (ANU) last regular visit this February at the Capital Jail,” confirming that Latras' case is still in the Public Prosecution pending completion of investigation and has yet to be forwarded to the Court of First Instance.

Ambassador Relacion added that on February 2, 2012 case hearing, ‘the court ruled OFW Latras extension of detention while the case is still undergoing investigation re the death of OFW Edilyn Buno-Mirasol.’

He cited under Qatar jurisprudence, the maximum period of investigation is six (6) months; after which, the judge has the authority to order an extension of detention indefinitely or issue a temporary release order

In relation to this, Migante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona urges the PH embassy in Doha to ensure that OFW Latras rights to due process will not be denied and is respected.

“If the maximum period of investigation lapsed -that will be next month- and still no case is filed against OFW Latras, it would be proper to ask the Doha Public prosecution office to release him. His continued detention beyond the 6-month maximum period of investigation and no case filed against him constitutes illegal detention and is in violation of his rights,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

PH embassy issues advisory on the use of Social Media Sites

2012-02-21T21:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Fellow OFW leaders, OFW groups and the entire Filipino Community in Saudi Arabia, Friends in the Media:

Please find attached advisory from the PH embassy in Riyadh.

We are endorsing the same and urge fellow OFWs, officers and members of their organizations, and the entire Filipino community in Saudi Arabia to heed on this advisory.

We have asked our Migrante chapters and affiliate organizations to share this advisory and distribute to all concerned.

Help us please to propagate this.

Thank you and best regards,

-John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

For the information of fellow OFWs Re income earnings and money remittances tax exemption

2012-02-20T02:15:00.000-08:00

OFWs income earnings and money remittances are tax exempted, but NOT earnings coming from

business activities and properties in the Philippines or within the Philippines. Reference BIR

Revenue Regulation No.1-2011 issued on Feb.24, 2011.

ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/56432RR%201-2011.pdf

Group says OAV registration “disappointing”; urges OFW groups to help disseminate OAV info

2012-02-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

Press Release

19 February 2012

Group says OAV registration “disappointing”; urges OFW groups to help disseminate OAV info

With only about 20,000 or little more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have registered as overseas absentee voters since it started last November 2011, a Filipino migrants rights’ group expressed disappointment on the small numbers OAV registrants.

As of January 18, 16,332 Filipinos from around the world have registered as overseas absentee voters, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) targeted 1-M OAV registrants ‘til the end of the registration period come October this year.

The low number of registrants prompted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIA), jointly inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishing a registration center at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The OAV registration started November last year, though the move is long over-due, we, nonetheless, welcomed the setting up of registration center at NAIA to give departing and arriving OFWs the opportunity to register and avoid any hassle and to save their time,”said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional director.

Monterona, however, said “the conduct of massive OAV registration information and dissemination, and voter’s education campaign abroad is still wanting”.

“We are expecting that the COMELEC and DFA-OAVS and the various diplomatic posts abroad will come up information dissemination activities reaching the most numbers of OFWs abroad,” Monterona added.

Monterona renewed its call to the DFA-OAVS and its diplomatic posts in the Middle East to consider the setting up of mobile registration centers in cities or places where there are large concentrations of OFWs.

He cited, for instance in Saudi Arabia, where the PH embassy consular section is regularly conducting ‘embassy on wheels’ (EoW) from one city to another for various consular services including passport renewal.

“OAV registration must be made part of the EoW, and other posts in the mid-east must do the same,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona said Migrante chapters in the Middle East have started since January conducting symposium, forum, and group discussion on OAV, not only pertaining to registration but also the importance of exercising one’s right to vote.

“Mass distributions of OAV leaflets at OFW tambayans and accommodations are on-going, too,” Monterona added.

He urged other OFW groups to conduct OAV information dissemination activities among their members and urge them and other OFWs to register.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

OFW group welcomed Absentee voter’s registration at NAIA, but says OAV registration “very disappointing”

2012-02-18T02:18:00.000-08:00

Press Release

17 February 2012

OFW group welcomed Absentee voter’s registration at NAIA, but says OAV registration “very disappointing”

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), an alliance of various overseas Filipino workers’ organizations, Saturday welcomed the move by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIA), jointly inking a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishing a registration center at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Monterona, however, said “the conduct of massive OAV registration information and dissemination, and voter’s education campaign abroad is still wanting”.

“OAV registration must be made part of the EoW, and other posts in the mid-east must do the same,” Monterona suggested.

“OAV leaflets mass distributions at OFWs tambayans and accommodations are on-going, too,” Monterona added.

As of January 18, 16,332 Filipinos from around the world have registered as overseas absentee voters, according to the DFA.

“We have remaining 8 months to register and yet only about 20,000 or a little more have registered by this time. The OAV registration is very disappointing, way below the 1-M target by the COMELEC and DFA-OAVS,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Vice-Chairperson, Migrante Sectoral Party

Mobile No.00966 564978012

89 Saudi OFWs stage 'stop work' protest vs. erring employer

2012-02-16T20:52:00.001-08:00

Press Release

18 February 2012

89 Saudi OFWs stage 'stop work' protest vs. erring employer; seek OFW group’s assistance after embassy failed to attend their plea

Eighty-nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are protesting, along with other Asian workers, versus their erring employer over allegations of labor malpractices, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) member-organization based in Riyadh.

Eric Jocson, Chairperson of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East), said OFWs working for Al Swayeh Company in Riyadh sought assistance from his group as they have run out of food and money.

Jocson along with other KGS officers visited last night the distressed OFWs at their camp accommodation and handed them food and a small amount.

“Kami po ay empleyado ng Al Swayeh Company dito sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia na humihingi ng agarang tulong para sa aming pag-uwi dahil sa di makataong pagtrato ng aming Employer,” conveyed OFW Absalon Paat, one of the distressed OFWs, to Jocson.

On their letter to the PH embassy dated October 15, 2011, the OFW detailed their complaints, such as: 1) the company didn’t release our salary for more than five (5) months now -from month of May up to the present month, 2) some of the employees had pending salaries way back from the year 2010, 3) Majority numbers of the employees had an expired Iqamas, 3) Medical insurance have not been renewed due to Iqama issue and we’re shouldering with our own expenses during the medication of ourselves, 4) worker’s whom filed for their vacation/exit for almost a year without paying their individual dues and no further action from the company.

“We’re suffering much, especially to our financial and we’re mentally affected due to our present condition,” pleaded the OFWs.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona lambasted the Philippine Embassy and labor officials in Riyadh who failed to attend and provide assistance to the problematic OFWs despite the latter’s repeated pleading since October last year.

“PH embassy and labor officials are like lame ducks in terms of providing assistance to distressed Filipino workers who were victims of labor malpractices,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona calls on Pres. Aquino III, the DFA and DoLE top officials to immediately instruct these inept PH embassy and labor officials in Riyadh to attend, without dilly-dally, the 89 distressed OFWs.

(In the name of transparency, please see below the original text of the OFWs electronic mail sent to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona on February 14, 2011)

Kami po ay empleyado ng Al Swayeh Company dito sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia na humihingi ng agarang tulong mula dyan sa ating bansa para sa agarang pag-uwi dahil sa di makataong pagtrato ng aming Employer.

Kami ay dina pinapasahod ng aming Employer sa loob ng (10) sampung buwan, dina rin po nere-renew ang aming mga residence permit o Iqama, marami na rin pong harassment na ginagawa ang employer namin upang kami mapaalis dito sa tinutuluyan naming accomodation.

Napagkaisahan na po naming ilapit na sa inyo dyan sa Pilipinas ang aming kalagayan dito dahil, mula po noong sumulat kami sa Embassy (attached) noong October 2011, hanggang ngayon ay wala pang sagot. Noong January 15, 2012 ay nagkaroon ng harassment dito sa loob ng aming compound ng umabot hanggang nagkaputukan ng baril, at noong oras ding yun ay pinaalam namin kay Ambasador Ezzedin H. Tago ang nangyari. kinabukasan po ay dumating si Consul Reyes na nagbitaw ng mga pangakong siya na ang tutulong ang magpapauwi sa amin sa lalong madaling panahon. Pero hanggang ngayon ay wala paring nangyari.

Noong February 13,2012 pinapunta kami ni Mr.Sebastian Rodrigo at Mr. Sami Ampang sa Saudi Labor Office upang kunin yung ipanangakong Unpaid Salary namin, pero ito ang sinabi ng dalawa, " WALA NA KAMING MAGAGAWA SA KASO NYO DAHIL PINAGLALARUAN TAYO NG SAUDI LABOR OFFICE AT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE "

Kaya sa inyo na po kami lumapit dahil wala na kaming ibang malalapitan, sana po matungan nyo kami dahil mahirap na po talaga ang kalagayan namin dito.

Nakahanda po kaming makipag-ugnayan sa inyo para sa mga iba pang detalye ng aming kalagayan dito, at sana matulungan nyo kami at mapauwi sa lalong madaling panahon.

Maraming salamat po.

Filipino Employees (89 persons)

(Please find attached files: 1) List of OFWs for Final exit who have already completed their contract, 2) Letter to the PH embassy dated October 11, 2011)
Contact Persons of the 89 distressed OFWs
Mr. Absolon Paat        +966 538270452
Mr. Florante Blanco    +966 531597538
Mr. Isagani Gavino     +966 557922303

References:

Eric Jocson

Chairperson, KGS

Mobile No.00966 566170173

John Leonard Monterona

M-ME regional director

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Number of undocumented OFWs in China swells; 2 apprehended by authorities

2012-02-16T18:05:00.002-08:00

Press Release

17 February 2012

Number of undocumented OFWs in China swells; 2 apprehended by authorities

The number of undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in China is surging, according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group.

Migrante-Middle East regional director John Leonard Monterona confirmed that his group is continuously receiving, since 4th quarter of last year, request for assistance from undocumented OFWs in China amid the sporadic crackdown on overstayers and undocumented by the Chinese authorities.

Monterona said they have already monitored about 100 undocumented OFWs, and still counting, in Beijing per the reports it received from some of the undocumented OFWs themselves who are based in Beijing, China’s capital.

“We found out that some of the undocumented have overstayed after their work visa expired, some ran away from their employer, and there are those who came to China for work without passing the formal channel or going through a recruitment agency duly accredited by the POEA,” Monterona disclosed.

2 Pinoy overstayers nabbed by Chinese authorities

On Thursday, Monterona said he was alerted by Migrante-ME affiliate group, the Dammam-based OFW Join Force through its administrator Mr. Sonny Rivera, of a report from its Beijing-based group administrator about two OFWs in Beijing nabbed Wednesday by Chinese authorities over charges of ‘overstaying’.

Monterona identified the two as Prima Ebite Delgado and Marivic Labsang, both are now under investigation and detained in Beijing.

The PH embassy in Beijing, through the assistance of DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis, replied on Monterona’s case inquiry regarding the two OFWs confirming ‘the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) has confirmed, by a telephone call, that OFWs Delgado and Labsang were arrested Wednesday night by the Chinese authorities for "overstaying".’

“I have requested the PH embassy in Beijing to form a quick-response team to visit the detained OFWs which the embassy assured that they will assist subject OFWs, get their release and repatriation to the Philippines,” Monterona added.

Human trafficking, illegal recruitment of Filipinos to China

As per POEA overseas employment statistics released on 2010, there were 8,954 deployed (rehires and new hires) OFWs in China, which Monterona said is a conservative figure counting only those who passed through the formal channel.

“Human trafficking and illegal recruitment of Filipinos to China is notably rampant and has not been checked by the PH government authorities,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional director

Mobile No.00966 564978012

M-ME on $20-B 2011 OFWs remittance

2012-02-15T20:51:00.003-08:00

Press Statement

16 February 2012

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) reaction on $20-B 2011 OFWs remittance

We are expecting that OFWs remittance will increase last year (2011) as it is directly proportional to the steady increased of Filipino workers who were peddled abroad. But on a yearly basis, the OFWs remittance percentage increases is on down-trend as we have noticed due to factors such as the Middle East-North African political upheaval, Japan and NZ quakes and the worsening economic down turn in Europe and America.

So, it is not good to see that under the Aquino administration the labor thrust is still the same of previous administrations -the intensification of peddling unemployed and underemployed Filipino workers who were forced to accept dirty, dangerous, and dehumanizing jobs abroad without concrete protection for their well being, safety and labor rights. This mean the government continues to fail creating local jobs with decent pay and benefits. For us, the government's labor export program is not a reliable, and in fact dwindling, economic measure providing band aid solution to the country's economic woes.

We renewed our call to the Aquino govt. to seriously implement genuine agrarian reform program with allied services and technological support to the farmers and to nationalize our important and strategic basic industries such as oil and mining, etc... These will serve as our country's economic backbone going to real economic progress and development.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional director

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

5 OFWs victimized by ‘back door’ fixers shoved to the calaboose

2012-02-14T23:42:00.000-08:00

Press Release

15 February 2012

5 OFWs victimized by ‘back door’ fixers shoved to the calaboose

On their desire to return to the Philippines but being undocumented, five (5) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sought the backing of a ‘back door’ fixer only to be reported to the Jawasat (Immigration police) shoving them to the calaboose, according to an affiliate organization of Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

Receiving calls from the detained OFWs, Eric Jocson, Chairperson of the Riyadh-based Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS), identified the five as Reinard I. Perucho, Roberto G. Rufino, Nadiana N. Perfecto, Oscar M. Mangahas, and Benedicto G. De la Cruz.

The five OFWs sought ‘assistance’, on a separate incident, to a known Filipino fixer who promised them to be assisted so that they could return home via the ‘back door’.

Last Saturday, during a meeting set, the three of the 5 OFWs were surprised as they were nabbed by the local police and were brought to Tabuk deportation jail. Tabuk is at north-west coast of Saudi Arabia.

‘Yesterday, the other 2 OFWs were also nabbed by the police on a similar situation to the previous 3 nabbed last Saturday’, Jocson added.

Jocson said the OFWs conferred to him that two weeks ago, they ‘handed 1,500 Saudi rials while the other 2,000 SR. to the fixer on the promised that they will be deported using the ‘back door’ channel.’

The so called ‘back door’ channel is made possible for undocumented OFWs to get out of Saudi Arabia without going through the regular immigration channels if they paid an amount to fixers who allegedly have established connections to some immigration ‘insiders’.

“The modus operandi is that the fixers would readily issue temporary papers to undocumented OFWs manifesting that they were Muslim pilgrims whose visa validity expired and lost their original passports,” noted John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona warned fellow OFWs, especially undocumented, not to be swayed by ‘back door’ fixers emphasizing that the ‘back door’ is illegal and that it is not anymore existing.

He calls on the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the PH Consulate in Jeddah to issue an advisory in this regard to the Filipino community and organizations in Saudi Arabia.

Monterona renewed its call to the PH government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its diplomatic posts in Saudi Arabia to work for the legalization of undocumented OFWs, if not for their deportation without imprisonment and other sanctions, by lobbying with the host government citing humanitarian considerations.

As per M-ME estimates, there are about 4,000 undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia. Most of them are construction and domestic workers who ran away from their employers who have complained maltreatment, sexual abuse, and labor malpractices over various complaint of maltreatment, sexual abuse, and labor malpractices.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

PH delegation readied to formalize blood money acceptance in an effort to save OFW on death row

2012-02-14T18:13:00.003-08:00

Press Release
15 February 2012

PH delegation readied to formalize blood money acceptance in an effort to save OFW on death row

A small lobby group is being readied to go to Saudi Arabia to formally hand over an initial amount raised for the blood money in an effort to save an overseas Filipino worker who has been incarcerated in Saudi Arabia jail for more than 12 years while the death sentence verdict is in effect, according to Filipino migrant rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona confirmed that former PH ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor called him last Friday to inform that a small delegation will be proceeding to Saudi Arabia by mid-March at the earliest to work on the formalization of blood money acceptance by the aggrieved party in relation to the case of on-death row OFW Rogelio ‘Don-don’ Lanuza.

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

On February 2010, the family of the aggrieved party agreed to issue an ‘affidavit of desistance’ with the Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC) assistance headed by Sheik Ali, which means they will issue ‘forgiveness’ to Lanuza in exchange of amount of diyya or ‘blood money’. However, this has not been formalized as it was not properly manifested in court. Providing blood money is admissible per Shariah law.

“Amb. Villamor confirmed to me that he is on the final stage readying a small delegation going to Saudi Arabia to formally ink a blood money agreement with the aggrieved Saudi family. He invited me to be part of the delegation since I am already here and is based in Saudi Arabia who has been in the forefront of the ‘Save Lanuza’ campaign,” Monterona said.

It will be recalled that Monterona suggested former Amb. Villamor must be tapped by the Aquino government to help deal cases of OFWs on death row specifically negotiating with the aggrieved parties.

“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 stated.

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

“I was informed by Amb. Villamor his team is working completion of formalities required relative to diplomatic protocol of the host government. After that, they will proceed to Saudi Arabia for this purpose,” Monterona added.

Efforts to assure the aggrieved party

Monterona revealed that this is part of the original plan and effort to assure the aggrieve party on what was initially agreed with the SRC.

“Once we have raised a considerable amount from Save Lanuza’s ‘Barya Mo, Buhay Ko’ blood money fund raising initiative, an initial amount will be handed over to the family of the aggrieved party through the Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC) team headed by Sheik Ali,” he added.

Monterona said the SRC team of Sheik Ali is very instrumental in getting the nod of the aggrieved party to accept the blood money in exchange of forgiveness to Don Lanuza so that he is spared from execution and eventually be released from jail and be home.

“This is a good move to assure the aggrieved party, though they are expecting the formal undertaking to take effect last year, and to show them that we are dead serious in our efforts as manifested on Lanuza’s sincerity asking their forgiveness,” Monterona added.

Monterona said he was notified by Amb. Villamor along with Fil-Am US-based philanthropist Mrs. Loida Lewis ‘at least half of the blood money amount will be initially handed over to the aggrieved party.’

3-M Saudi rials (roughly equivalent to P35-M) is asked by the offended party in exchange of their forgiveness to Lanuza.

Renewed calls for PH govt. assistance

Monterona said the Lanuza’s family, speaking over the phone last week with Mrs. Letty Lanuza, Don’s mother, wanted to convey their gratitude to all -OFWs, supporters, and friends -who contributed on Save Lanuza ‘Barya Mo, Buhay Ko’ blood money campaign.

“Along with the Lanuza’s family and the families of other OFWs in Saudi death row, we renewed our call to the PH govt. represented by the Aquino III administration to seriously find ways raising an amount for the needed blood money to save them from execution and improve the legal assistance provided to OFWs in various jails. If only there are jobs with decent pay and benefits in the Philippines, we won’t be forced to work abroad in a difficult and dangerous situation,” Monteron ended.

As per M-ME monitoring, there are about 10 OFWs languishing in various jails in the Middle East, 6 of them were sentence to death, 4 are facing possible death sentence upon conviction on various criminal offenses.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

OFW group greets P-Noy, Grace Lee a Happy Valentine, but says ‘broken-hearted’ with PNoy

2012-02-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

Press Release

13 February 2012

OFW group greets P-Noy, Grace Lee a Happy Valentine, but says ‘broken-hearted’ with PNoy

‘Love hurts; unfulfilled promises hurt deeply’

President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Simeon Aquino III may be in-love as he is romantically link anew to TV-host Grace Lee. But for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), they are ‘broken-hearted’ as his administration failed to provide on-site protection, welfare services and programs, and ease OFWs’ dependents burden amid spiraling price hikes of oil and basic commodities and services.

“On Feb.14, we wish PNoy and Grace Lee a Happy Valentine. But let us remind the president that Love hurts; unfulfilled promises hurt deeply,” greeted Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona adding that overseas contract workers like him are already dismayed on Aquino administration’s ‘unlovely’ treatment to OFWs.

Monterona added that Aquino’s campaign promises and policy statements to attend Filipino overseas contract workers issues and concerns upon assuming the presidency remains unfulfilled and no indication yet of him working towards uplifting OFWs and dependents miserable conditions.

Slow evacuation and repatriation of OFWs

Monterona noted the evacuation efforts have been slow for OFWs trapped in many Syrian cities where there has been heavy fighting between the Syrian government army and militants.

As per the report, Monterona and his group has noted less than a hundred distressed OFWs seeking temporary refuge at the Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC).

“The evacuation and repatriation of trapped OFWs is disorganized and the emergency nature of the situation is totally disregarded, thus, the PH govt. wait-and-see stance until the situation gets worst,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said there are still more than 2,000 OFWs trapped in Syrian cities, Latakia, Homs, and Dera’a.

No assistance yet to OFW repatriates

There are more than a thousand, out of the estimated 17,000, OFWs already repatriated from Syria since the PH govt. started its repatriation efforts last quarter of last year.

Monterona disclosed that some of the OFW repatriates complained that they were not provided assistance by OWWA, months after their return.

“Sir December 28 po ako naka-uwi. Nagreklamo po kami na kinuhaan pa kami ng OWWA ng pera imbis na tulungan. At iyong iba po ang tagal na dun, di pa nakakauwi dahil wala daw pamasahe (Sir, I was repatriated December 28. We complained because OWWA asked money from us instead of providing assistance. Others are overstaying there; they can’t go because there is no airfare),” said OFW Judith, OFW repatriate from Syria.

Hike on govt. fees

Monterona also noted that just almost 1 1/5 year of Aquino III in office, government fees on services to OFWs increased.

Monterona is referring to the premium hikes on OFWs health insurance (Philhealth) and the Social Security System (SSS). OFWs membership to Philhealth is now mandatory, while to SSS is optional.

“Despite clear prohibition of the amended Migrant Workers law (RA10022) in increasing fees on government services to OFWs, the Aquino III govt. allows these ‘welfare and social services’ institutions to increase its fees amid the raging price hikes of oil and other products,” Monterona noted.

Continued peddling of OFWs sans protection

Few weeks back, the Department of Labor and Employment inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with host-governments Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, a move that would effect the redeployment of Filipino domestic workers after a deployment ban was imposed in both countries.

“We doubt if the MoU would guarantee genuine protection to our OFWs as there is no mention of implementing rules and regulations that would bind the host-government to honestly provide protection by way of specific legislation or decree,” Monterona opined.

Monterona added, like the previous administrations, the Aquino III govt. will continue to peddle unemployed and underemployed Filipinos abroad as it is not determined to develop the local economy by implementing genuine agrarian program with the needed related support and technical services to farmers, and nationalizing basic industries.

“Pres. Aquino is too good only in politicking as what the Malacanang-instigated Corona impeachment had demonstrated as its family’s interest is highly at stake with the SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita distribution while publicly announcing that SC chief is a hindrance to his administration fight against graft and corruption. Solving the country’s social and economic misery is no importance to this administration,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966564978012

OFW group slams PH government’s slow response to OFWs in Syria

2012-02-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

Press Release

12 February 2012

OFW group slams PH government’s slow response to OFWs in Syria

Migrante Middle East (M-ME), an organization of overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East countries, criticized the Philippine government for adapting a wait-and-see stance despite a growing campaign for the rescue, evacuation and eventual repatriation of OFWs in the Middle East, particularly in Syria.

John Monterona, M-ME regional director of Migrante Middle East, evacuation efforts have been notably slow for OFWs trapped in many Syrian cities where there has been heavy fighting between the Syrian government army and militants.

As per the report, Monterona and his group has noted around 100 distressed OFWs seeking temporary refuge at the Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC). The said OFWs have reportedly been there from three to six months and are still awaiting repatriation.

He furthered that requests for repatriation have been sent to the Philippine ambassador to Syria yet no acknowledgment or reply has been received from neither the ambassador nor the embassy’s Assistance to the Nationals staff. The Assistance to the Nationals, or ATN, is a part of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs stationed in Philippine embassies and consulates and is responsible for facilitation of repatriation, coordination with next-of-kin relatives, mediation and conciliation, and providing legal advice, counseling, and prison visitation.

Not learning its lessons
Migrante Middle East noted strongly that the Philippine government seemed to have not learned its lessons from its previous weaknesses of

evacuating and repatriating distressed OFWs during the Libya and Egyptian protests. During those times, said the group, the Philippine government also took a wait-and-see position.

The said administration took weeks to respond amid the clamor of various OFW organizations, including the Migrante Middle East, to ready the government contingency plans so as to have the government could easily respond to OFWs’ need and call to be repatriated.

The administration, the group also said, has taken cue from other governments who were already rushing efforts to immediately evacuate and repatriate their own nationals as the peace and order situation in Libya worsens.

More needing help
While the Philippine government is doing its duty to assist distressed OFWs in crisis-stricken parts of the Middle East and North Africa, said Migrante Middle East, its efforts are “lacking and still wanting.”

The group raised concerns that if the Philippine government, especially its embassies in the region, does not hasten response and action early this on, it will be difficult for them to help especially those in far-flung areas in Syria, like Latakia, Homs and Dera’a.

More than 2,000 OFWs trapped in Syrian cities according to Monterona.

Migrante Middle East challenged the Philippine administration, especially those taking diplomatic posts, to map early the locations of OFWs in these areas with the help of local agencies and the Syrian authorities as well as identify rallying points in every place. The group roughly estimates 18,000 to 20,000 OFWs, including undocumented migrants, in Syria.

Finally, the group said that Philippine government should learn its lessons from the Libya uprising and start taking action as it will find itself in a difficult situation should a political crisis worsen in a country like Saudi Arabia where 1.2 million OFWs are situated.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional director

Mobile No.00966564978012

OFW group presses mechanisms of enforcement on domestic workers pact with Saudi, Lebanon

2012-02-04T01:14:00.000-08:00

Press Release

5 February 2012

OFW group presses mechanisms of enforcement on domestic workers pact with Saudi, Lebanon

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East expressed doubt in the recent bilateral accord signed by the Philippine government represented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) with the Lebanese and Saudi governments, respectively, on providing protection to thousands of deployed Filipino domestic workers.

Last week, DoLE chief Rosalinda Baldoz announced that they have agreed with the Lebanese govt. and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulating provisions that will provide protection to deployed Filipino domestic workers in its bid to lift the ban imposed by the PH govt.

Simultaneously, with the signing of a bilateral agreement with the Lebanese, the Philippine and Saudi governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is expected to end the ban hiring Filipino domestic workers that was imposed by the Saudi govt. last year.

‘We came to know specific to PH-Saudi agreement on hiring Filipino domestic workers that the host govt. acceded on the minimum wage of $400/month, a weekly day-off, holiday time totaling to 30 days, and free ticket for the OFW upon completion of her contract,” Monterona noted.

Though, Monterona welcomed the above stipulated provisions of the PH-Saudi agreement, he said ‘the many cases of abuses and rampant labor malpractices were never thoroughly given much attention and serious consideration.’

“The effectiveness of these agreements with the Saudi and Lebanese governments hosting thousands of Filipino domestic workers cannot be determined in the absence of mechanisms of enforcement of what were stipulated in the agreements or MoU,” Monterona opined.

Monterona added the passage and ratification of legislation or local laws in adherence to international labor standards providing protection to migrant workers, including domestic workers, accompanied by specific implementing rules and regulations by the host governments are still desired.

“Protection of Filipino migrant workers is not simply a matter of signing off a MoU between the PH and the host governments; it is more of how to seriously implement the stipulated agreements care of the host governments by passing local laws that would guarantee migrant rights and their protection,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Distressed OFWs complaint arbitrary confiscation of belongings, mobile phones and money by PH labor and welfare officials

2012-02-01T22:23:00.001-08:00

Press Release

2 February 2012

Distressed OFWs complaint arbitrary confiscation of belongings, mobile phones and money by PH labor and welfare officials

Run away and distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are temporarily seeking refuge at the PH embassies’ Bahay Kalinga (BK) or Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) in the Middle East complaint that PH labor and welfare officers arbitrarily confiscated their belongings including mobile phones and money upon their admission to the BK or FWRC, according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

“We have been receiving numerous complaints from distressed OFWs who are seeking refuge at the BK or FWRC under various PH posts in the Middle East that upon their admission they were told by POLO-OWWA officials ‘to surrender’ their belongings including mobile phones and money,” said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona cited a recent complaint from Oman-based OFW Mary Jane Baniel. She is a domestic worker serving an Omani household.

On January 8, 2012, Monterona said he sent a referral letter to the PH embassy in Oman and POLO-OWWA requesting to provide assistance to OFW Baniel as she complained maltreatment and verbal abuse by her employer. “According to her, she had already sought assistance from POLO-OWWA but until now is still awaiting reply and assistance,” Monterona stated on his email to the concerned PH agencies in Oman.

“Early morning today at about 5:00, OFW Baniel called me informing that she managed to escaped from her employer’s house and will proceed to the PH embassy in Oman to seek assistance and refuge. After 30 minutes, she called me again saying that she is at the Embassy’s Bahay Kalinga for admission,” Monterona narrated.

“However, OFW Baniel told me over the phone that she will only be admitted at the BK if she will surrender all her belongings, mobile phones and money to the caretaker of the BK. She refused and thus called me to let me talk with the BK caretaker,” Monterona narrated.

OFW Baniel conveyed to Monterona that she will not surrender her mobile phone as it serves as the only way to communicate with her family in the Philippines.

Monterona said the BK caretaker told him that it is the policy of the embassy and POLO-OWWA to confiscate the belongings of the OFWs, including mobile phones and money. “I protested, too, speaking over the phone with the BK caretaker, just like OFW Baniel and many other OFWs whose belongings have been arbitrarily confiscated.”

“The embassy or POLO-OWWA officials didn’t even bother to issue a paper acknowledging that a distressed OFW’s belongings, phones, and money are at their custody and will be returned to the owner upon repatriation,” Monterona averred.

Last January, Monterona recalled that a distressed OFW in Saudi Arabia sought his group assistance as she complained against a PH labor attaché whom she accused of confiscating her money amounting to 10,000 Saudi rials.

Monterona said the arbitrary confiscation of distressed OFWs’ belongings, phones and money upon their admission at the BK or FWRC is a violation of OFWs basic right which the 1987 PH Constitution guarantees and of the United Nations Conventions on the Protection of Migrant Workers Rights and Members of their Families.

Monterona calls on DoLE Sec. Rozalinda Baldoz and OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon to inform PH labor and welfare officials in the Middle East to stop arbitrarily confiscating distressed OFWs belongings, phones and money and stop imposing it as a requirement before their admission to the Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Center.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

12 years in prison, OFW seeks govt. help to avail Royal pardon

2012-01-31T20:43:00.000-08:00

Press Release

1 February 2012

Bahrain's Jaw Central Prison where OFW Carlo Dayrit Jose is incarcerated since 2000

12 years in prison, OFW seeks govt. help to avail Royal pardon

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has been in jail for twelve long years in a Bahrain prison after the court sentenced him of unpremeditated murder. Now he is pleading for government assistance to avail the host countries’ yearly Royal pardon, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrant rights group providing assistance to distressed, abused, and jailed OFWs.

OFW Carlo Dayrit Jose, in his late forties, has been imprisoned in Jaw prison, Bahrain’s central jail. He was convicted on the murder of OFW Maricel Garduque in 2000 after a heated argument broke out between them resulting in the woman's killing.

As per court records, in the same year he has also been diagnosed with Psychological schizophrenia.

According to Bahrain’s Daily Tribune news reporter Mr. Roberto Carillo, OFW Jose is currently ‘the only Filipino to ever receive a life sentence from a Bahraini Court.’ Mr. Carillo conveyed OFW Jose’s pleading for assistance to John Leonard Monterona, Saudi-based Migrante-ME leader.

“I was informed that in 2010, OFW Jose obtained a letter of forgiveness from the mother of the victim in the Philippines and this was forwarded to the Royal court for appropriate action but until now nothing happened,” said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said OFW Jose has been expecting that he will be released then since he obtained a written forgiveness from the kin of the aggrieved family by virtue of a Royal pardon which the Bahraini Royal family grants every year.

Speaking to Daily Tribune’s Carillo, OFW Jose said, “Almost two years and ten pardons have already passed since the forgiveness letter has been given to the Royal Court. Every time, my hopes are up that I will be included in the distribution of the royal pardons.”

Monterona calls on the Aquino III administration through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the PH embassy in Bahrain, and to Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on OFWs concerns, to attend and closely follow the application of OFW Jose’s inclusion in the upcoming Royal pardon.

“We came to know that the Bahrain Royal family will issue a pardon this coming February 14, 2012. We are more than happy to see OFW Jose be included in the February 14 pardon grant by the Bahrain Royal family and eventually be released from prison and reunite with his family in the Philippines to start a new life,” Monterona added.

OFW Jose sent us an open letter, as stated below, which he hopes would reach His Majesty the King of Bahrain.

Your Majesty,

My name is Carlo Dayrit Jose, a Filipino national with CPR number 640538720 sentenced to life imprisonment in May 28, 2002 by the higher criminal court for the unpremeditated murder of my fellow Filipino Ms. Maricel Garduque. However, on April 26, 2010 I obtained a letter of forgiveness from the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Norma Garduque which was duly authenticated by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

On October 18, 2010, the Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Her Excellency Ma. Corazon Yap-Bahjin met personally the Minister for the Royal Court, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and handed the original letter of forgiveness.

The Minister told the Ambassador that he will forward the letter of forgiveness to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Your Majesty, numerous amnesties have already (pardoning of inmates) were given by your esteemed office since Ambassador Bahjin handed my letter of forgiveness to the Royal Court. As of this writing, I am still under incarceration.

Your Majesty, please, I am appealing to you to consider my letter. May almighty God bless you with good health and long life. Thank you.

OFW group to Aquino govt: Go slow in peddling OFWs in MENA amid unstable situation; presses jobs creation at home

2012-01-31T18:21:00.001-08:00

Press Release

1 Feb. 2011

OFW group to Aquino govt: Go slow in peddling OFWs in MENA amid unstable situation; presses jobs creation at home

Noting the peace and order in some Middle East and African Nations (MENA) are still volatile amid on-going protests, clashes between government forces and dissenters, and sporadic bombing incidents, a Filipino migrants rights group today calls on the Aquino III administration to rethink its massive and intensified deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle-east and African countries.

“It is prudent for the Aquino administration to seriously put a break in peddling Filipino workers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), amid the still volatile peace and order situation in this part of world,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona noted that Middle-East and North African countries are considered, for the past 10 years, as fertile labor market frontier by past administrations and even by the present Aquino III govt.

He said there are five middle-east countries making on the overall top ten destinations of Filipino workers such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. There are also a considerable numbers of OFWs in Iraq and Syria.

While in North Africa, there are large concentrations of OFWs in Libya and Egypt, both were besieged of political upheavals last year; both countries peace and order situation is still volatile.

Monterona noted on Friday, January 27, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car near a funeral procession in southeastern Baghdad killing at least 32 people in the latest brazen attacked since the US troop withdrawal from Iraq.

The incident prompted Philippine Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario to travel Sunday to Iraq ‘to assess the security and safety of the Filipinos in light of the reported escalating violence.’

“Massive buildup of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt has also been noted, while in Syria violence continued. There is fear that the Iran conflict will escalate amid economic sanctions imposed by the Western countries lead by the US and European countries,” Monterona noted.

Monterona said the current political events in some MENA countries should be treated as revealing ‘signs of the time’ that could not anymore qualify these countries as fertile labor market frontiers. ‘Thus, the Aquino III govt. must shun peddling OFWs in MENA countries; instead it must focus creating local jobs with decent pay and benefits.”

“It is high time for the Philippines to develop and have its own vibrant local industries it could rely on –first, by nationalizing its basic industries, and secondly, genuinely implement agrarian reform with support services and technological know-how to develop our agrarian-based economy which will serve as a reliable economic backbone of the emerging Philippines,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

MENA peace & order still volatile: Group urges Aquino govt. to shun massive peddling of OFWs

2012-01-28T04:39:00.001-08:00

Press Release

28 January 2011

MENA peace & order still volatile

Group urges Aquino govt. to shun massive peddling of OFWs; presses jobs creation at home

While in North Africa, there are large concentrations of OFWs in Libya and Egypt, both were besieged of political upheavals last year; both countries peace and order situation is still volatile.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966 564978012

Some new hire OFWs deployed without insurance, others ‘improperly’ insured –OFW group

2012-01-26T01:41:00.001-08:00

Press Release

26 January 2011

Some new hire OFWs deployed without insurance, others ‘improperly’ insured –OFW group

A Filipino migrants’ rights group, citing reports and complaints from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), said Friday there are new hire OFWs deployed last year who were improperly insured and some were deployed without the required insurance.

The amended Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers Act or Republic Act No.10022, which was signed into law on March 8, 2010, requires ‘each migrant worker deployed by a recruitment/manning agency shall be covered by a compulsory insurance policy which shall be secured at no cost to the said worker (Sec.37-A). It further said that such insurance policy shall be effective for the duration of the migrant worker's employment.

The mandatory OFW insurance coverage primarily includes accidental death, natural death, permanent total disablement, repatriation cost, subsistence allowance and money claims.

The OFW insurance also covers compassionate visit, medical evacuation, and medical repatriation.

As per the guidelines issued relative to mandatory insurance coverage for agency-hired OFWs, land-based and sea-based, the Insurance Commission (IC) is task to furnish the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) a list of insurance providers qualified to provide the mandatory insurance coverage. It also requires that each qualified insurance provider shall be issued a certification that it is authorized to issue the compulsory insurance.

The guidelines mandated the POEA not to issue an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or any equivalent clearance to the OFW if the insurance contract bears the name of an insurance company not included in the list of qualified insurance providers furnished by the IC.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional director, confirmed that he received reports that out of the 360,000+ OFWs newly hired and deployed last year, little less than 50% of them were not insured properly and others not insured at all in violation of the amended Migrant Workers Act or RA10022.

“We are receiving complaints from a number of new hire OFWs deployed last year that they suspect they were not properly insured or have not been insured, thus they fear that they may not be paid of their claims if the situation requires,” Monterona added.

Monterona said his group is alarmed of these reports. He noted that recruitment/manning agencies, in cahoots with the Insurance Providers, are not following the law and are reneging on their obligations to their hired and deployed OFWs.

Monterona noted the observation of Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) president Mr. Victor Fernandez who said that Insurance providers made a mockery of the law by resorting to predatory pricing, offering rebates, and engaging in cutthroat unprofessional competition.

On March 7, 2011, the Insurance Commission through its commissioner, Emmanuel F. Dooc, issued Circular Letter No.10-2011 ordering the liberalization of OFWs insurance premium rates and introduced the implementation of reserve requirements scheme.

Monterona, however, said the IC’s move to liberalize the OFW insurance premium rates will contradict and will result to gross and rampant violation of the prescribed minimum premium coverage.

He cited for land-based OFWs, the original insurance premium as per IC Circular Letter No. 35-2010 issued on Dec.7, 2010 is US$72 and US$144, for 1-year and 2-year contract, respectively. While for sea-based OFWs, it is US$100 and US$200, for 1-year and 2-year contract, respectively.

“Some, if not all recruitment/manning agencies, in cahoots of Insurance providers, are not following and wantonly violates the prescribed OFWs insurance premium rates,” Monterona noted.

Monterona calls on the Insurance Commission and the DoLE-POEA to probe on this report.

“The reports that there are new hire OFWs deployed last year without proper insurance or were not insured is worth investigating. Imposing sanctions to recruitment/manning agencies and Insurance providers that have proven violated the law must follow swiftly,” Monterona lamented.

Monterona said he had communicated with former Ambassador Jose Apolinario Lozada Jr., Executive director of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Migrant Workers Affairs regarding the matter. “Amb. Lozada positively responded that he will look into it and will make sure that the provisions of the Migrant Workers law pertaining to OFWs insurance will be strictly adhered and implemented.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 564978012

COMELEC free trips and gifts to persuade OFWs to register and vote a cheap publicity gimmick –OFW group

2012-01-23T03:20:00.000-08:00

Press Release

23 January 2012

COMELEC free trips and gifts to persuade OFWs to register and vote a cheap publicity gimmick –OFW group

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East chided today the Commission on Election (COMELEC) plan to offer all-expense-paid trips and gift checks just to encourage overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to register and vote in the 2013 mid-term election.

Last January 18 press conference, COMELEC commissioner Armando Velasco was quoted saying ‘these incentives were aimed at increasing the dismal figures of OAV registration, which began in November last year.’

“The free trips and gift checks promo by the COMELEC just to encourage OFWs to register is a cheap publicity stunt. It is like we, OFWs, are treated like a crying kid that is given a candy to stop from crying,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said what they have been demanding from the COMELEC and the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (OAVS) is the conduct of massive information drive and education campaign in various posts abroad and in places where there are large concentration of OFWs.

“Even before the start of the OAV registration abroad November last year, we are calling the attention of the COMELEC and the OAV secretariat and the various PH posts in the Middle East have not yet started its information drive and education campaign on OAV registration,” Monterona added.

“We have noticed that there is no information drive yet by the various PH posts, an important element in raising the awareness of our fellow OFWs to register or validate their previous registration,” Monterona observed.

Since November 2011, the start of OAV registration, records showed only 16,000 have registered. The COMELEC is targeting 1-M OAV registrants for the 2013 elections.

Monterona asked: “How could the COMELEC and the OAV Secretariat meet its 1-M absentee voters when they dilly-dally in its information drive and education campaign activities?”

Monterona cited the lack of information and education drive as one of the reasons cited why the total numbers of registered absentee voters have not reached to the 1-M as per Comelec target last May 2010 elections.

“The conduct of massive information and education drive, to take into serious consideration the political environment and limitations imposed by the host government, can’t be taken for granted as it foretells us the success or failure of the overseas absentee voting system,” Monterona averred.

“The COMELEC budget for information and education campaign must be utilized to attain a higher number of registered absentee voters, 1-M or even more, and to avoid the disenfranchisement of OFWs who have vested by law the right of suffrage though they are working abroad,” Monterona added.

Monterona opined the budget for OAV information drive and education if spent for free trips and gift checks for few lucky OFWs, then it was just a waste of government funds.

Monterona noted various PH posts in the Middle East have not seen doing OAV info drive, hopping from OFWs accommodation to their tambayans, and other places where there are large concentration of OFWs. ‘No OAV posters and flyers were distributed to OFWs,” he noted.

Monterona said they have urged PH embassy in Saudi to set up of mobile registration centers, but no action yet from the embassy.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966 535 921 228

38 distressed OFWs in Saudi shelter accuse PH officials of neglect; one alleges labor attaché took her money

2012-01-19T16:34:00.001-08:00

Press Release

20 January 2012

38 distressed OFWs in Saudi shelter accuse PH officials of neglect; one alleges labor attaché took her money

Thirty-eight distressed overseas Filipino workers, all women, temporarily sheltered at the Saudi Social Welfare Agency (SSWA), a half-way house for distressed women migrant workers managed by the Saudi govt. in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, accused Philippine labor officials of not attending their repatriation. One of them alleges that a labor attaché took her money.

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said his group received several short messages (SMS) discretely sent by some of the 38 distressed OFWs since the last few days pleading for assistance as they complain PH officials of neglecting them and delaying their repatriation.

The 38 distressed OFWs are NORHAYA MOHALADEN, NORHATA ANDOY, MARGIE EGOY, AIZA GANGGILAN, SOPIA BENITO, FATIMA AMBOA, ADORASION SIMPUEGO, MAISALAM KATUAN, NURAYDA MANGUDA, ELENOR GONZALES, EDNA MONTEVIRGEN, SHELLA MAGDADARO, ELIZABETH MANUEL, LORNA JUCAR, ARJIE BERMUDEZ, SAVILLA ROBLES, SNOOKY BOLECHE, ELLEN TABUGON, CHARMI JANE MIGUEL, RIZA MONTANES, VICTORIA CABARRUBAS, CLOTILDE LIM, ARMIEGRACE QUIMSON, AYLEEN CACERES, VIOLETA CABARAL, FELLY ABARQUEZ, ZUMAINA ABAD, AMELIA EVANGELISTA, ALDIN LONTOC, CASHEN JOY MERCADO, SARKIA HAKIM, ANNA VICTORIA SALOME, MAEVA RAPSING, EVANGELINE DINOFOL, ARLEN DAYAGANON, AUELEN LAYCO, RONALYN DAQUIPEL and BELINDA LAUREANO.

Monterona said the OFWs ran away from their respective employers over allegations of sexual harassment and abuses, and maltreatment, while others complained of not being paid of their salaries for months. They were endorsed by POLO officials to SSWA for repatriation.

“Kami po ay humihingi ng tulong sa inyo sapagkat alam namin na hindi kami kayang tulungan n gating embahada dito. Kami po ay umabot na sa 3 buwan at meron pong umabot sa 1 taon at 3 buwan (We are asking assistance from you because we are quite sure that our embassy can’t help us. We have been here for 3 months while others for 1 year and 3 months already),” one of the several text messages from the distressed OFWs received by Migrante-ME.

Monterona added that the distressed OFWs alleged that embassy officials are merely giving them false promises that they will be repatriated soon.“Pero kelan pa? (But when?),” the distressed OFWs lamented.

“The distressed OFWs told us that, in fact, officials from the Saudi ministry have been asking them why PH embassy is not issuing travel documents despite that they were told months ago to issue travel documents as required for their repatriation formalities,” Monterona quoting one of the distressed OFWs during yesterday’s phone conversation.

Monterona slammed the Philippine Embassy for dilly-dallying in issuing the required travel document of the distressed OFWs. “This is not only an insult to distressed OFWs but a disservice to them.”

The distressed OFWs have made mentioned of a certain Mr. Bujanaid Andi, POLO case officer, who according to the distressed OFWs he had visited them rarely like ‘once in a blue moon’. “Mr. Bujanaid would always tell us he is busy attending his children, thus he could not visit us and attend on our repatriation formalities,” one of the distressed OFWs lamented.

Monterona said that he is alarmed of the allegation from one of the distressed OFWs that her money amounting to US$2,200 was taken from her by labor attaché Adam Musa.

“These are serious allegations against the mentioned POLO officials who may have violated Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public officials and Employees) and DoLE Administrative Order 476, S.2010 (Code of Conduct for DoLE officials and Employees) issued on December 2010 by Sec. Baldoz,” Monterona added.

Monterona said: ‘These inept POLO officials must be immediately recalled and we call on Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) chief Rosalinda Baldoz to impose disciplinary action or dismiss them from their job.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564978012

AHRC: OFW falsely charged of theft and tried in absentia is released after serving her sentence

2012-01-17T21:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

In addition to the below press release issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission, I have spoken with the Philippine Embassy-Assistance to the Nationals section official confirming that OFW Melanie Cordon completed her sentenced on December 14, but she could not get home yet.

I was informed by the embassy official that they will dispatch a team next week in Hail City jail where OFW Cordon was imprisoned to attend the formalities of her release. Only then, the embassy could schedule her departure from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines.

For OFWs rights and welfare,

-John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PRL-002-2012

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Melanie Cordon the OFW falsely charged of theft and tried in absentia is released after serving her sentence

(Hong Kong, January 17, 2012) The Asian Human Rights Commission has been informed that Melanie Cordon, the Overseas Filipino Worker who was arrested in Saudi Arabia has been released after serving her prison term of four months.

Melanie was arrested after being accused of theft by the mother of her employer on August 14, 2011. She was never given an opportunity to defend herself and was tried in absentia. According to the information received, when Melanie went to the lady's house to retrieve her belongings prior to departing the country she found that her suitcase had been opened and examined by a woman police officer. Items belong to her employer's mother, which Melanie had never seen before, were found in her luggage.

After being tried in absentia Melanie was convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment in Ha'il Main Prison. Despite assurances from the Philippine Embassy and Mr. Raul Hernandez of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila no assistance of any kind was provided and the only advice the embassy officer could give was that she should simply serve out her sentence.

Melanie was released on December 14 and will now return home to the Philippines, free and well but with a criminal record against name.

For full details of the case please see the following statements and Urgent Appeals:

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Falsely charged domestic worker convicted in trial in absentia

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Melanie Cordon case - government's neglect & inability to act promptly

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Melanie Cordon case - 'serve jail term rather than question your conviction'

SAUDI ARABIA/PHILIPPINES: Melanie Cordon serves out sentence as government turns its back

While Melanie appears to have been well treated by the prison officials, a fact for which everyone is very grateful, she now returns to the Philippines to a doubtful future. The lack of attention and action by the government of the Philippines and especially Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs serves as an appalling indictment of their lack of commitment to the OFWs who bring in millions of dollars in revenue annually.

# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Saudi OFW jailed over ‘lost and found’ ATM seeks reduction of sentence

2012-01-17T16:48:00.000-08:00

Press Release

18 January 2012

Saudi OFW jailed over ‘lost and found’ ATM seeks reduction of sentence

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) expressed remorse for picking up a lost automated teller machine (ATM) card owned by a Saudi national who sent him to jail, according to Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

OFW Lito (not his real name), 34, from Caloocan City, was charged of stealing 75,000 Saudi rials, roughly equivalent to P850,000) from a lost ATM card of a Saudi national which the former found it jammed inside the machine when he is about to withdraw an amount from his own ATM card issued by his company for their regular salary.

“According to him, he was tempted and tried to withdraw an amount. He was surprised that the ATM released a huge amount,” Monterona quoting OFW Lito who was incarcerated in Al-Hair jail in Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.

Unfortunately, Monterona said, he was caught by the bank’s CCTV and he was apprehended on June 9, 2011. Months later, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment plus a hundred of lashes by a Saudi court.

“He often called me seeking assistance. He requested me to convey and follow with the PH embassy his request to file for a reduction of sentence,” Monterona added.

Monterona said, on January 16, he talked with PH embassy’s Assistance to the National section head Consul Roussel Reyes discussing the possibility of filing an appeal for a reduction of sentence.

“Consul Reyes explained that it would be very difficult to convince the court to reduce his sentence as the money taken from the ATM card is a huge amount,” Monterona adding that aside from the public liability aspect of the offense, the court may require him to pay the amount to the Saudi national if the latter would decide to claim his money back.

Monterona said OFW Lito’s case shares us basic moral lesson to ponder: not to be tempted to take advantage of anything, money or other valuables, especially if it is not yours.

OFW Lito arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 2009 and works as a driver for a local services company.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Group tells PNoy to instruct government agencies and corporations to stop imposing additional fees, overcharging OFWs

2012-01-16T17:25:00.001-08:00

Press Release

17 January 2012

Group tells PNoy to instruct government agencies and corporations to stop imposing additional fees, overcharging OFWs

A Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East urges President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to issue a tall order to all concerned government agencies and government-run corporations to stop imposing additional fees and incessantly overcharging overseas Filipino workers.

The call was made by Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) speaking through its regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona after a Commission on Audit (CoA) report revealed that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), a govt. agency adjunct to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has been overcharging OFWs for P13-M in 2010.

According to the CoA, the government made an extra P13-M in 2010 at the expense of OFWs who were overcharged on processing fees as Balik Mangagawa (returning/vacationing OFWs) collected by Philippine overseas labor officials in 27 countries.

The CoA report also revealed arbitrary and excessive collection of OWWA fees on 2009 of about P960,615.00

Every OFW who will spent vacation in the Philippines but will also be returning after their vacation are required to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Fees collected upon issuance of the OEC are OWWA membership fee amounting to US$25, Philhealth premium of P900, Pag-Ibig membership P100, and POEA processing fee P100 totaling to about P2,181.00

“We are quite certain the OWWA through its overseas labor officials have also overcharged us, OFWs, last year (2011) that might surpassed the amount overcharged on 2010,” Monterona adding that the CoA must also released its report for year 2011 in regards to arbitrary and excessive collection of OWWA fees.

Monterona recalled that on November last year, CoA also released a report that there are about P21-M unremitted funds from various OWWA officers abroad.

Monterona said they called on OWWA chief Dimzon to investigate the unliquidated expenses of OWWA officials.

Monterona also revealed that there were well founded allegations of 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.

Early this January, OFWs and Migrante chapters abroad launched a campaign against a hike on their health insurance premium as per the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) issued Circular No.022 imposing a 160% hike from the current P900 to P2,400

“If PNoy has a genuine concern to our OFWs, he must issue a tall order to concerned govt. agencies and corporation to stop imposing additional charges to OFWs and abhor overburdening us. He must also order an investigation on the arbitrary and excessive collection of fees charged to OFWs so that an appropriate will be filed against corrupt officials,” Monterona added.

Monterona said DoLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon has a lot of explaining to do to the 10-M OFWs abroad about this arbitrary and excessive charging of Balik Mangagawa fees and about the OFWs funds held in trust to the government.

“A government paramount mandate is to deliver affordable, if not free, social and welfare services. At present, The Aquino administration failed to abide this mandate. On the other hand, it wantonly imposes additional fees and charges overburdening its people, including Filipino workers abroad, exploit them further until they bleed dry and yet government programs, services, and protection are not enough and still wanting,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFW group wants speedy Corona trial; OFW leader shares his impression on 1st day impeachment trial

2012-01-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

Press Release

16 January 2012

OFW group wants speedy Corona trial; OFW leader shares his impression on 1^st day impeachment trial

As the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renator Corona Jr., commenced today, a Filipino migrant rights group said it wanted a speedy trial by the Senate, convened as the trial court, on the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives.

“We want a speedy trial to avoid dragging the nation to a state of political bickering and divisiveness. But we are more than happy to see Chief Justice Corona convicted, thereby removed from office,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added Corona’s removal from office by the Senate-turned-impeachment-court is the first step and a milestone to former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s conviction on the many charges filed against her.

“The Supreme Court with Corona as chief magistrate is providing Mrs. Arroyo a shield to avoid conviction on charges filed against her,” Monterona added.

Monterona, however, cautioned that the Aquino administration may not really be interested in prosecuting Arroyo and her political cohorts. “The public believed that the real motive of CJ Corona’s removal is the unfavorable to Cojuangco-Aquino clan ruling on Hacienda Luisita and control over the judiciary by the Aquino regime.”

1^st day of impeachment trial

Monterona shares his impressions during the 1^st day of the impeachment trial and how the protagonists perform:

As to Senator Judges - I noticed, the Senate convened as impeachment trial judges, were ready and seemed to know their role as an impeachment court. Credit is given to the leadership of Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile who is also a lawyer. There are 11-members of the Senate were also lawyers and their being a lawyer would set a good example and leadership to their non-lawyer colleague.

As to Prosecution panel - Members of the prosecution panel, though they are lawyers, seems ready also for the trial battle. Though, noticeably, most of them ceased to practice court trial lawyering since they have been elected in Congress and perform legislative works rather than court trial that require doing lots of homework. I supposed, the Prosecution have studied well their cases/articles of impeachment supported with hard facts/evidences. But I am not impressed of Rep. Neil Tupas, as lead prosecutor, opening statement.

As to Defense panel - As expected, the members of the defense panel are more prepared and acquainted in court trial as they are concurrently doing actual trial in court as they were members of prominent law firms. I would expect them to delay or probably employ dilatory tactics to prolong the impeachment while wooing the public and sway a favorable opinion for their client, the impeached CJ Corona.

“As to my impression of the 1st day of the trial, I observe that it went well and smoothly. As I have said, the Senate convened as the trial judges appeared prepared to hear and conduct the trial of CJ Corona,” Monterona added.

As to the questions if he expected that the court would deny the motion for preliminary investigation and the motion to site for contempt the prosecution panel, Monterona has these to say:

Yes, I am expecting the court would deny the request or motion for preliminary investigation. I believed it is not even on the procedure of the impeachment court and mainly because there are no substantial issues that would warrant the conduct of preliminary investigation as the trial of CJ Corona is not a pure criminal proceeding.

“In regards to motion to cite for contempt the members of the prosecution for publicly issuing to the public evidences it gathered against CJ Corona, I believed a strong reminder from the impeachment court headed by Sen. Enrile would do. I could not think any other penalty or disciplinary action could be imposed against the prosecutors. The Senate trial court speaking through Sen. Enrile appeal to both sides to refrain from issuing evidences to the public as the Senate-turned-trial-court is the rightful body to receive evidences and other motions as at the end of the trial, the senator-judges will decide based on their independence, right judgement, and impartiality,” Monterona averred.

“I am hoping that the impeachment court would be impartial throughout the trial. The integrity of the conduct of the trial rested on every Senator-judges shoulder. Better, if they too would abhor issuing statements or their impressions every after trial to the media and avoid grandstanding,”Monterona asked on what he expects on the Senator-judges.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.00966535921228

OFWs eager to observe Corona trial via internet, online sites

2012-01-15T00:36:00.001-08:00

Press Release

15 January 2012

OFWs eager to observe Corona trial via internet, online sites

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) around the world are eager to observe the Senate trial on Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. impeachment case according to a Filipino migrants’ rights group.

Members of the Senate acting as trial-judges on the impeachment case file against the Chief justice will commence trial tomorrow, January 16.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said their 3,000 strong members in the middle-east will be closely observing what he called ‘blockbuster trial of the year’.

“For sure, Corona trial will be another blockbuster trial which could even surpass Pres. Joseph Estrada’s epic impeachment trial in 2001 in terms of viewership and popularity,” Monterona added.

He cited that many OFWs excitement to observe and watch the Corona trial is complimented by easy access to internet facilities and online news coverage.

“OFWs have access to internet and online news at their offices and even on their accommodations and apartments,” Monterona added.

Monterona noted that OFWs around the world are becoming more aware of the Philippine events back home courtesy of easy and available access to internet and news online.

“We could observe that our fellow OFWs are now politically aware of what is happening in the Philippines compared to, let us say a decade ago, though they are abroad foremost for economic reason,” Monterona opined.

He noted that OFWs consciousness on the affairs of the state does not just came out of the blue. ‘It sprung from OFWs’ openness and constant political education and exposure on various issues such as the Corona impeachment,” Monterona averred.

“The Corona trial is significant to us, OFWs, as we too longed for a corrupt-free Philippine society. By critically observing the trial, it will guide us what course of collective action to take having in mind the best interest of our nation,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

33 Pinoy seamen stranded at Egyptian port; decry non-payment of salary

2012-01-14T17:53:00.001-08:00

Press Release

15 January 2012

33 Pinoy seamen stranded at Egyptian port; decry non-payment of salary

Who would think that there are still stranded Filipino workers in Egypt? Not because of last year Egyptian upheavals but for other reasons they could not also understand.

Thirty-three (33) Filipino seamen have sought assistance as they claimed that the ship they’re onboard is now docked in a port in Egypt for about 3 months now, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants rights group assisting distressed, abused, jailed, and stranded overseas Filipino workers.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona confirmed Saturday he received a personal message (PM) on Migrante-Middle East Facebook account, which he is the administrator, from one of the 33 Pinoy seamen pleading for assistance.

“Sir good morning po. Seaman po ako at kasalukuyang onboard dito sa Egypt, nakatali na po ang barko dito sa Damiata (Good morning Sir. I am a seaman and now onboard here in Egypt; the ship is already docked here in Damiata),” message from one of the 33 Pinoy seamen sent to M-ME’s Monterona.

Monterona said he came to know from the stranded Pinoy seaman, who requested not to be named, that he and fellow Pinoy seafarers have been ‘on standby’ for three (3) months already while their ship is docked in Damiata.

Damiata is a port and the capital of the Damietta Governorate in Egypt. It is located at the intersection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile, about 200 kilometers (120 mi) north of Cairo.

“3 months na walang sahod dito sa barko at walang allotment sa family namin. Makahingi po ba kami ng tulong sa inyo? (We have not received our salary for 3 months already and no allotment for our family. Can we ask assistance from you?)” the stranded Pinoy seaman pleading for assistance.

Monterona added, quoting the Pinoy seamen, most of them have already completed their contract but their manning agent, the Makati-based Sekur Manning Incorporated and its Greece-based principal, Sekur Holdings, allegedly are not allowing them to return home.

“I already sent Saturday an electronic mail to Sekur Manning agency, care of its official representative Mr. Ruben T. Del Rosario, informing him of the complaints of the Pinoy seamen,” Monterona adding he is still awaiting reply from the manning agency.

Monterona said he asked Migrante International staff in Metro Manila to call Sekur Manning agency and urge them to provide assistance to the stranded Pinoy seamen. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

OFWs claim partial victory over Philhealth premium hike temporary suspension

2012-01-12T18:41:00.001-08:00

Press Release

13 January 2012

OFWs claim partial victory over Philhealth premium hike temporary suspension

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants’ rights group leading a campaign against health insurance premium hike, today claims victory over the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) policy imposing an increase on the insurance health premium on every overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

On January 9, the group kicked off its campaign versus Philhealth Board Circular No.022 imposing about 160% hike on OFWs premium from the current P900 to P2,400 which the group decry as unreasonable, exorbitant and illegal.

“The temporary suspension of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Board Circular No.022 imposing a 160% premium hike of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is a victory of OFWs first fight this year against unreasonable and exorbitant state exaction under the Aquino administration,” thus declared today by a Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East.

According to Monterona, he came to know that the Philhealth Board of Directors decided to amend Circular No.022 after its meeting yesterday.

“We were informed that instead of P2,400, the increase will be lowered to P1,200 from the current P900 and the Philhealth will be imposing the hike on year 2013,” Monterona revealed.

Monterona said they welcome the amendments introduced by the Philhealth Board to its Circular No.022, but added his group consider it ‘just a temporary victory.’

“This is just a temporary victory, because there is still a threat that the Philhealth is still contemplating to increase our health insurance premium and that this will take effect next year, 2013,” Monterona added.

Monterona said his group maintains its position that the premium hike is illegal as it violates the mandate of the amended Migrant Workers Act of 2010 or Republic Act 10022.

“The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 10022, Rule XVII, Sec.4 states that ‘all fees for services being charged by any govt. agency on migrant workers prevailing at the time of the effectivity of the law shall not be increased.’ Clearly the wording of this provision is mandatory,” Monterona explained.

Monterona added Philhealth has a lot of explaining to do before it could impose an increase on OFWs premiums.

For one, he said, Philhealth must open its book and determine its real financial standing.

Monterona recalled that on 2009, Senate conducted an investigation on the alleged P20-B existing arrears of the Philhealth that many feared with such big arrears it could not sustain its operation for the next 7 years.

Monterona demanded Philhealth to conduct full audit on the P530-M OWWA medicare funds that were transfer to Philhealth on 2005 during the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“We would like to know where the P530-M OWWA medicare funds were spent as there were allegations of anomaly,” Monterona added.

He cited that recent anomaly on the premiums of Accentuate Corporation involving P100-M premiums that were allegedly fictitiously received by Philhealth.

‘Another is the quality of services and benefits currently Philhealth has. It can’t justify a premium hike with a sorry state of services and benefits rendered to its stakeholders including OFWs and their dependents,” Monterona added.

He said Migrante chapters abroad along with other OFWs groups and formation will continue to protest and will still push through an internationally coordinated campaign until the health insurance premium hike is scrap.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Group urges manhunt vs. killer of OFW found dead at NAIA 2; scored authorities over lenient security provided to returning OFWs

2012-01-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

Press Release

13 January 2012

Group urges manhunt vs. killer of OFW found dead at NAIA 2; scored authorities over lenient security provided to returning OFWs

A Filipino migrants’ rights group urges today the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is believed to have just returned from her work but was found dead inside a suitcase at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 2 pay parking areas on January 11.

Police investigators indentified the OFW as Nidzmar Bahjin. According to her kin, she is supposed to return to Manila from Bahrain last Tuesday on board Gulf Air flight GF156, which is expected to arrive 4pm from Manama, Bahrain.

“We condemn her brutal killing. Only a person with no conscience but with a highly criminal mind can do it to her putting even her cold dead body inside her own suitcase,” declared John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

He said the killing is quite alarming as it underscore the need to tighten the security not only at the NAIA airports but also in others around the country.

“The OFW’s brutal killing happened under a lax security measure provided by the NAIA security personnel and the deputized members of the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Monterona added.

He said NAIA or other airports must be placed on a high security alert or measures. “This should not be waived or relaxed.”

Monterona also urges the formation of a composite taskforce composed of PNP investigators and NAIA security personnel to probe deeply on the OFW’s killing and a manhunt against the killer or killers must be conducted.

“We will more than be happy to see OFW Bahjin killer rot inside prison cell. Only then, we could say justice is attained,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

‘Why malversation rap only, not plunder, versus Arroyo on OWWA fund mess? –OFW group

2012-01-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

Press Release

12 January 2012

‘Why malversation rap only, not plunder, versus Arroyo on OWWA fund mess? –OFW group

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East said Thursday the Department of Justice (DoJ) should have find probable cause in the plunder case it filed against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and three other former members of her cabinet.

On April 2011, Migrante International and former Solicitor general and lawyer Frank Chavez filed a plunder complaint against Arroyo in the DoJ for allegedly illegally diverting the P530-M OWWA medicare funds, which is a trust fund pooled from every OFW’s US$25 membership fee, to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) on 2005.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said malversation is a lesser offense compared to plunder which is punishable by life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold any public office.

“The illegally diverted amount from OFWs’ trust fund held in trust to OWWA is so huge and the motive of the fund transfer is clearly to advance Mrs. Arroyo’s political interest as she is then running for president,” Monterona opined.

It was alleged that Philhealth cards were distributed free in Pampanga, Arroyo’s political bailwick, and other provinces during 2004 political sorties to woo the voters.

Monterona said aside from the illegal transfer of P530-M OWWA medicare funds, there was also the $150,000 illegal transfer of OWWA funds supposedly to be used for the evacuation of OFWs from war-torn Lebanon in which Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Al Francis Bichara claimed that he had not received a single cent from the OWWA.

“We could clearly noticed the rampant illegal used and diversion of funds under the most corrupt Arroyo regime in various government institutions, including OFWs trust fund in OWWA, funds that are intended to provide welfare programs and services for our poor people,”Monterona added.

He scored the Aquino administration, speaking through presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, welcoming the probable cause findings leading to filing a malversation rap against Aroyo and 3 other former cabinet members.

‘The Aquino govt. should have asked an explanation from the DoJ why a lesser offense of malversation is recommended instead of plunder rap,” Monterona averred.

“The various illegal misused and diversion of government funds committed by Mrs. Arroyo and her cabinet officials underscores a resolute action on the part of the Aquino govt. by immediately filling an appropriate cases against the corrupt who plundered our people’s money,” Monterona concluded. # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-ME regional coordinator

Mobile No. 00966535921228

OFW who died in Syria was possibly hit by stray bullet, says migrant group;urges DFA to probe deeply

2012-01-10T16:57:00.001-08:00

Press Release

11 January 2012

OFW who died in Syria was possibly hit by stray bullet, says migrant group;urges DFA to probe deeply

A Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East is not discounting the possibility that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was reportedly killed in Syria was hit by a stray bullet while attempting to escape from her employer’s house in Homs, 160km away north of Damascus, Syria’s capital.

Yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its spokesperson Atty. Raul Hernandez on a radio interview confirmed that OFW Violeta Cortez, on her mid-40’s from San Pablo, Laguna reportedly found dead at an undisclosed street in Damascus on January 5, 2012.

Asked what could have been the cause of her death, the DFA spokesperson said she allegedly was a victim of hit-and-run while in Damascus.

But Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrant rights group, says it is not ruling out that OFW Cortez was possibly hit by a stray bullet while cruising her way out of Homs, where heavy fighting still ensued, going to Damascus to seek the Philippine embassy’s assistance.

“Information reaching us is that she was on her way going to Damascus from her employer’s abode in Homs in her own effort to save her despite pleading assistance to the PH embassy to evacuate her and other fellow OFWs stranded in Homs,” said John Leonard Monterona, M-ME regional coordinator.

Monterona said OFW Cortez is one of those OFWs in Homs who have sought assistance to them sometime in May 2011. “OFW Cortez was among those whose names M-ME submitted to the PH embassy in Damascus pleading to be evacuated out of Homs and eventually repatriated back in the Philippines.”

“There were about 30 of them then in Homs who have called me and plead for assistance as they fear for their lives due to heavy fighting between anti-government protesters and the Syrian military forces,” Monterona confirmed.

“The only reply the stranded OFWs in Homs, including OFW Cortez, got from the PH embassy is an advice to find its way to escape from their employer by riding a taxi going to Damascus where the PH embassy building is located, not minding the high risk present while travelling out of Homs to Damascus,” Monterona added.

Monterona citing the accounts of stranded OFWs in Homs he had spoken then, they could not find the embassy’s presence and its evacuation efforts contradicting DFA’s statement that many OFWs do not want to leave Syria.

“PH embassy in Syria has just appointed its ‘coordinators’, who are OFWs themselves, in Homs, Latakia, and other cities in Syria and direct them of what to do. Thus, we could say there was no actual evacuation done by the PH embassy when the time the situation is not yet that heightened that would allow evacuation of stranded OFWs in Homs, Latakia and other Syrian cities going to a safer place like in Damascus where the PH embassy is also located,” Monterona averred.

Monterona calls on the DFA to probe deeply on the death of OFW Cortez.

“More OFW deaths, though we pray that no other OFW would be hurt or died in Syria, is the price of a ‘wait-and-see evacuation and repatriation stance’ by the PH govt., the DFA and other concerned govt. agencies. Evacuation and repatriation efforts must be pro-active, this is what the MENA crisis taught us so far,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

OFWs kick off campaign against Philhealth premium hike

2012-01-08T19:35:00.001-08:00

Press Release

9 January 2012

OFWs kick off campaign against Philhealth premium hike

To demonstrate that they are indeed ‘dead serious’ opposing a circular recently passed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth increasing the membership premium of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), the largest alliance of OFW group in the mid-east, kicked off its campaign against what it called Philhealth ‘unhealthy money-making scheme’ which will only add burden to already overburdened OFWs and their dependents.

The Philhealth Board recently issued Circular No.022 imposing a 150% hike in health premiums of OFWs from the current P900 to become P2,400.

“The hike in OFWs health insurance premium will not only bleed us dry, it also sucks out our blood leading ‘to death due to deprivation of free and affordable social services’. The government through various agencies is killing us so softly by imposing additional fees in pretense of better social services,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional director.

By all legal and extra-legal means allowed by law, Monterona said his group and other OFW groups who have already thrown support to its campaign against Philhealth premium hike, will expose and oppose this ‘unhealthy money-making scheme’ by the Philhealth.

He said they will kick off a signature drive, on paper and on-line, to gather the support of as many OFWs and their families. (‘NO TO Philhealth premium Increase’ on-line petition link http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/no-to-philhealth-premium-increase-scrap-circular/)

“We are targeting 1-M signature by July 2012, the supposed start of imposing Philhealth premium of P2,400 from the current P900. With our position paper, we will send the signatures to Pres. Aquino and to the Philhealth Board members,” Monterona averred.

Monterona also disclosed that his group is consulting lawyers for possible action to contest the legality of Philhealth Board Circular No.022.“Philhealth Board Circular No.022 contradicts a provision of the Amended Migrant Workers Act or RA 10022 that prohibits increase in government fees for services rendered to OFWs and their dependents.”

‘Besides, there were no consultations among OFWs groups conducted by the Philhealth Board, so they can’t impose it onerously without proper dialog with stakeholders –the OFWs and their families,” the Saudi-based OFW leader added.

Monterona recalled that in 2005, the Arroyo administration through the Philhealth initiated the transfer of OFW Medicare program from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) involving the re-channeling of P530,382,466 OWWA medicare funds to the Philhealth without proper consultations and dialog with the OFWs stakeholders.

“We are now consulting Migrante chapters and other Overseas Filipino groups in Asia-Pacific, Australia, the US, and Canada to clinch a series of internationally coordinated campaign against this Philhealth premium hike,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Group calls on fellow OFWs to stop Philhealth contributions if premium hike pushes through

2012-01-04T16:11:00.001-08:00

Press Release

6 January 2012

Group calls on fellow OFWs to stop Philhealth contributions if premium hike pushes through

‘Sobra na, tama na ang pahirap sa aming mga OFWs at pamilya!” thus lamented today by a Filipino migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East in reaction to the plan of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), the govt.-lead health insurance agency, increasing the membership premiums of overseas Filipino workers from current P900 to P2,400 starting July of this year.

The Philhealth Board issued Circular No.022 imposing a 150% hike in health premiums of OFWs by citing the govt. Universal Health Care and Millenium Development Goals.

“Of course, we are against any hike in OFWs premium contributions –be it in SSS, PAG-IBIG and now being proposed in our health insurance through Philhealth- because it is only an added burden to our already miserable situation amid continued price hikes of commodities and basic services,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator.

Monterona added that any Philhealth premium hikes can’t be justified at present wherein OFWs and their families are under grinding and worsening economic conditions.

‘Besides, there were no consultations among OFWs groups conducted by the Philhealth Board, so they can’t impose it onerously without proper dialog with stakeholders –the OFWs and their families,” the Saudi-based OFW leader added.

In 2009, experts predicted that with the financial problem the heath agency is facing, it would lead to bankruptcy in seven years due to government arrears of nearly P20 billion in 2009 and still increasing.

Monterona lamented it is unfair and highly irregular to pass on to OFWs members the financial problem encountered by the Philhealth.

“Instead of increasing Philhealth premium hikes, the financial investments of the agency and collection of contributions from members must be rationalized or improved,” Monterona suggested.

Monterona opined they’ve smell a conspiracy between the Philhealth Board and Malacanang on raising the health premiums of OFWs, thus it bypassed the very elementary democratic process of consultation and dialog all in the name of the Aquino administration’s adherence to its Universal Health Care and Millenium Development plan.

“Pres. Aquino promised that there will be no additional taxes to impose this year only to find out now that even govt. agencies providing basic services such as the Philhealth will increase the OFW-members premium which has the same effect of a tax because both are considered a burden,” Monterona averred.

“When this government will stop treating us, OFWs, like a milking-cow?” he asked.

Monterona calls on the Aquino govt. to stop Philhealth increasing OFWs health insurance premium. “We will be up in arms, so to speak, if this anti-OFW health premium hike will be implemented by July 2012.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112

17 Saudi OFWs forced to stop work over labor row; group assails POLO official’s inaction

2012-01-04T14:10:00.001-08:00

Press Release

5 January 2011

17 Saudi OFWs forced to stop work over labor row; group assails POLO official’s inaction

Seventeen (17) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia were forced to stop working due to alleged labor maltreatment by their employer, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) local chapter in Saudi Arabia after the distressed OFWs sought assistance to the group.

The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East), the Riyadh-based chapter of Migrante, identified the 17 distressed OFWs asVALENTINO MALIDAS, RENE MAGPALE, LOUIEL DACANAY , RUFINO CABISON, NORBERTO MARIPOSQUE, TRISTRAM SERRANTES, PLARIDEL VARGAS, LOWEL LASTIMOSA, SATURNINO ALOJADO, ALEJANDRO TENDERO, SONNY DE JESUS, NOEL LOGENIO, LOYD CANOY, IAN MALAZARTE, JUN MAR ANCHETA, RICKY TYNACAO, and ANDRO PADILLO.

Most of the OFWs were deployed sometime in 2010 as drivers to Al-Sabillah, a construction and trucking company based in Al-Jouf, about 1,600km north of Riyadh.

In November 2011, the distressed OFWs decided to stopped working as they were not paid of their salaries for 3 months while others have been deducted US$500 over their delayed salaries.

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said they’ve already endorsed months ago their case to a Riyadh-based Philippine Overseas Labor attaché who has the jurisdiction over their case since November 2011 but lamented they’re ‘still waiting for POLO’s action particularly calling the attention of their employer to settle their legitimate demand such as the release of their unpaid salaries, illegally deducted amount and unpaid overtime work.’

Monterona, who is on his annual vacation, noted that on December 27, 2011, he personally accompanied the kin of the 5 distressed OFWs to formally file a formal repatriation request at the POEA Repatriation Unit (RU), POEA main office in Ortigas. ‘The kin also filed a complaint against their employer and the agencies that deployed them.’

“We came to know that some of the recruitment agencies were closed. There are two which are still active, thus we urged the POEA-RU to send a notice to attend on the labor problem of their deployed OFWs,” Monterona added.

Monterona scored POLO-central region operations under labor attaché Wally Villazor as until now he failed to dispatch a labor assisting team to look into the complaints and condition of the distressed OFWs who claimed that they were threatened and some were slapped by their employer’s men.

“The distressed OFWs have been calling me and our Migrante officers in Riyadh everyday pleading for assistance and for their daily subsistence. We have asked our members near their area to provide food for them while awaiting action from POLO-OWWA,” Monterona added.

Monterona said on December 28 he sent an electronic mail to OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon endorsing the kin to avail family assistance loan as the distressed OFWs are bonafide OWWA members, in which the latter replied to let the OFWs’ kin proceed to OWWA main office in Pasay.

(Note: The following OFWs are willing to be interviewed to appeal their case to the concerned PH govt. officials: SATURNINO ALOJADO Cell#00966561771023, ALEJANDRO TENDERO cell# 00966534050738, SONNY DE JESUS cell# 00966509751720)

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Saudi Mobile No.: 00966 535921228

Temporary PH mobile No.: 0063 9234200112