Remains of Pinay who inspired better treatment for caregivers in Canada brought home
MANILA, PhilippinesM - The remains of the Filipina live-in caregiver who fought hard to remain in Canada, but finally succumbed to lung cancer has finally been brought home to the Philippines.
Q’s Balitanghali reported that Juana Tejada, who fought hard for better treatment of caregivers in Canada died on March 8 in Toronto at the age of 39.
Rafael Fabregas, Tejada’s immigration lawyer, recently told GMANews.TV that Jason Kenney, minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, is looking into a bill that would improve the immigration status of Filipino live-in caregivers.
“Minister Kenney also indicated that he will soon be conducting consultations on reforming the live-in caregiver program, and will seriously consider the principle behind our proposed ‘Juana Tejada Law’ exempting caregivers from the requirement of a second medical exam before being granted permanent residence," he said.
“Maraming matutulungan na mga caregiver kasi yung Juana Tejada law hindi lamang para sa kanya, para sa mga naiwang caregivers doon," [The Juana Tejada law will help many more caregivers like her]," Noli Azada, Tejada’s husband, told GMA News reporter Mark Salazar.
Tejada was lured to work in Canada in 2003 under the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP), which grants foreign workers permanent residency— and an opportunity to petition their entire family — upon fulfillment of their three-year assignment as well as necessary medical and criminal clearances.
On a routine medical check-up in 2006, doctors found out that she had terminal cancer. Tejada was told by Canadian immigration officials that her illness made her ineligible to become a permanent resident.
Determined to give her family a better life, Juana appealed to waive the good-health requirement for humanitarian reasons. Her petition was denied twice.
Eventually, following a public campaign, Canada’s immigration department yielded and granted Tejada her permanent residence on July 17, 2008.
According to the report, her remains will be buried in the northern home province of Abra. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV
Q’s Balitanghali reported that Juana Tejada, who fought hard for better treatment of caregivers in Canada died on March 8 in Toronto at the age of 39.
Rafael Fabregas, Tejada’s immigration lawyer, recently told GMANews.TV that Jason Kenney, minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, is looking into a bill that would improve the immigration status of Filipino live-in caregivers.
“Minister Kenney also indicated that he will soon be conducting consultations on reforming the live-in caregiver program, and will seriously consider the principle behind our proposed ‘Juana Tejada Law’ exempting caregivers from the requirement of a second medical exam before being granted permanent residence," he said.
“Maraming matutulungan na mga caregiver kasi yung Juana Tejada law hindi lamang para sa kanya, para sa mga naiwang caregivers doon," [The Juana Tejada law will help many more caregivers like her]," Noli Azada, Tejada’s husband, told GMA News reporter Mark Salazar.
Tejada was lured to work in Canada in 2003 under the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP), which grants foreign workers permanent residency— and an opportunity to petition their entire family — upon fulfillment of their three-year assignment as well as necessary medical and criminal clearances.
On a routine medical check-up in 2006, doctors found out that she had terminal cancer. Tejada was told by Canadian immigration officials that her illness made her ineligible to become a permanent resident.
Determined to give her family a better life, Juana appealed to waive the good-health requirement for humanitarian reasons. Her petition was denied twice.
Eventually, following a public campaign, Canada’s immigration department yielded and granted Tejada her permanent residence on July 17, 2008.
According to the report, her remains will be buried in the northern home province of Abra. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV
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