KAKAMMPI News

Amid persistent reports of "premature" terminations in Saudi Arabia, Philippine officials there advised overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom to report terminations "without valid cause" to the Philippine Embassy. The Embassy particularly urged OFWs who receive questionable termination notices to get in touch with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their place of work (Riyadh, Jeddah and al-Khobar). "Amid persistent reports on the termination of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, Filipino workers who receive termination notices from their employers or who have been terminated without valid cause are advised to get in touch with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their place of work (Riyadh, Jeddah and al-Khobar). POLO officers will provide the necessary assistance to the complainants," the Embassy said in an advisory posted on its website. The embassy also urged the Filipino community to regularly visit the Philippine Em...

JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO, OFW Journalism Consortium An OFW Journalism Consortium news flash exclusive MANILA—THE Philippine embassy in Baghdad said Filipino workers are not affected by the plan of the Iraqi government to deport illegal foreign workers. This is even if 2009 stock estimates on overseas Filipinos by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas show that there an estimated 2,800 irregular Filipino workers in Iraq. Filipino volunteers in Baghdad told the embassy that the ruling to deport illegal foreign workers does not include Filipino workers in American military facilities there. Attache Donnie Fetalino told the OFW Journalism Consortium that the overseas Filipino workers in Iraq are “in their duty stations carry badges with them which is respected by Iraqi authorities". “This is the reason why OFWs were not included in the news," Fetalino said. News about the deportation of illegal foreign workers in Iraq was reported in the Himalayan Times newspaper of Nepal, which sai...

Filipino migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who get terminated from their jobs without a valid cause should get in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday. In a statement amid “persistent" reports on the termination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia, the DFA said OFWs may ask for the embassy’s assistance through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) that is closest to their place of work. Located in Riyadh, Jeddah, and al-Khobar, POLO offices will assist affected OFWs, the DFA said. The agency also advised OFWs in the Kingdom to regularly visit the Philippine Embassy website for updates on the Nitaqat or “Saudization" system, which prioritizes the employment of Saudi nationals over foreign workers in Saudi-owned firms. The Saudi government is scheduled to begin implementing the Nitaqat system next Sept. 11, and companies that fail to comply with the Saudization targets will get a grace period of six...

WILLIAM ALZONA, OFW Journalism Consortium Technology giant Ericsson is testing its money service facility after it included the Philippines in the countries that can receive funds from seven countries in Europe. Adam Kerr, Ericsson Mobile Money representative, said the company has partnered with Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. to allow overseas Filipinos in seven European countries to send money back home. Globe will use its GCash service, while Smart will utilize its Smart Money platform. The said launch was made late last week in time for the Barrio Fiesta sa London event over the weekend. “It will be a person to person money service," Kerr said in a telephone interview. Since the service was relatively new, Kerr said that it only allows Filipinos in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and Sweden to send money to the Philippines. The service, however, does not allow sending money from the Philippines to these seven countries, Kerr said. Un...

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is on track to pass next year a treaty that will allow nearly 100 million workers around the world to enjoy social insurance programs, Social Watch Philippines said Friday. In a statement, Social Watch quoted the United Nations’ ILO as saying 80 percent of workers all over the world have no access to social security — a social insurance program that provides protection against poverty, old age, disability, and unemployment, among others. “I believe [social insurance programs] are building blocks for social justice… I invite you all to mobilize around. Your support is invaluable," ILO director-general Juan Somavia told participants of the ongoing 5th Social Watch Global Assembly in Manila. Social Watch is a network of citizens’ organizations struggling to eradicate poverty and causes of poverty, and to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and realization of human rights. Decent work for domestic workers Somavia also lauded Social Wat...

JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO, OFW Journalism Consortium An OFW Journalism Consortium news flash exclusive MANILA—THE Philippine embassy in Baghdad said Filipino workers are not affected by the plan of the Iraqi government to deport illegal foreign workers. This is even if 2009 stock estimates on overseas Filipinos by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas show that there an estimated 2,800 irregular Filipino workers in Iraq. Filipino volunteers in Baghdad told the embassy that the ruling to deport illegal foreign workers does not include Filipino workers in American military facilities there. Attache Donnie Fetalino told the OFW Journalism Consortium that the overseas Filipino workers in Iraq are “in their duty stations carry badges with them which is respected by Iraqi authorities". “This is the reason why OFWs were not included in the news," Fetalino said. News about the deportation of illegal foreign workers in Iraq was reported in the Himalayan Times newspaper of Nepal, which sai...

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is assisting and providing legal assistance to the pregnant Filipina who was allegedly raped by three Saudi men in Dammam. In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Embassy said its representatives went to the Genobiya Police to assist the Filipina and check on her condition. The Filipina, who hails from Bulacan, was reportedly walking on her way back to her residence from a check-up at the General Case Hospital in Dammam on July 7 when a car stopped and the driver asked if she works for a certain company. Thinking that it was her car service, she rode the car but was surprised to see that there was another man seated at the back. The driver reportedly brought her to an isolated area where she was raped. The Filipina was also robbed of her mobile phone and money, the embassy reported. After being raped, the Filipina was dropped near the Carrefour Mall where she asked other Filipinos for help. The Embassy received a report that the perp...

The Philippine Embassy in Brunei will move to a new location on August 2: Simpang 336, Diplomatic Enclave Kampung Kianggeh, Jalan Kebangsaan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. “Service establishments such as photocopy shops and restaurants are not accessible from the new chancery," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a news release on its website. The DFA advised applicants prepare a complete set of their requirements including all needed photocopies, to facilitate the processing of employment, consular and other Embassy documents and to avoid any inconvenience. A checklist of required documents and corresponding number of photocopies is posted at: •www.pinoybrunei.com •www.philippineembassybrunei.net •www.polobrunei.net Filipinos in the Kuala Belait/Seria District (KB) may get a checklist and forms from FAB District Coordinator Wilfredo Tabion with mobile number 7138902 and e-mail address wil_tabion@yahoo.com. Household service workers (amah) who work at the KB ...

Naging mapagbiro ang tadhana sa isang distressed Pinay domestic helper sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia dahil binawian siya ng buhay sa araw kung kailan sasakay na siya ng eroplano na maghahatid sana sa kanya pauwi ng Pilipinas. Sa impormasyong nakalap mula sa grupong Patnubay, ang pumanaw na OFW ay kinilalang si Lilia Prestado, 44-anyos, mula sa bayan ng Taytay, at mahigit isang taon nang TNT o tago ng tago mula nang tumakas sa kanyang amo. Ang Patnubay ay isang advocacy group sa Gitnang Silangan na tumutulong sa mga nagigipit na OFW. Napag-alaman na nitong Pebrero ay inindorso ng Patnubay si Prestado sa Bahay Kalinga. Ito ay lugar na pinangangasiwaan ng pamahalaan, at kinukopkop ang mga nagigipit na OFWs. Sinasabing may sakit sa puso at goiter si Prestado, bukod pa sa kanyang asthma, at iba pang komplikasyon sa kalusugan. Ayon sa Patnubay, walong buwan lamang nagtrabaho si Prestado sa kanyang amo at pagkaraan nito ay tumakas na. Hindi malinaw kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit iniwan ni Prestado...

A total of 25 distressed female overseas Filipino workers were repatriated from Jordan over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. The DFA said the OFWs, who arrived from Amman last July 15, left their employers for reasons ranging from maltreatment to non-payment of overtime services. "The repatriated OFWs, all women, left their employers for alleged abuse and maltreatment and non-payment of their overtime services. They stayed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center where they were provided shelter, food and proper assistance while waiting for their exit visas to be processed," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. Welcoming them at the airport were DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA)Special Assistant Enrico Fos and legal officer Emily Villanueva, and with representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The DFA said the Philippine Embassy made representations with the Jordania...

Amid persistent reports of "premature" terminations in Saudi Arabia, Philippine officials there advised overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom to report terminations "without valid cause" to the Philippine Embassy. The Embassy particularly urged OFWs who receive questionable termination notices to get in touch with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their place of work (Riyadh, Jeddah and al-Khobar). "Amid persistent reports on the termination of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, Filipino workers who receive termination notices from their employers or who have been terminated without valid cause are advised to get in touch with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their place of work (Riyadh, Jeddah and al-Khobar). POLO officers will provide the necessary assistance to the complainants," the Embassy said in an advisory posted on its website. The embassy also urged the Filipino community to regularly visit the Philippine Em...

SURIGAO CITY – Pinawi ni Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz ang mga pangamba na nanganganib mawalan ng trabaho ang tinatayang 1.5 milyong overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) dahil sa ipatutupad na “Saudization" system sa kaharian. Ang pahayag ay ginawa ni Baldoz sa mga dumalo sa 68th Caraga Regional Development Council Meeting na ginawa sa Surigao City nitong Biyernes. “Huwag po kayong maniwala na maapektahan kaagad ang ating 1.5 milyong manggagawa sa Saudi Arabia, there is no truth on that because Saudi Arabia will not be as it is now without migrant Filipino skilled workers they need us," bahagi ng talumpati ni Baldoz. Idinagdag ng kalihim na nagbigay ng katiyakan ang labor secretary ng KSA nang magkita sila sa isang pulong sa Geneva noong Hunyo, na hindi maaapektuhan ng ipatutupad na bagong sistema sa kaharian ang mga manggagawang Pinoy dahil karamihan naman sa kanila ay mga highly skilled workers. Idinagdag pa umano ng opisyal ng KSA ...

SURIGAO CITY — Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz belied claims that 1.5 million overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia will be affected by the host country's move to prioritize Saudi nationals in employment or the "Saudization" policy. Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz at the 68th Caraga Regional Development Council meeting held in Surigao City last Friday. Ben Serrano “Huwag po kayong maniwala na maapektahan kaagad ang ating 1.5 milyong manggagawa sa Saudi Arabia, there is no truth on that because Saudi Arabia will not be as it is now without migrant Filipino skilled workers – they need us," Secretary Baldoz said in her speech at the 68th Caraga Regional Development Council meeting held in the city last Friday. Baldoz claimed that her counterpart, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Labor Secretary promised her that the 1.5 million OFWS in the kingdom will not be affected because Filipino workers there are mostly highly skilled. Baldoz said the KSA...

(Fr. Shay's columns are published in The Manila Times, in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line.) http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2011/r11071301.html The Philippine Bishop's pastoral letter of apology this past week to the people and the nation titled "A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace" admits that seven Bishops accepted monetary gifts of as much as 8.258 million from the government gambling agency - Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at the behest of the former President even though the Church condemns gambling. Besides, it is illegal because the Constitution forbids any government funds or property be given to any Church or representative thereof. "Government funds cannot be used for the promotion of a specific religion". The money was given for the prelates to buy vehicles and they did - expensive sport utility vehicles which they said were being used for charitable purposes. One bought a low cost second-hand four wheel drive....

Written by Partido Lakas ng Masa Thursday, 07 July 2011 16:30 Romy Castillo, deputy general secretary of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), was finally released by Malaysian authorities yesterday morning. He came home via Air Asia flight at Clark airport at around 12 noon and was met by a delegation from PLM. A victory party will be held at the PLM office on Friday, July 8, at 3:00 pm. There will also be a meeting to discuss the continuing campaign to free the remaining six Malaysian pro-democracy leaders of Parti Sosialis Malaysia. Sonny Melencio, chairperson of PLM, said that the release of Ka Romy was only a “partial victory since six of the previous 30 Malaysian jailed socialists are still languishing in jails.” Melencio also thanked all those who called for Ka Romy’s release, including various human rights groups and Philippine authorities such as the Philippine Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine Embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur. A day before Ka Romy’s release, more than...

Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia have lodged a complaint with Saudi authorities over the alleged torture of a Filipino working as a family driver there. According to a report of Arab News, the Philippine Embassy sent a complaint to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the alleged beating of Edgar Maligaya, 38, at the Olaya police station in Riyadh. Maligaya was tagged in the death of a fellow Filipino driver, Andy Miclat Dimacali, in July last year. Saudi authorities found Maligaya's text message on Dimacali's mobile phone on the day he was found dead, Arab News said. “However, the text message was the usual communication between friends. There was nothing to indicate a threat, or similar to it, on the part of Maligaya," Arab News quoted militant group Migrante Middle East coordinator John Monterona as saying. The report added that the death notification issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health said Dimacali “died outside the hospital with wounds in the head, cracked ri...

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration had shortlisted six people, including an outgoing OWWA board member, as candidates for new board members of the agency. The 2010 Model OFW of the Year winner for the land-based sector Ermie Garon topped OWWA’s list of three recommended people as OWWA board representative for the land-based sector. Meanwhile, executive director Estrella Añonuevo of the migrant NGO Atikha Overseas Workers Communities Initiative, is the top candidate to represent the women sector. Garon is a native of Hacienda Luista, Tarlac, as her husband June works in Elk Grove, California. Añonuevo has been running the NGO Atikha since the mid-1990s, the group being a community-based non-profit initiating economic and social programs for overseas Filipinos and their families. Atikha’s work is visible in San Pablo City, Laguna and Mabini in Batangas. For land-based sector representative, the second-ranked candidate is Elizardo Narag of the Alyansa ng Makabagong Bayaning Mangg...

Overseas Filipino workers working in Dubai are now required to be members of the Pag-IBIG Fund, according to a report on the news site The Gulf Today. The report said membership with Pag-IBIG is a new requirement for obtaining an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) beginning July 1. The Gulf Today quoted Pag-IBIG as saying that “linking the issuance of the OEC through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will make it easier for all agency-hired, direct-hired and “balik-manggagawa" (or repeat OFWs) to become members." A minimum contribution of 10 dirhams a month is required, according to the report. It added that OFWs in the Middle East may also apply for their mutual fund membership at various Philippine Overseas Labor Offices located in Dubai and other Middle East countries. — OFW Journalism Consortium

A Filipino cleaning staff fell several stories to his death from the ninth floor of a building in the United Arab Emirates late Sunday. The Filipino, initially identified only as Raymond, 23, was working for a cleaning company based in Al Qouz, news site Khaleej Times reported Tuesday. Citing sketchy initial reports, Khaleej Times said the incident occurred at the Bur Dubai area around midnight on Sunday. An initial investigation showed the Filipino was standing on a rope ladder hung from atop and held by another worker and cleaning the front glass panels of the tower. "Due to the lack of coordination, the worker standing on the rooftop released the rope and the victim fell to death," the report said. The police sent the body to the General Department of Forensic Medicine for autopsy. The co-worker, an Asian, was taken into custody for interrogation. — RSJ, GMA News

A 33-year-old Indian stood trial in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday over allegations that he molested his 35-year-old Filipina co-worker. According to a report of Khaleej Times, the Filipina, an accountant, alleged that the Indian, a finance manager, molested her at her doorstep in May last year. Khaleej Times said the Filipina's two-year-old son rushed to answer the door. When the Filipina ran after her son, she was surprised that her co-worker was the one who was at the door. The report said the Indian fondled the Filipina and ran after she screamed. The Filipina said the Indian had also fondled her earlier at their workplace and asked her to have sex with him but she rejected his offer, the report said. The Khaleej Times report said the building’s watchman confirmed seeing the woman’s husband running after the defendant that day. The accused reportedly apologized several times and was seen driving away in his car. A Jordanian manager at the same company said the Fili...