Saudi Gazette
29 July 2005
JEDDAH -- Ministry of Social Affairs has reactivated a law that allows fleeing housemaids to be employed by other employers rather than sponsors, according to a report by Al-Jazirah the Arabic language daily newspaper.
The law will be applied to housemaids who escape from their sponsors and seek refuge at the ministry s center caring for runaway maids. However, the law that has been drafted to secure maids rights besides enabling to seek employment with other employers than their sponsors.
The ministry hopes to cut down the numbers of the housemaids who desert their sponsors for being mistreated or unpaid and who seek refuge at the ministry s center or its anti-beggary centers. The ministry s budget has been strained caring for maids.
The law stipulates that the new employer under the loan law should be a Saudi national, married, have a permanent income not less than SR3,000 a month and should be a government or private sector employee.
The new employer should undertake to conduct medical examination of the maid to make sure that she has no diseases. The employer should be responsible for her airfare if she completes three consecutive months of employment.
The law also grants the employer a grace period of 10 days as a trial period to determine her efficiency and fitness. After the expiry of the 10-day probationary period the employer shall bear the expenses of her return to her home.
And if for any reason the housemaid refuses to complete the period then she must bear the fees of her return to her country.
In case the original employer appears , asking for the termination of her services with the new employer then he shall bear the fees of her return home.
However in such a case, the law makes it mandatory for the new employer to release the maid.
Read more..... http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/sgazette/Data/2005/7/29/Art_247450.XML
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Illegal OFWs in Oman told to leave before August crackdown
First posted 04:25pm (Mla time)
July 24, 2005
INQ7.net
THE Department of Labor and Employment on Sunday urged overstaying Filipinos in the Sultanate of Oman to leave the country before its scheduled August crackdown on foreigners with expired visas.
Oman-based labor attach Eleuterio Cojuangco said he is making the call to the estimated 2,300 to 2,500 overstaying undocumented OFWs in the sultanate after the Royal Oman Police (ROP) ordered foreign workers and other expatriates in Oman with expired visit or tourist visas to leave the country on or before the August 19 deadline.He said the order is part of the sultanate's bid to rid itself undesirable aliens.
Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, for his part, urged the families of OFWs who are working illegally in Oman, or whose visas have already expired or about to expire to tell their relatives about the crackdown. He said that to avoid consequences that may pose a threat to their lives and welfare, affected OFWs may seek assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Oman.
To encourage voluntary departure before August 19, Cojuangco said, the ROP would only impose a fine to overstaying foreigners when they leave through Al Seeb International Airport and would not be detained and charged for violating Oman immigration laws.
Read more.... http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=44624
July 24, 2005
INQ7.net
THE Department of Labor and Employment on Sunday urged overstaying Filipinos in the Sultanate of Oman to leave the country before its scheduled August crackdown on foreigners with expired visas.
Oman-based labor attach Eleuterio Cojuangco said he is making the call to the estimated 2,300 to 2,500 overstaying undocumented OFWs in the sultanate after the Royal Oman Police (ROP) ordered foreign workers and other expatriates in Oman with expired visit or tourist visas to leave the country on or before the August 19 deadline.He said the order is part of the sultanate's bid to rid itself undesirable aliens.
Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, for his part, urged the families of OFWs who are working illegally in Oman, or whose visas have already expired or about to expire to tell their relatives about the crackdown. He said that to avoid consequences that may pose a threat to their lives and welfare, affected OFWs may seek assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Oman.
To encourage voluntary departure before August 19, Cojuangco said, the ROP would only impose a fine to overstaying foreigners when they leave through Al Seeb International Airport and would not be detained and charged for violating Oman immigration laws.
Read more.... http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=44624
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Why OFWs Want Gloria to Resign
http://bulatlat.com/news/5-24/5-24-readerofws.htm
Migrants are understandably outraged over the recent expose of Mrs. Arroyo's massive electoral fraud during the last elections. She stole and denigrated our historic first time overseas absentee votes. She flagrantly violated the sanctity of the ballot and now, she dares hide under "image make-overs", public relations gimmicks, smear campaigns and outright harassment tactics directed against those demanding her resignation.
The following is a glimpse into some of the reasons why many migrants and their families want Gloria to resign:
1. She is guilty of the gross misuse and plunder of the P8 billion OFW trust fund at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She demonstrated this clearly when she essentially ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs on March 12, 2003 to charge OWWA US$293,500 to cover the Philippine government's so-called preparations for the then impending US invasion of Iraq. This was evidenced by her handwritten "Ok charge to OWWA" note on the memo requesting the funds.
2. She is also responsible for the transfer of approximately P530 million from the OWWA Medicare Fund to PhilHealth – a move instigated in 2002 by then PhilHealth President Francisco Duque who explained the infusion of OFW funds into the ailing PhilHealth coffers will have a "significant bearing on the 2004 national elections…"
3. Under her administration, benefits and welfare assistance at OWWA has gone from bad to worse. OFWs and their dependents were hit with the anti-migrant OWWA Omnibus Policies passed September 2003. Under these new policies, many OFWs were disenfranchised from accessing services while some legal and medical assistance programs were diminished or wiped out completely.
4. She single-handedly jeopardized the lives of 1.5 million OFWs in the Middle East when she declared her avid support for Bush's so-called War on Terror and unjust wars of aggression. As such, we hold her responsible for the (at least) 11 OFWs killed, 21 injured and 4 abducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5. During the past four years, OFWs are also increasingly victims of the Arroyo administration's criminal neglect of their rights and welfare. Along with being abused and exploited by employers and host governments, the Arroyo administration often serves us a double-whammy by criminally neglecting our rights and welfare and playing deaf to our cries for justice. Numerous unsolved cases of OFW "mysterious deaths" attest to this.
It is also distressing to note that instead of being alarmed over the exodus of Filipino workers overseas, Mrs. Arroyo actually boasts about how her goal of exporting one million workers this year is on target. We agree with Archbishop Rosales when he pointed out that the exodus of OFWs manifests the utter failure of this administration's economic policies.
For these reasons, migrants that demand Gloria's resignation are on solid ground.
Thus, the option of sending their remittances through informal or non-bank channels – to manifest their withdrawal of support against Gloria's anti-migrant and anti-people regime is a valid one.
Instead of Mrs. Arroyo, we support calls for the creation of a Transition Council composed of representatives of various sectors and organizations, including migrant groups. Among the items this council can oversee is the implementation of pro-people reforms and the subsequent election of a new leader.
Clearly, Mrs. Arroyo has no moral or legal basis to the Presidency and given her systematic betrayal of our rights and welfare, we resoundingly reiterate – Gloria Resign Now!
For reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, MIGRANTE International and Migrante Sectoral PartyJuly 21, 2005
###############################################
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party
Office Address: 49 Mayaman corner Matahimik Sts., UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax: (63-2) 926-2838NEW
Tel: (63-2) 920-3705
Email: migparty@tri-isys.com
###############################################
Migrants are understandably outraged over the recent expose of Mrs. Arroyo's massive electoral fraud during the last elections. She stole and denigrated our historic first time overseas absentee votes. She flagrantly violated the sanctity of the ballot and now, she dares hide under "image make-overs", public relations gimmicks, smear campaigns and outright harassment tactics directed against those demanding her resignation.
The following is a glimpse into some of the reasons why many migrants and their families want Gloria to resign:
1. She is guilty of the gross misuse and plunder of the P8 billion OFW trust fund at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She demonstrated this clearly when she essentially ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs on March 12, 2003 to charge OWWA US$293,500 to cover the Philippine government's so-called preparations for the then impending US invasion of Iraq. This was evidenced by her handwritten "Ok charge to OWWA" note on the memo requesting the funds.
2. She is also responsible for the transfer of approximately P530 million from the OWWA Medicare Fund to PhilHealth – a move instigated in 2002 by then PhilHealth President Francisco Duque who explained the infusion of OFW funds into the ailing PhilHealth coffers will have a "significant bearing on the 2004 national elections…"
3. Under her administration, benefits and welfare assistance at OWWA has gone from bad to worse. OFWs and their dependents were hit with the anti-migrant OWWA Omnibus Policies passed September 2003. Under these new policies, many OFWs were disenfranchised from accessing services while some legal and medical assistance programs were diminished or wiped out completely.
4. She single-handedly jeopardized the lives of 1.5 million OFWs in the Middle East when she declared her avid support for Bush's so-called War on Terror and unjust wars of aggression. As such, we hold her responsible for the (at least) 11 OFWs killed, 21 injured and 4 abducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5. During the past four years, OFWs are also increasingly victims of the Arroyo administration's criminal neglect of their rights and welfare. Along with being abused and exploited by employers and host governments, the Arroyo administration often serves us a double-whammy by criminally neglecting our rights and welfare and playing deaf to our cries for justice. Numerous unsolved cases of OFW "mysterious deaths" attest to this.
It is also distressing to note that instead of being alarmed over the exodus of Filipino workers overseas, Mrs. Arroyo actually boasts about how her goal of exporting one million workers this year is on target. We agree with Archbishop Rosales when he pointed out that the exodus of OFWs manifests the utter failure of this administration's economic policies.
For these reasons, migrants that demand Gloria's resignation are on solid ground.
Thus, the option of sending their remittances through informal or non-bank channels – to manifest their withdrawal of support against Gloria's anti-migrant and anti-people regime is a valid one.
Instead of Mrs. Arroyo, we support calls for the creation of a Transition Council composed of representatives of various sectors and organizations, including migrant groups. Among the items this council can oversee is the implementation of pro-people reforms and the subsequent election of a new leader.
Clearly, Mrs. Arroyo has no moral or legal basis to the Presidency and given her systematic betrayal of our rights and welfare, we resoundingly reiterate – Gloria Resign Now!
For reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, MIGRANTE International and Migrante Sectoral PartyJuly 21, 2005
###############################################
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party
Office Address: 49 Mayaman corner Matahimik Sts., UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax: (63-2) 926-2838NEW
Tel: (63-2) 920-3705
Email: migparty@tri-isys.com
###############################################
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
World Bank to issue general rules on remittance flow
By Isagani de la Paz
OFW Journalism Consortium, Inc
Tuesday, 19 July, 2005
The World Bank will release this month its general principles for international remittance systems as it and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) attempt to capture migrant workers money flowing through informal channels.
Marilou Uy, World Bank director for financial sector operations and policy, revealed this in a paper she presented to more than a hundred financial executives during the second Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) policy dialogue held on May 26-27 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The dialogue centered on the role of the private sector in shifting from informal to formal remittance systems and came in the wake of the WB report, Global Development Finance 2003, saying that remittances have become an important and stable source of financial inflows to developing countries.
According to copies of the papers given to the OFW Journalism Consortium, Uy said that remittances to developing countries reached more than $120 billion by the end of 2004 from less than $40 billion in 1990.
She defined remittances as the sum of workers remittances, compensation of employees, and migrant transfers. In the Philippines alone, OFW remittances hit $8.54 billion in 2004, which is 52.65 percent of the country's gross international reserves and roughly 14 percent of the Philippines gross domestic product, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. who spoke at the Bangkok conference.
He also cited six key regulatory challenges in OFW remittance flows namely money laundering channels, low transaction cost, convenience and access, consumer protection, operational risk management, and proper recording and monitoring.Uy presentation, meanwhile, emphasized five key issues for public policy and remittances and underscored the international lender seriousness in tackling the issue of remittances, so much so that the WB Global Economic Prospects 2006 for release this year would center on international remittances and migration.
Key issues
A key issue that the WB considers in its policy recommendation to be included in its report is reducing remittance costs through improved financial systems and infrastructure.
Uy said this is important since reducing remittance fees is likely to increase annual remittance flows to developing countries. Uy added, To date, remittance costs remain regressive and high on average.
On the average, sending money to the Philippines and Mexico through Moneygram and Western Union is higher compared to the rates of other remittance firms.
Sending $100 through Moneygram and Western Union to the Philippines from the US exacts above 14 percent in fees. Other remittance firms charge below that range.
However, the two firms charge less for every $1,000 sent to Mexico from the U.S. compared to other remittance companies.Another key issue for public policy on remittances is the regulatory regime for anti-money laundering and financing terrorism.
Read more....http://www.cyberdyaryo.com/features/f2005_0719_01.htm
OFW Journalism Consortium, Inc
Tuesday, 19 July, 2005
The World Bank will release this month its general principles for international remittance systems as it and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) attempt to capture migrant workers money flowing through informal channels.
Marilou Uy, World Bank director for financial sector operations and policy, revealed this in a paper she presented to more than a hundred financial executives during the second Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) policy dialogue held on May 26-27 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The dialogue centered on the role of the private sector in shifting from informal to formal remittance systems and came in the wake of the WB report, Global Development Finance 2003, saying that remittances have become an important and stable source of financial inflows to developing countries.
According to copies of the papers given to the OFW Journalism Consortium, Uy said that remittances to developing countries reached more than $120 billion by the end of 2004 from less than $40 billion in 1990.
She defined remittances as the sum of workers remittances, compensation of employees, and migrant transfers. In the Philippines alone, OFW remittances hit $8.54 billion in 2004, which is 52.65 percent of the country's gross international reserves and roughly 14 percent of the Philippines gross domestic product, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. who spoke at the Bangkok conference.
He also cited six key regulatory challenges in OFW remittance flows namely money laundering channels, low transaction cost, convenience and access, consumer protection, operational risk management, and proper recording and monitoring.Uy presentation, meanwhile, emphasized five key issues for public policy and remittances and underscored the international lender seriousness in tackling the issue of remittances, so much so that the WB Global Economic Prospects 2006 for release this year would center on international remittances and migration.
Key issues
A key issue that the WB considers in its policy recommendation to be included in its report is reducing remittance costs through improved financial systems and infrastructure.
Uy said this is important since reducing remittance fees is likely to increase annual remittance flows to developing countries. Uy added, To date, remittance costs remain regressive and high on average.
On the average, sending money to the Philippines and Mexico through Moneygram and Western Union is higher compared to the rates of other remittance firms.
Sending $100 through Moneygram and Western Union to the Philippines from the US exacts above 14 percent in fees. Other remittance firms charge below that range.
However, the two firms charge less for every $1,000 sent to Mexico from the U.S. compared to other remittance companies.Another key issue for public policy on remittances is the regulatory regime for anti-money laundering and financing terrorism.
Read more....http://www.cyberdyaryo.com/features/f2005_0719_01.htm
Lankan Maid Had a Dream to Fulfill
Mohammed Rasooldeen,
Arab News
Tuesday, 12, July, 2005 (05, Jumada al-Thani, 1426)
RIYADH, 12 July 2005
"The Sri Lankan maid who died in a fire rescuing the child in her charge last week in Jeddah came to the Kingdom just three months after her marriage.
She promised her relatives that she would find the funds to build her dream house back home. Asiyath Umma, 27, in the Kingdom for 18 months, sacrificed her life to rescue her employer eight-year-old boy.
She died of smoke inhalation; the child was subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment. y niece, who was the only daughter in the family, told her mother and husband that she opted to work abroad since her goal was to build a house of her own,"her uncle, Aboobucker Mohammed Ismail told Arab News.
Ismail, a driver working for a Saudi family, said he was shocked to get the death news of his niece from the Sri Lanka Consulate in Jeddah. o fulfill her dream, the maid had kept her 11 months?salaries as savings with her sponsor,"he added. Ismail said the deceased relatives in Pulmoddai in eastern Sri Lanka had contacted the Foreign Ministry in Colombo to bring Asiyath body home.
It took hours for me to convince them to bury her in the Kingdom, he noted.
Read more.....http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=66807&d=12&m=7&y=2005&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Arab News
Tuesday, 12, July, 2005 (05, Jumada al-Thani, 1426)
RIYADH, 12 July 2005
"The Sri Lankan maid who died in a fire rescuing the child in her charge last week in Jeddah came to the Kingdom just three months after her marriage.
She promised her relatives that she would find the funds to build her dream house back home. Asiyath Umma, 27, in the Kingdom for 18 months, sacrificed her life to rescue her employer eight-year-old boy.
She died of smoke inhalation; the child was subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment. y niece, who was the only daughter in the family, told her mother and husband that she opted to work abroad since her goal was to build a house of her own,"her uncle, Aboobucker Mohammed Ismail told Arab News.
Ismail, a driver working for a Saudi family, said he was shocked to get the death news of his niece from the Sri Lanka Consulate in Jeddah. o fulfill her dream, the maid had kept her 11 months?salaries as savings with her sponsor,"he added. Ismail said the deceased relatives in Pulmoddai in eastern Sri Lanka had contacted the Foreign Ministry in Colombo to bring Asiyath body home.
It took hours for me to convince them to bury her in the Kingdom, he noted.
Read more.....http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=66807&d=12&m=7&y=2005&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Indonesian Maid Miyati Sent to Jail
Maha Akeel, Arab NewsTuesday, 12, July, 2005
(05, Jumada al-Thani, 1426)
JEDDAH, 12 July 2005 ?Nour Miyati, the Indonesian maid who was severely injured and lost limbs as a result of alleged torture by her sponsor ?has been jailed.
She was removed from hospital yesterday evening and taken to an unspecified public jail. Her embassy was not informed. Indonesian labor attache, M. Sukiarto, confirmed that the embassy was not informed of this development. very disappointed. I dont know why she was sent to jail,The told Arab News.
In March, Miyati was taken to a Riyadh hospital by her sponsor in critical condition and severe injuries causing gangrene to her fingers, toes and part of her right foot; some of her fingers and toes had to be amputated.
At first she claimed that her sponsor tied her up for a month in a bathroom and beat her severely injuring her eyes and knocking several of her teeth out.
A report in May said that Miyati had retracted earlier accusations that her sponsor tied her up and tortured her. Consequently she was charged with making false allegations against her sponsor.
Read more....
(05, Jumada al-Thani, 1426)
JEDDAH, 12 July 2005 ?Nour Miyati, the Indonesian maid who was severely injured and lost limbs as a result of alleged torture by her sponsor ?has been jailed.
She was removed from hospital yesterday evening and taken to an unspecified public jail. Her embassy was not informed. Indonesian labor attache, M. Sukiarto, confirmed that the embassy was not informed of this development. very disappointed. I dont know why she was sent to jail,The told Arab News.
In March, Miyati was taken to a Riyadh hospital by her sponsor in critical condition and severe injuries causing gangrene to her fingers, toes and part of her right foot; some of her fingers and toes had to be amputated.
At first she claimed that her sponsor tied her up for a month in a bathroom and beat her severely injuring her eyes and knocking several of her teeth out.
A report in May said that Miyati had retracted earlier accusations that her sponsor tied her up and tortured her. Consequently she was charged with making false allegations against her sponsor.
Read more....
Filipinos in Dubai liken Arroyo's credibility to 'soiled laundry'
By Jay Hilotin, Staff Reporter
Published: 9/7/2005, 06:55 (UAE)
Gulf News
Dubai: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's credibility is like heavily soiled laundry after she admitted calling a key election official last year to rig poll results.
This was the view expressed by several groups of Filipino civil society in Dubai in a meeting held here yesterday."She would only soil the rest of the country if she tries to wash her dirty linen," said Carlos Bacho, leader of Bayanikasan, a Filipino anti-corruption watchdog in Dubai."She has the option to quit and come clean".
There were some who did not agree to calls for Arroyo to resign.A.F., a middle-aged Filipina who has been working in Dubai for nine years, said: "Calls for our president to resign is futile because she has not been proven guilty in an impeachment trial."Leo Canceran, a community leader, said: "Arroyo is like a discredited head of the family .
She violated the law. A family that has lost respect for its head will disintegrate in no time."Wilfredo Lopez, leader of the UAE chapter of Kalahi International, an NGO closely related to the Arroyo administration, also called for the president to step down.Cyrine Pinpin, representative of Migrante International in Dubai, joined the chorus of anti-Arroyo groups.
"Arroyo lost the moral right to stay in Malacanang," she said.Pinpin also asked OFWs to show their withdrawal of support for Arroyo by using the door-to-door or "padala" remittance system, instead of remitting through the formal banking sector."We're not waiting for her to resign.
If she does not quit voluntarily, she will be ousted," said Pinpin.
Read more.....http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/WorldNF.asp?ArticleID=172230
Published: 9/7/2005, 06:55 (UAE)
Gulf News
Dubai: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's credibility is like heavily soiled laundry after she admitted calling a key election official last year to rig poll results.
This was the view expressed by several groups of Filipino civil society in Dubai in a meeting held here yesterday."She would only soil the rest of the country if she tries to wash her dirty linen," said Carlos Bacho, leader of Bayanikasan, a Filipino anti-corruption watchdog in Dubai."She has the option to quit and come clean".
There were some who did not agree to calls for Arroyo to resign.A.F., a middle-aged Filipina who has been working in Dubai for nine years, said: "Calls for our president to resign is futile because she has not been proven guilty in an impeachment trial."Leo Canceran, a community leader, said: "Arroyo is like a discredited head of the family .
She violated the law. A family that has lost respect for its head will disintegrate in no time."Wilfredo Lopez, leader of the UAE chapter of Kalahi International, an NGO closely related to the Arroyo administration, also called for the president to step down.Cyrine Pinpin, representative of Migrante International in Dubai, joined the chorus of anti-Arroyo groups.
"Arroyo lost the moral right to stay in Malacanang," she said.Pinpin also asked OFWs to show their withdrawal of support for Arroyo by using the door-to-door or "padala" remittance system, instead of remitting through the formal banking sector."We're not waiting for her to resign.
If she does not quit voluntarily, she will be ousted," said Pinpin.
Read more.....http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/WorldNF.asp?ArticleID=172230
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