http://english.aljazeera.net
UPDATED ON: FRIDAY, MAY 08, 2009
Italy has rejected criticism by the UN agencies and other organisations over its decision to return to Libya 227 would-be migrants picked up off its shores.
Andrea Ronchi, Italy's minister for European affairs, said on Friday that the UN's objections had "greatly surprised" him.
Three Italian navy launches ferried the would-be migrants into the port of Tripoli on Thursday, just a day after they had been picked up as they sailed from North Africa.
Laura Boldrini, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokeswoman, said: "The migrants were unable to make any demands for asylum because they weren't even received."
Last year, 75 per cent of those who arrived in Italy, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and the Horn of Africa, sought political or humanitarian asylum, and half of those obtained it, according to UNHCR figures.
'Offensive'
Speaking on Friday, Ronchi said that the UN's objections showed they were "not aware of the situation in Italy".
"I would advise it to be better informed to avoid being demagogic, because some statements can be offensive," he said.
Ronchi said that the tens of thousands of people who had been "saved, protected and welcomed by Italy" were an "example to the whole world".
The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF aid agency described Italy's actions as a "terrible event".
"Far from being a historic event as the Italian government suggests, this forcible and cynical return is contrary to international laws," Loris de Filippi, the head of MSF-Italy, said.
L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican's newspaper, said it was "worrisome" that the migrants were not able to request political asylum.
Sending back the migrants to Libya "violated international rules on refugee rights," Monsignor Agostino Marchetto, the Vatican's top official for migrant issues, said.
'Inhuman and degrading'
Human Rights Watch said Libya had a terrible record in dealing with migrants, who it said were sometimes subjected to indefinite detention "often in inhuman and degrading conditions".
But Roberto Maroni, Italy's interior minister, said Libya had adequate facilities for interviewing migrants to determine if they needed asylum.
He also praised Libya for taking in the migrants as called for by a new Italian-Libyan border patrol agreement, describing the events as a "historic day".
The European Commission said on Friday that it needed more details before it could decide whether Italy's decision to send the immigrants back to Libya respected European Union laws.
"We do want to know what is going on. At this stage we don't have any details but we are going to monitor the situation," a justice affairs spokesman for the commission said.
Giorgio Napolitano, Italy's president, also appeared to join the debate on Friday when he warned of a "worrisome" increase in intolerance toward immigrants in Italy.
The president, whose role is largely symbolic, said increases in migrant smuggling "risked creating a diffuse perception of insecurity and worrisome instances of intolerance".
'Clandestine immigration'
The government is pushing fresh legislation through on the issue as it looks to introduce a new offence of "clandestine immigration" to the law books.
If the plan becomes law, it would become a crime to be an illegal immigrant.
Italy's left-wing opposition on has likened the proposed new law to the racial purity laws introduced in Italy in the 1920s by the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini.
An Italian deputy from the Northern League party sparked controversy on Friday after he said public transport seats in his constituency of Milan should be reserved for Italians only.
Matteo Salvini, a Milan town councillor and vice-secretary for the Northern League, said: "Reserve seats for people from Milan, like those reserved for handicapped people and women. Because soon, if immigration does not stop, they [local Italians] will become a minority to protect."
As condemnation from the left and right parties spread, the head of the Northern League's local branch said the proposition by Salvini, who is a candidate for the June European elections, was "a joke, a provocation".
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Italy Passes Law Against Illegal Migration
OWWA Advisory
http://www.owwa.gov.ph
All Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are advised of the passage of the Italian Parliament of Law No. 92 (Law 92) titled Security Package’, and sub-titled ‘Measures for a More Secure Life for the Citizens’.
The new law aims to stem illegal migration by making it more difficult for foreigners to enter Italy if they do not have the proper documentation. Law 92, which effectively makes illegal entry a crime in Italian jurisdiction, has the following provisions/features, among others:
a) Imprisonment from six (6) months to four (4) years and the obligatory arrest of the illegal entrant who will be subjected to a quick trial;
b) Phenomenon of the so-called ‘marriage for convenience’ with the sole purpose of acquiring Italian citizenship;
c) Establishment of a national data bank to ascertain paternity of a person and blood relationships of foreign citizens;
d) Easier expulsions/deportations;
e) Arrest and confiscation of properties transferred through illegal titles to foreigners who are irregularly staying in Italian jurisdiction; and
f) Extension up to eighteen (18) months the period of stay in centers of temporary welcome.
As Italy is a favored destination for OFWs, the circulation of this latest information hopes to prevent or minimize problems arising from illegal migration.
http://www.owwa.gov.ph
All Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are advised of the passage of the Italian Parliament of Law No. 92 (Law 92) titled Security Package’, and sub-titled ‘Measures for a More Secure Life for the Citizens’.
The new law aims to stem illegal migration by making it more difficult for foreigners to enter Italy if they do not have the proper documentation. Law 92, which effectively makes illegal entry a crime in Italian jurisdiction, has the following provisions/features, among others:
a) Imprisonment from six (6) months to four (4) years and the obligatory arrest of the illegal entrant who will be subjected to a quick trial;
b) Phenomenon of the so-called ‘marriage for convenience’ with the sole purpose of acquiring Italian citizenship;
c) Establishment of a national data bank to ascertain paternity of a person and blood relationships of foreign citizens;
d) Easier expulsions/deportations;
e) Arrest and confiscation of properties transferred through illegal titles to foreigners who are irregularly staying in Italian jurisdiction; and
f) Extension up to eighteen (18) months the period of stay in centers of temporary welcome.
As Italy is a favored destination for OFWs, the circulation of this latest information hopes to prevent or minimize problems arising from illegal migration.
Italian migration policy draws fire
Italy has been transformed in recent decades from a nation of emigrants to a target country for mass immigration. Aidan Lewis reports on the Italian government's response to the tensions that have ensued, and the concerns raised by human rights groups and Italy's European partners.
Edward Ampadu stands with his companions in a damp, abandoned factory that is home for the winter to more than 600 African immigrants.
There is just one tap, and the men are living in shelters made from cardboard boxes, squatting while they look for work picking citrus fruit in the fields of Calabria, on the country's southern toe.
Most arrived by a dangerous route through the Sahara desert and across the Mediterranean, and most have no legal right to be in Italy.
"Everybody here is struggling," says Edward, a 42-year-old from Ghana. A poor harvest means fewer jobs to go round this year, he says, and the migrants say they need help to survive.
"We are appealing to the authorities. They know that people are here, and therefore they need to help."
These agricultural workers illustrate the challenges facing a wandering, immigrant underclass in Italy.
But while the migrants look to Rome for help, Rome looks to Europe.
Italy and other "frontline" Mediterranean countries have been offered little help as they struggle with an issue that concerns all of Europe, the government says.
Its reaction to the problem, meanwhile, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and European institutions.
Amid public alarm over an immigrant influx it has sent soldiers on to the streets, fingerprinted Roma (Gypsy) communities, and encouraged rapid expulsions and repatriations.
Some observers say Italy's recent focus on border controls and security neglects integration policy, at a time when the immigrant population has grown to more than four million, almost 7% of the total.
"Italy's becoming a caricature," said Sergio Carrera, a research fellow at the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies.
"It's becoming the example of a very extreme political discourse framing migration as a security issue, and justifying the implementation of very restrictive policies, having huge implications for human rights, fundamental rights, and social inclusion."
Sea patrols
Immigration is now an emotive, front-page issue in Italy, and a rallying cry for the Northern League, a partner in Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right government.
IMMIGRANTS IN NUMBERS
Foreign residents: 3.7 million
Irregular immigrants: 650,000
Arrivals in 2007: 346,000
Arrivals by sea, 2008: 36,000
Sources: Istat, Caritas-Migrantes, UNHCR
The focus of media attention is often Lampedusa, the tiny Italian island south of Sicily that is the arrival point for most of those - including many of the farm workers in Calabria - who complete the journey from North Africa.
Analysts say those arriving by sea make up only a fraction of total annual arrivals, and that most irregular immigrants in Italy enter legally then overstay.
But the government points out that the estimated 36,000 would-be immigrants landing on Italy's shores last year accounted for more than half the irregular entries to Europe by sea.
Roberto Maroni, Italy's Northern League interior minister, said in January that 2009 would mark the "end of the landings", promising that a long-awaited pact to patrol coasts with former colony Libya would come into effect.
To the anger of islanders and immigrants, who both staged protests, he also announced that all adults would be kept on Lampedusa while asylum requests were processed. This quickly led to severe overcrowding and the decision was reversed, but concern remains over conditions on the island, and alleged political pressure for rapid expulsions.
Together with Greece, Malta and Cyprus, Mr Maroni also issued a new plea for the EU to "make a more effective effort" at stemming the flow of immigrants, including through its recently established border patrol agency, Frontex.
"We believe that [border] security in the Mediterranean is directly connected to the security of the whole European Union," he said.
Frontex ran 150 days of joint sea patrols in the central Mediterranean in 2008.
In a separate initiative earlier last month, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner offered Libya 20m euros (£18m) to help boost border controls.
Security bill
Italy's hardline approach to immigration policy is not unique, says Hugo Brady, an expert at the Centre for European Reform in London.
"In the main they only reflect sentiments which can be seen in a lot of other West European countries - that the time for tolerant immigration policy in their mind is past," he says.
Even so, he said the Italians had been "marked out by their extremity".
Among the measures that have caused concern among EU partners is the Italian government's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rome, Milan and Naples last summer, deploying troops in the streets as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Last month, an emergency decree designed to tackle rapes - many of which have been blamed on immigrants - gave official blessing to the formation of citizens' street patrols.
A security bill awaiting final approval in the Italian parliament also contains several controversial provisions, including:
- procedures for medical staff to denounce illegal immigrants
- making illegal immigration a criminal offence punishable by a fine of 5,000-10,000 euros (£4,400-8,800)
- prison terms of up to four years for those who defy expulsion orders
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe, a pan-European body that promotes democratic principles, says he is worried about a decision to extend the deployment of troops on the streets.
"We're talking about police functions here," he said. "It just dramatises the problems and tends to lead to hysteria."
'European solution'
Asked to justify the government's security-focused approach to immigration, Mr Maroni cites crime statistics for 2007.
"The percentage of crimes linked to non-Italians was more than 35% and the non-Italians do not account for 35% of the people in Italy," he says.
"All interpretations are legitimate. My concern as interior minister is to guarantee the highest possible levels of security, first and foremost by combating clandestine immigration."
On some issues the government has been forced to back down, under pressure from the EU.
These include a provision for the expulsion of EU citizens that was devised for Romanian Roma and judged to clash with European rules on free movement.
It was withdrawn last year after the European Commission threatened to start infringement proceedings.
Italian policies are coming under increasing scrutiny as the EU struggles against concerns over sovereignty to devise a common immigration approach, analysts say.
In October EU states took a step towards this by signing a non-binding immigration pact that encourages readmission treaties with countries of origin, selective immigration, and an end to mass amnesties for illegal immigrants of the kind introduced in Spain and Italy.
But for some human rights activists, the EU needs to play a firmer role protecting immigrants in member states and backing integration.
Mr Hammarberg criticises Italy's criminalising of immigrants as the "wrong approach".
"I think it is beginning to spread that there is a need for a European solution," he says.
"The situation with Greece and Italy in particular calls for a much faster process of integrating the European countries' policies on migration, so that you don't have a competition downwards where people introduce fairly draconian policies in order to avoid people coming to their country."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7880215.stm
Published: 2009/03/07 10:57:12 GMT
Edward Ampadu stands with his companions in a damp, abandoned factory that is home for the winter to more than 600 African immigrants.
There is just one tap, and the men are living in shelters made from cardboard boxes, squatting while they look for work picking citrus fruit in the fields of Calabria, on the country's southern toe.
Most arrived by a dangerous route through the Sahara desert and across the Mediterranean, and most have no legal right to be in Italy.
"Everybody here is struggling," says Edward, a 42-year-old from Ghana. A poor harvest means fewer jobs to go round this year, he says, and the migrants say they need help to survive.
"We are appealing to the authorities. They know that people are here, and therefore they need to help."
These agricultural workers illustrate the challenges facing a wandering, immigrant underclass in Italy.
But while the migrants look to Rome for help, Rome looks to Europe.
Italy and other "frontline" Mediterranean countries have been offered little help as they struggle with an issue that concerns all of Europe, the government says.
Its reaction to the problem, meanwhile, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and European institutions.
Amid public alarm over an immigrant influx it has sent soldiers on to the streets, fingerprinted Roma (Gypsy) communities, and encouraged rapid expulsions and repatriations.
Some observers say Italy's recent focus on border controls and security neglects integration policy, at a time when the immigrant population has grown to more than four million, almost 7% of the total.
"Italy's becoming a caricature," said Sergio Carrera, a research fellow at the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies.
"It's becoming the example of a very extreme political discourse framing migration as a security issue, and justifying the implementation of very restrictive policies, having huge implications for human rights, fundamental rights, and social inclusion."
Sea patrols
Immigration is now an emotive, front-page issue in Italy, and a rallying cry for the Northern League, a partner in Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right government.
IMMIGRANTS IN NUMBERS
Foreign residents: 3.7 million
Irregular immigrants: 650,000
Arrivals in 2007: 346,000
Arrivals by sea, 2008: 36,000
Sources: Istat, Caritas-Migrantes, UNHCR
The focus of media attention is often Lampedusa, the tiny Italian island south of Sicily that is the arrival point for most of those - including many of the farm workers in Calabria - who complete the journey from North Africa.
Analysts say those arriving by sea make up only a fraction of total annual arrivals, and that most irregular immigrants in Italy enter legally then overstay.
But the government points out that the estimated 36,000 would-be immigrants landing on Italy's shores last year accounted for more than half the irregular entries to Europe by sea.
Roberto Maroni, Italy's Northern League interior minister, said in January that 2009 would mark the "end of the landings", promising that a long-awaited pact to patrol coasts with former colony Libya would come into effect.
To the anger of islanders and immigrants, who both staged protests, he also announced that all adults would be kept on Lampedusa while asylum requests were processed. This quickly led to severe overcrowding and the decision was reversed, but concern remains over conditions on the island, and alleged political pressure for rapid expulsions.
Together with Greece, Malta and Cyprus, Mr Maroni also issued a new plea for the EU to "make a more effective effort" at stemming the flow of immigrants, including through its recently established border patrol agency, Frontex.
"We believe that [border] security in the Mediterranean is directly connected to the security of the whole European Union," he said.
Frontex ran 150 days of joint sea patrols in the central Mediterranean in 2008.
In a separate initiative earlier last month, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner offered Libya 20m euros (£18m) to help boost border controls.
Security bill
Italy's hardline approach to immigration policy is not unique, says Hugo Brady, an expert at the Centre for European Reform in London.
"In the main they only reflect sentiments which can be seen in a lot of other West European countries - that the time for tolerant immigration policy in their mind is past," he says.
Even so, he said the Italians had been "marked out by their extremity".
Among the measures that have caused concern among EU partners is the Italian government's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rome, Milan and Naples last summer, deploying troops in the streets as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Last month, an emergency decree designed to tackle rapes - many of which have been blamed on immigrants - gave official blessing to the formation of citizens' street patrols.
A security bill awaiting final approval in the Italian parliament also contains several controversial provisions, including:
- procedures for medical staff to denounce illegal immigrants
- making illegal immigration a criminal offence punishable by a fine of 5,000-10,000 euros (£4,400-8,800)
- prison terms of up to four years for those who defy expulsion orders
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe, a pan-European body that promotes democratic principles, says he is worried about a decision to extend the deployment of troops on the streets.
"We're talking about police functions here," he said. "It just dramatises the problems and tends to lead to hysteria."
'European solution'
Asked to justify the government's security-focused approach to immigration, Mr Maroni cites crime statistics for 2007.
"The percentage of crimes linked to non-Italians was more than 35% and the non-Italians do not account for 35% of the people in Italy," he says.
"All interpretations are legitimate. My concern as interior minister is to guarantee the highest possible levels of security, first and foremost by combating clandestine immigration."
On some issues the government has been forced to back down, under pressure from the EU.
These include a provision for the expulsion of EU citizens that was devised for Romanian Roma and judged to clash with European rules on free movement.
It was withdrawn last year after the European Commission threatened to start infringement proceedings.
Italian policies are coming under increasing scrutiny as the EU struggles against concerns over sovereignty to devise a common immigration approach, analysts say.
In October EU states took a step towards this by signing a non-binding immigration pact that encourages readmission treaties with countries of origin, selective immigration, and an end to mass amnesties for illegal immigrants of the kind introduced in Spain and Italy.
But for some human rights activists, the EU needs to play a firmer role protecting immigrants in member states and backing integration.
Mr Hammarberg criticises Italy's criminalising of immigrants as the "wrong approach".
"I think it is beginning to spread that there is a need for a European solution," he says.
"The situation with Greece and Italy in particular calls for a much faster process of integrating the European countries' policies on migration, so that you don't have a competition downwards where people introduce fairly draconian policies in order to avoid people coming to their country."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7880215.stm
Published: 2009/03/07 10:57:12 GMT
JPEPA sends nurses, caregivers to Japan
By Tessa Jamandre
Philstar.com
Updated May 17, 2009
MANILA, Philippines – With tears in their eyes, Vilma Balatbat, 39, and her husband tightly embraced each other, knowing it would be some time before they would be together again.
Last Saturday, Balatbat and 269 other Filipino nurses and caregivers, most of them mothers, left for Japan, making up the first batch of Filipino workers deployed to the world’s second largest economy under the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
“I’m both sad and happy,” said Balatbat, a mother of two, who will be working overseas for the first time. “I’ll certainly miss my loved ones, but this is also a new chapter for me. I’ve been waiting so long to work abroad.”
Balatbat, a registered nurse in the Philippines, will train as caregiver in a healthcare institution in Nagoya for six months while taking the Japanese language course, which is a requirement for employment. The JPEPA program will entitle Balatbat to initially receive an “allowance” of P17,000 a month.
By February next year, she ought to pass the national board exams in Japan and can then be employed as caregiver and given a special visa of four years. Only then will she receive a regular wage of P75,000 a month.
The 92 nurses and 178 caregivers, including Balatbat, boarded two Japan Airlines flights that departed Manila. Hired by 134 Japanese institutions and facilities through the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), these women will study Japanese in five designated language institutions in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima while undergoing practical training at the same time.
Ten more are scheduled to leave on May 31. They are, however, exempted from undergoing training, having passed the pre-qualifying exams for proficiency of the Japanese language.
Signed in 2006 but ratified by the Senate only on Oct. 9, JPEPA is essentially an “economic” agreement that seeks to promote investments and trade of goods and services between Japan and the Philippines. But the agreement will also facilitate the entry of at least 400 Filipino nurses and 600 caregivers for Japan’s aging society.
Japan had long been the destination of Filipino entertainers, popularly known as “japayukis,” until the Japanese government passed a law in 2004 that imposed stricter immigration policies to address human trafficking.
Under the new legislation, Filipino entertainers entering Japan should have at least two years of professional training at an educational institution or experience in a country other than Japan. Job recruiters said the law disqualified up to 90 percent of Filipino entertainers that were deployed in Japan.
Last Jan. 12, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and its Japanese counterpart, JICWELS, signed a memorandum of understanding paving the way for the deployment of Filipino nurses so they could make it to the national licensure examination for nurses scheduled in February 2010. The exam, administered in Japanese language, is held every year.
Filipino caregivers, meanwhile, need at least three years of work experience before they can take the national certification examination. Their contracts allow them to work in Japan for three years. If they pass the exam, they can continue to work in Japan. If they don’t, they have to return to the Philippines immediately.
Critics of JPEPA have said the arrangement, under which Filipino nurses and caregivers are treated as “candidate nurses” and “candidate caregivers” and consequently paid lower wages until they pass the national exam in Japanese language, legitimizes exploitation of Filipino workers.
But the allegations of exploitation hardly bother the nurses and caregivers who left for Japan on Saturday.
Beth Apellanes, 38, left her three children in Bohol for a job that will have her caring for elderly Japanese in Nagoya. She said she considers the JPEPA requirement for her to undergo six months of language and practical training as an opportunity to learn another language and prepare her for certification.
What worries her more is the uncertainty of living a new place. “I hope the Japanese are good people, and it won’t be difficult to deal with them,” Apellanes said.
During their pre-departure orientation, the Philippine government expressed optimism that the first batch of caregivers and nurses to Japan will convince Japanese authorities to open more jobs for Filipino health workers in Japan.
“You are the face of Philippine healthcare professionals,” Hans Cacdac, POEA’s deputy administrator said. “Let us show the world, let us show the very good people of Japan, that we are ready to provide necessary human and health care because that is what is what we are good at. I would think quite frankly that we are ranked if not the best, as among the best in the world to provide human and health care.”
While these health workers “do our country proud” by caring for sick or elderly Japanese, they join the growing ranks of overseas Filipino workers who have entrusted their families, including their spouses, young children and aging parents, to the care of others.
At the airport, children wailed as they bade their mothers goodbye. Elderly parents helped their sons and daughters wheel the pushcarts to the departure area. Airport guards stepped in to break up the endless hugging and kissing and to shoo off non-passengers from restricted areas.
One of the non-passengers was Balatbat’s husband. He moved to the far end of the departure area’s driveway to catch a good view of the Japan Airlines plane bearing his wife as it taxied the runway. As if on cue, tears rolled down his cheeks when the aircraft took off.
VERA Files is the work of veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues.
Philstar.com
Updated May 17, 2009
MANILA, Philippines – With tears in their eyes, Vilma Balatbat, 39, and her husband tightly embraced each other, knowing it would be some time before they would be together again.
Last Saturday, Balatbat and 269 other Filipino nurses and caregivers, most of them mothers, left for Japan, making up the first batch of Filipino workers deployed to the world’s second largest economy under the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
“I’m both sad and happy,” said Balatbat, a mother of two, who will be working overseas for the first time. “I’ll certainly miss my loved ones, but this is also a new chapter for me. I’ve been waiting so long to work abroad.”
Balatbat, a registered nurse in the Philippines, will train as caregiver in a healthcare institution in Nagoya for six months while taking the Japanese language course, which is a requirement for employment. The JPEPA program will entitle Balatbat to initially receive an “allowance” of P17,000 a month.
By February next year, she ought to pass the national board exams in Japan and can then be employed as caregiver and given a special visa of four years. Only then will she receive a regular wage of P75,000 a month.
The 92 nurses and 178 caregivers, including Balatbat, boarded two Japan Airlines flights that departed Manila. Hired by 134 Japanese institutions and facilities through the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS), these women will study Japanese in five designated language institutions in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima while undergoing practical training at the same time.
Ten more are scheduled to leave on May 31. They are, however, exempted from undergoing training, having passed the pre-qualifying exams for proficiency of the Japanese language.
Signed in 2006 but ratified by the Senate only on Oct. 9, JPEPA is essentially an “economic” agreement that seeks to promote investments and trade of goods and services between Japan and the Philippines. But the agreement will also facilitate the entry of at least 400 Filipino nurses and 600 caregivers for Japan’s aging society.
Japan had long been the destination of Filipino entertainers, popularly known as “japayukis,” until the Japanese government passed a law in 2004 that imposed stricter immigration policies to address human trafficking.
Under the new legislation, Filipino entertainers entering Japan should have at least two years of professional training at an educational institution or experience in a country other than Japan. Job recruiters said the law disqualified up to 90 percent of Filipino entertainers that were deployed in Japan.
Last Jan. 12, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and its Japanese counterpart, JICWELS, signed a memorandum of understanding paving the way for the deployment of Filipino nurses so they could make it to the national licensure examination for nurses scheduled in February 2010. The exam, administered in Japanese language, is held every year.
Filipino caregivers, meanwhile, need at least three years of work experience before they can take the national certification examination. Their contracts allow them to work in Japan for three years. If they pass the exam, they can continue to work in Japan. If they don’t, they have to return to the Philippines immediately.
Critics of JPEPA have said the arrangement, under which Filipino nurses and caregivers are treated as “candidate nurses” and “candidate caregivers” and consequently paid lower wages until they pass the national exam in Japanese language, legitimizes exploitation of Filipino workers.
But the allegations of exploitation hardly bother the nurses and caregivers who left for Japan on Saturday.
Beth Apellanes, 38, left her three children in Bohol for a job that will have her caring for elderly Japanese in Nagoya. She said she considers the JPEPA requirement for her to undergo six months of language and practical training as an opportunity to learn another language and prepare her for certification.
What worries her more is the uncertainty of living a new place. “I hope the Japanese are good people, and it won’t be difficult to deal with them,” Apellanes said.
During their pre-departure orientation, the Philippine government expressed optimism that the first batch of caregivers and nurses to Japan will convince Japanese authorities to open more jobs for Filipino health workers in Japan.
“You are the face of Philippine healthcare professionals,” Hans Cacdac, POEA’s deputy administrator said. “Let us show the world, let us show the very good people of Japan, that we are ready to provide necessary human and health care because that is what is what we are good at. I would think quite frankly that we are ranked if not the best, as among the best in the world to provide human and health care.”
While these health workers “do our country proud” by caring for sick or elderly Japanese, they join the growing ranks of overseas Filipino workers who have entrusted their families, including their spouses, young children and aging parents, to the care of others.
At the airport, children wailed as they bade their mothers goodbye. Elderly parents helped their sons and daughters wheel the pushcarts to the departure area. Airport guards stepped in to break up the endless hugging and kissing and to shoo off non-passengers from restricted areas.
One of the non-passengers was Balatbat’s husband. He moved to the far end of the departure area’s driveway to catch a good view of the Japan Airlines plane bearing his wife as it taxied the runway. As if on cue, tears rolled down his cheeks when the aircraft took off.
VERA Files is the work of veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues.
Monday, June 29, 2009
A review badly needed
http://www.thesundaily.com
---------------------------
By: (Mon, 29 Jun 2009)
ALTHOUGH the Indonesian government’s decision last week to temporarily stop sending domestic workers to this country will cause significant discomfort to potential employers, the moratorium provides an excellent opportunity for Malaysian regulators to review their stance towards Indonesian maids.
According to news reports, there are 300,000 Indonesian maids in this country. Indonesia’s Manpower and Transmigration Ministry says 3,000 Indonesians leave the country every month to work as domestic helpers in Malaysia. This underscores the number of households in this country affected by Jakarta’s decision.
Leaving aside the suggestion that Malaysians are becoming far too dependent on foreign maids, three issues need to be addressed.
First is the huge discrepancy in wages paid to Indonesian maids compared with that for their Filipino counterparts. According to Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) president, Raja Zulkepley Dahalan, Filipino maids in this country are paid RM1,000 compared with more than RM500 earned by Indonesian maids.
What justification is there for paying a Filipino maid almost double that for an Indonesian? Is it because Filipinos can speak English and are more suitable for employment in non-Muslim households?
I believe Filipino maids are also better paid because of Manila’s insistence on minimum wages and other conditions of work.
Even so, does this justify paying an Indonesian about half that for a Filipino maid? If Filipino maids should enjoy a premium, I suggest this should be capped at a reasonable level – possibly 10% or 15%.
Because wages for domestic workers from Indonesia and other countries like Bangladesh are so low, even hawkers can afford to hire foreigners to man their stalls. Why should hawkers be allowed to employ foreign domestic workers? Not surprisingly, this has led to a worsening quality of char kway teow, chicken rice and other hawker food.
Furthermore, low wages could cause Malaysian employers to under-value their foreign domestic workers and in extreme cases, this may lead to severe abuse of foreign maids.
Malaysian policymakers should consider this: why is it that almost all cases of appalling abuse involve Indonesian maids?
Another point to note is the growing number of Indonesians venturing further to work as maids. In Hongkong, Indonesian maids enjoy monthly salaries of HK$3,000 (RM1,500) or more – about three times that in Malaysia.
Some Indonesian maids that I have met in the territory speak impeccable Cantonese. This suggests language and other cultural differences are not a major stumbling block for determined Indonesians.
Second is the Malaysian government’s proposal to make it mandatory for employers to allow foreign maids a day off. This move is long overdue.
Some Malaysians have written to the press to highlight their concern that if Indonesian maids were allowed a day off, they could mix with undesirable company, form undesirable relationships, indulge in unhealthy activities, become dissatisfied with their employers and run away.
Again the comparison is with Filipino maids. Although Filipino maids are given a mandatory day off every week, why hasn’t this prompted them to become dissatisfied with their employers and run away in large numbers?
Some may argue because there are more than 1.2 million Indonesians legally in this country (and possibly another 800,000 here illegally), allowing Indonesian maids a day off poses additional risks compared to those from other countries.
If so, policymakers should consider sourcing of maids from other countries like China. Wanita MCA has strongly urged Putrajaya not to allow women from China to work as maids in this country because they could break up families by seducing husbands.
The Wanita MCA’s suggestion is untenable. If some Malaysian Chinese women are insecure about the fidelity of their husbands, they aren’t compelled to hire maids from China. Why should these women be allowed to deny other Malaysians the opportunity to employ mainland Chinese as maids?
Third is the issue of greater legal protection for foreign domestic workers. As Caram Asia, a regional network representing non-governmental organisations, has pointed out, because maids are defined as “servants” under the Employment Act, they are denied all statutory benefits except the right to sue for unpaid wages.
I believe changing the legal status of domestic helpers could encourage an improvement in mindset. Instead of regarding their foreign maids as servants, employers would be encouraged to treat them as employees.
Employers must be made to realise that unless working conditions are improved significantly and immediately, Malaysia will quickly become the destination of last resort, not only for Indonesians but also for Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Cambodians and all those in the region who seek to improve their economic prospects.
Opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the writer and should not be attributed to any organisation she is connected with. She can be contacted at siokchoo.nsamail@gmail.com.
--- end ---
---------------------------
By: (Mon, 29 Jun 2009)
ALTHOUGH the Indonesian government’s decision last week to temporarily stop sending domestic workers to this country will cause significant discomfort to potential employers, the moratorium provides an excellent opportunity for Malaysian regulators to review their stance towards Indonesian maids.
According to news reports, there are 300,000 Indonesian maids in this country. Indonesia’s Manpower and Transmigration Ministry says 3,000 Indonesians leave the country every month to work as domestic helpers in Malaysia. This underscores the number of households in this country affected by Jakarta’s decision.
Leaving aside the suggestion that Malaysians are becoming far too dependent on foreign maids, three issues need to be addressed.
First is the huge discrepancy in wages paid to Indonesian maids compared with that for their Filipino counterparts. According to Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) president, Raja Zulkepley Dahalan, Filipino maids in this country are paid RM1,000 compared with more than RM500 earned by Indonesian maids.
What justification is there for paying a Filipino maid almost double that for an Indonesian? Is it because Filipinos can speak English and are more suitable for employment in non-Muslim households?
I believe Filipino maids are also better paid because of Manila’s insistence on minimum wages and other conditions of work.
Even so, does this justify paying an Indonesian about half that for a Filipino maid? If Filipino maids should enjoy a premium, I suggest this should be capped at a reasonable level – possibly 10% or 15%.
Because wages for domestic workers from Indonesia and other countries like Bangladesh are so low, even hawkers can afford to hire foreigners to man their stalls. Why should hawkers be allowed to employ foreign domestic workers? Not surprisingly, this has led to a worsening quality of char kway teow, chicken rice and other hawker food.
Furthermore, low wages could cause Malaysian employers to under-value their foreign domestic workers and in extreme cases, this may lead to severe abuse of foreign maids.
Malaysian policymakers should consider this: why is it that almost all cases of appalling abuse involve Indonesian maids?
Another point to note is the growing number of Indonesians venturing further to work as maids. In Hongkong, Indonesian maids enjoy monthly salaries of HK$3,000 (RM1,500) or more – about three times that in Malaysia.
Some Indonesian maids that I have met in the territory speak impeccable Cantonese. This suggests language and other cultural differences are not a major stumbling block for determined Indonesians.
Second is the Malaysian government’s proposal to make it mandatory for employers to allow foreign maids a day off. This move is long overdue.
Some Malaysians have written to the press to highlight their concern that if Indonesian maids were allowed a day off, they could mix with undesirable company, form undesirable relationships, indulge in unhealthy activities, become dissatisfied with their employers and run away.
Again the comparison is with Filipino maids. Although Filipino maids are given a mandatory day off every week, why hasn’t this prompted them to become dissatisfied with their employers and run away in large numbers?
Some may argue because there are more than 1.2 million Indonesians legally in this country (and possibly another 800,000 here illegally), allowing Indonesian maids a day off poses additional risks compared to those from other countries.
If so, policymakers should consider sourcing of maids from other countries like China. Wanita MCA has strongly urged Putrajaya not to allow women from China to work as maids in this country because they could break up families by seducing husbands.
The Wanita MCA’s suggestion is untenable. If some Malaysian Chinese women are insecure about the fidelity of their husbands, they aren’t compelled to hire maids from China. Why should these women be allowed to deny other Malaysians the opportunity to employ mainland Chinese as maids?
Third is the issue of greater legal protection for foreign domestic workers. As Caram Asia, a regional network representing non-governmental organisations, has pointed out, because maids are defined as “servants” under the Employment Act, they are denied all statutory benefits except the right to sue for unpaid wages.
I believe changing the legal status of domestic helpers could encourage an improvement in mindset. Instead of regarding their foreign maids as servants, employers would be encouraged to treat them as employees.
Employers must be made to realise that unless working conditions are improved significantly and immediately, Malaysia will quickly become the destination of last resort, not only for Indonesians but also for Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Cambodians and all those in the region who seek to improve their economic prospects.
Opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the writer and should not be attributed to any organisation she is connected with. She can be contacted at siokchoo.nsamail@gmail.com.
--- end ---
Demand increasing for Filipino seafarers in Italy
GMANews.TV
Article posted September 25, 2007 - 04:49 PM
Ship owners in Italy would need at least 20,000 marine deck officers in the next three years. Their No. 1 recruitment targets are Filipinos.
Officials of Italy-based Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), a ship classification entity, launched on Monday the Italian Maritime Academy – Philippines, Inc. (IMA-Phils) that would evaluate Filipino applicants to fill in vacancies in Italian vessels and help upgrade their skills.
“We have many new vessels, but we don’t have many qualified and experienced seafarers as Italians are not so much interested in working on ships," said Robert Cazullo, chairman of IMA-Phils. “I think this is the big challenge for us."
By 2010, Cazullo said IMA would be recruiting more Filipino seafarers than any other nationality.
IMA-Philippines, he explained, would primarily “assess the professional skills of Filipinos" and help upgrade their capabilities.
“We believe they (Filipino seafarers) are the most competent in seafarers in lower rank, at present. Through the IMA-Philippines, we would be able to produce seafarers for the high-level positions. We will be updating their knowledge on rules and regulations to meet the International standards," Cazullo explained.
According to him, Italian ship builders have been making more vessels, particularly cruise and passenger vessels and, in the near future, would also be making the so-called “gas ships" that would transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other chemical carrier vessels.
For his part, Ugo Salerno, chief executive officer of RINA, said Italian ship owners want to make sure that the right people are hired to run Italian vessels.
“To have the right people to run these vessels, we decided to establish the Italian Maritime Academy-Philippines, Inc. We believed that by mixing skilled Filipino seafarers and our equipment, we will be able to do better in shipping industries," Salerno said.
RINA is Italy’s oldest classification society established in 1861. Its main goal is to provide quality sea vessels, Salerno said.
RINA enjoys the strong backing of the wealthy and top Italian ship owners conducting business all over the world, he said.
The Italian Ship owners Association called Confitarma prefer Filipino seafarers who are considered to be the best in low-ranking ship personnel all over the world, Salerno said.
“What we need to do is to upgrade their level of expertise and skills. The Philippines is the right place to establish a training center like this" he asserted.
Filipino ship Capt. Teofilo Nieto, Jr., training director of IMA-Philippines, said the facility will serve as the graduate school for experienced Filipino seafarers aspiring to achieve higher levels of competence, and eventually be accommodated in Italian ships.
IMA-Philippines is located at the NEDA building in Makati. It is equipped with the latest Italian Maritime Training equipment such as engine room and cargo handling simulators for use of the Filipino trainees.
It can accommodate an initial batch of 50 trainees.
“Their tuition will be shouldered by their employers. We are an assessment and training center for Filipino seamen with the purpose of enhancing their skills as required by the shipping firms" Nieto said.
Through the IMA-Philippines, the low ranking seamen, who are aspiring to become marine deck officers with managerial positions can achieve their goals, Nieto said.
“Graduating trainees will be employed onboard the kind of ship suited to them for at least two months," Nieto said. In the course of the training, the trainees would have to undergo an external examination as part of an assessment of their skills and qualifications.
The duration of the training would depend on the trainee’s expertise and specialization, Nieto said.
Article posted September 25, 2007 - 04:49 PM
Ship owners in Italy would need at least 20,000 marine deck officers in the next three years. Their No. 1 recruitment targets are Filipinos.
Officials of Italy-based Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), a ship classification entity, launched on Monday the Italian Maritime Academy – Philippines, Inc. (IMA-Phils) that would evaluate Filipino applicants to fill in vacancies in Italian vessels and help upgrade their skills.
“We have many new vessels, but we don’t have many qualified and experienced seafarers as Italians are not so much interested in working on ships," said Robert Cazullo, chairman of IMA-Phils. “I think this is the big challenge for us."
By 2010, Cazullo said IMA would be recruiting more Filipino seafarers than any other nationality.
IMA-Philippines, he explained, would primarily “assess the professional skills of Filipinos" and help upgrade their capabilities.
“We believe they (Filipino seafarers) are the most competent in seafarers in lower rank, at present. Through the IMA-Philippines, we would be able to produce seafarers for the high-level positions. We will be updating their knowledge on rules and regulations to meet the International standards," Cazullo explained.
According to him, Italian ship builders have been making more vessels, particularly cruise and passenger vessels and, in the near future, would also be making the so-called “gas ships" that would transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other chemical carrier vessels.
For his part, Ugo Salerno, chief executive officer of RINA, said Italian ship owners want to make sure that the right people are hired to run Italian vessels.
“To have the right people to run these vessels, we decided to establish the Italian Maritime Academy-Philippines, Inc. We believed that by mixing skilled Filipino seafarers and our equipment, we will be able to do better in shipping industries," Salerno said.
RINA is Italy’s oldest classification society established in 1861. Its main goal is to provide quality sea vessels, Salerno said.
RINA enjoys the strong backing of the wealthy and top Italian ship owners conducting business all over the world, he said.
The Italian Ship owners Association called Confitarma prefer Filipino seafarers who are considered to be the best in low-ranking ship personnel all over the world, Salerno said.
“What we need to do is to upgrade their level of expertise and skills. The Philippines is the right place to establish a training center like this" he asserted.
Filipino ship Capt. Teofilo Nieto, Jr., training director of IMA-Philippines, said the facility will serve as the graduate school for experienced Filipino seafarers aspiring to achieve higher levels of competence, and eventually be accommodated in Italian ships.
IMA-Philippines is located at the NEDA building in Makati. It is equipped with the latest Italian Maritime Training equipment such as engine room and cargo handling simulators for use of the Filipino trainees.
It can accommodate an initial batch of 50 trainees.
“Their tuition will be shouldered by their employers. We are an assessment and training center for Filipino seamen with the purpose of enhancing their skills as required by the shipping firms" Nieto said.
Through the IMA-Philippines, the low ranking seamen, who are aspiring to become marine deck officers with managerial positions can achieve their goals, Nieto said.
“Graduating trainees will be employed onboard the kind of ship suited to them for at least two months," Nieto said. In the course of the training, the trainees would have to undergo an external examination as part of an assessment of their skills and qualifications.
The duration of the training would depend on the trainee’s expertise and specialization, Nieto said.
Jobs await Pinoys in Italy despite crisis
By DANNY BUENAFE
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief, Italy
Created 12/15/2008 - 12:37
Despite the global financial crunch, there are jobs awaiting Filipinos in Italy possibly next year.
This is what the Italian Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Florence is pushing for.
Dr. Fabio Fanfani said Filipinos should not concentrate on domestic work alone in applying for jobs in Italy.
Almost 90 percent of Filipino workers in Italy are doing household work.
Fanfani believes there is a big demand for jobs in the medical sector like caregivers, chefs, auto mechanics, IT programmers, bank and hotel workers.
Compared to the United States which is facing an economic slowdown, Fanfani explained that Filipino workers have better work opportunities in Italy.
“In our country, we pay in Euro and its better for Filipino people because the dollar is down,” Fanfani said.
A Filipina, Divinia Capalad, is councilor representative for migrant workers in Florence. Capalad led in the enactment of a law, which recognizes Filipino professional workers in Italy.
“Pinasa ko na din ang proposal na iyan na kilalanin iyong higher educational level natin. Iyong mga nakapag-trabaho ng may pantay na karapatan bilang doon sa propesyon natin,” Capalad said.
To be given priority in the hiring of new jobs are relatives of overseas Filipino workers who are already working in Italy.
A new policy governing Flussi, or direct hire will be finalized soon aimed at simplifying the rules for Italy-based OFWs wanting to hire their relatives back home.
In the meantime, Fanfani is set to lead an Italian delegation to Manila and Cebu by February or March next year to open up trade and job opportunities as part of a tourism exchange.
as of 12/15/2008 4:57 PM
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief, Italy
Created 12/15/2008 - 12:37
Despite the global financial crunch, there are jobs awaiting Filipinos in Italy possibly next year.
This is what the Italian Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Florence is pushing for.
Dr. Fabio Fanfani said Filipinos should not concentrate on domestic work alone in applying for jobs in Italy.
Almost 90 percent of Filipino workers in Italy are doing household work.
Fanfani believes there is a big demand for jobs in the medical sector like caregivers, chefs, auto mechanics, IT programmers, bank and hotel workers.
Compared to the United States which is facing an economic slowdown, Fanfani explained that Filipino workers have better work opportunities in Italy.
“In our country, we pay in Euro and its better for Filipino people because the dollar is down,” Fanfani said.
A Filipina, Divinia Capalad, is councilor representative for migrant workers in Florence. Capalad led in the enactment of a law, which recognizes Filipino professional workers in Italy.
“Pinasa ko na din ang proposal na iyan na kilalanin iyong higher educational level natin. Iyong mga nakapag-trabaho ng may pantay na karapatan bilang doon sa propesyon natin,” Capalad said.
To be given priority in the hiring of new jobs are relatives of overseas Filipino workers who are already working in Italy.
A new policy governing Flussi, or direct hire will be finalized soon aimed at simplifying the rules for Italy-based OFWs wanting to hire their relatives back home.
In the meantime, Fanfani is set to lead an Italian delegation to Manila and Cebu by February or March next year to open up trade and job opportunities as part of a tourism exchange.
as of 12/15/2008 4:57 PM
More Jobs for OFWs in Italy in 2009
http://balitangofw.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Contrary to the global financial slowdown, Italy will need more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in 2009 according to the Italian Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Florence.
Dr. Fabio Fanfani said that there is a big demand for jobs not only on domestic work but also in the medical sector like caregivers, chefs, auto mechanics, IT programmers, bank and hotel workers.
“In our country, we pay in Euro and its better for Filipino people because the dollar is down,” Fanfani said.
Divinia Capalad, councilor representative for migrant workers in Florence, led the enactment of law that recognizes Filipino professional workers in Italy.
“Pinasa ko na din ang proposal na iyan na kilalanin iyong higher educational level natin. Iyong mga nakapag-trabaho ng may pantay na karapatan bilang doon sa propesyon natin,” Capalad said.
Filipino workers who were already in Italy will be given priority in hiring with the job opportunities next year.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Contrary to the global financial slowdown, Italy will need more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in 2009 according to the Italian Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Florence.
Dr. Fabio Fanfani said that there is a big demand for jobs not only on domestic work but also in the medical sector like caregivers, chefs, auto mechanics, IT programmers, bank and hotel workers.
“In our country, we pay in Euro and its better for Filipino people because the dollar is down,” Fanfani said.
Divinia Capalad, councilor representative for migrant workers in Florence, led the enactment of law that recognizes Filipino professional workers in Italy.
“Pinasa ko na din ang proposal na iyan na kilalanin iyong higher educational level natin. Iyong mga nakapag-trabaho ng may pantay na karapatan bilang doon sa propesyon natin,” Capalad said.
Filipino workers who were already in Italy will be given priority in hiring with the job opportunities next year.
Italy turns down plan to tax immigrants
The New York Times
Published: Thursday, January 1, 2009
ROME — The conservative government of Italy backed away Saturday from a right-wing ally's plan to impose a tax on immigrants seeking residence permits after critics attacked the proposal as racist.
The anti-immigrant Northern League, a junior ally in the Italian government, on Friday proposed a change to the law that would make immigrants pay a €50, or $67, tax to obtain residence permits and provide a €10,000 bank guarantee to start a business.
Leftist lawmakers decried the move as discriminatory, and on Saturday a government representative from a lower house panel where the amendment was presented blocked the proposal.
The plan had been widely criticized.
"This is a hateful and deeply wrong measure," said Marco Minniti, a legislator from the opposition Democratic Party.
"It continues to make integration more difficult, and pushes legal immigrants with a house and a job towards illegal means," he said.
Immigrants must already wait more than two years and clear various bureaucratic hurdles to obtain an Italian residence permit, said another Democratic Party lawmaker, Livia Turco.
Immigrants currently pay roughly €72 in postage and other fees to obtain or renew the so-called "permesso di soggiorno" that allows foreigners to live and work in Italy.
Fatima Talhi, a Moroccan immigrant who owns a kebab shop in Turin, denounced the proposed changes.
"If they had asked me for a €10,000 guarantee I could never have started this business," she told La Stampa newspaper, adding that she could buy a house in Casablanca for that amount.
Trying to put a lid on the controversy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the government had opposed the proposal from the start and denied it had flip-flopped on the issue.
But the League said it would press ahead with its initiative, even if it was "amazed" by the reaction of some of its colleagues in the government.
Immigration has been high on the political agenda since Berlusconi came to power last year vowing a crackdown on illegal migrants. But critics accuse his government's policies of stoking fear and fomenting a climate of xenophobia.
Published: Thursday, January 1, 2009
ROME — The conservative government of Italy backed away Saturday from a right-wing ally's plan to impose a tax on immigrants seeking residence permits after critics attacked the proposal as racist.
The anti-immigrant Northern League, a junior ally in the Italian government, on Friday proposed a change to the law that would make immigrants pay a €50, or $67, tax to obtain residence permits and provide a €10,000 bank guarantee to start a business.
Leftist lawmakers decried the move as discriminatory, and on Saturday a government representative from a lower house panel where the amendment was presented blocked the proposal.
The plan had been widely criticized.
"This is a hateful and deeply wrong measure," said Marco Minniti, a legislator from the opposition Democratic Party.
"It continues to make integration more difficult, and pushes legal immigrants with a house and a job towards illegal means," he said.
Immigrants must already wait more than two years and clear various bureaucratic hurdles to obtain an Italian residence permit, said another Democratic Party lawmaker, Livia Turco.
Immigrants currently pay roughly €72 in postage and other fees to obtain or renew the so-called "permesso di soggiorno" that allows foreigners to live and work in Italy.
Fatima Talhi, a Moroccan immigrant who owns a kebab shop in Turin, denounced the proposed changes.
"If they had asked me for a €10,000 guarantee I could never have started this business," she told La Stampa newspaper, adding that she could buy a house in Casablanca for that amount.
Trying to put a lid on the controversy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the government had opposed the proposal from the start and denied it had flip-flopped on the issue.
But the League said it would press ahead with its initiative, even if it was "amazed" by the reaction of some of its colleagues in the government.
Immigration has been high on the political agenda since Berlusconi came to power last year vowing a crackdown on illegal migrants. But critics accuse his government's policies of stoking fear and fomenting a climate of xenophobia.
Italy MPs back migrant crackdown
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/8048571.stm
Published: 2009/05/13 15:57:04 GMT
Italian MPs have backed a plan to fine illegal immigrants up to 10,000 euros ($13,000), as the government continues to tighten immigration controls.
The lower house overwhelmingly backed the bill, which also proposes jailing those who rent houses to illegal immigrants for up to three years.
The bill still needs to be approved in the Senate before it can become law.
Italy has just introduced a policy of returning boatloads of migrants to Libya before they can claim asylum.
The move has attracted criticism, with the UN's refugee agency and the Vatican both saying the move was a breach of international law.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sparked further controversy when he defended the decision by saying he did not want to see a "multi-ethnic" Italy.
"The left's idea is of a multi-ethnic Italy. That's not our idea, ours is to welcome only those who meet the conditions for political asylum," he told a news conference at the weekend.
Public backing
The government says it faces an unmanageable flood of immigrants, many arriving on outlying islands which do not have the means to cope.
More than 36,000 migrants landed on the shores of Italy last year - an increase of about 75% on the year before.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says many Italians believe their country is being left on its own by the European Union to deal with the problem of immigration.
And many are now ready to support stricter measures to control the flow of people into their country, our correspondent adds.
Mr Berlusconi's centre-right coalition ensured the bill's speedy passage through lower house by turning it into a vote of confidence in the government.
While 316 MPs backed the bill, 258 voted against. It will now go to the Senate.
Vigilante groups
Rocco Buttiglione, a centre-right MP, said the law would bring "slavery" to Italy by creating a class of workers without any rights.
He warned that rather than turning to police when they need to, migrants would turn to the Mafia or vigilante justice.
Other measures in the government's security and crime legislation include a register of homeless people, citizens' vigilante patrols, and up to three years in prison for anyone who insults the police.
Critics say the right-wing government is targeting especially immigrants and Roma (Gypsies).
But Manuela del Lago of the anti-immigrant Northern League party, which spearheaded the legislation, said Italy was embarking on the right path.
"We don't understand why we have to keep them all here and in other countries they don't take anyone," she said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/8048571.stm
Published: 2009/05/13 15:57:04 GMT
Italian MPs have backed a plan to fine illegal immigrants up to 10,000 euros ($13,000), as the government continues to tighten immigration controls.
The lower house overwhelmingly backed the bill, which also proposes jailing those who rent houses to illegal immigrants for up to three years.
The bill still needs to be approved in the Senate before it can become law.
Italy has just introduced a policy of returning boatloads of migrants to Libya before they can claim asylum.
The move has attracted criticism, with the UN's refugee agency and the Vatican both saying the move was a breach of international law.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sparked further controversy when he defended the decision by saying he did not want to see a "multi-ethnic" Italy.
"The left's idea is of a multi-ethnic Italy. That's not our idea, ours is to welcome only those who meet the conditions for political asylum," he told a news conference at the weekend.
Public backing
The government says it faces an unmanageable flood of immigrants, many arriving on outlying islands which do not have the means to cope.
More than 36,000 migrants landed on the shores of Italy last year - an increase of about 75% on the year before.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says many Italians believe their country is being left on its own by the European Union to deal with the problem of immigration.
And many are now ready to support stricter measures to control the flow of people into their country, our correspondent adds.
Mr Berlusconi's centre-right coalition ensured the bill's speedy passage through lower house by turning it into a vote of confidence in the government.
While 316 MPs backed the bill, 258 voted against. It will now go to the Senate.
Vigilante groups
Rocco Buttiglione, a centre-right MP, said the law would bring "slavery" to Italy by creating a class of workers without any rights.
He warned that rather than turning to police when they need to, migrants would turn to the Mafia or vigilante justice.
Other measures in the government's security and crime legislation include a register of homeless people, citizens' vigilante patrols, and up to three years in prison for anyone who insults the police.
Critics say the right-wing government is targeting especially immigrants and Roma (Gypsies).
But Manuela del Lago of the anti-immigrant Northern League party, which spearheaded the legislation, said Italy was embarking on the right path.
"We don't understand why we have to keep them all here and in other countries they don't take anyone," she said.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Filipino Migration to Italy
http://www.un-instraw.org
Inception and Evolution of Filipino Migration Flows to Italy
There are two primary reasons explaining the beginning of increased Filipino out-migration in the 1970’s. First, the brutal regime of Ferdinand Marcos began during this time, during which he enacted repressive economic policies that rapidly caused the deterioration of the Philippine economy and led vast numbers of Filipinos to seek jobs overseas (1). A second and related reason explaining Filipino migration flows was that in 1974 the Philippine government’s establishment an official labor exportation policy that aimed to help repay the Philippines’ foreign debt through the Programme for Overseas Filipino Workers. In fact, as a result of conditions imposed on to the Philippines by the IMF’s structural adjustment policy, the Philippine peso decreased in value, leaving numerous Filipinos no other recourse but to migrate abroad in search of economic opportunities, a trend which continues unabated today (2,3). Succeeding governmental regimes encouraged labor exports, with Filipino presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos creating various intermediary labor agencies facilitating Filipino labor flows abroad (4).
During the 1970s the main destination region was the Mideast, where mainly filipino men went to work in the manufacturing, construction and transportation sectors. The feminization of migration began with the new industrialization of Asian countries (1980-1990), at the same time that the labour insertion of migrants started in activities related to services. Italy has also been one of the countries that since the 1970s has experienced a sustained growth of filipino labour migration (5). The work previously carried out by women at home is not substituted by public service nor by the participation of men which creates a demand for paid care services. Filipino women participate in this context. However, the beginning of this flow distinguishes from the others since it has not been planned by the Philippine Government, but rather it arises from an initiative and the connections of the Catholic Church. At present numerous Filipino labor migrants choose Italy as their labor destination not only because of potential economic gains but also because of similarities in culture and in religion (6). Initially, Philippine-Italy migration studies indicate that most Filipinos entered Italy on tourist visas and found work afterwards; the advent of stricter immigration policies in 1986 made this mode of entry more difficult, thereby leading to the establishment of more formal migration channels (7).
It should be noted that political and economic conditions within Italy encouraged an increase in Filipino labor migration. Specifically, rising economic growth and personal wealth in Italy, “labor segmentation” in the Italian economy necessitating migrant labor to work in underrepresented industries (including domestic service), and “the demographic collapse” in Italy, among other factors, have all contributed to growing numbers of Filipino migrant laborers in Italy (8).
Number of Filipina Residents in Italy
According to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, official 2006 stock estimates showed that there are currently 128 080 Filipinos residing in Italy, of which 23 108 are permanent residents, 84 972 are legal temporary workers, and a further 20 000 are illegal residents/workers (9); of course, it should be noted that other estimates indicate greater numbers of Filipinos residing in Italy, with some figures indicating that there are 200 000 Filipinos in Italy. According to Caritas di Rome (2005) (10) concerning the Filipinos living in Rome, 61% of them are women. Despite these incongruent figures, all of these studies corroborate the fact that within Europe, Italy hosts the largest number of Filipino migrants, followed by Spain, Greece, and Austria (11). It is 6th in the list of (12) the top ten destinations of Filipino migrants, preceded only by Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates (13). Half of all Filipino migrants in Italy live in Rome.
Feminized Migration Flows to Italy
Of the temporary workers, the Italian Institute for Statistics (ISTAT) indicates that women account for 63%. 60-70% of all the Filipinos in Italy are employed in the service sector, with women workers in the majority (14). In cities like Rome and Milan, female Filipino migrants account up to 70% of all Filipino migrants.
Indeed, Philippine out-migration to Italy has always been dominated by women. The vast majority of Filipino female migrants work in the domestic service sector, with some specific studies showing 95% of all women being employed in the domestic field (15). Nursing and employment in the ‘entertainment sector’ are the other fields where Filipino female migrants are well-represented in Italy. It is important to note that economic recession in the Philippines in the mid-1990’s led to an increased presence of male labor migrants in Italy, although women are still in the majority. Also, Filipino women have made great efforts to reunite their families in Italy, at the same time that they received the support of the Italian migration policies.
Three profiles if migrant women are distinguished. Married women with children, single women and single mothers.
Level of Education and Income
Although it is difficult to garner exact figures that provide specific numbers on the different levels of education characterizing Filipino migrants in Italy, anecdotal evidence indicates that Filipino labor migrants are generally well-educated, with the majority of migrants finishing high school and most having at least some college education. Filipino migrants in Italy would not be classified as being part of lower class social groupings in the Philippines and in fact would likely be classified as being part of the middle-class. (16)
Remittances from Filipino Migrants in Italy
Of the 12.8 billion dollars Filipino migrants sent back to the Philippines in 2005, 44 million dollars were sent from Italy, making Italy the fourth biggest source of remittances (17). Select interviews with Filipino labor migrants in Italy have found that the majority of migrants invest their remittances in education and household investments (18). More studies need to be undertaken in order to assess how these remittances are being utilized.
[1] Crane K (2004). “Governing Migration: Immigrant Groups’ Strategies in Three Italian Cities Rome, Naples, and Bari.” Rome: IPSR. Downloaded from: http://www.feem.it/NR/rdonlyres/6D92E1D5-F3B4-4727-A5C6-ADC8BBF58E41/1081/3704.pdf
[2] Lindio-McGovern (2003). “Labor Export in the Context of Globalization: The Experience of Filipino Domestic Helpers in Rome.” International Sociology 18(3): 513-534.
[3] Magat MC (2003). Transnational Lives, Cosmopolitan Women: Filipino Domestic Helpers and Expressive Culture in Rome, Italy. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania. Downloaded from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=08-28-2012&FMT=7&DID=766057731&RQT=309&attempt=1&cfc=1
[4] Idem 1
[5] Idem 2
[6] Parrenas R (2000). “Migrant Filipina Domestic Helpers and the International Division of Reproductive Labor. Gender and Society 14(4): 560-580.
[7] Tacoli C (1999). “International Migration and the Restructuring of Gender Asymmetries: Continuity and Change among Labor Migrants in Rome.” International Migration Review. 33(3): 658-683.
[8] King R (1993). “Recent Immigration to Italy: Character, Causes, and Consequences.” GeoJournal 30 (3): 283-292.
[9] Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (2006). OFW Global Presence: A Compendium of Overseas Employment Statistics. Manila: POEA.
(10) Caritas di Rome (2005) Immigrazione. Dossier Statistico 2005. XV Rapporto sull’immigrazione (immigrazzione e globalizzione), Rome : Edizioni IDOS, 12.
[11] Idem 2
[12] Idem 7
[13] Villalba MA (2007). “Philippines: Good Practices for the Protection of Filipino Migrant Women in Vulnerable Jobs.” Series on Women and Migration: Working Paper No. 8. Geneva: ILO Gender Promotion Program. Downloaded from: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/gems/download/swmphi.pdf
[14] Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (2006). “PGMA's Italy visit brightens hope for early accord on 3 RP proposals on Filipino workers.” Manila: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. Downloaded from: http://www.ops.gov.ph/europevisit06/news4.htm
[15] Idem 7
[16] Idem 7
[17] Zaccaro S (2005). Italy: Filipinas Spur Gender-Based Development. Rome: IPS. Downloaded from: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37321
[18] Idem 7
Inception and Evolution of Filipino Migration Flows to Italy
There are two primary reasons explaining the beginning of increased Filipino out-migration in the 1970’s. First, the brutal regime of Ferdinand Marcos began during this time, during which he enacted repressive economic policies that rapidly caused the deterioration of the Philippine economy and led vast numbers of Filipinos to seek jobs overseas (1). A second and related reason explaining Filipino migration flows was that in 1974 the Philippine government’s establishment an official labor exportation policy that aimed to help repay the Philippines’ foreign debt through the Programme for Overseas Filipino Workers. In fact, as a result of conditions imposed on to the Philippines by the IMF’s structural adjustment policy, the Philippine peso decreased in value, leaving numerous Filipinos no other recourse but to migrate abroad in search of economic opportunities, a trend which continues unabated today (2,3). Succeeding governmental regimes encouraged labor exports, with Filipino presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos creating various intermediary labor agencies facilitating Filipino labor flows abroad (4).
During the 1970s the main destination region was the Mideast, where mainly filipino men went to work in the manufacturing, construction and transportation sectors. The feminization of migration began with the new industrialization of Asian countries (1980-1990), at the same time that the labour insertion of migrants started in activities related to services. Italy has also been one of the countries that since the 1970s has experienced a sustained growth of filipino labour migration (5). The work previously carried out by women at home is not substituted by public service nor by the participation of men which creates a demand for paid care services. Filipino women participate in this context. However, the beginning of this flow distinguishes from the others since it has not been planned by the Philippine Government, but rather it arises from an initiative and the connections of the Catholic Church. At present numerous Filipino labor migrants choose Italy as their labor destination not only because of potential economic gains but also because of similarities in culture and in religion (6). Initially, Philippine-Italy migration studies indicate that most Filipinos entered Italy on tourist visas and found work afterwards; the advent of stricter immigration policies in 1986 made this mode of entry more difficult, thereby leading to the establishment of more formal migration channels (7).
It should be noted that political and economic conditions within Italy encouraged an increase in Filipino labor migration. Specifically, rising economic growth and personal wealth in Italy, “labor segmentation” in the Italian economy necessitating migrant labor to work in underrepresented industries (including domestic service), and “the demographic collapse” in Italy, among other factors, have all contributed to growing numbers of Filipino migrant laborers in Italy (8).
Number of Filipina Residents in Italy
According to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, official 2006 stock estimates showed that there are currently 128 080 Filipinos residing in Italy, of which 23 108 are permanent residents, 84 972 are legal temporary workers, and a further 20 000 are illegal residents/workers (9); of course, it should be noted that other estimates indicate greater numbers of Filipinos residing in Italy, with some figures indicating that there are 200 000 Filipinos in Italy. According to Caritas di Rome (2005) (10) concerning the Filipinos living in Rome, 61% of them are women. Despite these incongruent figures, all of these studies corroborate the fact that within Europe, Italy hosts the largest number of Filipino migrants, followed by Spain, Greece, and Austria (11). It is 6th in the list of (12) the top ten destinations of Filipino migrants, preceded only by Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates (13). Half of all Filipino migrants in Italy live in Rome.
Feminized Migration Flows to Italy
Of the temporary workers, the Italian Institute for Statistics (ISTAT) indicates that women account for 63%. 60-70% of all the Filipinos in Italy are employed in the service sector, with women workers in the majority (14). In cities like Rome and Milan, female Filipino migrants account up to 70% of all Filipino migrants.
Indeed, Philippine out-migration to Italy has always been dominated by women. The vast majority of Filipino female migrants work in the domestic service sector, with some specific studies showing 95% of all women being employed in the domestic field (15). Nursing and employment in the ‘entertainment sector’ are the other fields where Filipino female migrants are well-represented in Italy. It is important to note that economic recession in the Philippines in the mid-1990’s led to an increased presence of male labor migrants in Italy, although women are still in the majority. Also, Filipino women have made great efforts to reunite their families in Italy, at the same time that they received the support of the Italian migration policies.
Three profiles if migrant women are distinguished. Married women with children, single women and single mothers.
Level of Education and Income
Although it is difficult to garner exact figures that provide specific numbers on the different levels of education characterizing Filipino migrants in Italy, anecdotal evidence indicates that Filipino labor migrants are generally well-educated, with the majority of migrants finishing high school and most having at least some college education. Filipino migrants in Italy would not be classified as being part of lower class social groupings in the Philippines and in fact would likely be classified as being part of the middle-class. (16)
Remittances from Filipino Migrants in Italy
Of the 12.8 billion dollars Filipino migrants sent back to the Philippines in 2005, 44 million dollars were sent from Italy, making Italy the fourth biggest source of remittances (17). Select interviews with Filipino labor migrants in Italy have found that the majority of migrants invest their remittances in education and household investments (18). More studies need to be undertaken in order to assess how these remittances are being utilized.
[1] Crane K (2004). “Governing Migration: Immigrant Groups’ Strategies in Three Italian Cities Rome, Naples, and Bari.” Rome: IPSR. Downloaded from: http://www.feem.it/NR/rdonlyres/6D92E1D5-F3B4-4727-A5C6-ADC8BBF58E41/1081/3704.pdf
[2] Lindio-McGovern (2003). “Labor Export in the Context of Globalization: The Experience of Filipino Domestic Helpers in Rome.” International Sociology 18(3): 513-534.
[3] Magat MC (2003). Transnational Lives, Cosmopolitan Women: Filipino Domestic Helpers and Expressive Culture in Rome, Italy. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania. Downloaded from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=08-28-2012&FMT=7&DID=766057731&RQT=309&attempt=1&cfc=1
[4] Idem 1
[5] Idem 2
[6] Parrenas R (2000). “Migrant Filipina Domestic Helpers and the International Division of Reproductive Labor. Gender and Society 14(4): 560-580.
[7] Tacoli C (1999). “International Migration and the Restructuring of Gender Asymmetries: Continuity and Change among Labor Migrants in Rome.” International Migration Review. 33(3): 658-683.
[8] King R (1993). “Recent Immigration to Italy: Character, Causes, and Consequences.” GeoJournal 30 (3): 283-292.
[9] Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (2006). OFW Global Presence: A Compendium of Overseas Employment Statistics. Manila: POEA.
(10) Caritas di Rome (2005) Immigrazione. Dossier Statistico 2005. XV Rapporto sull’immigrazione (immigrazzione e globalizzione), Rome : Edizioni IDOS, 12.
[11] Idem 2
[12] Idem 7
[13] Villalba MA (2007). “Philippines: Good Practices for the Protection of Filipino Migrant Women in Vulnerable Jobs.” Series on Women and Migration: Working Paper No. 8. Geneva: ILO Gender Promotion Program. Downloaded from: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/gems/download/swmphi.pdf
[14] Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (2006). “PGMA's Italy visit brightens hope for early accord on 3 RP proposals on Filipino workers.” Manila: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. Downloaded from: http://www.ops.gov.ph/europevisit06/news4.htm
[15] Idem 7
[16] Idem 7
[17] Zaccaro S (2005). Italy: Filipinas Spur Gender-Based Development. Rome: IPS. Downloaded from: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37321
[18] Idem 7
Xoom.Com Unveils Tagalog Website For Pinoy
INQUIRER.net
Posted date: June 25, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 23, 2009 – Xoom.com, the fastest growing global online money transfer company, has announced the launch of its Tagalog website to make it even more convenient for its Filipino customers to send money to the Philippines.
"We have a firm commitment to provide the best service to the Filipino community. Having a Tagalog version of our website is the next step in this commitment," said Julian King, Xoom.com Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development.
Accessing the Xoom.com Tagalog website
Customers can go to Xoom.com and select Tagalog from the list of languages to access the website in Tagalog. With the help of simple instructions in Tagalog, sending and receiving money is now made even easier for both sender and receiver. Through the website, you and your loved ones can also track money transfers and find a remittance pickup location that’s close.
"Our goal is to make sending money easy for our fellow Pinoys,” said Gene Gutierrez, Xoom.com Regional Vice President for the Philippines. “We understand our countrymen’s needs."
A Commitment to the Filipino Community
In addition to a Tagalog website, Xoom provides help and assistance with customer service in Tagalog. For more information on Xoom.com money transfer services, please visit www.xoom.com or call 1-877-993-7966 for customer service in English or Tagalog. Recipients in the Philippines can call 1-800-10-636-7000 (PLDT) or 1-800-8-636-7000 (Globe). Customers can also send e-mail to Xoom customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting www.xoom.com/help.
Service in the Philippines
Xoom.com offers the option of cash pickup service available at over 5,000 locations across the Philippines, including many that are open 24/7. Xoom.com also provides fast bank deposits to ANY bank in the Philippines and home delivery nationwide.
About Xoom.com
Xoom.com enables individuals to send money from any Internet-enabled computer to family, friends and businesses worldwide. Xoom Corporation was founded in 2001 in San Francisco and is backed by leading venture firms Sequoia Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Fidelity Ventures.
Posted date: June 25, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 23, 2009 – Xoom.com, the fastest growing global online money transfer company, has announced the launch of its Tagalog website to make it even more convenient for its Filipino customers to send money to the Philippines.
"We have a firm commitment to provide the best service to the Filipino community. Having a Tagalog version of our website is the next step in this commitment," said Julian King, Xoom.com Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development.
Accessing the Xoom.com Tagalog website
Customers can go to Xoom.com and select Tagalog from the list of languages to access the website in Tagalog. With the help of simple instructions in Tagalog, sending and receiving money is now made even easier for both sender and receiver. Through the website, you and your loved ones can also track money transfers and find a remittance pickup location that’s close.
"Our goal is to make sending money easy for our fellow Pinoys,” said Gene Gutierrez, Xoom.com Regional Vice President for the Philippines. “We understand our countrymen’s needs."
A Commitment to the Filipino Community
In addition to a Tagalog website, Xoom provides help and assistance with customer service in Tagalog. For more information on Xoom.com money transfer services, please visit www.xoom.com or call 1-877-993-7966 for customer service in English or Tagalog. Recipients in the Philippines can call 1-800-10-636-7000 (PLDT) or 1-800-8-636-7000 (Globe). Customers can also send e-mail to Xoom customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting www.xoom.com/help.
Service in the Philippines
Xoom.com offers the option of cash pickup service available at over 5,000 locations across the Philippines, including many that are open 24/7. Xoom.com also provides fast bank deposits to ANY bank in the Philippines and home delivery nationwide.
About Xoom.com
Xoom.com enables individuals to send money from any Internet-enabled computer to family, friends and businesses worldwide. Xoom Corporation was founded in 2001 in San Francisco and is backed by leading venture firms Sequoia Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Fidelity Ventures.
Italy-bound Pinoys advised about Schengen visa suspension
GMANews.TV
Article posted June 11, 2009 - 07:59 PM
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos traveling to Italy this July should expect a temporary suspension of the Schengen visa agreement from June 18 to July 15 for the upcoming Group of Eight (G8) meeting in Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.
"This means that there will be police control in the borders that Italy shares with Schengen countries," a DFA advisory said, citing an announcement by Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni.
Italy is hosting the Group of Eight meeting in L’Aquila from July 8 to July 10.
The Schengen accord permits passport-free travel between nationals of 25 European countries.
The DFA quoted Maroni as saying the suspension of the agreement is “not to prevent demonstrations, but to block the arrival of those violent people who would like to come to Italy to hit policemen and crack people’s (skulls)."
He said the Italian government had warned European Union member countries of its plans to suspend the accord.
"Minister Maroni stressed that the suspension is in keeping with general EU practice for the G8 and other important events. It may be noted that Italy suspended the agreement in 2001 during a G8 meeting held in Genoa," the DFA said.
Other Schengen countries had also suspended the agreement in the past. France suspended the agreement five times since 1995 as a measure against terrorism, while Belgium did the same during the European Football Championship to prevent hooliganism.
Spain also suspended the treaty in May 2004 as a security measure for the wedding of Prince Felipe, the DFA said.
Article posted June 11, 2009 - 07:59 PM
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos traveling to Italy this July should expect a temporary suspension of the Schengen visa agreement from June 18 to July 15 for the upcoming Group of Eight (G8) meeting in Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.
"This means that there will be police control in the borders that Italy shares with Schengen countries," a DFA advisory said, citing an announcement by Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni.
Italy is hosting the Group of Eight meeting in L’Aquila from July 8 to July 10.
The Schengen accord permits passport-free travel between nationals of 25 European countries.
The DFA quoted Maroni as saying the suspension of the agreement is “not to prevent demonstrations, but to block the arrival of those violent people who would like to come to Italy to hit policemen and crack people’s (skulls)."
He said the Italian government had warned European Union member countries of its plans to suspend the accord.
"Minister Maroni stressed that the suspension is in keeping with general EU practice for the G8 and other important events. It may be noted that Italy suspended the agreement in 2001 during a G8 meeting held in Genoa," the DFA said.
Other Schengen countries had also suspended the agreement in the past. France suspended the agreement five times since 1995 as a measure against terrorism, while Belgium did the same during the European Football Championship to prevent hooliganism.
Spain also suspended the treaty in May 2004 as a security measure for the wedding of Prince Felipe, the DFA said.
RP, Italy officials tackle ways to enhance OFWs’ remittances
GMANews.TV
Article posted May 21, 2009 - 03:19 PM
MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the Philippines and Italy met with members of the Filipino community in Italy to discuss ways to enhance the development potential of their remittances.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the meeting opened Wednesday in Rome, and had representatives from international groups.
“Representatives from international organizations, NGOs and the private sector are also attending the two-day meeting, which opened ... in Rome, to identify best practices that will encourage the investment of remittances in activities that will stimulate growth and employment in the Philippines," the IOM said on its website (http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnEU/cache/offonce?entryId=25007).
IOM said the meeting is part of a program funded by the European Commission and carried out by IOM Manila to improve the knowledge of remittance corridors, enhance the development potential of remittances through inter-regional dialogue through the setting up of pilot projects in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Some 8.73 million Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remitted $16.4 billion in 2008, representing 9.7 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP).
However, the global financial crisis has led to a reduction in the number of Filipinos deployed abroad and to a slower growth rate of remittance inflow, with a 2 per cent recorded growth in February 2009 compared to 13 per cent annual growth recorded in 2008.
At the meeting, preliminary findings of an ongoing IOM research project on remittance flows between Italy and the Philippines were to be presented.
The IOM said the research showed 72 percent of Filipinos in Italy send money home on a monthly basis, with 63 per cent saying they remit 350 euros (P22,739.64) a month.
Some 40 percent of the respondents said they had been sending money home for more than 10 years, with women on average remitting more money than men.
When asked about their future plans, 55 per cent of respondents said they wanted to bring their families to Italy, although 91 percent said they planned to retire in the Philippines.
Some 26 per cent of the interviewees confirmed they had invested money in rotating and savings associations (paluwagan) and 38 percent had invested in cooperatives and in rural banks.
Article posted May 21, 2009 - 03:19 PM
MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the Philippines and Italy met with members of the Filipino community in Italy to discuss ways to enhance the development potential of their remittances.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the meeting opened Wednesday in Rome, and had representatives from international groups.
“Representatives from international organizations, NGOs and the private sector are also attending the two-day meeting, which opened ... in Rome, to identify best practices that will encourage the investment of remittances in activities that will stimulate growth and employment in the Philippines," the IOM said on its website (http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnEU/cache/offonce?entryId=25007).
IOM said the meeting is part of a program funded by the European Commission and carried out by IOM Manila to improve the knowledge of remittance corridors, enhance the development potential of remittances through inter-regional dialogue through the setting up of pilot projects in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Some 8.73 million Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remitted $16.4 billion in 2008, representing 9.7 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP).
However, the global financial crisis has led to a reduction in the number of Filipinos deployed abroad and to a slower growth rate of remittance inflow, with a 2 per cent recorded growth in February 2009 compared to 13 per cent annual growth recorded in 2008.
At the meeting, preliminary findings of an ongoing IOM research project on remittance flows between Italy and the Philippines were to be presented.
The IOM said the research showed 72 percent of Filipinos in Italy send money home on a monthly basis, with 63 per cent saying they remit 350 euros (P22,739.64) a month.
Some 40 percent of the respondents said they had been sending money home for more than 10 years, with women on average remitting more money than men.
When asked about their future plans, 55 per cent of respondents said they wanted to bring their families to Italy, although 91 percent said they planned to retire in the Philippines.
Some 26 per cent of the interviewees confirmed they had invested money in rotating and savings associations (paluwagan) and 38 percent had invested in cooperatives and in rural banks.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do - shop
By Tessa Prieto-Valdes
Columnist, Inquirer
Posted date: June 10, 2007
MANILA, Philippines - There's a saying that when one visits the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, one should throw a coin in the fountain to ensure that one will get to visit again. I remember doing so when I first had the chance to visit Rome many years ago and, true enough, I had the chance to return last weekend to attend the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie, the founder of the Assumption.
That Sunday, June 3, all roads led to Rome, especially for "Assumptionistas" from around the world. For some, the occasion was a great chance to see a bit of Italy on the way to St. Peter's. Some of my adventurous Assumption Batch '81 classmates toured the country driving around in a graphics-covered rental car.
Italy's most famous cities, Rome, Florence and Venice, should be on the itinerary of first-time travelers. And if time permits, the smaller but equally picturesque places, Pisa, Assisi and others, are highly recommended as well.
One of my fondest memories is cruising Venice's Grand Canal on a vaporetto with my husband Dennis. Who can forget the splendor of its quaint mask shops, Murano glass factories and, of course, the inescapably romantic gondolas. For a more in-depth guided tour of Venice, Sandra Palou (e-mail sandie55@virgilio.it), an Assumptionista and art historian, gives day tours of sites around the city far from the usual touristy spots.
Sandra is married to the curator of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. This history lover accurately shares interesting facts about the different palazzos and her tour includes a store for kids to make their own Venetian masks. And for those Pinays more interested in shopping, she includes a special Murano glass factory that ships all over the world and, more importantly, gives major discounts.
Further south and right in the middle of the Gucci boot-shaped Italian peninsula is Florence, the quintessential Renaissance city. Walking around its neighborhoods reminds one of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and the other great Italian masters of art and architecture.
Italian Renaissance art does not get any better than at the vast collection housed at Galleria degli Uffizi. Although there are lots of stairs and no captions and signs, the Uffizi has gorgeous paintings, especially two of my favorites, "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" by Sandro Botticelli.
Arguably the world's most famous sculpture is in Florence, specifically at a museum hardly anyone can name, the Galleria dell' Accademia. That sculpture is the larger-than-life, anatomically correct, perfectly proportioned "David." Tickets to the Galleria can be reserved in advance to avoid the long lines at the entrance. If you are pressed for time, head instead to Piazza della Signoria, Florence's central square, where a copy of Michelangelo's sculpture stands in the spot that the original occupied for centuries.
From centrally located Florence, there are limitless options for places to head to, from the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany to pristinely medieval Assisi to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa to Italy's most famous wine-producing area, Chianti. It all depends on what your area of interest is and what time trains are running.
For those more interested in shopping, again there are tips that are not in most travel guides. For instance, the Benetton outlet and, more importantly, the Prada shop, are both in this region. For great souvenirs, a nearby flea market sells Florentine marbleized papers designed for stationery, guest books and notepads. Gold-stamped leather wallets and coin purses also make cute gifts.
Since most Assumptionistas were in Italy for the canonization, then most of our side trips also veered to the religious. Exploring Assisi is best done on foot in order to feel the ambience of St. Francis. Assisi has become one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world.
I was so moved by the simplicity of St. Francis’ followers that I almost gave up shopping. Of course, as the visit moved closer to Rome, I was tempted once again by the smell of Italian leather, the feel of Italian fashion, and the flavor of Italian wines and cheeses.
The silkiest prosciutto is from Parma, a great example of how a town can become famous for a single product. Nearby, Parmigiano has the crumbliest cheese, Lucca presses the thickest olive oil and Modena makes the tangiest Aceto Balsamico vinegar. No wonder Italian food expert Gaita Fores of Cibo fame frequents these places to source her ingredients.
Before making the final push into Rome, we visited Carpineto, a winery in Tuscany, and met the owner, Antonio Zaccheo. According to my classmate Popsie Gamboa, he will visit the Philippines and is hoping to supply our growing wine-drinking population.
An Italian day begins with coffee. In contrast, a Pinay tourist in Italy starts and begins her day with shopping. My classmates met me at the airport and we headed straight to the Castel Romano outlet. I broke my vow not to shop on the very day I arrived. There was just too much temptation, what with designer products at half-off and tax-exempt discounts.
When in Rome, we surely did as the Romans do. We had gelato, as there are shops in every other corner of every piazza. I could not get over the number of delicious flavors of this creamy Italian ice cream. Between the pasta and cheese, bread soaked in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and countless bottles of wine, tourists leaving Italy should refrain from weighing themselves.
Next week, I'll write about the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie. It's not everyday that a saint is made, so this Sunday is just the build-up, the prequel as they say in the movies. Meanwhile, I stop here, secure in the knowledge that I will surely return to Rome again, because I threw in a peso coin when I visited the Fontana di Trevi.
E-mail me at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.
Columnist, Inquirer
Posted date: June 10, 2007
MANILA, Philippines - There's a saying that when one visits the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, one should throw a coin in the fountain to ensure that one will get to visit again. I remember doing so when I first had the chance to visit Rome many years ago and, true enough, I had the chance to return last weekend to attend the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie, the founder of the Assumption.
That Sunday, June 3, all roads led to Rome, especially for "Assumptionistas" from around the world. For some, the occasion was a great chance to see a bit of Italy on the way to St. Peter's. Some of my adventurous Assumption Batch '81 classmates toured the country driving around in a graphics-covered rental car.
Italy's most famous cities, Rome, Florence and Venice, should be on the itinerary of first-time travelers. And if time permits, the smaller but equally picturesque places, Pisa, Assisi and others, are highly recommended as well.
One of my fondest memories is cruising Venice's Grand Canal on a vaporetto with my husband Dennis. Who can forget the splendor of its quaint mask shops, Murano glass factories and, of course, the inescapably romantic gondolas. For a more in-depth guided tour of Venice, Sandra Palou (e-mail sandie55@virgilio.it), an Assumptionista and art historian, gives day tours of sites around the city far from the usual touristy spots.
Sandra is married to the curator of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. This history lover accurately shares interesting facts about the different palazzos and her tour includes a store for kids to make their own Venetian masks. And for those Pinays more interested in shopping, she includes a special Murano glass factory that ships all over the world and, more importantly, gives major discounts.
Further south and right in the middle of the Gucci boot-shaped Italian peninsula is Florence, the quintessential Renaissance city. Walking around its neighborhoods reminds one of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and the other great Italian masters of art and architecture.
Italian Renaissance art does not get any better than at the vast collection housed at Galleria degli Uffizi. Although there are lots of stairs and no captions and signs, the Uffizi has gorgeous paintings, especially two of my favorites, "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" by Sandro Botticelli.
Arguably the world's most famous sculpture is in Florence, specifically at a museum hardly anyone can name, the Galleria dell' Accademia. That sculpture is the larger-than-life, anatomically correct, perfectly proportioned "David." Tickets to the Galleria can be reserved in advance to avoid the long lines at the entrance. If you are pressed for time, head instead to Piazza della Signoria, Florence's central square, where a copy of Michelangelo's sculpture stands in the spot that the original occupied for centuries.
From centrally located Florence, there are limitless options for places to head to, from the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany to pristinely medieval Assisi to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa to Italy's most famous wine-producing area, Chianti. It all depends on what your area of interest is and what time trains are running.
For those more interested in shopping, again there are tips that are not in most travel guides. For instance, the Benetton outlet and, more importantly, the Prada shop, are both in this region. For great souvenirs, a nearby flea market sells Florentine marbleized papers designed for stationery, guest books and notepads. Gold-stamped leather wallets and coin purses also make cute gifts.
Since most Assumptionistas were in Italy for the canonization, then most of our side trips also veered to the religious. Exploring Assisi is best done on foot in order to feel the ambience of St. Francis. Assisi has become one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world.
I was so moved by the simplicity of St. Francis’ followers that I almost gave up shopping. Of course, as the visit moved closer to Rome, I was tempted once again by the smell of Italian leather, the feel of Italian fashion, and the flavor of Italian wines and cheeses.
The silkiest prosciutto is from Parma, a great example of how a town can become famous for a single product. Nearby, Parmigiano has the crumbliest cheese, Lucca presses the thickest olive oil and Modena makes the tangiest Aceto Balsamico vinegar. No wonder Italian food expert Gaita Fores of Cibo fame frequents these places to source her ingredients.
Before making the final push into Rome, we visited Carpineto, a winery in Tuscany, and met the owner, Antonio Zaccheo. According to my classmate Popsie Gamboa, he will visit the Philippines and is hoping to supply our growing wine-drinking population.
An Italian day begins with coffee. In contrast, a Pinay tourist in Italy starts and begins her day with shopping. My classmates met me at the airport and we headed straight to the Castel Romano outlet. I broke my vow not to shop on the very day I arrived. There was just too much temptation, what with designer products at half-off and tax-exempt discounts.
When in Rome, we surely did as the Romans do. We had gelato, as there are shops in every other corner of every piazza. I could not get over the number of delicious flavors of this creamy Italian ice cream. Between the pasta and cheese, bread soaked in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and countless bottles of wine, tourists leaving Italy should refrain from weighing themselves.
Next week, I'll write about the canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie. It's not everyday that a saint is made, so this Sunday is just the build-up, the prequel as they say in the movies. Meanwhile, I stop here, secure in the knowledge that I will surely return to Rome again, because I threw in a peso coin when I visited the Fontana di Trevi.
E-mail me at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.
.7M voters abroad to sway 2010 polls
SAYS WORKERS GROUP
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:46:00 06/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Urging more Filipinos abroad to register for the 2010 elections, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday said it expects some 700,000 overseas absentee voters "to significantly influence" the outcome of next year’s presidential elections.
"We are counting on over a million overseas Filipinos to sign up as absentee voters, and at least 70 percent of them to actually cast their vote. This is enough critical mass to considerably affect the selection of the next President," said TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera.
Herrera said TUCP has feedback from labor posts abroad, indicating a surge in the number of overseas Filipinos, mostly migrant workers, who want to enlist as absentee voters for the first time.
"Obviously, overseas Filipinos are eagerly anticipating the elections and raring to vote," said Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development.
He said the low absentee voter turnout in the 2007 mid-term elections was not surprising because the country’s top two posts were not at stake then.
"Next year, however, we expect (absentee) voter turnout to easily surpass the 64 percent (turnout) in the 2004 presidential polls," Herrera said in a statement e-mailed to media outfits.
Herrera urged overseas Filipinos "not to give up their right to choose the country’s next leaders that offer the greatest hope for real change."
Qualified overseas Filipinos have until August 31 to register as absentee voters. The new listing began on February 1.
"We have high hopes that by the August 31 deadline, a little over a million overseas Filipinos will have already registered as absentee voters," Herrera said.
As of June 3, a total of 92,175 overseas Filipinos had registered as absentee voters for the first time, bringing to 463,249 the total number of listed (absentee) voters.
The total would have been higher, as the Commission on Elections is mandated by law to remove 132,820 absentee voters for failing to participate in the 2004 and 2007 polls.
In the 2004 presidential elections, a total of 364,187 overseas Filipinos were listed as absentee voters, but only 64 percent or 233,092 actually voted.
In the 2007 mid-term elections, a total of 503,894 overseas absentee voters were listed, but only 16 percent or 81,732 turned out to vote.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:46:00 06/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Urging more Filipinos abroad to register for the 2010 elections, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday said it expects some 700,000 overseas absentee voters "to significantly influence" the outcome of next year’s presidential elections.
"We are counting on over a million overseas Filipinos to sign up as absentee voters, and at least 70 percent of them to actually cast their vote. This is enough critical mass to considerably affect the selection of the next President," said TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera.
Herrera said TUCP has feedback from labor posts abroad, indicating a surge in the number of overseas Filipinos, mostly migrant workers, who want to enlist as absentee voters for the first time.
"Obviously, overseas Filipinos are eagerly anticipating the elections and raring to vote," said Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development.
He said the low absentee voter turnout in the 2007 mid-term elections was not surprising because the country’s top two posts were not at stake then.
"Next year, however, we expect (absentee) voter turnout to easily surpass the 64 percent (turnout) in the 2004 presidential polls," Herrera said in a statement e-mailed to media outfits.
Herrera urged overseas Filipinos "not to give up their right to choose the country’s next leaders that offer the greatest hope for real change."
Qualified overseas Filipinos have until August 31 to register as absentee voters. The new listing began on February 1.
"We have high hopes that by the August 31 deadline, a little over a million overseas Filipinos will have already registered as absentee voters," Herrera said.
As of June 3, a total of 92,175 overseas Filipinos had registered as absentee voters for the first time, bringing to 463,249 the total number of listed (absentee) voters.
The total would have been higher, as the Commission on Elections is mandated by law to remove 132,820 absentee voters for failing to participate in the 2004 and 2007 polls.
In the 2004 presidential elections, a total of 364,187 overseas Filipinos were listed as absentee voters, but only 64 percent or 233,092 actually voted.
In the 2007 mid-term elections, a total of 503,894 overseas absentee voters were listed, but only 16 percent or 81,732 turned out to vote.
Kids of OFW pioneers in Italy reap fruit of parents’ ordeal
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
Reporter, INQUIRER.net
Posted date: June 12, 2007
ROME, Italy -- They risked their lives, trekking through mountain passes, huddling in closed vans hurtling through the night, and hiding in safehouses to make it to this country for jobs and a better life for their families.
Today, with Italy's relaxed laws on migrant workers, the children of pioneering Filipino workers here, who have chosen to follow their parents, arrive in style, welcomed by throngs of relatives at the airport or fetched by their mothers from their home provinces, with assurances of a waiting job.
"Getting to Italy then was very dangerous, but I'm relieved that my daughter won't have to go through the experience I went through," said 51-year-old Emma. Like all the other Filipinos interviewed for this article, she is a documented worker but asked to be identified only by a first name or nickname for various personal reasons.
Emma's daughter, Eve, arrived here two months ago through a direct hiring system that the Italian government makes available every now and then.
Then there’s Roy and Annie's daughter, Armie, who arrived in Rome early this year after almost two years as an illegal in Canada. A pharmacy graduate, Armie tried her luck there but failed to get a working visa and so decided to follow her parents here. She got a job instantly.
"It's not related to my course, it's domestic work, but it pays well, so I'm okay with it for the meantime," she said.
On the other hand, 44-year old Jap and his wife Len fetched their son Kim from their Batangas hometown to try life in Rome. Kim got a part-time job here and says he’s now having second thoughts about continuing his college course back home.
Lily, 58, has five children, but only 27-year-old son Marvin chose to be with her in Rome.
Batangueños predominant
All the interviewees who shared their tales of joy and woe with INQUIRER.net are from Batangas, where thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Italy come from.
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuillier confirmed that Batangueños make up a substantial segment of the 150,000 to 200,000 Filipinos in Italy, but acknowledged that the number of OFWs here could be higher because some remain undocumented.
Jap, Emma, and Lily belong to the early wave of migrant workers in Italy. Only Lily was spared the travails of the early days. Emma pawned everything she could, including a small lot in Mabini, to raise the P120,000 placement fee asked by a travel agency and a few hundreds of dollars for pocket money.
When she was finally ready, she packed her bags, said goodbye to her husband and three kids and set off for Rome, aware that her journey was fraught with peril.
During the briefing given by a staff of the travel agency, she was told the trip would entail riding vans, traveling at night, living in a safehouse and trekking mountains.
She left the Philippines in November 1991 in a flight to Yugoslavia. After staying in a safehouse for a few hours, a woman fetched her and four companions and told them to board a closed van.
But before leaving the safehouse, they were told to leave their luggage and carry only a small bag because they would be walking for hours. "I didn't want to leave all my things behind, so I wore whatever I could - four panties, three bras, three T-shirts, and two pants," she said.
They hiked the whole night. Along the way, they would run into Italian police patrols and were told to drop to the ground or slide down the hill to avoid detection.
They reached a mountain around 1 a.m. in the freezing cold. "It was very dark and cold; we didn't even know where we were heading," she said.
It took them almost four hours walking to reach another van waiting to take them to a train station where their guide, whom Emma guessed was a Yugoslav, gave them tickets.
"Our pants were soiled. We were very dirty. When we boarded the train, the people were staring at us," she said. While on the train, she said they did what their guide told them, pretending to be asleep to avoid inspection.
After five hours, Emma said they got off at the Termini, Rome's central station where she was fetched by a relative who gave her temporary shelter and introduced her to an employer.
Later, they found out they had come from an area in Venice.
Jap's journey to Italy took a month. A former employee of the National Bureau of Investigation, he left for Rome to follow his wife Len in 1991. At that time, their son Kim was barely three years old.
Like Emma, Jap had to scour for the P120,000 placement fee. He borrowed the money from a neighbor who, he learned later, would charge him high interest rates.
His route took him to Paris, Berlin, and finally Budapest, traveling with a group of 23 Filipinos who appointed him their "leader."
In Budapest, they were brought to a hotel where there were about 30 more Filipinos, and were met by three foreigners, their guides.
After several days, Jap began to wonder why they had not left the hotel. He learned later that the Filipino agent supposed to pay for the "tawid" or their journey to Italy, had duped their foreign guides.
Jap said he called the head of the travel agency in the Philippines and told him the problem. After a few days, another guide arrived and told them to board five cars.
When they reached a mountain, their trek began. "We heard a loud sound from a vehicle, like a tractor. We were told by our guide to hide. We found out it was an armored tank. We were very frightened," he said.
When they reached the road, a closed van was waiting for them, but just as they were boarding, Jap found out that five of their companions were missing. He said he tried to call the guide's attention but the van sped away.
After a few meters, the van stopped. The police came and arrested them. They were brought to a military camp and detained in a room without light. From a small hole, Jap said he saw the police whipping their driver, who was naked.
Tired, hungry and cold, Jap and his team managed a nap in the filthy cell. They were awakened by a banging on the door. It was the commanding officer, ordering them to board a van that brought them to a big supermarket. They were then told to cross a mountain nearby.
Jap found out later that they were already at the Italian border, but before they could step on Italian soil, a group of policemen accosted them and told them not to cross.
They returned near the supermarket where, after a few more hours, a bus fetched them and brought them to the train station where they were given tickets for Italy.
"We were very happy. We even asked the inspector how many hours the travel is. But this turned out to be a wrong move," he said.
When they were about to alight, a voice from the loudspeaker announced that the group from the Philippines could not go. The train took them back to Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
In Zagreb, they found a hotel and were served food only to find out after three days that their bill was more than all the pocket money they had.
"I called the travel agency again and asked for money. After three days, it came and there was a closed van again that brought us to another safehouse," he said.
But the police had been tipped off. They raided the safehouse, backed up by four helicopters. But Jap and company were not arrested. They hid in the ceiling where they found company, dozens of other immigrants of different nationalities.
"I didn't know what to feel. I pitied myself, but I said I had to survive," he said.
A tapping on the ceiling told them the police had gone. The van brought them to the terminal again and from there, Jap finally reached Rome on December 20, 1991. He had left Batangas on November 19.
He called his wife, using the number he had scribbled on one of his rubber shoes.
Filipinos in Rome either work part-time, taking two jobs at a time, or fulltime, which requires them to live with their employers.
They have Thursday afternoon and the whole of Sunday off. Their employers pay their tax and insurance and each year, they get 13th month pay and a bonus.
The whole month of August is their allotted leave with pay.
Filipinos in Italy, whom President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called the favorite of employers, have come a long way.
Lily has been living in with an 84-year-old woman for nine years and receives close to €1,000 a month.
Emma rents a room from a Filipino family for €200 and works part-time.
Jap and his family rent a house. He works part-time.
They worked without legal documents for years but in 1996, the Italian government offered amnesty that they all availed of.
All said that the fruits of their labor can be seen in their homes in Batangas. Other Batangueños working in Italy have even had their homes built Italian style.
Jap believes, though, that OFWs should not put their money only into beautifying their houses but in business too. In his hometown, he has constructed a dormitory.
Filipinos here have also organized themselves for a stronger voice on their concerns that need addressing. They participate in the election of representatives to conciliaries, groups of migrant workers of various nationalities which elect a head, similar to a congressman. Out of 19 conciliaries in Rome, 10 are headed by a Filipino, according to Lhuillier.
Emma is also a community leader in a church-based group called Santa Croce Community and has a radio program with two other Filipinos that airs every Sunday.
But with the material gains Filipino families in Italy also have to bear the social costs of separation.
Jap said he followed his wife because he knows the consequences of being separated. Emma has had her husband’s papers processed several times so they can be together, but he’s not keen on working abroad. Neither is Lily's.
Emma said she learned from her children that her husband has a girlfriend. Now she sends money only to her children.
All three had stories of Filipinos living as couples even if they have spouses back home. "Mahal kasi ang lalaki rito, dahil kakaunti [Men are sought after here because there are few of them]," Emma said.
So is the social cost worth it? Emma said she cares only for her children and will continue to work for them.
She said what is important is that they finish their studies and find work, possibly here in Rome, because the pay is better than in the Philippines. Rest assured, she said, their children won't have to go through the dangers she did to get here.
Reporter, INQUIRER.net
Posted date: June 12, 2007
ROME, Italy -- They risked their lives, trekking through mountain passes, huddling in closed vans hurtling through the night, and hiding in safehouses to make it to this country for jobs and a better life for their families.
Today, with Italy's relaxed laws on migrant workers, the children of pioneering Filipino workers here, who have chosen to follow their parents, arrive in style, welcomed by throngs of relatives at the airport or fetched by their mothers from their home provinces, with assurances of a waiting job.
"Getting to Italy then was very dangerous, but I'm relieved that my daughter won't have to go through the experience I went through," said 51-year-old Emma. Like all the other Filipinos interviewed for this article, she is a documented worker but asked to be identified only by a first name or nickname for various personal reasons.
Emma's daughter, Eve, arrived here two months ago through a direct hiring system that the Italian government makes available every now and then.
Then there’s Roy and Annie's daughter, Armie, who arrived in Rome early this year after almost two years as an illegal in Canada. A pharmacy graduate, Armie tried her luck there but failed to get a working visa and so decided to follow her parents here. She got a job instantly.
"It's not related to my course, it's domestic work, but it pays well, so I'm okay with it for the meantime," she said.
On the other hand, 44-year old Jap and his wife Len fetched their son Kim from their Batangas hometown to try life in Rome. Kim got a part-time job here and says he’s now having second thoughts about continuing his college course back home.
Lily, 58, has five children, but only 27-year-old son Marvin chose to be with her in Rome.
Batangueños predominant
All the interviewees who shared their tales of joy and woe with INQUIRER.net are from Batangas, where thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Italy come from.
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuillier confirmed that Batangueños make up a substantial segment of the 150,000 to 200,000 Filipinos in Italy, but acknowledged that the number of OFWs here could be higher because some remain undocumented.
Jap, Emma, and Lily belong to the early wave of migrant workers in Italy. Only Lily was spared the travails of the early days. Emma pawned everything she could, including a small lot in Mabini, to raise the P120,000 placement fee asked by a travel agency and a few hundreds of dollars for pocket money.
When she was finally ready, she packed her bags, said goodbye to her husband and three kids and set off for Rome, aware that her journey was fraught with peril.
During the briefing given by a staff of the travel agency, she was told the trip would entail riding vans, traveling at night, living in a safehouse and trekking mountains.
She left the Philippines in November 1991 in a flight to Yugoslavia. After staying in a safehouse for a few hours, a woman fetched her and four companions and told them to board a closed van.
But before leaving the safehouse, they were told to leave their luggage and carry only a small bag because they would be walking for hours. "I didn't want to leave all my things behind, so I wore whatever I could - four panties, three bras, three T-shirts, and two pants," she said.
They hiked the whole night. Along the way, they would run into Italian police patrols and were told to drop to the ground or slide down the hill to avoid detection.
They reached a mountain around 1 a.m. in the freezing cold. "It was very dark and cold; we didn't even know where we were heading," she said.
It took them almost four hours walking to reach another van waiting to take them to a train station where their guide, whom Emma guessed was a Yugoslav, gave them tickets.
"Our pants were soiled. We were very dirty. When we boarded the train, the people were staring at us," she said. While on the train, she said they did what their guide told them, pretending to be asleep to avoid inspection.
After five hours, Emma said they got off at the Termini, Rome's central station where she was fetched by a relative who gave her temporary shelter and introduced her to an employer.
Later, they found out they had come from an area in Venice.
Jap's journey to Italy took a month. A former employee of the National Bureau of Investigation, he left for Rome to follow his wife Len in 1991. At that time, their son Kim was barely three years old.
Like Emma, Jap had to scour for the P120,000 placement fee. He borrowed the money from a neighbor who, he learned later, would charge him high interest rates.
His route took him to Paris, Berlin, and finally Budapest, traveling with a group of 23 Filipinos who appointed him their "leader."
In Budapest, they were brought to a hotel where there were about 30 more Filipinos, and were met by three foreigners, their guides.
After several days, Jap began to wonder why they had not left the hotel. He learned later that the Filipino agent supposed to pay for the "tawid" or their journey to Italy, had duped their foreign guides.
Jap said he called the head of the travel agency in the Philippines and told him the problem. After a few days, another guide arrived and told them to board five cars.
When they reached a mountain, their trek began. "We heard a loud sound from a vehicle, like a tractor. We were told by our guide to hide. We found out it was an armored tank. We were very frightened," he said.
When they reached the road, a closed van was waiting for them, but just as they were boarding, Jap found out that five of their companions were missing. He said he tried to call the guide's attention but the van sped away.
After a few meters, the van stopped. The police came and arrested them. They were brought to a military camp and detained in a room without light. From a small hole, Jap said he saw the police whipping their driver, who was naked.
Tired, hungry and cold, Jap and his team managed a nap in the filthy cell. They were awakened by a banging on the door. It was the commanding officer, ordering them to board a van that brought them to a big supermarket. They were then told to cross a mountain nearby.
Jap found out later that they were already at the Italian border, but before they could step on Italian soil, a group of policemen accosted them and told them not to cross.
They returned near the supermarket where, after a few more hours, a bus fetched them and brought them to the train station where they were given tickets for Italy.
"We were very happy. We even asked the inspector how many hours the travel is. But this turned out to be a wrong move," he said.
When they were about to alight, a voice from the loudspeaker announced that the group from the Philippines could not go. The train took them back to Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
In Zagreb, they found a hotel and were served food only to find out after three days that their bill was more than all the pocket money they had.
"I called the travel agency again and asked for money. After three days, it came and there was a closed van again that brought us to another safehouse," he said.
But the police had been tipped off. They raided the safehouse, backed up by four helicopters. But Jap and company were not arrested. They hid in the ceiling where they found company, dozens of other immigrants of different nationalities.
"I didn't know what to feel. I pitied myself, but I said I had to survive," he said.
A tapping on the ceiling told them the police had gone. The van brought them to the terminal again and from there, Jap finally reached Rome on December 20, 1991. He had left Batangas on November 19.
He called his wife, using the number he had scribbled on one of his rubber shoes.
Filipinos in Rome either work part-time, taking two jobs at a time, or fulltime, which requires them to live with their employers.
They have Thursday afternoon and the whole of Sunday off. Their employers pay their tax and insurance and each year, they get 13th month pay and a bonus.
The whole month of August is their allotted leave with pay.
Filipinos in Italy, whom President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called the favorite of employers, have come a long way.
Lily has been living in with an 84-year-old woman for nine years and receives close to €1,000 a month.
Emma rents a room from a Filipino family for €200 and works part-time.
Jap and his family rent a house. He works part-time.
They worked without legal documents for years but in 1996, the Italian government offered amnesty that they all availed of.
All said that the fruits of their labor can be seen in their homes in Batangas. Other Batangueños working in Italy have even had their homes built Italian style.
Jap believes, though, that OFWs should not put their money only into beautifying their houses but in business too. In his hometown, he has constructed a dormitory.
Filipinos here have also organized themselves for a stronger voice on their concerns that need addressing. They participate in the election of representatives to conciliaries, groups of migrant workers of various nationalities which elect a head, similar to a congressman. Out of 19 conciliaries in Rome, 10 are headed by a Filipino, according to Lhuillier.
Emma is also a community leader in a church-based group called Santa Croce Community and has a radio program with two other Filipinos that airs every Sunday.
But with the material gains Filipino families in Italy also have to bear the social costs of separation.
Jap said he followed his wife because he knows the consequences of being separated. Emma has had her husband’s papers processed several times so they can be together, but he’s not keen on working abroad. Neither is Lily's.
Emma said she learned from her children that her husband has a girlfriend. Now she sends money only to her children.
All three had stories of Filipinos living as couples even if they have spouses back home. "Mahal kasi ang lalaki rito, dahil kakaunti [Men are sought after here because there are few of them]," Emma said.
So is the social cost worth it? Emma said she cares only for her children and will continue to work for them.
She said what is important is that they finish their studies and find work, possibly here in Rome, because the pay is better than in the Philippines. Rest assured, she said, their children won't have to go through the dangers she did to get here.
OFWs in Europe vs hike in passport fees
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:51:00 02/13/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Europe, particularly in Italy, are protesting the increase in the cost of passport and other consular fees imposed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the group Migrante-Europe said Friday.
In an e-mail sent to media outfits, Migrante-Europe's Alex Gregorio said protest actions are being planned against the increase, which he quoted the DFA as saying is due to the "drastic drop in the local currencies vis-Ã -vis the United States dollar."
DFA spokesman Bayani Mangibin agreed that foreign currency adjustment is one of the reasons for the effective increase, which was originally scheduled November 2008 but became effective January 2009.
Quoting Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuillier, Mangibin said the other reason for the effective increase is the increased cost of the machine readable passport, the new travel document required by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The DFA spokesman said that compared to the embassies of other Asian countries, the cost of Philippine passports is lower.
Gregorio said the protest actions are being spearheaded by the Lampada-United OFWs in Italy. He said various Filipino groups from Rome, Milan, Bologna, Firenze, and Mantova will meet toward the last week of the February to further firm up the plans to pressure the
Arroyo government and the DFA to repeal the memorandum that effectively raised consular services of Philippine diplomatic posts in Europe.
He said other Filipino groups in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and The Netherlands are also studying the new increases.
In an open letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lampada-United OFWs in Italy called the increase "arbitrary, anomalous, undemocratic and unjust since we were not informed neither consulted prior to its approval."
The OFWs in Italy also said the recent increases have further aggravated their financial situation, given the uncertainties and other effects of the global financial crisis.
"Massive layoffs and financial losses among our Italian employers have led to the loss of our jobs, reduction of working hours and increased our vulnerabilities. Added to this is the rising cost of living while our salaries remained the same," they said.
The OFW s in Italy also said the current government is planning to impose a new tax on migrant workers of between 50 and 200 euros when they renew their permit to stay.
"But what is worst is the situation of undocumented OFWs who have been penalized as criminals under the Bossi-Fini Law and exacerbated by the 2008 Security Program Measure of the Berlusconi government," they added.
The group also demanded that the DFA take measures to protect compatriots, particularly the undocumented against the Bossi-Fini Law, the Security Package Measures of the Berlusconi government, and the Europe Return Directive, which are "directed against the undocumented migrants leading to their criminalization and deportation."
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:51:00 02/13/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Europe, particularly in Italy, are protesting the increase in the cost of passport and other consular fees imposed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the group Migrante-Europe said Friday.
In an e-mail sent to media outfits, Migrante-Europe's Alex Gregorio said protest actions are being planned against the increase, which he quoted the DFA as saying is due to the "drastic drop in the local currencies vis-Ã -vis the United States dollar."
DFA spokesman Bayani Mangibin agreed that foreign currency adjustment is one of the reasons for the effective increase, which was originally scheduled November 2008 but became effective January 2009.
Quoting Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuillier, Mangibin said the other reason for the effective increase is the increased cost of the machine readable passport, the new travel document required by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The DFA spokesman said that compared to the embassies of other Asian countries, the cost of Philippine passports is lower.
Gregorio said the protest actions are being spearheaded by the Lampada-United OFWs in Italy. He said various Filipino groups from Rome, Milan, Bologna, Firenze, and Mantova will meet toward the last week of the February to further firm up the plans to pressure the
Arroyo government and the DFA to repeal the memorandum that effectively raised consular services of Philippine diplomatic posts in Europe.
He said other Filipino groups in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and The Netherlands are also studying the new increases.
In an open letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lampada-United OFWs in Italy called the increase "arbitrary, anomalous, undemocratic and unjust since we were not informed neither consulted prior to its approval."
The OFWs in Italy also said the recent increases have further aggravated their financial situation, given the uncertainties and other effects of the global financial crisis.
"Massive layoffs and financial losses among our Italian employers have led to the loss of our jobs, reduction of working hours and increased our vulnerabilities. Added to this is the rising cost of living while our salaries remained the same," they said.
The OFW s in Italy also said the current government is planning to impose a new tax on migrant workers of between 50 and 200 euros when they renew their permit to stay.
"But what is worst is the situation of undocumented OFWs who have been penalized as criminals under the Bossi-Fini Law and exacerbated by the 2008 Security Program Measure of the Berlusconi government," they added.
The group also demanded that the DFA take measures to protect compatriots, particularly the undocumented against the Bossi-Fini Law, the Security Package Measures of the Berlusconi government, and the Europe Return Directive, which are "directed against the undocumented migrants leading to their criminalization and deportation."
Italy to let doctors to turn in illegals
Inquirer.net Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:41:00 02/07/2009
ROME -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Friday threw his weight behind a legal amendment that would allow doctors to breach professional secrecy to turn in illegal immigrants.
Berlusconi said that if the legislation is adopted, "doctors would have the possibility of reporting illegal immigrants, something they were prohibited from doing before" if they believe "there is a public health risk".
It was also a matter of "personal conscience," he added.
The amendment was approved by the Italian Senate on Thursday as part of security law at the instigation of the anti-immigrant Northern League, an ally of Berlusconi's People of Freedoms party.
The legislation, which still must be approved by the lower house of the Italian parliament, has drawn quick criticism from doctors and Catholic groups.
The measure "risks causing immediate dangerous effects on public health and provoking a climate of fear," warned the Catholic charity Caritas.
"It is unthinkable that a doctor who has treated an ill person in a fragile state would then go denounce them as illegal immigrants," said Vincenzo Sareceni, president of Italy's association of Catholic doctors, on Radio Vatican.
First Posted 10:41:00 02/07/2009
ROME -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Friday threw his weight behind a legal amendment that would allow doctors to breach professional secrecy to turn in illegal immigrants.
Berlusconi said that if the legislation is adopted, "doctors would have the possibility of reporting illegal immigrants, something they were prohibited from doing before" if they believe "there is a public health risk".
It was also a matter of "personal conscience," he added.
The amendment was approved by the Italian Senate on Thursday as part of security law at the instigation of the anti-immigrant Northern League, an ally of Berlusconi's People of Freedoms party.
The legislation, which still must be approved by the lower house of the Italian parliament, has drawn quick criticism from doctors and Catholic groups.
The measure "risks causing immediate dangerous effects on public health and provoking a climate of fear," warned the Catholic charity Caritas.
"It is unthinkable that a doctor who has treated an ill person in a fragile state would then go denounce them as illegal immigrants," said Vincenzo Sareceni, president of Italy's association of Catholic doctors, on Radio Vatican.
Ex-DH wins seat in Italian town council
By Emman Cena, Karlo Jose R. Pineda
Inquirer
Posted date: March 06, 2007
THE PHILIPPINES AND ITALY ARE worlds apart in politics. Unlike the Philippines, a campaign sortie in Rome, Italy, is not star-studded. There is no crisscrossing of party lines, no campaign jingles, no circus.
But there’s one thing in common: both Filipino and Italian politicians spend a lot to get elected.
Take it from businesswoman Norma Macalindong, a 46-year-old Batangueña based in Rome. She was elected councilor or consiglieri, representing the migrant community in Rome’s Municipio 2 last December.
Macalindong says she only spent “some thousands…way, way little” compared to others” to oil her campaign during the December polls for migrants. “In fact, I only stayed home while an ongoing counting was held,” she tells the Inquirer in an unmistakably Batangueña accent. “My five opponents even had ‘grand pakain ’ (feast) and rented vehicles to fetch the voters.”
She had managed only to tour around town handing out her fliers and posters, she says. No monkey business involved.
“I was startled,” she tells the Inquirer in a phone interview. “My colleagues were earlier telling me that I would probably lose my bid since my opponents were literally courting the voters when what I could only do was shake their hands.”
Two Filipinas
In the local elections in Rome on Dec. 5, Macalindong garnered the highest votes among the Filipino candidates. She and her winning colleagues were sworn into office five days later.
Filipinos took seven out of 20 contested seats. Two of the seven seats went to Filipino women, Macalindong among them.
Elected and sworn in also as consiglieris for other municipios were Joselito Ramirez for Municipio I; Romeo Ramos for Municipio 9; Rachel Gutierrez Dolor for Municipio 7; Conrado Dolor for Municipio 15; Pia Gonzales for Municipio 16; and Demetrio Rafanan for Municipio 20.
As consiglieri, they play an important consultative role in the formulation of policies for foreign residents. They help the local government draft plans targeted at delivering the rights due to migrants.
Her presidency of Mancini Club, an organization of Filipino businesswomen, most of them store owners in Piazza Mancini, worked to Macalindong’s advantage.
“I am actually a mother to most Filipinos here—helping them process their papers for business and staying permits,” she says.
“My fellow Filipinos and other Italian officials cajoled me to run to further my service in the community. They say that I have a great chance of winning, having established good relations with other Filipinos and people from other races.”
Joining politics was not in her to-do list when she went to Rome in 1984 at the age of 24, however. She was first a domestic helper turned businesswoman who morphed into a politician.
11 children
On her first day at the municipal hall, , however could only stare at her fellow officials debating on various laws and ordinances.
“It was actually a difficult day,” she recalls. “I had to study all the SOPs so as not to look stupid, although I could speak Italian.”
She is a mother of 11 children, seven of whom are living with her in Rome, while another four are raising their own families in Batangas. “There was no luck for me in the Philippines so I decided to take chances abroad,” she recalls.
On her first few months in Italy, Macalindong cleaned and scrubbed floors and in her free time sold Filipino food and products at the Termini or Central Train Station in Rome, and at Risorgimento, the tram stations.
“I could not look for an office job here since I only finished third year of high school,” she says. By some twist of fate, however, her sideline selling food grew into a larger business enterprise in 1998: A convenience store sitting on Viale Pinturicchio at Plaza Mancini.
“It all started when I became president of the Mancini club,” she recalls. “We would all spend our days selling Filipino food near Piazza Mancini, there under the bridge, everyday.”
Birth of a ‘sari-sari’ store
Macalindong says she realized that Filipinos thriving in a land far from home miss the salty treat of the tuyo-itlog na pula combo and tangy add-on tastes like bagoong.
Apparently the “sari-sari” store, the Philippine one-stop shop, makes life easier for the average Filipino. This is true especially for his sudden cravings - from the chips and crackers for merienda to canned goods and instant soups for supper, she says. It didn’t take long for her to take notice of this and daringly set up “Norma’s International Food Store” in Rome.
It offers various goods, from soft drinks to dried goods to husked rice, and some Filipino products. Her husband, Jesus, a driver in Batangas, soon joined her in Italy to help run the store.
“Surprisingly, we now have more South American customers than Filipinos although, of course, Filipinos patronize what we sell,” she says. Soon it became the couple’s main livelihood.
Envious Pinoys
“This is all for my children,” says Norma Macalindong. “I have many so I make even the night a working day just to assure their future. With the store, I do hope to feed them and also send them to decent schools.” When one of them is not around, an in-law takes over.
But the business venture was not as easy as she imagined, she says. “It was definitely a hard endeavor, with people trying to pull you down, perhaps because of envy.”
In 1993, she completed her high school (terza media) and was finally granted a license to operate a business from the Camera di Commercio. “I was schooled for a year and four months while still selling goods illegally because I had no permit then.”
Last year, she was awarded as an outstanding Overseas Filipino Entrepreneur by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the program called “Go Negosyo Para sa mga OFWs at Balikbayans.” The award was handed by PCE founding trustee Jose Concepcion III and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
New venture
The Macalindongs have also started an export business in the Philippines, managed by one of their children. The Las Piñas-based Macalindong Export-Import was established to reduce import-export expenses.
“We started off with a total of three shipments. For the moment, I’m only supplying our store. I will accommodate other stores in neighboring countries given the right time and the chance,” says Macalindong.
She has also branched out to computer shops and restaurants, and has reached a point when she’s managed to buy four cars for her family in Rome and another four for the rest in Batangas.
“When you’re that passionate in what you’re doing, and you believe that God is by your side, there is just no breaking you down,” she says. She adds that she only hopes Filipinos in Rome are given equal opportunities to enjoy their rights.
Her ultimate dream, she adds, is to go home and settle down in her native land when the right time comes. Something she wants to do when she goes home this month is to join Aquino’s “Deal or No Deal” game show on ABS-CBN Channel 2. She watches it regularly on The Filipino Channel and wants to try it herself, she says.
Now in the local politics in Rome, this daughter of a fish vendor and farmer has really gone a long way. “I will continue to fight for our rights here before I go back to Batangas for good,” she declares.
Inquirer
Posted date: March 06, 2007
THE PHILIPPINES AND ITALY ARE worlds apart in politics. Unlike the Philippines, a campaign sortie in Rome, Italy, is not star-studded. There is no crisscrossing of party lines, no campaign jingles, no circus.
But there’s one thing in common: both Filipino and Italian politicians spend a lot to get elected.
Take it from businesswoman Norma Macalindong, a 46-year-old Batangueña based in Rome. She was elected councilor or consiglieri, representing the migrant community in Rome’s Municipio 2 last December.
Macalindong says she only spent “some thousands…way, way little” compared to others” to oil her campaign during the December polls for migrants. “In fact, I only stayed home while an ongoing counting was held,” she tells the Inquirer in an unmistakably Batangueña accent. “My five opponents even had ‘grand pakain ’ (feast) and rented vehicles to fetch the voters.”
She had managed only to tour around town handing out her fliers and posters, she says. No monkey business involved.
“I was startled,” she tells the Inquirer in a phone interview. “My colleagues were earlier telling me that I would probably lose my bid since my opponents were literally courting the voters when what I could only do was shake their hands.”
Two Filipinas
In the local elections in Rome on Dec. 5, Macalindong garnered the highest votes among the Filipino candidates. She and her winning colleagues were sworn into office five days later.
Filipinos took seven out of 20 contested seats. Two of the seven seats went to Filipino women, Macalindong among them.
Elected and sworn in also as consiglieris for other municipios were Joselito Ramirez for Municipio I; Romeo Ramos for Municipio 9; Rachel Gutierrez Dolor for Municipio 7; Conrado Dolor for Municipio 15; Pia Gonzales for Municipio 16; and Demetrio Rafanan for Municipio 20.
As consiglieri, they play an important consultative role in the formulation of policies for foreign residents. They help the local government draft plans targeted at delivering the rights due to migrants.
Her presidency of Mancini Club, an organization of Filipino businesswomen, most of them store owners in Piazza Mancini, worked to Macalindong’s advantage.
“I am actually a mother to most Filipinos here—helping them process their papers for business and staying permits,” she says.
“My fellow Filipinos and other Italian officials cajoled me to run to further my service in the community. They say that I have a great chance of winning, having established good relations with other Filipinos and people from other races.”
Joining politics was not in her to-do list when she went to Rome in 1984 at the age of 24, however. She was first a domestic helper turned businesswoman who morphed into a politician.
11 children
On her first day at the municipal hall, , however could only stare at her fellow officials debating on various laws and ordinances.
“It was actually a difficult day,” she recalls. “I had to study all the SOPs so as not to look stupid, although I could speak Italian.”
She is a mother of 11 children, seven of whom are living with her in Rome, while another four are raising their own families in Batangas. “There was no luck for me in the Philippines so I decided to take chances abroad,” she recalls.
On her first few months in Italy, Macalindong cleaned and scrubbed floors and in her free time sold Filipino food and products at the Termini or Central Train Station in Rome, and at Risorgimento, the tram stations.
“I could not look for an office job here since I only finished third year of high school,” she says. By some twist of fate, however, her sideline selling food grew into a larger business enterprise in 1998: A convenience store sitting on Viale Pinturicchio at Plaza Mancini.
“It all started when I became president of the Mancini club,” she recalls. “We would all spend our days selling Filipino food near Piazza Mancini, there under the bridge, everyday.”
Birth of a ‘sari-sari’ store
Macalindong says she realized that Filipinos thriving in a land far from home miss the salty treat of the tuyo-itlog na pula combo and tangy add-on tastes like bagoong.
Apparently the “sari-sari” store, the Philippine one-stop shop, makes life easier for the average Filipino. This is true especially for his sudden cravings - from the chips and crackers for merienda to canned goods and instant soups for supper, she says. It didn’t take long for her to take notice of this and daringly set up “Norma’s International Food Store” in Rome.
It offers various goods, from soft drinks to dried goods to husked rice, and some Filipino products. Her husband, Jesus, a driver in Batangas, soon joined her in Italy to help run the store.
“Surprisingly, we now have more South American customers than Filipinos although, of course, Filipinos patronize what we sell,” she says. Soon it became the couple’s main livelihood.
Envious Pinoys
“This is all for my children,” says Norma Macalindong. “I have many so I make even the night a working day just to assure their future. With the store, I do hope to feed them and also send them to decent schools.” When one of them is not around, an in-law takes over.
But the business venture was not as easy as she imagined, she says. “It was definitely a hard endeavor, with people trying to pull you down, perhaps because of envy.”
In 1993, she completed her high school (terza media) and was finally granted a license to operate a business from the Camera di Commercio. “I was schooled for a year and four months while still selling goods illegally because I had no permit then.”
Last year, she was awarded as an outstanding Overseas Filipino Entrepreneur by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the program called “Go Negosyo Para sa mga OFWs at Balikbayans.” The award was handed by PCE founding trustee Jose Concepcion III and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
New venture
The Macalindongs have also started an export business in the Philippines, managed by one of their children. The Las Piñas-based Macalindong Export-Import was established to reduce import-export expenses.
“We started off with a total of three shipments. For the moment, I’m only supplying our store. I will accommodate other stores in neighboring countries given the right time and the chance,” says Macalindong.
She has also branched out to computer shops and restaurants, and has reached a point when she’s managed to buy four cars for her family in Rome and another four for the rest in Batangas.
“When you’re that passionate in what you’re doing, and you believe that God is by your side, there is just no breaking you down,” she says. She adds that she only hopes Filipinos in Rome are given equal opportunities to enjoy their rights.
Her ultimate dream, she adds, is to go home and settle down in her native land when the right time comes. Something she wants to do when she goes home this month is to join Aquino’s “Deal or No Deal” game show on ABS-CBN Channel 2. She watches it regularly on The Filipino Channel and wants to try it herself, she says.
Now in the local politics in Rome, this daughter of a fish vendor and farmer has really gone a long way. “I will continue to fight for our rights here before I go back to Batangas for good,” she declares.
Italian Senate urged to be more pro-migrants
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:01:00 06/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The Italian Senate should reject legislative proposals that would impose criminal penalties on undocumented migrants and provide a national framework for vigilante groups, Human Rights Watch said in a statement released from Milan.
The Italian Senate is expected to vote on the legislation (known as the "security package") this week.
Philippine government estimates put the number of undocumented Filipinos in Italy at 13,000. Of the 120,000 Filipinos in the European country, 25,000 are permanent residents while 83,000 are temporary residents.
"Treating migrants as criminals won't solve Italy's immigration challenges," said Judith Sunderland, senior Western Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch. "This bill only encourages intolerance, and worse, against people whose lives are tough enough already."
The bill comes in the climate of hostility toward immigrants, spurred on by statements from senior government figures. The Berlusconi government is taking an increasingly hard line against irregular migrants and asylum seekers.
The bill, approved by the lower house of deputies in mid-May, makes entering and remaining in Italy without a permit a crime punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 euros.
Doctors' unions and rights groups have expressed concern that the measure could compel public health and education officials to report undocumented migrants seeking medical care and other services, since the criminal code requires public officials to report criminal conduct. Although the government dropped an earlier proposal to make this requirement explicit, as currently written, the bill could have the same result.
The law would also increase from two months to six the maximum time that authorities are allowed to detain migrants and asylum seekers for administrative purposes.
One of the most potentially dangerous aspects of the bill is a provision for a national framework for "citizens' groups" to patrol the streets to help law-enforcement authorities to combat crime. The groups would not be armed or have arrest powers, but preference for membership would go to retired police and military personnel. The controversial provision was initially approved in a February 2009 emergency decree, and subsequently dropped in April when the decree was converted into law.
Unauthorized vigilante groups already operate in some municipalities, especially in northern Italy, where the anti-immigrant party Lega Nord (Northern League) has broad support. Some cities, including Milan, have authorized groups.
The impetus for the creation of these groups was several highly publicized rapes allegedly committed by immigrants in Rome, Milan, and Bologna in 2008 and 2009. The incidents prompted anti-immigrant mob violence, primarily against Romanians and Roma.
"Legalizing vigilante groups at a time of rising intolerance is a recipe for disaster," said Sunderland. "If these groups use violence against migrants, the state will be directly responsible."
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recently repeated his opposition to the idea of Italy as a multiethnic nation, and failed to criticize a proposal by a Lega Nord representative in favor of segregated public transportation in Milan for native-born Milanese. The Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, has expressed his concern over an increase in what he called "xenophobic rhetoric" in public discourse.
The government recently began to forcibly return boats carrying migrants in international waters back to Libya, without determining whether they needed protection from persecution or abuse, a clear violation of international refugee law.
Last year, the government modified the criminal code to make undocumented stay an aggravating factor for any crime. As a result, irregular immigrants may be sentenced to up to one-third more prison time than an Italian citizen or legal resident for the same crime. Adopted at a time when political support for criminalizing undocumented entry and stay was uncertain, the measure appeared aimed at punishing individuals for their irregular status.
Discrimination on the basis of immigration status and nationality is prohibited under international law, Human Rights Watch said. This means any difference in treatment on the basis of nationality must be strictly justified as necessary and proportionate to meet a legitimate goal.
First Posted 16:01:00 06/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The Italian Senate should reject legislative proposals that would impose criminal penalties on undocumented migrants and provide a national framework for vigilante groups, Human Rights Watch said in a statement released from Milan.
The Italian Senate is expected to vote on the legislation (known as the "security package") this week.
Philippine government estimates put the number of undocumented Filipinos in Italy at 13,000. Of the 120,000 Filipinos in the European country, 25,000 are permanent residents while 83,000 are temporary residents.
"Treating migrants as criminals won't solve Italy's immigration challenges," said Judith Sunderland, senior Western Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch. "This bill only encourages intolerance, and worse, against people whose lives are tough enough already."
The bill comes in the climate of hostility toward immigrants, spurred on by statements from senior government figures. The Berlusconi government is taking an increasingly hard line against irregular migrants and asylum seekers.
The bill, approved by the lower house of deputies in mid-May, makes entering and remaining in Italy without a permit a crime punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 euros.
Doctors' unions and rights groups have expressed concern that the measure could compel public health and education officials to report undocumented migrants seeking medical care and other services, since the criminal code requires public officials to report criminal conduct. Although the government dropped an earlier proposal to make this requirement explicit, as currently written, the bill could have the same result.
The law would also increase from two months to six the maximum time that authorities are allowed to detain migrants and asylum seekers for administrative purposes.
One of the most potentially dangerous aspects of the bill is a provision for a national framework for "citizens' groups" to patrol the streets to help law-enforcement authorities to combat crime. The groups would not be armed or have arrest powers, but preference for membership would go to retired police and military personnel. The controversial provision was initially approved in a February 2009 emergency decree, and subsequently dropped in April when the decree was converted into law.
Unauthorized vigilante groups already operate in some municipalities, especially in northern Italy, where the anti-immigrant party Lega Nord (Northern League) has broad support. Some cities, including Milan, have authorized groups.
The impetus for the creation of these groups was several highly publicized rapes allegedly committed by immigrants in Rome, Milan, and Bologna in 2008 and 2009. The incidents prompted anti-immigrant mob violence, primarily against Romanians and Roma.
"Legalizing vigilante groups at a time of rising intolerance is a recipe for disaster," said Sunderland. "If these groups use violence against migrants, the state will be directly responsible."
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recently repeated his opposition to the idea of Italy as a multiethnic nation, and failed to criticize a proposal by a Lega Nord representative in favor of segregated public transportation in Milan for native-born Milanese. The Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, has expressed his concern over an increase in what he called "xenophobic rhetoric" in public discourse.
The government recently began to forcibly return boats carrying migrants in international waters back to Libya, without determining whether they needed protection from persecution or abuse, a clear violation of international refugee law.
Last year, the government modified the criminal code to make undocumented stay an aggravating factor for any crime. As a result, irregular immigrants may be sentenced to up to one-third more prison time than an Italian citizen or legal resident for the same crime. Adopted at a time when political support for criminalizing undocumented entry and stay was uncertain, the measure appeared aimed at punishing individuals for their irregular status.
Discrimination on the basis of immigration status and nationality is prohibited under international law, Human Rights Watch said. This means any difference in treatment on the basis of nationality must be strictly justified as necessary and proportionate to meet a legitimate goal.
Malaysia to look elsewhere for maids
IF INDONESIA BAN STAYS
INQUIRER.net
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:55:00 06/28/2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The government here said it could turn to other neighboring countries to recruit maids if Indonesia continues to ban its nationals from coming here to work as domestic helpers.
Indonesian labor minister Erman Suparno said Thursday his country would stop sending domestic helpers to Malaysia at least until a mid-July bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur to discuss a new migrant worker agreement.
It comes after a 43-year-old Malaysian woman was charged earlier this month with causing grievous bodily harm to an Indonesian woman she employed as a maid, allegedly beating her with a cane and dousing her with boiling water.
But Malaysia's human resources minister S. Subramaniam told state media late Saturday it would have been better had Indonesia explored all avenues of discussion before taking its action.
"If the decision (to temporarily ban maids) is final, then we will decide on the best option available, like looking at the possibility of getting domestic helpers from other Asean (Association of Southeast Asian) countries," he told state news agency Bernama.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged earlier Saturday that tough action would be taken against anyone abusing Indonesian maids, urging employers to take greater interest in their welfare.
"We have to take stern action under the law against those who abuse maids," Najib told reporters.
Subramaniam said an average of 50 maid abuse cases were reported annually out of the 300,000 Indonesian maids working in Malaysia.
Malaysia has no laws governing the working conditions for domestic workers but has promised to draft legislation to protect them from sexual harassment, non-payment of wages, and poor conditions.
About 1.2 million documented Indonesians are in Malaysia, with illegals estimated to number about 800,000.
INQUIRER.net
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:55:00 06/28/2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The government here said it could turn to other neighboring countries to recruit maids if Indonesia continues to ban its nationals from coming here to work as domestic helpers.
Indonesian labor minister Erman Suparno said Thursday his country would stop sending domestic helpers to Malaysia at least until a mid-July bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur to discuss a new migrant worker agreement.
It comes after a 43-year-old Malaysian woman was charged earlier this month with causing grievous bodily harm to an Indonesian woman she employed as a maid, allegedly beating her with a cane and dousing her with boiling water.
But Malaysia's human resources minister S. Subramaniam told state media late Saturday it would have been better had Indonesia explored all avenues of discussion before taking its action.
"If the decision (to temporarily ban maids) is final, then we will decide on the best option available, like looking at the possibility of getting domestic helpers from other Asean (Association of Southeast Asian) countries," he told state news agency Bernama.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged earlier Saturday that tough action would be taken against anyone abusing Indonesian maids, urging employers to take greater interest in their welfare.
"We have to take stern action under the law against those who abuse maids," Najib told reporters.
Subramaniam said an average of 50 maid abuse cases were reported annually out of the 300,000 Indonesian maids working in Malaysia.
Malaysia has no laws governing the working conditions for domestic workers but has promised to draft legislation to protect them from sexual harassment, non-payment of wages, and poor conditions.
About 1.2 million documented Indonesians are in Malaysia, with illegals estimated to number about 800,000.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
PLDT offers mobile service in Italy
By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: September 27, 2008
MANILA, Philippines—PLDT Global Corp., the international sales and marketing arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., announced it had teamed up with foreign partners to launch mobile-phone services in Italy.
PLDT Global said it and its subsidiary PLDT Italy Srl signed agreements with Hutchison Global Communication and H3G SpA to operate as a mobile virtual network operator.
PLDT will offer mobile services under the brand “Smart Pinoy,” which PLDT spokesperson Ramon Isberto said in a text message would be launched in Milan and Rome early next month.
Smart Pinoy, using the platform of PLDT wireless services arm Smart Communications Inc., will offer electronic loading and sharing of prepaid airtime credits.
PLDT Global said Smart Pinoy would offer affordable rates for international calls and SMS from Italy to the Philippines.
It added that the foreign partners would enable Smart Pinoy to offer popular services in Italy, such as video calling and video streaming.
H3G SpA operates as a mobile media company that offers media services, information, and telephone services enabling live video calls, multimedia content, and entertainment in Italy.
In the future, Smart Pinoy will also allow money remittance through mobile phone, it said.
PLDT Global in 2004 launched a mobile operator called 1528 Smart in Hong Kong, where Hutchison Global owns and operates an extensive fiber-to-the-building telecommunications network. Edited by INQUIRER.net
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: September 27, 2008
MANILA, Philippines—PLDT Global Corp., the international sales and marketing arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., announced it had teamed up with foreign partners to launch mobile-phone services in Italy.
PLDT Global said it and its subsidiary PLDT Italy Srl signed agreements with Hutchison Global Communication and H3G SpA to operate as a mobile virtual network operator.
PLDT will offer mobile services under the brand “Smart Pinoy,” which PLDT spokesperson Ramon Isberto said in a text message would be launched in Milan and Rome early next month.
Smart Pinoy, using the platform of PLDT wireless services arm Smart Communications Inc., will offer electronic loading and sharing of prepaid airtime credits.
PLDT Global said Smart Pinoy would offer affordable rates for international calls and SMS from Italy to the Philippines.
It added that the foreign partners would enable Smart Pinoy to offer popular services in Italy, such as video calling and video streaming.
H3G SpA operates as a mobile media company that offers media services, information, and telephone services enabling live video calls, multimedia content, and entertainment in Italy.
In the future, Smart Pinoy will also allow money remittance through mobile phone, it said.
PLDT Global in 2004 launched a mobile operator called 1528 Smart in Hong Kong, where Hutchison Global owns and operates an extensive fiber-to-the-building telecommunications network. Edited by INQUIRER.net
Uproar vs Italy’s draft tax on migrants
Inquirer.net Agence France-Presse
First Posted 22:48:00 01/10/2009
ROME, Italy -- Proposals by Italy's anti-immigration Northern League to charge immigrants 50 euros (67 dollars) for residency permits and require a 10,000-euro guarantee to set up a business sparked a furor on Saturday.
Parliament speaker Gianfranco Fini, head of the right-wing National Alliance, distanced himself from the proposals, calling them "discriminatory," while opposition leader Walter Veltroni said they "smacked of racism."
The proposals are contained in amendments to a draft bill before parliament on measures to address the economic and financial crisis.
Renato Farina, a lawmaker in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedoms party, called on his Northern League ally to withdraw the amendments, while his colleague Fabio Granata called them a "tax on despair."
Cabinet under-secretary Carlo Giovanni said the government was not associated with the initiative, saying there was a difference "between being unable to extend to non-EU residents all the rights enjoyed by Italians and levying heavier charges on those who already have low incomes."
Some 225,000 of Italy's 3.46 million businesses are owned by non-EU citizens, according to a study by Italy's leading daily Corriere della Sera.
The number of Italian-owned businesses declined by 29,970 in 2007 compared with 2006, while that of foreign-owned businesses rose by 16,654, the study found.
Berlusconi enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament thanks to his alliance with the anti-immigration Northern League, which doubled its strength to more than eight percent in last year's April elections.
First Posted 22:48:00 01/10/2009
ROME, Italy -- Proposals by Italy's anti-immigration Northern League to charge immigrants 50 euros (67 dollars) for residency permits and require a 10,000-euro guarantee to set up a business sparked a furor on Saturday.
Parliament speaker Gianfranco Fini, head of the right-wing National Alliance, distanced himself from the proposals, calling them "discriminatory," while opposition leader Walter Veltroni said they "smacked of racism."
The proposals are contained in amendments to a draft bill before parliament on measures to address the economic and financial crisis.
Renato Farina, a lawmaker in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedoms party, called on his Northern League ally to withdraw the amendments, while his colleague Fabio Granata called them a "tax on despair."
Cabinet under-secretary Carlo Giovanni said the government was not associated with the initiative, saying there was a difference "between being unable to extend to non-EU residents all the rights enjoyed by Italians and levying heavier charges on those who already have low incomes."
Some 225,000 of Italy's 3.46 million businesses are owned by non-EU citizens, according to a study by Italy's leading daily Corriere della Sera.
The number of Italian-owned businesses declined by 29,970 in 2007 compared with 2006, while that of foreign-owned businesses rose by 16,654, the study found.
Berlusconi enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament thanks to his alliance with the anti-immigration Northern League, which doubled its strength to more than eight percent in last year's April elections.
Filipinos populating Milan, as 3 are born there daily--exec
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:06:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos appear to be populating the design and fashion in the city of Milan, with the Philippine consulate general there registering an average of 1,000 Filipino births a year or an average of three a day, an official told INQUIRER.net.
Pedro Chan, consul general in the Italian city, said that his office also solemnized an average of four to six marriages a week, with some of the young women already in the family way.
“Some Italians view this phenomenon as a blessing to their country, which has a declining -- if not zero -- birth rate, arguing that if Italian couples no longer want to bring forth babies, then Pinoys [Filipinos] are happily doing their work for them,” Chan said in an exchange of e-mails with INQUIRER.net.
Chan said the increasing marriage and birth registrations among the Filipino population in Milan have prompted the consulate general to hold pre-marriage counseling seminars, which started early April.
“The seminar is the consulate’s response to the Filipino youth’s growing need for guidance on family relations, as well as for legal advice. It also aims to orient parties wishing to contract marriage of their rights and obligations,” a statement from the consulate said.
“Napakaraming mga kabataan ang nagpapakasal sa konsulado. Pero alam ba nila ang kanilang pinapasok? Hindi sapat na nagmamahalan lang sila o magiging mga magulang na sila. Kailangang maintindihan nila ang lahat ng responsibilidad na kasama sa pagpapakasal [So many young people are getting married at the consulate. But do they know what they’re getting into? It is not enough that they love each other or that they will become parents. They need to understand all the responsibilities that come with marriage]. We wish to strengthen migrant Filipino families through seminars like this,” Chan said.
At the seminar last April 6, lawyer Cheryl Vitales-Labo, legal officer of the consulate, briefed 10 Filipino couples who attended the two-hour seminar on a wide range of topics including the legal definition of marriage, the requisites of marriage, the obligations of spouses, the effect of marriage on properties, and the dissolution of marriage.
Vice Consul Mary Luck Hicarte reminded the couples, especially those expecting to have babies soon, to strike a balance between their work and family lives.
“Dito sa Italya, hindi kinukulang sa materyal na mga bagay ang mga anak ng ating mga kababayan. Ang kulang sa mga batang ito ay panahon kasama ng kanilang mga magulang [Here in Italy, the children of our countrymen do not lack for material things. What is lacking is time with their parents],” she said.
The consulate said the pre-marriage counseling seminar would be conducted for free every first Friday of the month. It is open to all Filipino citizens who wish to contract marriage, but is a requirement for the issuance of marriage license for those below 25 years old, in line with Article 16 of the Family Code of the Philippines.
The government statistics said that as of December 2006, there were 128,080 Filipinos in Italy. Of this number, 23,108 are permanent residents, 84,972 are in Italy temporarily, and 20,000 are irregular.
Milan’s population, on the other hand, is about 1.3 million, according to this website.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:06:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos appear to be populating the design and fashion in the city of Milan, with the Philippine consulate general there registering an average of 1,000 Filipino births a year or an average of three a day, an official told INQUIRER.net.
Pedro Chan, consul general in the Italian city, said that his office also solemnized an average of four to six marriages a week, with some of the young women already in the family way.
“Some Italians view this phenomenon as a blessing to their country, which has a declining -- if not zero -- birth rate, arguing that if Italian couples no longer want to bring forth babies, then Pinoys [Filipinos] are happily doing their work for them,” Chan said in an exchange of e-mails with INQUIRER.net.
Chan said the increasing marriage and birth registrations among the Filipino population in Milan have prompted the consulate general to hold pre-marriage counseling seminars, which started early April.
“The seminar is the consulate’s response to the Filipino youth’s growing need for guidance on family relations, as well as for legal advice. It also aims to orient parties wishing to contract marriage of their rights and obligations,” a statement from the consulate said.
“Napakaraming mga kabataan ang nagpapakasal sa konsulado. Pero alam ba nila ang kanilang pinapasok? Hindi sapat na nagmamahalan lang sila o magiging mga magulang na sila. Kailangang maintindihan nila ang lahat ng responsibilidad na kasama sa pagpapakasal [So many young people are getting married at the consulate. But do they know what they’re getting into? It is not enough that they love each other or that they will become parents. They need to understand all the responsibilities that come with marriage]. We wish to strengthen migrant Filipino families through seminars like this,” Chan said.
At the seminar last April 6, lawyer Cheryl Vitales-Labo, legal officer of the consulate, briefed 10 Filipino couples who attended the two-hour seminar on a wide range of topics including the legal definition of marriage, the requisites of marriage, the obligations of spouses, the effect of marriage on properties, and the dissolution of marriage.
Vice Consul Mary Luck Hicarte reminded the couples, especially those expecting to have babies soon, to strike a balance between their work and family lives.
“Dito sa Italya, hindi kinukulang sa materyal na mga bagay ang mga anak ng ating mga kababayan. Ang kulang sa mga batang ito ay panahon kasama ng kanilang mga magulang [Here in Italy, the children of our countrymen do not lack for material things. What is lacking is time with their parents],” she said.
The consulate said the pre-marriage counseling seminar would be conducted for free every first Friday of the month. It is open to all Filipino citizens who wish to contract marriage, but is a requirement for the issuance of marriage license for those below 25 years old, in line with Article 16 of the Family Code of the Philippines.
The government statistics said that as of December 2006, there were 128,080 Filipinos in Italy. Of this number, 23,108 are permanent residents, 84,972 are in Italy temporarily, and 20,000 are irregular.
Milan’s population, on the other hand, is about 1.3 million, according to this website.
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