The way the language is being taught in the Philippines has become a minor scandal. For the rest of us, it's a reminder of just how tricky learning a language is.
By Ruth Walker
from the July 29, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com
Once in a while I run across something that makes me profoundly grateful to be a native speaker of English. It happened again the other day when I caught up with a report in The Economist about how the Philippines is losing its edge in English. The proportion of Filipinos who speak English, as well as their proficiency, has been on the decline for three decades, the magazine reports.
The fault lies clearly with English teachers, the article suggests. This snippet from a textbook for 8-year-olds is offered as Exhibit A: "The dog rolled on the floor so fast and fell on the ground. There he laid yelling louder than ever. The dog yelled on top of his voice."
With textbooks like this, is it any wonder that 9 out of 10 otherwise qualified Filipino applicants, most of them college graduates, get turned down by call centers because of their poor English?
The lay/laid error is bad enough in a book you'd expect to have been thoroughly nitpicked. Then there's a poor word choice. Dogs don't yell; they bark. The worst, though, was the idiom "on top of his voice."
The Filipinos' experience is a reminder what an idiosyncratic thing language is. The rules are real. A dog barking "on top of his voice" is truly wrong. No healthy, alert native speaker of English would say it. Not even one of the millions who don't know why "There he laid" is wrong.
But the rules are not always logical. And here's the killer, especially for those of us who wrangle other people's words for a living: The rules are, ultimately, what the people make them – even when the people are wrong.
I cheerfully plead guilty to being a prescriptivist. I believe that rules of language and grammar help us communicate, just as rules of the road help keep us safe in traffic. (I used to joke that I may be the last person alive to insist on "whom." I still say it, but nowadays it seems like less of a joke.)
But times change, usage changes, and suddenly the application of an old rule sounds quaint or even wrong. Like a GPS navigator scrambling after a driver has made a turn off course, the grammarians are left to recalculate their position.
The other day I was discussing with a friend a couple of longtime stalwarts of National Public Radio. When my friend referred to one of them as a "hostess," I thoughtlessly, unthinkingly, corrected her: "Host." (Ooops! Ouch! Sorry!)
But to be fair to my inner prescriptivist, host was the right word. A quick check of Google News turns up hostess with reference to Martha Stewart, to the former model who served as Silvio Berlusconi's "hostess" during the Group of Eight summit in Italy, and to "hostess gifts."
When did hostess get relegated to the social sphere as host took over as the unisex term in broadcasting, at least on the news side? I'm not sure but it's obviously happened.
This is the kind of thing the Filipinos must master if they are to reclaim their place as one of the world's largest populations of English speakers. The outsourcing industry in the Philippines hopes to employ nearly a million people, account for 8.5 percent of gross domestic product, and have 10 percent of the world market by the end of next year.
It's an ambitious goal, but I wish them well. English is a great language – once you get the hang of it.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
457 visa abuse – Filipino meatworkers latest victims
29 July 2009
Bob Briton
http://www.cpa.org.au
The Howard Government’s 457 visas were touted as a response to skills shortages in the labour market – to fill jobs where there were no local takers. The union movement recognised that gaps needed filling but pointed out that grave dangers exist for abuse by employers with the system introduced by the Howard government. Evidence has been mounting ever since the introduction of the scheme in 2003 that the unions were right. Among the latest victims are five Filipino meatworkers in WA, sacked in what their union suspects was a move to ensure a union-free enterprise agreement by an employer already in trouble for breaches of its obligations to 457 visa-holding workers.
Fletcher International runs a multi-million dollar abattoir in Narrikup, about 35 kilometres from Albany in southwest WA. It uses 457 visa workers extensively. The company has been sanctioned by the Department of Immigration for breaches of its obligations as a sponsoring employer and, while it has appealed the sanction to the Migration Review Tribunal, the outcome is not known publicly.
Fletcher’s factory is set about a kilometre from the road and is surrounded by barbed wire and surveillance cameras. The five sacked workers were told that there was no work for them because of a downturn in the economy and a lack of livestock. Management wouldn’t answer the workers’ other questions about the basis of their dismissal. They had never received any verbal or written warnings about their work or behaviour. They are convinced the real reason for their dismissal is that they were recognised as the leaders of a union group in the company widely known as an anti-union employer.
The workers are Joel Espartero, Zandro Sta Maria, Nolan Dela Cruz, Gilbert Vidal and Rex Cortado. Two of them have school aged children. Their payout is running out due to high rents and other daily expenses in WA. Zandro’s 70 year-old mother in the Philippines relies on his pay to buy expensive diabetes medication. They originally turned to the union when they realised they were missing out on increases in meatworkers’ pay rates and other conditions. Other workers at Fletcher’s have now resigned from the union, apparently in response to the example made of the five Filipinos. There is a whispering campaign that union members won’t get help when it comes time to process applications for permanent residency.
Workers holding 457 visas are in a very precarious situation. If they lose their job with their sponsoring employer they have 28 days to find another sponsor (quite a bureaucratic process), apply for an extension of the deadline for extenuating circumstances, or go home. Technically, the workers are guaranteed all sorts of protection under the various statutes and the act. “The reality, however, is starkly different,” as Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) WA Secretary Graeme Haynes told The Guardian.
“I’ll give you an example. Workers there are not entitled to Medicare benefits. The employer deducts money out of their wages for private insurance. The private insurance doesn’t cover the bills because of all the exemptions, etc. The workers are then left with substantial bills in the order of $1,500-$2,000 for fairly simple procedures done at the local public hospital. Enquiries with the Department of Immigration quite clearly state that it’s the obligation of the employers to meet all those expenses. What actually happens in practice is the workers go to the company and say, look I’ve got this huge medical bill. The union and the Department of Immigration say that you’ve [the company] got to pay it. The company simply says if you force us to pay it we’ll withdraw your sponsorship,” Graeme Haynes said.
Visa 457 workers are not eligible for CentreLink payments such as unemployment benefits, either. The workers in this latest case were sacked on June 2 and paid out their entitlements – about 10 weeks pay. The AMIEU has lodged an application for unfair/unlawful termination and a conference is listed for September 10. The union has found alternative employers for the men but their jobs are subject to approval by the Department of Immigration of a Meat Industry Labour Agreement. These can take months and, in the meantime, the workers are in a sort of limbo. Their union has launched an appeal (details below) for the workers and support is coming in from Unions WA and migrant organisations.
“We absolutely appreciate any support to keep us moving and fighting,” Zandro Sta Maria told The Guardian. He has a message for employers using 457 visa holders. “They forget there was a call made by the company and nobody answered the call. That’s the reason why we Filipinos travelled halfway around the world to answer the call that they are in need of a workforce. That’s why they hired us. They tend to forget as well that whether we are Filipino workers, South Africans, or Australian workers, we are the invincible signatories of their pay cheques. They tend to forget those things. Maybe these things could be a wakeup call for them to ensure justice for everyone.”
To help the Filipino workers visit the AMIEU’s WA site at: www.wa.amieu.net
Bob Briton
http://www.cpa.org.au
The Howard Government’s 457 visas were touted as a response to skills shortages in the labour market – to fill jobs where there were no local takers. The union movement recognised that gaps needed filling but pointed out that grave dangers exist for abuse by employers with the system introduced by the Howard government. Evidence has been mounting ever since the introduction of the scheme in 2003 that the unions were right. Among the latest victims are five Filipino meatworkers in WA, sacked in what their union suspects was a move to ensure a union-free enterprise agreement by an employer already in trouble for breaches of its obligations to 457 visa-holding workers.
Fletcher International runs a multi-million dollar abattoir in Narrikup, about 35 kilometres from Albany in southwest WA. It uses 457 visa workers extensively. The company has been sanctioned by the Department of Immigration for breaches of its obligations as a sponsoring employer and, while it has appealed the sanction to the Migration Review Tribunal, the outcome is not known publicly.
Fletcher’s factory is set about a kilometre from the road and is surrounded by barbed wire and surveillance cameras. The five sacked workers were told that there was no work for them because of a downturn in the economy and a lack of livestock. Management wouldn’t answer the workers’ other questions about the basis of their dismissal. They had never received any verbal or written warnings about their work or behaviour. They are convinced the real reason for their dismissal is that they were recognised as the leaders of a union group in the company widely known as an anti-union employer.
The workers are Joel Espartero, Zandro Sta Maria, Nolan Dela Cruz, Gilbert Vidal and Rex Cortado. Two of them have school aged children. Their payout is running out due to high rents and other daily expenses in WA. Zandro’s 70 year-old mother in the Philippines relies on his pay to buy expensive diabetes medication. They originally turned to the union when they realised they were missing out on increases in meatworkers’ pay rates and other conditions. Other workers at Fletcher’s have now resigned from the union, apparently in response to the example made of the five Filipinos. There is a whispering campaign that union members won’t get help when it comes time to process applications for permanent residency.
Workers holding 457 visas are in a very precarious situation. If they lose their job with their sponsoring employer they have 28 days to find another sponsor (quite a bureaucratic process), apply for an extension of the deadline for extenuating circumstances, or go home. Technically, the workers are guaranteed all sorts of protection under the various statutes and the act. “The reality, however, is starkly different,” as Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) WA Secretary Graeme Haynes told The Guardian.
“I’ll give you an example. Workers there are not entitled to Medicare benefits. The employer deducts money out of their wages for private insurance. The private insurance doesn’t cover the bills because of all the exemptions, etc. The workers are then left with substantial bills in the order of $1,500-$2,000 for fairly simple procedures done at the local public hospital. Enquiries with the Department of Immigration quite clearly state that it’s the obligation of the employers to meet all those expenses. What actually happens in practice is the workers go to the company and say, look I’ve got this huge medical bill. The union and the Department of Immigration say that you’ve [the company] got to pay it. The company simply says if you force us to pay it we’ll withdraw your sponsorship,” Graeme Haynes said.
Visa 457 workers are not eligible for CentreLink payments such as unemployment benefits, either. The workers in this latest case were sacked on June 2 and paid out their entitlements – about 10 weeks pay. The AMIEU has lodged an application for unfair/unlawful termination and a conference is listed for September 10. The union has found alternative employers for the men but their jobs are subject to approval by the Department of Immigration of a Meat Industry Labour Agreement. These can take months and, in the meantime, the workers are in a sort of limbo. Their union has launched an appeal (details below) for the workers and support is coming in from Unions WA and migrant organisations.
“We absolutely appreciate any support to keep us moving and fighting,” Zandro Sta Maria told The Guardian. He has a message for employers using 457 visa holders. “They forget there was a call made by the company and nobody answered the call. That’s the reason why we Filipinos travelled halfway around the world to answer the call that they are in need of a workforce. That’s why they hired us. They tend to forget as well that whether we are Filipino workers, South Africans, or Australian workers, we are the invincible signatories of their pay cheques. They tend to forget those things. Maybe these things could be a wakeup call for them to ensure justice for everyone.”
To help the Filipino workers visit the AMIEU’s WA site at: www.wa.amieu.net
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Youngblood: Nationalism redefined
By Bobbie Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: July 23, 2009
Almost a year ago, I found myself on a plane to New York City. I wasn’t going on vacation or visiting relatives. I was starting my first year at Sarah Lawrence College, a liberal arts school renowned for its writing program.
The first of my family to leave the country, I was terrified. Doubts filled my mind during the 18-hour trip. But one question kept coming back: Am I performing an act of betrayal to the motherland by leaving at such a young age? The question haunted me.
Answers did not come easily. But after some serious reflection, I am positive that the answer is no.
Socio-economic conditions in the Philippines have been a source of great disappointment and even bitterness, with its sluggish economy, its history of incompetent government leaders, widespread poverty and low standard of public education. As a result, Filipinos from all provinces and social backgrounds look to more developed countries for solutions. In the past 20 years, millions of Filipinos have chosen to study, work, or retire in the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia, among many other countries. This flight has been called the “brain drain,” a term that signifies that our country’s best and brightest are building their future outside of the country—and in massive numbers, at that.
Out of a population of approximately 90 million, more than 11 million Filipinos have left for greener pastures. At the private Catholic high school I graduated from, a significant number of faculty members have left during the past three years to teach in public schools in the United States at much higher pay. The demand for nurses in the United States alone is estimated to reach 600,000 between now and 2020. It is no longer a surprise to run into Filipinos working as domestic helpers in Italy, Hong Kong and Canada.
Many of these people leave in desperation. Others simply want better standards of living for themselves and for their children. And this is the reason, the decision to get out of the country is commonly perceived, though not so often openly denounced, as acts of selfishness and betrayal of the motherland.
Being a Third World country struggling to develop, the Philippines needs all the help it can get. When we were in high school, our teachers urged us to direct all our efforts to improving conditions in our country. We were encouraged to stay—or come back eventually, should we decided to leave for abroad.
This was how I was taught to love my country. Students at the University of the Philippines, which I attended as a part-time student for one year, are constantly urged to work in the country after graduation to demonstrate their nationalism and as a way of “giving back” to their fellow citizens.
This concept of nationalism was underscored by Patricia Evangelista, who was then a student at the University of the Philippines, during the international public speaking competition conducted by the English Speaking Union in London in 2004. In her speech, entitled “Blonde and Blue Eyes,” Evangelista discussed the Filipino diaspora and stressed the importance of returning to the motherland as an act of nationalism. “Leaving sometimes isn’t a matter of choice,” she said. “It’s coming back that is.”
A few months after she returned from London, she wrote an article in a local newspaper to elaborate on her winning speech, “I condemned the Filipinos who chose to leave,” she said. “They deserved to be pushed down the road to hell on a handcart. Traitors and turncoats, I called them.”
Almost five years later, Evangelista’s piece is still acclaimed as a benchmark of Philippine nationalism. But is idea of nationalism a geographic one? Must one be confined within certain physical boundaries in order to live out what my dictionary defines as “patriotic feelings, principles or efforts”?
The truth is that in a country that seeks desperately to progress, its citizens should consider the world we live in. It is a globalizing one, and as technology, society and people from all parts of the world become increasingly interconnected and interdependent, I cannot see how the dispersal of Filipinos all over the world can be a disadvantage. Aside from bringing in dollars through their remittances, which contribute to the growth of the economy, Filipinos overseas have other very real impacts on Philippine society. For one thing, the competition for local employment is alleviated. Those who criticize the diaspora often claim that it is the best people (or the best students) who migrate, leaving the Philippines with mediocre teachers, mediocre nurses, and other professionals. But these critics underestimate Filipino talent. Our pool of talent is not that small. There are many gifted people in the country, a fact that many fail to appreciate. Those who leave open more opportunities for those who choose to stay.
Filipinos working abroad are living proof that we are indeed global citizens, competent and capable and equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in foreign places. As we witness fellow citizens climbing to the top of various industries and professions in New York, London and Paris, don’t we all beam with pride? More than just advancing their interests, they also serve as ambassadors proclaiming by their achievements the greatness of Filipinos and what they can contribute to society.
This is the kind of nationalism I know. This is the kind of nationalism I feel. This is the kind of nationalism I believe in.
To quote Evangelista again, “Leaving sometimes isn’t a matter of choice. It’s coming back that is.” I left, and it was fully my choice. And I have never felt my identity as a Filipino as strongly as I do today, thousands of miles away from home. I don’t know when, or if, I will ever go back for good. But I know that I have never been prouder of where I come from and that I can make my country proud of me, regardless of where I am.
(Bobbie Reyes, 20, is an incoming sophomore at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: July 23, 2009
Almost a year ago, I found myself on a plane to New York City. I wasn’t going on vacation or visiting relatives. I was starting my first year at Sarah Lawrence College, a liberal arts school renowned for its writing program.
The first of my family to leave the country, I was terrified. Doubts filled my mind during the 18-hour trip. But one question kept coming back: Am I performing an act of betrayal to the motherland by leaving at such a young age? The question haunted me.
Answers did not come easily. But after some serious reflection, I am positive that the answer is no.
Socio-economic conditions in the Philippines have been a source of great disappointment and even bitterness, with its sluggish economy, its history of incompetent government leaders, widespread poverty and low standard of public education. As a result, Filipinos from all provinces and social backgrounds look to more developed countries for solutions. In the past 20 years, millions of Filipinos have chosen to study, work, or retire in the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia, among many other countries. This flight has been called the “brain drain,” a term that signifies that our country’s best and brightest are building their future outside of the country—and in massive numbers, at that.
Out of a population of approximately 90 million, more than 11 million Filipinos have left for greener pastures. At the private Catholic high school I graduated from, a significant number of faculty members have left during the past three years to teach in public schools in the United States at much higher pay. The demand for nurses in the United States alone is estimated to reach 600,000 between now and 2020. It is no longer a surprise to run into Filipinos working as domestic helpers in Italy, Hong Kong and Canada.
Many of these people leave in desperation. Others simply want better standards of living for themselves and for their children. And this is the reason, the decision to get out of the country is commonly perceived, though not so often openly denounced, as acts of selfishness and betrayal of the motherland.
Being a Third World country struggling to develop, the Philippines needs all the help it can get. When we were in high school, our teachers urged us to direct all our efforts to improving conditions in our country. We were encouraged to stay—or come back eventually, should we decided to leave for abroad.
This was how I was taught to love my country. Students at the University of the Philippines, which I attended as a part-time student for one year, are constantly urged to work in the country after graduation to demonstrate their nationalism and as a way of “giving back” to their fellow citizens.
This concept of nationalism was underscored by Patricia Evangelista, who was then a student at the University of the Philippines, during the international public speaking competition conducted by the English Speaking Union in London in 2004. In her speech, entitled “Blonde and Blue Eyes,” Evangelista discussed the Filipino diaspora and stressed the importance of returning to the motherland as an act of nationalism. “Leaving sometimes isn’t a matter of choice,” she said. “It’s coming back that is.”
A few months after she returned from London, she wrote an article in a local newspaper to elaborate on her winning speech, “I condemned the Filipinos who chose to leave,” she said. “They deserved to be pushed down the road to hell on a handcart. Traitors and turncoats, I called them.”
Almost five years later, Evangelista’s piece is still acclaimed as a benchmark of Philippine nationalism. But is idea of nationalism a geographic one? Must one be confined within certain physical boundaries in order to live out what my dictionary defines as “patriotic feelings, principles or efforts”?
The truth is that in a country that seeks desperately to progress, its citizens should consider the world we live in. It is a globalizing one, and as technology, society and people from all parts of the world become increasingly interconnected and interdependent, I cannot see how the dispersal of Filipinos all over the world can be a disadvantage. Aside from bringing in dollars through their remittances, which contribute to the growth of the economy, Filipinos overseas have other very real impacts on Philippine society. For one thing, the competition for local employment is alleviated. Those who criticize the diaspora often claim that it is the best people (or the best students) who migrate, leaving the Philippines with mediocre teachers, mediocre nurses, and other professionals. But these critics underestimate Filipino talent. Our pool of talent is not that small. There are many gifted people in the country, a fact that many fail to appreciate. Those who leave open more opportunities for those who choose to stay.
Filipinos working abroad are living proof that we are indeed global citizens, competent and capable and equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in foreign places. As we witness fellow citizens climbing to the top of various industries and professions in New York, London and Paris, don’t we all beam with pride? More than just advancing their interests, they also serve as ambassadors proclaiming by their achievements the greatness of Filipinos and what they can contribute to society.
This is the kind of nationalism I know. This is the kind of nationalism I feel. This is the kind of nationalism I believe in.
To quote Evangelista again, “Leaving sometimes isn’t a matter of choice. It’s coming back that is.” I left, and it was fully my choice. And I have never felt my identity as a Filipino as strongly as I do today, thousands of miles away from home. I don’t know when, or if, I will ever go back for good. But I know that I have never been prouder of where I come from and that I can make my country proud of me, regardless of where I am.
(Bobbie Reyes, 20, is an incoming sophomore at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
MOU with RP seen as 300,000 new jobs open in South Australia
By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:51:00 07/11/2008
MANILA -- The Philippines and the state of South Australiahave started talks to forge a pact aiming to provide a “structured and well-crafted arrangement” for the employment and immigration of Filipinos in the region's bustling industries, a state official said Friday.
Kevin Foley, South Australia Deputy Premier and Trade Minister, said that his state and the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have agreed to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOU) within 12 months to strengthen ties between the country and one of Australia's most robust trade hubs.
“I had a discussion with Secretary of Labor (Marianito Roque) and we're considering an MOU between the state of South Australia and the government of the Philippines where we would put a structure, a well-crafted arrangement for Filipinos who wish to seek a career in South Australia where there's a growing, dynamic economy,” said Foley, who is on a trade mission in the country.
The official said South Australian officials see “whether Australia's strict immigration requirements can be met through cooperative arrangements around appropriate skills training and mutual recognition of accreditation.”
The prospect of high-level cooperation between Manila and Adelaide may well come at a good time as South Australia would need manpower to fill some 300,000 new jobs expected to be created by the state's bustling mining industry in the coming decade, said Foley.
Some 28 new mining companies, currently at the stage of exploration there, are expected to open in the next 10 years, said Foley, as the state continues to experiene a mining boom.
“Australia will need 300,000 more [people] to provide support for our mining sector. We don't have the potential to fill all those jobs out of Australians, we have to, as we've always done throughout the history of our nation, embrace the world,” said Foley following a luncheon meeting with Philippine business leaders in Makati City Friday.
The Australian Embassy said the Philippines represents South Australia's “six largest source” of imported workers, “many of whom are helping to ease demand for trade skills at a time South Australia is experiencing historic low levels of unemployment.”
A Filipino community of around 5,000 is now based in the South Australian capital city Adelaide, a city of some 1.6 million people.
“My primary objective is to promote and strengthen cooperation between South Australia and the Philippines on labor, employment and human resource development,” said Foley.
The official is expected to return to the Philippines in February with a trade mission of some 20 private sector companies, including education, food, manufacturing and wine firms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:51:00 07/11/2008
MANILA -- The Philippines and the state of South Australiahave started talks to forge a pact aiming to provide a “structured and well-crafted arrangement” for the employment and immigration of Filipinos in the region's bustling industries, a state official said Friday.
Kevin Foley, South Australia Deputy Premier and Trade Minister, said that his state and the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have agreed to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOU) within 12 months to strengthen ties between the country and one of Australia's most robust trade hubs.
“I had a discussion with Secretary of Labor (Marianito Roque) and we're considering an MOU between the state of South Australia and the government of the Philippines where we would put a structure, a well-crafted arrangement for Filipinos who wish to seek a career in South Australia where there's a growing, dynamic economy,” said Foley, who is on a trade mission in the country.
The official said South Australian officials see “whether Australia's strict immigration requirements can be met through cooperative arrangements around appropriate skills training and mutual recognition of accreditation.”
The prospect of high-level cooperation between Manila and Adelaide may well come at a good time as South Australia would need manpower to fill some 300,000 new jobs expected to be created by the state's bustling mining industry in the coming decade, said Foley.
Some 28 new mining companies, currently at the stage of exploration there, are expected to open in the next 10 years, said Foley, as the state continues to experiene a mining boom.
“Australia will need 300,000 more [people] to provide support for our mining sector. We don't have the potential to fill all those jobs out of Australians, we have to, as we've always done throughout the history of our nation, embrace the world,” said Foley following a luncheon meeting with Philippine business leaders in Makati City Friday.
The Australian Embassy said the Philippines represents South Australia's “six largest source” of imported workers, “many of whom are helping to ease demand for trade skills at a time South Australia is experiencing historic low levels of unemployment.”
A Filipino community of around 5,000 is now based in the South Australian capital city Adelaide, a city of some 1.6 million people.
“My primary objective is to promote and strengthen cooperation between South Australia and the Philippines on labor, employment and human resource development,” said Foley.
The official is expected to return to the Philippines in February with a trade mission of some 20 private sector companies, including education, food, manufacturing and wine firms.
RP to set up labor office in Sydney--official
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:10:00 08/20/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Following the projected influx of Filipinos seeking work in Australia, the labor department is preparing to set up a Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Sydney in two or three months’ time, said an official who has been tasked to head the office as labor attaché.
Victor Ablan said that aside from facilitating job, the office would also attend to those with problems with their employment.
“We don’t want to be reactive. We want to be proactive, foreseeing and preparing for possible problems before they crop up,” he said.
In a press conference last week, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the Department of Foreign Affairs has communicated to his office that the former did not have an objection to the setting up of such an office.
Ablan denied that the plan was in response to Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s call for the appointment of one labor attaché each in the Australian Capital Territory and in the Northern Territory.
“We have prepared for this since a couple of months ago. [Estrada] must know about the situation there too,” he said.
Estrada retained his chairmanship of the Senate labor committee.
Australia has opened its doors to foreign professionals and skilled workers. Recently, a partnership between an employers’ group in Australia and a recruitment agency in the Philippines has offered to subsidize the deployment of skilled overseas Filipino workers and professionals to the continent.
According to recruitment agency MAB International Services Inc., Australia is in need of various professionals and skilled workers.
The professionals needed are nurses, pharmacists, various information technology jobs (systems managers, software designers, systems designers, systems programmers, applications and analyst programmers), accountants, auditors, landscape architects, engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronic), and interior decorators.
The skilled workers needed are carpenters, metal fabricators, welders, motor mechanics, vehicle painters, vehicle trimmers, vehicle body makers, butchers, cabinetmakers, tailors, furniture finishers, hairdressers, dressmakers, apparel cutters, aircraft maintenance engineers, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, petroleum and gas plant operators, power generation plant operators, heavy equipment mechanics, drillers and other mining workers.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:10:00 08/20/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Following the projected influx of Filipinos seeking work in Australia, the labor department is preparing to set up a Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Sydney in two or three months’ time, said an official who has been tasked to head the office as labor attaché.
Victor Ablan said that aside from facilitating job, the office would also attend to those with problems with their employment.
“We don’t want to be reactive. We want to be proactive, foreseeing and preparing for possible problems before they crop up,” he said.
In a press conference last week, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the Department of Foreign Affairs has communicated to his office that the former did not have an objection to the setting up of such an office.
Ablan denied that the plan was in response to Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s call for the appointment of one labor attaché each in the Australian Capital Territory and in the Northern Territory.
“We have prepared for this since a couple of months ago. [Estrada] must know about the situation there too,” he said.
Estrada retained his chairmanship of the Senate labor committee.
Australia has opened its doors to foreign professionals and skilled workers. Recently, a partnership between an employers’ group in Australia and a recruitment agency in the Philippines has offered to subsidize the deployment of skilled overseas Filipino workers and professionals to the continent.
According to recruitment agency MAB International Services Inc., Australia is in need of various professionals and skilled workers.
The professionals needed are nurses, pharmacists, various information technology jobs (systems managers, software designers, systems designers, systems programmers, applications and analyst programmers), accountants, auditors, landscape architects, engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronic), and interior decorators.
The skilled workers needed are carpenters, metal fabricators, welders, motor mechanics, vehicle painters, vehicle trimmers, vehicle body makers, butchers, cabinetmakers, tailors, furniture finishers, hairdressers, dressmakers, apparel cutters, aircraft maintenance engineers, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, petroleum and gas plant operators, power generation plant operators, heavy equipment mechanics, drillers and other mining workers.
Asians growing fast in Australia--census
Agence France-Presse, Inquirer.net
Posted date: January 29, 2009
SYDNEY – Australia's Asian population is growing rapidly as more regional immigrants pour into a country once despised for its racially exclusive policies, official statistics showed Thursday.
China and India provided increasing numbers of immigrants, while traditional sources of new arrivals in the so-called "Lucky Country" – such as Britain and Italy – suffered a decline, a review of the latest census revealed.
The "Portrait of a Nation" provided by the Australia Bureau of Statistics after analysis of the 2006 tally shows that a quarter of the population was born overseas.
Between 1996 and 2006, the overseas-born population grew by 13 percent from 3.9 million to 4.4 million people "and featured a major increase in Asian immigration," the figures showed.
The former British penal colony, which has become a sought-after destination for its laid-back sun-and-surf lifestyle, was until 1973 ruled by a "White Australia" policy restricting immigration to Westerners.
"Country of birth groups which increased the most between 1996 and 2006 were New Zealand (by around 98,000 people), China (96,000) and India (70,000)," the census revealed.
"In contrast, European country-of-birth groups declined sharply over the same period – Italy by 39,000 people, the United Kingdom by 35,000 and Greece by 17,000."
However, while the ratio of Asian immigration to European arrivals changed – with six of the 10 most common birthplaces of migrants being Asian countries – 92,000 Britons still accounted for most new residents.
Apart from China and India, countries providing increasing numbers of immigrants included Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and South Africa.
Posted date: January 29, 2009
SYDNEY – Australia's Asian population is growing rapidly as more regional immigrants pour into a country once despised for its racially exclusive policies, official statistics showed Thursday.
China and India provided increasing numbers of immigrants, while traditional sources of new arrivals in the so-called "Lucky Country" – such as Britain and Italy – suffered a decline, a review of the latest census revealed.
The "Portrait of a Nation" provided by the Australia Bureau of Statistics after analysis of the 2006 tally shows that a quarter of the population was born overseas.
Between 1996 and 2006, the overseas-born population grew by 13 percent from 3.9 million to 4.4 million people "and featured a major increase in Asian immigration," the figures showed.
The former British penal colony, which has become a sought-after destination for its laid-back sun-and-surf lifestyle, was until 1973 ruled by a "White Australia" policy restricting immigration to Westerners.
"Country of birth groups which increased the most between 1996 and 2006 were New Zealand (by around 98,000 people), China (96,000) and India (70,000)," the census revealed.
"In contrast, European country-of-birth groups declined sharply over the same period – Italy by 39,000 people, the United Kingdom by 35,000 and Greece by 17,000."
However, while the ratio of Asian immigration to European arrivals changed – with six of the 10 most common birthplaces of migrants being Asian countries – 92,000 Britons still accounted for most new residents.
Apart from China and India, countries providing increasing numbers of immigrants included Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and South Africa.
‘No cutback in demand for RP workers’
LABOR CHIEF SAYS
By TJ Burgonio, Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:53:00 10/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Despite the gloomy forecasts, Filipinos should not fret about job losses or possible cutbacks in opportunities in the United States, the Middle East and elsewhere, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Tuesday.
Roque said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) had not received any reports from its 37 labor officers posted abroad about cutbacks in the demand for Filipino workers in the face of the global economic crunch.
“So the situation remains stable and we do not expect any reduction in the demand for overseas Filipinos especially in the Middle East,” he said at a press briefing.
The Building and Wood Workers’ International had warned that the number of jobs in the badly hit construction industry in the United States could further shrink, increasing the number of undocumented Filipinos there.
It said it had monitored some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had flown back to Manila after losing their jobs, adding that their “families will have a sad Christmas.”
Over the years, OFWs have managed to keep the economy afloat, sending home some $14.4 billion last year, nearly a tenth of the gross domestic product.
Roque said it was inaccurate to assume that the OFWs coming home were laid off as a result of the global economic slowdown.
“This is the normal trend after their contracts have been terminated,” he said.
Jobs in Canada, Australia, Europe
Contrary to fears of a contracting job market abroad, there are many jobs awaiting Filipinos in Canada, Australia and European countries, Roque said.
“We have signed up with four provinces in Canada,” he said. “The pay rates are relatively higher compared with what the Filipinos are enjoying in other countries.”
Another DOLE team is leaving for Australia to start negotiations on the possible employment of Filipinos there, Roque said.
“When the option comes for Filipinos to go overseas, and entertain a job offer from Australia, we have ample potential mechanisms that are already in place,” he said.
Both Canada and Australia are offering jobs for nurses, IT personnel, truckers and hotel workers, among others, Roque said.
Worst-case scenario
“We are also looking at France, Norway and New Zealand as new markets that would be needing the services of Filipinos,” he said.
Roque said that the DOLE had drawn up a contingency plan for overseas workers in case the United States slides into a recession.
“We have assumed the worst-case scenario; and we are prepared for it. We have the mechanics to assist our workers and we will provide them with the necessary assistance,” he said, but declined to go into specific details.
Hurricane Ike
In some parts of the United States, the aftermath of nature’s wrath is cushioning the impact of the global financial crisis on Filipino construction workers.
Some labor groups fear that the economic slump would hurt the construction business in the United States, which employs many Filipino workers.
But 50-year-old Jerry, a private contractor in Texas, said the construction business is booming now in states recently pummeled by Hurricane “Ike.”
“The business is booming now because of the damage brought by “Ike.” Many homes and buildings have to be repaired,” Jerry told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
Hurricane Ike hit Texas and nearby states in early September, shutting down oil production in the area as well as damaging residential areas.
But Jerry acknowledged that a few of his friends from other states, like New Jersey and California, had already lost their jobs.
He also said that prices of basic commodities had gone up.
International labor groups with Filipino members said the other day that the financial slump was also threatening the jobs of more than eight million Filipinos overseas.
They said those in the service sector, like construction workers and nurses, are the most vulnerable. If they lose jobs, they are likely to stay as undocumented migrants instead of coming home, since no work awaits them in the Philippines, said the Building and Wood Workers’ International
Overseas Filipino workers are also likely to reduce the amount of their remittances this holiday season, the group also said.
Filipinos in the United States are not giving up hope, however. “There are many jobs here that the Americans do not want to take. So we are optimistic we can survive the crisis,” Jerry said.
Second or third jobs
Aside from the looming threat of losing their jobs, Filipino domestic helpers will have to learn to cope with cuts in their salaries due to the global financial crisis.
Connie Bragas-Regalado, chair of Migrante International, said Filipino maids would have to cope with the crisis by taking on other jobs, borrowing money or participating in the underground economies in their respective countries.
“To ensure that they can send money home, they will have to find ways to cope. Our maids will have to look for a second or even a third job or sell goods in the underground economy,” Regalado said.
By TJ Burgonio, Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:53:00 10/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Despite the gloomy forecasts, Filipinos should not fret about job losses or possible cutbacks in opportunities in the United States, the Middle East and elsewhere, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Tuesday.
Roque said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) had not received any reports from its 37 labor officers posted abroad about cutbacks in the demand for Filipino workers in the face of the global economic crunch.
“So the situation remains stable and we do not expect any reduction in the demand for overseas Filipinos especially in the Middle East,” he said at a press briefing.
The Building and Wood Workers’ International had warned that the number of jobs in the badly hit construction industry in the United States could further shrink, increasing the number of undocumented Filipinos there.
It said it had monitored some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had flown back to Manila after losing their jobs, adding that their “families will have a sad Christmas.”
Over the years, OFWs have managed to keep the economy afloat, sending home some $14.4 billion last year, nearly a tenth of the gross domestic product.
Roque said it was inaccurate to assume that the OFWs coming home were laid off as a result of the global economic slowdown.
“This is the normal trend after their contracts have been terminated,” he said.
Jobs in Canada, Australia, Europe
Contrary to fears of a contracting job market abroad, there are many jobs awaiting Filipinos in Canada, Australia and European countries, Roque said.
“We have signed up with four provinces in Canada,” he said. “The pay rates are relatively higher compared with what the Filipinos are enjoying in other countries.”
Another DOLE team is leaving for Australia to start negotiations on the possible employment of Filipinos there, Roque said.
“When the option comes for Filipinos to go overseas, and entertain a job offer from Australia, we have ample potential mechanisms that are already in place,” he said.
Both Canada and Australia are offering jobs for nurses, IT personnel, truckers and hotel workers, among others, Roque said.
Worst-case scenario
“We are also looking at France, Norway and New Zealand as new markets that would be needing the services of Filipinos,” he said.
Roque said that the DOLE had drawn up a contingency plan for overseas workers in case the United States slides into a recession.
“We have assumed the worst-case scenario; and we are prepared for it. We have the mechanics to assist our workers and we will provide them with the necessary assistance,” he said, but declined to go into specific details.
Hurricane Ike
In some parts of the United States, the aftermath of nature’s wrath is cushioning the impact of the global financial crisis on Filipino construction workers.
Some labor groups fear that the economic slump would hurt the construction business in the United States, which employs many Filipino workers.
But 50-year-old Jerry, a private contractor in Texas, said the construction business is booming now in states recently pummeled by Hurricane “Ike.”
“The business is booming now because of the damage brought by “Ike.” Many homes and buildings have to be repaired,” Jerry told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
Hurricane Ike hit Texas and nearby states in early September, shutting down oil production in the area as well as damaging residential areas.
But Jerry acknowledged that a few of his friends from other states, like New Jersey and California, had already lost their jobs.
He also said that prices of basic commodities had gone up.
International labor groups with Filipino members said the other day that the financial slump was also threatening the jobs of more than eight million Filipinos overseas.
They said those in the service sector, like construction workers and nurses, are the most vulnerable. If they lose jobs, they are likely to stay as undocumented migrants instead of coming home, since no work awaits them in the Philippines, said the Building and Wood Workers’ International
Overseas Filipino workers are also likely to reduce the amount of their remittances this holiday season, the group also said.
Filipinos in the United States are not giving up hope, however. “There are many jobs here that the Americans do not want to take. So we are optimistic we can survive the crisis,” Jerry said.
Second or third jobs
Aside from the looming threat of losing their jobs, Filipino domestic helpers will have to learn to cope with cuts in their salaries due to the global financial crisis.
Connie Bragas-Regalado, chair of Migrante International, said Filipino maids would have to cope with the crisis by taking on other jobs, borrowing money or participating in the underground economies in their respective countries.
“To ensure that they can send money home, they will have to find ways to cope. Our maids will have to look for a second or even a third job or sell goods in the underground economy,” Regalado said.
Australia needs engineers, workers
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:09:00 10/17/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino engineers and other skilled workers who may be displaced due to the global financial crisisneed not look far for overseas job prospects.
Due to the continuous boom in the mining sector, the Australian government wants to hire more foreign workers, particularly for its Australasia Pacific minerals sector, where there are skills and manpower shortages, said John Corbett, managing partner of Migration Lawyers Australia.
In a discussion on manpower issues at the 8th Asia Pacific Mining Conference and Exhibition, Corbett explained that while the United States has begun cutting jobs across industries as an offshoot of the global financial meltdown, Australian and Asean mineral producers like Indonesia and the Philippines were fortunate to be riding the "crest of the boom in mining and resources industry."
According to Corbett, this may be the "biggest and most sustained boom in living memory, based on demand from China, India and other emerging markets."
But even as the number of large-scale mining projects has been steadily increasing, Australia faces one major problem: manpower shortage.
"The problem is that there is not enough skilled labor, even for the major projects costing billions of dollars. The shortage is so acute that it is driving wages and project costs higher," he said.
He pointed out that in Australia, only 5,000 engineers graduate every year.
"The major impediment to the Australian mining industry is the global shortage of engineers, geologists, trades people," he noted.
Aside from engineers, Corbett said Australia also has a big demand for other personnel such as geologists, metallurgists, truck operators and, surprisingly, hairdressers.
Corbett added that the labor shortage in Australia has also opened more business opportunities for mining contractors from Asean countries.
He explained that some mining projects have now decided to break down the construction of facilities into modular units that contractors can build offshore. These prefabricated units are shipped to Australia and assembled at the mining sites.
For those interested in migrating, Corbett said that the "fly in, fly out" scheme was becoming a more popular solution. For instance, a company may have employees living in New Zealand but working in Australia, he explained.
Corbett lamented that most mining projects are usually located in remote and isolated areas, making it difficult to attract and keep skilled workers.
Labor requirements in the mining sector are also cyclic as they depend on the stage of the project, thus making the "fly in, fly out" operations more feasible.
Corbett said applicants who are under 45 years of age, speak English competently and are willing to migrate to isolated areas (virtually anywhere outside Sydney) can easily land a job in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:09:00 10/17/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino engineers and other skilled workers who may be displaced due to the global financial crisisneed not look far for overseas job prospects.
Due to the continuous boom in the mining sector, the Australian government wants to hire more foreign workers, particularly for its Australasia Pacific minerals sector, where there are skills and manpower shortages, said John Corbett, managing partner of Migration Lawyers Australia.
In a discussion on manpower issues at the 8th Asia Pacific Mining Conference and Exhibition, Corbett explained that while the United States has begun cutting jobs across industries as an offshoot of the global financial meltdown, Australian and Asean mineral producers like Indonesia and the Philippines were fortunate to be riding the "crest of the boom in mining and resources industry."
According to Corbett, this may be the "biggest and most sustained boom in living memory, based on demand from China, India and other emerging markets."
But even as the number of large-scale mining projects has been steadily increasing, Australia faces one major problem: manpower shortage.
"The problem is that there is not enough skilled labor, even for the major projects costing billions of dollars. The shortage is so acute that it is driving wages and project costs higher," he said.
He pointed out that in Australia, only 5,000 engineers graduate every year.
"The major impediment to the Australian mining industry is the global shortage of engineers, geologists, trades people," he noted.
Aside from engineers, Corbett said Australia also has a big demand for other personnel such as geologists, metallurgists, truck operators and, surprisingly, hairdressers.
Corbett added that the labor shortage in Australia has also opened more business opportunities for mining contractors from Asean countries.
He explained that some mining projects have now decided to break down the construction of facilities into modular units that contractors can build offshore. These prefabricated units are shipped to Australia and assembled at the mining sites.
For those interested in migrating, Corbett said that the "fly in, fly out" scheme was becoming a more popular solution. For instance, a company may have employees living in New Zealand but working in Australia, he explained.
Corbett lamented that most mining projects are usually located in remote and isolated areas, making it difficult to attract and keep skilled workers.
Labor requirements in the mining sector are also cyclic as they depend on the stage of the project, thus making the "fly in, fly out" operations more feasible.
Corbett said applicants who are under 45 years of age, speak English competently and are willing to migrate to isolated areas (virtually anywhere outside Sydney) can easily land a job in the country.
He’s made millions from ‘balikbayan’ boxes in Australia
By Martin Andanar
Inquirer
First Posted 12:34:00 10/31/2006
IT WAS 1987 when Pablo Tagle, a native of El Nido, Palawan, became convinced that the future of his family in the Philippines was becoming dimmer and dimmer. Faced with political uncertainties, Pablo – Boy to his friends – packed his clothes, withdrew his savings of P160,000 pesos, and brought his wife and two children to Sydney, Australia.
He had actually been given three opportunities to leave the Philippines. The first time was in 1972. “I was invited by my sister to Australia.” The second was in 1976, when he had the chance to migrate to the United States. He ignored both opportunities. “I was idealistic and naive then,” he says.
But in 1987, when coup attempts began troubling the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he felt that the country’s future, and his own with it were going nowhere. “I just had to leave when the third one knocked on my door.”
Boy left a promising marketing career in a pharmaceutical company in Manila, swallowed his pride and worked in menial jobs in Sydney. He began as a laborer in a soda and juice warehouse and later as a letter-sorter in the Australian Post Office.
First job
It was tough and heart breaking. “I had to work standing in the warehouse from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.,” he says. Like most educated Filipino migrants, he faced the reality that not all Philippine college degrees are recognized in Australia. “So a laborer’s work was the only answer and it became so frustrating, considering the job I had in the Philippines."
Boy Tagle’s first break came in 1990 when his friend Mario Tan, a leading remittance businessman in Manila, offered him a business partnership in Sydney. Tan wanted Boy to help him establish a remittance center Down Under.
Birth of an OFW firm
“In the beginning, clients came few and far between,” says Boy. “I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, answering phone calls of friends working in shifts who wanted to remit money to their families back home.”
Soon his Filipino clients would inquire whether he also offered balikbayan box services. He saw the opportunity, grabbed it, and BM Express International was born. BM, for Boy and Mario, was a major success. Only one company was in the balikbayan box business then and clients had to bring the boxes to the store themselves. “So I offered to pick up the boxes in their homes using my old station wagon,” says Boy.
Little did he know that he would next be bombarded by phone calls from Filipinos he didn’t even know, all wanting their balikbayan boxes picked up. Heeding the call for more efficient service, he next organized the first network of balikbayan boxes drop off points in the entire city of Sydney – a first from an enterprising new kid on the block.
From 200 kilos of balikbayan boxes a week in 1992, Boy and his wife Connie soon faced an insurmountable 3,000 kilos of balikbayan boxes a week.
Exponential growth
“At first officials of the airline carrier wouldn’t give a cent to notice me,” he says. “But they changed their mind when I was offering 3,000 kilos.” Soon his boss at the post office would complain about his habitual absences. His neighbors would also complain of the many boxes stored in front of their houses.
“We eventually had to buy a warehouse on Wiltshire Street and quit our jobs to work on the boxes full time,” he says.
BM Express International is now a household name not only in New South Wales but also in South Australia, Adelaide, Queensland, and Victoria. It has also expanded into several branches of groceries in New South Wales and importation, food processing and packaging.
Boy says that the majority of Filipino-Australian households now have Filipino-made products all over Australia – among them noodles, corned beef, bagoong, balut, kawali and even walis tingting - that are either imported, processed, or packaged by BM International Express. The Tagles are thinking of franchising their businesses to Filipino-Australians.
In 2000 the Filipino Australian Business Association named Boy the top businessman in New South Wales. “Ang sikreto ko ay sipag, katapatan at ang pagiging patas sa kapwa, (My secret is hard work, honesty and fairness with my fellows,” he tells the Inquirer.
Despite his success Down Under, 59-year-old Boy remains a true blue Pinoy. While his children Tristan and Trisha operate the business in Australia, Boy devotes most of his time in the Philippines, creating employment as he establishes a food processing and packaging plant in Antipolo, develops a resort he calls BM Lamuro in El Nido, and sets up a school for the needy natives in his hometown El Nido in Palawan.
Inquirer
First Posted 12:34:00 10/31/2006
IT WAS 1987 when Pablo Tagle, a native of El Nido, Palawan, became convinced that the future of his family in the Philippines was becoming dimmer and dimmer. Faced with political uncertainties, Pablo – Boy to his friends – packed his clothes, withdrew his savings of P160,000 pesos, and brought his wife and two children to Sydney, Australia.
He had actually been given three opportunities to leave the Philippines. The first time was in 1972. “I was invited by my sister to Australia.” The second was in 1976, when he had the chance to migrate to the United States. He ignored both opportunities. “I was idealistic and naive then,” he says.
But in 1987, when coup attempts began troubling the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he felt that the country’s future, and his own with it were going nowhere. “I just had to leave when the third one knocked on my door.”
Boy left a promising marketing career in a pharmaceutical company in Manila, swallowed his pride and worked in menial jobs in Sydney. He began as a laborer in a soda and juice warehouse and later as a letter-sorter in the Australian Post Office.
First job
It was tough and heart breaking. “I had to work standing in the warehouse from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.,” he says. Like most educated Filipino migrants, he faced the reality that not all Philippine college degrees are recognized in Australia. “So a laborer’s work was the only answer and it became so frustrating, considering the job I had in the Philippines."
Boy Tagle’s first break came in 1990 when his friend Mario Tan, a leading remittance businessman in Manila, offered him a business partnership in Sydney. Tan wanted Boy to help him establish a remittance center Down Under.
Birth of an OFW firm
“In the beginning, clients came few and far between,” says Boy. “I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, answering phone calls of friends working in shifts who wanted to remit money to their families back home.”
Soon his Filipino clients would inquire whether he also offered balikbayan box services. He saw the opportunity, grabbed it, and BM Express International was born. BM, for Boy and Mario, was a major success. Only one company was in the balikbayan box business then and clients had to bring the boxes to the store themselves. “So I offered to pick up the boxes in their homes using my old station wagon,” says Boy.
Little did he know that he would next be bombarded by phone calls from Filipinos he didn’t even know, all wanting their balikbayan boxes picked up. Heeding the call for more efficient service, he next organized the first network of balikbayan boxes drop off points in the entire city of Sydney – a first from an enterprising new kid on the block.
From 200 kilos of balikbayan boxes a week in 1992, Boy and his wife Connie soon faced an insurmountable 3,000 kilos of balikbayan boxes a week.
Exponential growth
“At first officials of the airline carrier wouldn’t give a cent to notice me,” he says. “But they changed their mind when I was offering 3,000 kilos.” Soon his boss at the post office would complain about his habitual absences. His neighbors would also complain of the many boxes stored in front of their houses.
“We eventually had to buy a warehouse on Wiltshire Street and quit our jobs to work on the boxes full time,” he says.
BM Express International is now a household name not only in New South Wales but also in South Australia, Adelaide, Queensland, and Victoria. It has also expanded into several branches of groceries in New South Wales and importation, food processing and packaging.
Boy says that the majority of Filipino-Australian households now have Filipino-made products all over Australia – among them noodles, corned beef, bagoong, balut, kawali and even walis tingting - that are either imported, processed, or packaged by BM International Express. The Tagles are thinking of franchising their businesses to Filipino-Australians.
In 2000 the Filipino Australian Business Association named Boy the top businessman in New South Wales. “Ang sikreto ko ay sipag, katapatan at ang pagiging patas sa kapwa, (My secret is hard work, honesty and fairness with my fellows,” he tells the Inquirer.
Despite his success Down Under, 59-year-old Boy remains a true blue Pinoy. While his children Tristan and Trisha operate the business in Australia, Boy devotes most of his time in the Philippines, creating employment as he establishes a food processing and packaging plant in Antipolo, develops a resort he calls BM Lamuro in El Nido, and sets up a school for the needy natives in his hometown El Nido in Palawan.
Australia to punish employers of illegal workers
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:57:00 04/12/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos planning to find work in Australia by entering that country on tourist visas will find this harder to do in August when stiffer sanctions come into force against those who employ them, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.
In her report to the home office, Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney said the new rule is contained in the amendment to the Migration Act of 1958, or the Australian Migration Amendment (Employer Sanction) Act of 2007.
Citing Filipino-Australian lawyer Imelda Argel, the Philippine embassy in Sydney said once the law takes effect, persons who employ or even simply refer an illegal immigrant to an employer face a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to A$60,000 (US$55,000).
“When there are aggravating circumstances such as slavery, forced labor, or sexual servitude, the employers can be punished per worker exploited with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to A$165,000 (US$150,000),” Argel said.
Lazaro said employers of overstaying foreigners or individuals who violate visa conditions include Filipino-Australian employers, recruiters, and migration agents who exploit these workers “in the guise of compassion or pakiusap [requests].”
She said the rule aims “to impose sanctions on persons who are connected with work by unlawful non-citizens or work in breach of visa conditions and for related purposes.”
She urged Filipinos seeking work in Australia to go through proper channels such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:57:00 04/12/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos planning to find work in Australia by entering that country on tourist visas will find this harder to do in August when stiffer sanctions come into force against those who employ them, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.
In her report to the home office, Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney said the new rule is contained in the amendment to the Migration Act of 1958, or the Australian Migration Amendment (Employer Sanction) Act of 2007.
Citing Filipino-Australian lawyer Imelda Argel, the Philippine embassy in Sydney said once the law takes effect, persons who employ or even simply refer an illegal immigrant to an employer face a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to A$60,000 (US$55,000).
“When there are aggravating circumstances such as slavery, forced labor, or sexual servitude, the employers can be punished per worker exploited with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to A$165,000 (US$150,000),” Argel said.
Lazaro said employers of overstaying foreigners or individuals who violate visa conditions include Filipino-Australian employers, recruiters, and migration agents who exploit these workers “in the guise of compassion or pakiusap [requests].”
She said the rule aims “to impose sanctions on persons who are connected with work by unlawful non-citizens or work in breach of visa conditions and for related purposes.”
She urged Filipinos seeking work in Australia to go through proper channels such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Diplomatic Pouch : Australia’s migrant experience
By Tony Hely
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: January 22, 2008
I read with interest recently an article in a major national newspaper, written by a Filipino who had migrated to Australia. It was one of those pieces that diplomats rarely come across with in the course of their daily work: a good news story, genuinely expressed, factual yet also written from the heart. The article dealt with the overwhelming satisfaction of migrants to Australia about the decision they had made to start a new life “Down Under.” Based on a recent survey commissioned by the Australian government, the article noted that 30 percent of respondents felt that the thing they liked most about Australia was its people. Weather, lifestyle and environment also rated highly. Conversely, only 4 percent of respondents listed discrimination as one of the things they did not like about Australia. Understandably 10 percent responded “missing the family back home” but 30 percent simply answered “nothing.”
As the author alluded to, the survey findings dramatically showed why Australia is increasingly becoming a favored destination for prospective migrants. A separate survey, conducted in 2006 in 20 countries around the world, found that Australia was one of the top three most attractive destinations for migrants, along with the United States and Canada.
Some Filipinos whom I talk to mention the “discrimination” issue when the subject of migration to Australia comes to mind. As noted above, it’s a non-issue for the vast majority of those who have actually settled in Australia, but I guess it shows how old perceptions die hard. Yes, Australia did have a White Australia Policy -- up until the early 1970s. Yes, like any country, Australia has had to deal with issues of race relations, including not only with migrants but also with the “first Australians,” our indigenous people.
But as a nation we have come a long, long way since the days of the White Australia Policy. Today, almost one in four of Australia’s population of around 21 million was born overseas and almost half the nation was either born abroad or has a parent born overseas. Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin are in the top seven most commonly spoken languages. Australia applies a completely non-discriminatory immigration policy, taking close to 200,000 migrants per year. In fact, Filipinos represent the fourth largest non-European immigrant population in Australia, and have been very successful and adaptable to the Australian way of life.
The Australian government continues to look for Filipino migrants. In many ways, they encapsulate the ideal new Australian: hard-working, English-speaking, with a great sense of community but also able to integrate well with other Australians, and highly skilled. This message is increasingly being heard here. Some 16,000 people applied for 3,000 places at a skilled migration forum we held in Manila in 2006. And we are also looking at attracting more international students from the Philippines, an objective which is being helped by the relaxation of some visa requirements.
On Jan. 26, Australians from all races, religions and countries of origin will come together to celebrate Australia Day. Originally it was a day solely marking the arrival of European settlers in Australia. Today it unites those who trace their ancestry back to that day with the indigenous Australians and those who have come across the seas, albeit under different circumstances, to settle in our great land. So my message is simple: Australia is a fantastic place to live, to study, to work and to raise a family, as more and more Filipinos are realizing. And if migration is something you are contemplating, you could find no more attractive proposition.
Tony Hely is the Australian ambassador to the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: January 22, 2008
I read with interest recently an article in a major national newspaper, written by a Filipino who had migrated to Australia. It was one of those pieces that diplomats rarely come across with in the course of their daily work: a good news story, genuinely expressed, factual yet also written from the heart. The article dealt with the overwhelming satisfaction of migrants to Australia about the decision they had made to start a new life “Down Under.” Based on a recent survey commissioned by the Australian government, the article noted that 30 percent of respondents felt that the thing they liked most about Australia was its people. Weather, lifestyle and environment also rated highly. Conversely, only 4 percent of respondents listed discrimination as one of the things they did not like about Australia. Understandably 10 percent responded “missing the family back home” but 30 percent simply answered “nothing.”
As the author alluded to, the survey findings dramatically showed why Australia is increasingly becoming a favored destination for prospective migrants. A separate survey, conducted in 2006 in 20 countries around the world, found that Australia was one of the top three most attractive destinations for migrants, along with the United States and Canada.
Some Filipinos whom I talk to mention the “discrimination” issue when the subject of migration to Australia comes to mind. As noted above, it’s a non-issue for the vast majority of those who have actually settled in Australia, but I guess it shows how old perceptions die hard. Yes, Australia did have a White Australia Policy -- up until the early 1970s. Yes, like any country, Australia has had to deal with issues of race relations, including not only with migrants but also with the “first Australians,” our indigenous people.
But as a nation we have come a long, long way since the days of the White Australia Policy. Today, almost one in four of Australia’s population of around 21 million was born overseas and almost half the nation was either born abroad or has a parent born overseas. Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin are in the top seven most commonly spoken languages. Australia applies a completely non-discriminatory immigration policy, taking close to 200,000 migrants per year. In fact, Filipinos represent the fourth largest non-European immigrant population in Australia, and have been very successful and adaptable to the Australian way of life.
The Australian government continues to look for Filipino migrants. In many ways, they encapsulate the ideal new Australian: hard-working, English-speaking, with a great sense of community but also able to integrate well with other Australians, and highly skilled. This message is increasingly being heard here. Some 16,000 people applied for 3,000 places at a skilled migration forum we held in Manila in 2006. And we are also looking at attracting more international students from the Philippines, an objective which is being helped by the relaxation of some visa requirements.
On Jan. 26, Australians from all races, religions and countries of origin will come together to celebrate Australia Day. Originally it was a day solely marking the arrival of European settlers in Australia. Today it unites those who trace their ancestry back to that day with the indigenous Australians and those who have come across the seas, albeit under different circumstances, to settle in our great land. So my message is simple: Australia is a fantastic place to live, to study, to work and to raise a family, as more and more Filipinos are realizing. And if migration is something you are contemplating, you could find no more attractive proposition.
Tony Hely is the Australian ambassador to the Philippines.
Australia relaxes rules for foreign-trained medical doctors
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Posted date: July 06, 2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Australia has relaxed its rules for foreign medical doctors -- both general practitioners and specialists -- who want to migrate and practice there, a registered migration agent told INQUIRER.net.
“The rules are becoming easier for doctors to be allowed to work and live in Australia…There are big changes in 2007,” Howard Neil Donkin, vice president of MAB International Services Inc., said, adding that changes to Australian migration rules to make this possible are being implemented in phases. Donkin was in the country for a conference.
The first phase is from July 1, when the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement will no longer be required of overseas-trained medical doctors who want to start the examination process of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) under the multiple choice examination (MCQ).
Donkin said that although ELP is a formal requirement for the registration of foreign medical professionals in Australia, “any candidate who undertakes MCQ after July 1 is not required to fulfill ELP requirements for eligibility to sit in the examination.”
He said the AMC examinations consist of two sections: the MCQ and the clinical examinations.
Made up of 125 questions, the computer-administered MCQ is a test on the principles and practice of medicine in the field being tested for. Some questions on general practice are also included in the test, which is administered in two three-hour sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
The examination focuses on essential medical knowledge involving understanding of the disease process, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, therapy, and management, as well as on the candidate's ability to exercise discrimination, judgment, and reasoning in distinguishing between the correct diagnosis and plausible alternatives, he explained.
On the other hand, the clinical examinations evaluate clinical competence in terms of medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes for the safe and effective clinical practice of medicine in the Australian community. They consist of a multi-station structured clinical assessment of clinical skills.
Donkin added that the clinical examination also assesses the candidate's capacity to communicate with patients, their families and other health workers.
According to Donkin, the examinations are designed as a comprehensive test of medical knowledge, clinical competency and performance. Both MCQ and clinical assessments are multidisciplinary and integrated.
By September 1, the Competence Authority Pathway is going to be introduced. Although the Australian government has not released the details of this new rule, Donkin said it is believed that his government will look at the universities around the world and choose from “competent authorities” among these.
He said graduates of these chosen universities will “get advanced standing” and may no longer need to take the multiple choice examination and the clinical examination. Instead, they will take a “workplace-based assessment.”
“Now, where this assessment will take place, here or in Australia, is not known yet,” he said.
Asked how many foreign medical doctors Australia is willing to take in, Donkin said: “The rules don’t work that way. We don’t have numbers. We just have a list of jobs that are in demand. For doctors, these include general practitioners and those with specialties in surgery, radiology, pathology, psychiatry pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.”
Mabis is authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to deploy registered nurses, medical practitioners, and hospital/retail pharmacists to Australia.
INQUIRER.net
Posted date: July 06, 2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Australia has relaxed its rules for foreign medical doctors -- both general practitioners and specialists -- who want to migrate and practice there, a registered migration agent told INQUIRER.net.
“The rules are becoming easier for doctors to be allowed to work and live in Australia…There are big changes in 2007,” Howard Neil Donkin, vice president of MAB International Services Inc., said, adding that changes to Australian migration rules to make this possible are being implemented in phases. Donkin was in the country for a conference.
The first phase is from July 1, when the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement will no longer be required of overseas-trained medical doctors who want to start the examination process of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) under the multiple choice examination (MCQ).
Donkin said that although ELP is a formal requirement for the registration of foreign medical professionals in Australia, “any candidate who undertakes MCQ after July 1 is not required to fulfill ELP requirements for eligibility to sit in the examination.”
He said the AMC examinations consist of two sections: the MCQ and the clinical examinations.
Made up of 125 questions, the computer-administered MCQ is a test on the principles and practice of medicine in the field being tested for. Some questions on general practice are also included in the test, which is administered in two three-hour sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
The examination focuses on essential medical knowledge involving understanding of the disease process, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, therapy, and management, as well as on the candidate's ability to exercise discrimination, judgment, and reasoning in distinguishing between the correct diagnosis and plausible alternatives, he explained.
On the other hand, the clinical examinations evaluate clinical competence in terms of medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes for the safe and effective clinical practice of medicine in the Australian community. They consist of a multi-station structured clinical assessment of clinical skills.
Donkin added that the clinical examination also assesses the candidate's capacity to communicate with patients, their families and other health workers.
According to Donkin, the examinations are designed as a comprehensive test of medical knowledge, clinical competency and performance. Both MCQ and clinical assessments are multidisciplinary and integrated.
By September 1, the Competence Authority Pathway is going to be introduced. Although the Australian government has not released the details of this new rule, Donkin said it is believed that his government will look at the universities around the world and choose from “competent authorities” among these.
He said graduates of these chosen universities will “get advanced standing” and may no longer need to take the multiple choice examination and the clinical examination. Instead, they will take a “workplace-based assessment.”
“Now, where this assessment will take place, here or in Australia, is not known yet,” he said.
Asked how many foreign medical doctors Australia is willing to take in, Donkin said: “The rules don’t work that way. We don’t have numbers. We just have a list of jobs that are in demand. For doctors, these include general practitioners and those with specialties in surgery, radiology, pathology, psychiatry pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.”
Mabis is authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to deploy registered nurses, medical practitioners, and hospital/retail pharmacists to Australia.
Skilled workers needed in Australia
By Cris Evert Lato
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:35:00 12/16/2008
Cebu City, Philippines - Despite the expected layoff of overseas contract workers brought about by the global economic crisis, there are still work opportunities for Filipinos abroad.
One country with job opportunities for Filipinos is Australia.
Queensland, a province of Australia, needs at least 120,000 skilled laborers by 2010 to fill up the jobs left by the he country's aging population, said Linda Brown, institute director of the Metropolitan South Institute of Technical and Further Education.
“Our community is getting older. We have an aging population. In 2015, there will be more people over 50 (years old) than those under 25 years old,” she told reporters in a recent press conference held at the Laguna Garden cafe.
Brown was among the members of the Queensland, Australia Vocational Education and Training (VET) delegation, who visited Cebu last month to orient government and academe representatives about work and career opportunities available in Australia.
VET export office director Katherine Marnane said various jobs will be available as the Queensland economy has $170 billion worth of investments over the next 18 years.
These projects include transport and freighting, information and communication technology, and industry development.
Marnane also noted workers are needed in the sectors of tourism and hospitality, business, accounting, hairdressing, and health and community services.
To get the necessary workforce, the VET export office has built partnerships with Australia-based education provider and agency, Charlton Brown.
Charlton Brown, in turn, partnered with Integrated Learning (IL) Institute Philippines to provide the necessary training to Filipinos, who are interested to pursue a career in Australia, and later on, reside permanently in the country.
IL Institute president Jerry Perez de Tagle said Filipino students can enroll in three-month long training courses such as elderly care and community services in the Philippines.
“While they are studying, our partner, Charlton Brown, will help process their visa requirements. It will also help place students in jobs once they arrive in Australia,” said de Tagle.
“They will come in with a student visa. In Australia, Filipinos can still continue their studies for two years while earning income from working,” he added.
After two years study, de Tagle said a student will be given a Diploma in Community Service and will be given a professional work visa and can work for another 18 months.
“By then, you will then be eligible for permanent residency. This process could even be done within the fastest period of three and a half years.”
Brown of Metropolitan South TAFE said Australia has a stable economy which shelters them from the effects of the financial crisis.
She noted the proximity of Australia and the Philippines is a factor that should encourage Filipinos to work in Australia aside from the Filipinos fluency in the English language.
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:35:00 12/16/2008
Cebu City, Philippines - Despite the expected layoff of overseas contract workers brought about by the global economic crisis, there are still work opportunities for Filipinos abroad.
One country with job opportunities for Filipinos is Australia.
Queensland, a province of Australia, needs at least 120,000 skilled laborers by 2010 to fill up the jobs left by the he country's aging population, said Linda Brown, institute director of the Metropolitan South Institute of Technical and Further Education.
“Our community is getting older. We have an aging population. In 2015, there will be more people over 50 (years old) than those under 25 years old,” she told reporters in a recent press conference held at the Laguna Garden cafe.
Brown was among the members of the Queensland, Australia Vocational Education and Training (VET) delegation, who visited Cebu last month to orient government and academe representatives about work and career opportunities available in Australia.
VET export office director Katherine Marnane said various jobs will be available as the Queensland economy has $170 billion worth of investments over the next 18 years.
These projects include transport and freighting, information and communication technology, and industry development.
Marnane also noted workers are needed in the sectors of tourism and hospitality, business, accounting, hairdressing, and health and community services.
To get the necessary workforce, the VET export office has built partnerships with Australia-based education provider and agency, Charlton Brown.
Charlton Brown, in turn, partnered with Integrated Learning (IL) Institute Philippines to provide the necessary training to Filipinos, who are interested to pursue a career in Australia, and later on, reside permanently in the country.
IL Institute president Jerry Perez de Tagle said Filipino students can enroll in three-month long training courses such as elderly care and community services in the Philippines.
“While they are studying, our partner, Charlton Brown, will help process their visa requirements. It will also help place students in jobs once they arrive in Australia,” said de Tagle.
“They will come in with a student visa. In Australia, Filipinos can still continue their studies for two years while earning income from working,” he added.
After two years study, de Tagle said a student will be given a Diploma in Community Service and will be given a professional work visa and can work for another 18 months.
“By then, you will then be eligible for permanent residency. This process could even be done within the fastest period of three and a half years.”
Brown of Metropolitan South TAFE said Australia has a stable economy which shelters them from the effects of the financial crisis.
She noted the proximity of Australia and the Philippines is a factor that should encourage Filipinos to work in Australia aside from the Filipinos fluency in the English language.
Australian employers offer to subsidize deployment of OFWs
Estrada wants 2 more labor attachés Down Under
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:19:00 08/16/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- A partnership between an employers’ group in Australia and a recruitment agency in the Philippines is offering to subsidize the deployment of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and professionals to that country.
In a related development, Senate president pro tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada is proposing the assignment of two more labor attachés to Australia “to maximize the vast work opportunities there for our own labor force, as well as ensure protection of our OFWs in that country.”
Estrada, who retained his chairmanship of the Senate labor committee, said a labor attaché each should be posted to the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Citing Australia’s 2001census, he said 103,990 Philippine-born residents are distributed in the two areas. He added that more and more Filipinos work and live in Australia.
In an interview, Eduardo Burgos, former information attaché of the Philippine embassy to Australia, said MAB Int'l. Services Inc. and its new Australian partners have agreed not to collect any fees from OFWs to be deployed to Australia.
“The good thing here is that the selected Filipino workers will have the privilege to bring their family [spouse and children] to Australia,” he said, adding that OFWs will enjoy the same benefits as those given to Australian workers.
Burgos said his wife, Vilma Burgos, MABIS president and chief executive officer, met Barbara Anne Merrigan of M&M Health Power and Ray Hollis in Australia “to discuss their strategic alliance in recruiting and deploying appropriately qualified and experienced Filipino workers to Australia.”
Hollis is a former speaker of the Queensland Parliament.
Burgos said MABIS is the first recruitment agency in the Philippines authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to deploy Filipino workers to Australia.
He said Australia is in need of various professionals and skilled workers.
The professionals needed are nurses, pharmacists, various information technology jobs [systems managers, software designers, systems designers, systems programmers, applications and analyst programmers], accountants, auditors, landscape architects, engineers [civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronic], and interior decorators.
The skilled workers needed are carpenters, metal fabricators, welders, motor mechanics, vehicle painters, vehicle trimmers, vehicle body makers, butchers, cabinetmakers, tailors, furniture finishers, hairdressers, dressmakers, apparel cutters, aircraft maintenance engineers, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, petroleum and gas plant operators, power generation plant operators, heavy equipment mechanics, drillers and other mining workers.
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:19:00 08/16/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- A partnership between an employers’ group in Australia and a recruitment agency in the Philippines is offering to subsidize the deployment of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and professionals to that country.
In a related development, Senate president pro tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada is proposing the assignment of two more labor attachés to Australia “to maximize the vast work opportunities there for our own labor force, as well as ensure protection of our OFWs in that country.”
Estrada, who retained his chairmanship of the Senate labor committee, said a labor attaché each should be posted to the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Citing Australia’s 2001census, he said 103,990 Philippine-born residents are distributed in the two areas. He added that more and more Filipinos work and live in Australia.
In an interview, Eduardo Burgos, former information attaché of the Philippine embassy to Australia, said MAB Int'l. Services Inc. and its new Australian partners have agreed not to collect any fees from OFWs to be deployed to Australia.
“The good thing here is that the selected Filipino workers will have the privilege to bring their family [spouse and children] to Australia,” he said, adding that OFWs will enjoy the same benefits as those given to Australian workers.
Burgos said his wife, Vilma Burgos, MABIS president and chief executive officer, met Barbara Anne Merrigan of M&M Health Power and Ray Hollis in Australia “to discuss their strategic alliance in recruiting and deploying appropriately qualified and experienced Filipino workers to Australia.”
Hollis is a former speaker of the Queensland Parliament.
Burgos said MABIS is the first recruitment agency in the Philippines authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to deploy Filipino workers to Australia.
He said Australia is in need of various professionals and skilled workers.
The professionals needed are nurses, pharmacists, various information technology jobs [systems managers, software designers, systems designers, systems programmers, applications and analyst programmers], accountants, auditors, landscape architects, engineers [civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronic], and interior decorators.
The skilled workers needed are carpenters, metal fabricators, welders, motor mechanics, vehicle painters, vehicle trimmers, vehicle body makers, butchers, cabinetmakers, tailors, furniture finishers, hairdressers, dressmakers, apparel cutters, aircraft maintenance engineers, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, petroleum and gas plant operators, power generation plant operators, heavy equipment mechanics, drillers and other mining workers.
Need for OFWs in Australia to slow down
DUE TO FINANCIAL CRISIS
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:10:00 01/22/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The demand for Filipino workers in Australia remains but will slow down due to the continuing global financial crunch, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.
At Wednesday night's Journalists Reunion, Smith said that as every other country in the world, Australia would be hit by the crisis that would ultimately affect its capacity to absorb foreign workers.
"It's very, very hard to predict how deep and extended the crisis would be. We don't know how Australia would be affected. We don't know how the sectors that hire Filipinos would be affected by the downturn," he said.
But, he maintained, "Australia is increasingly an important market for skilled Filipino workers as Australian businesses struggle to fill skills shortages."
Smith also said that Philippines has dislodged India from the number two position for Australia's major sources of temporary skilled workers. He said 9,000 Filipinos are already in Australia under the employer-sponsored temporary skilled workers program of Australia.
Smith said more Filipinos are going to Australia and making "fantastic" contributions to the country.
"There are substantial Filipinos in Australia, between 200,000 to 250,000. The population of Filipinos in Australia is increasing. They are from all walks of life -- in business, education, culture, sports, media, and government. They are making fantastic contributions to multicultural Australia," he said.
The Australian ambassador described the relationship between Australia and the Philippines as "substantial," with A$2.7 billion in two-way trade.
However, he said, he hopes to increase this to a level comparable to the other ASEAN countries. Total trade between ASEAN member-countries and Australia is A$70 billion.
"The Philippines' share of the trade is lower than what should be, given the size of the two economies," Smith said.
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:10:00 01/22/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The demand for Filipino workers in Australia remains but will slow down due to the continuing global financial crunch, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.
At Wednesday night's Journalists Reunion, Smith said that as every other country in the world, Australia would be hit by the crisis that would ultimately affect its capacity to absorb foreign workers.
"It's very, very hard to predict how deep and extended the crisis would be. We don't know how Australia would be affected. We don't know how the sectors that hire Filipinos would be affected by the downturn," he said.
But, he maintained, "Australia is increasingly an important market for skilled Filipino workers as Australian businesses struggle to fill skills shortages."
Smith also said that Philippines has dislodged India from the number two position for Australia's major sources of temporary skilled workers. He said 9,000 Filipinos are already in Australia under the employer-sponsored temporary skilled workers program of Australia.
Smith said more Filipinos are going to Australia and making "fantastic" contributions to the country.
"There are substantial Filipinos in Australia, between 200,000 to 250,000. The population of Filipinos in Australia is increasing. They are from all walks of life -- in business, education, culture, sports, media, and government. They are making fantastic contributions to multicultural Australia," he said.
The Australian ambassador described the relationship between Australia and the Philippines as "substantial," with A$2.7 billion in two-way trade.
However, he said, he hopes to increase this to a level comparable to the other ASEAN countries. Total trade between ASEAN member-countries and Australia is A$70 billion.
"The Philippines' share of the trade is lower than what should be, given the size of the two economies," Smith said.
Pinoy Kasi : ‘Tabo’
By Michael Tan
Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: February 20, 2009
One Filipino blogger calls it the “tabo scandal.” Most readers probably know the story, but let’s run through it again quickly. A Filipino machinist working in a small Australian town (literally, the name of the place was Townsville) went to the office toilet with a bottle of water. His superior noticed and said that wasn’t allowed, but the Filipino insisted. To make a long story short, the supervisor realized the bottle of water was going to be used to clean the “down under,” and I don’t mean the geographical place.
There was an exchange of views, the Australian insisting that when in Australia, one must do things the Australian way, in other words, the “tabo” was taboo. Our feisty Filipino held his ground and lost his job. Uproar followed, the trade union of machinists siding with him. The company eventually claimed the worker was being disciplined for having left his work without proper leave.
The incident is now the subject of numerous blog sites with confusing details. For example, I’m not sure if he was eventually reinstated. Opinions about the behavior vary, a minority saying this was another example of shameful (or shameless) Filipino unhygienic behavior, while most others felt, “Hey, don’t be an ass, it’s his ass.” I thought I’d jump into the fray as an anthropologist because we’re looking at a clash of cultures here. It’s not the first time. Remember, a few years ago there was the case of the Filipino child in a Canadian school, who was reprimanded because he insisted on using a spoon, rather than a fork, to scoop up his food.
Cultural icon
The Townsville incident is interesting because all the Filipino blogs and Internet commentaries all use the term “tabo” even if there was no such object involved. It reflects the importance of the “tabo,” not just as a household utensil but as a cultural icon.
Cultures are packages that include ways of thinking and doing, as well as material objects created along those ways of thinking and doing. The “tabo,” a water dipper usually made of plastic, is an example of such a material object, with many functions and meanings.
The “tabo” is essential to the Filipino toilet. So important is the object that Filipinos, whether on short- or long-term travel, will bring their own “tabo” ... or, if they had forgotten to bring one and will be living abroad for some time, will request other Filipinos to eventually bring one.
The “tabo” was originally a wooden dipper used to take water out of a “banga” [clay cistern] for drinking or washing (for example, washing the feet before entering a house). Even with 21st-century modern plumbing, many Filipino homes still have the “tabo,” partly because of perennial water shortage and low water pressure. Water has to be collected in drums and pails and the “tabo” still has its original function as a dipper.
In the toilet, the “tabo” is there for various hygienic purposes, not just to get water but to function as a small basin. Back in the 1970s, as a student doing rural service in places with limited water supplies, I learned to use one “tabo” of water to wash my face and brush my teeth with enough leftover to clean and put on my contact lenses.
The Townsville incident related to still another hygienic function: cleaning up after doing scatological duties, not just by dousing the rear with water but sometimes even soaping it, and after the cleaning, taking up another “tabo” of water to flush the toilet followed by still another “tabo” ritual to wash and soap the hands. (Scatological duties are also sometimes politely called “number two” or the more onomatopoeic “uu.”)
Now, you might ask, why can’t Filipinos make life simpler by using toilet paper? Ahh, there’s the culture-in-the-body component. It’s not accidental one of the words we use in Tagalog for culture is “kaugalian” or habits. Once learned, the “tabo” becomes an enduring habit, incorporated into our bodies and our psyche. Many Filipinos, even upper-class ones, will insist the “tabo” leaves you cleaner down there, and now we’re expanding the discussions to mean both front and back.
Filipinos are divided on the scatological function of the “tabo”. I grew up with toilet paper and was horrified when I was deployed in a rural village and found out no one used toilet paper there (except in one mayor’s house, where the toilets had martial law propaganda leaflets stacked up — his way, I suspect, of protesting the dictatorship). The idea of manual cleaning seemed repulsive, and I felt the rinsing left a mess on the toilet seat and on the floor.
Now with very young kids, I have no problems using the “tabo” or even my bare hands to wash them after they poo; in fact, I think it’s more ecologically friendly than using moist wipes or toilet paper, especially considering how often they scat. But ask me “to “tabo”” myself? Nope, I’m too acculturated, embodied in toilet paper.
Bidet
Don’t think, though, that this “tabo” and washing thing is a sign of barbarism or of the impoverished Third World. There are many cultures in the world that dislike toilet paper, which is why you have the bidet, a low-mounted plumbing fixture with nozzles to spray water for cleaning the down under — yes, front and back. (Usually, a short one is called the family nozzle, used for the rear, and a long one, a bidet nozzle, for the front.)
The bidet is used in southern Europe, Latin America, India, Arabic countries, Japan and Korea (and, lately, in China) and has evolved now to include hot and cold water and even a mini-heater that warms and dries whatever you wet. Far from being barbaric, the bidet is even considered part of a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle.
“Bidet” means “pony” in French, indicating the way you’re supposed to sit on it. It’s not that easy to do. Like the use of a “tabo,” proper bidet etiquette requires quite a bit of choreography to keep yourself balanced, not to get yourself too wet, and not to make a mess in the toilet. Still puzzled? Check out wikihow.com/Use-a-Bidet.
When you think about it, the “tabo” is a low-tech, affordable version of the bidet. Who knows? With so many Filipinos living overseas, the use of the “tabo” just might spill across (sorry if that sounded like the messy toilets) borders. Like the lowly tsinelas or slippers, the “tabo” will probably get a make-over with jazzed-up colors and designs, maybe even mutating in the way it’s pronounced by young Filipinos growing up overseas: Anyone for a “teboe”?
In the meantime, will someone please come up with a post for wikihow.com on the correct use of a “tabo,” including how “to “tabo”” without a “tabo,” like our brave Filipino worker did in Townsville?
* * *
Email: mtan@inquirer.com.ph
Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: February 20, 2009
One Filipino blogger calls it the “tabo scandal.” Most readers probably know the story, but let’s run through it again quickly. A Filipino machinist working in a small Australian town (literally, the name of the place was Townsville) went to the office toilet with a bottle of water. His superior noticed and said that wasn’t allowed, but the Filipino insisted. To make a long story short, the supervisor realized the bottle of water was going to be used to clean the “down under,” and I don’t mean the geographical place.
There was an exchange of views, the Australian insisting that when in Australia, one must do things the Australian way, in other words, the “tabo” was taboo. Our feisty Filipino held his ground and lost his job. Uproar followed, the trade union of machinists siding with him. The company eventually claimed the worker was being disciplined for having left his work without proper leave.
The incident is now the subject of numerous blog sites with confusing details. For example, I’m not sure if he was eventually reinstated. Opinions about the behavior vary, a minority saying this was another example of shameful (or shameless) Filipino unhygienic behavior, while most others felt, “Hey, don’t be an ass, it’s his ass.” I thought I’d jump into the fray as an anthropologist because we’re looking at a clash of cultures here. It’s not the first time. Remember, a few years ago there was the case of the Filipino child in a Canadian school, who was reprimanded because he insisted on using a spoon, rather than a fork, to scoop up his food.
Cultural icon
The Townsville incident is interesting because all the Filipino blogs and Internet commentaries all use the term “tabo” even if there was no such object involved. It reflects the importance of the “tabo,” not just as a household utensil but as a cultural icon.
Cultures are packages that include ways of thinking and doing, as well as material objects created along those ways of thinking and doing. The “tabo,” a water dipper usually made of plastic, is an example of such a material object, with many functions and meanings.
The “tabo” is essential to the Filipino toilet. So important is the object that Filipinos, whether on short- or long-term travel, will bring their own “tabo” ... or, if they had forgotten to bring one and will be living abroad for some time, will request other Filipinos to eventually bring one.
The “tabo” was originally a wooden dipper used to take water out of a “banga” [clay cistern] for drinking or washing (for example, washing the feet before entering a house). Even with 21st-century modern plumbing, many Filipino homes still have the “tabo,” partly because of perennial water shortage and low water pressure. Water has to be collected in drums and pails and the “tabo” still has its original function as a dipper.
In the toilet, the “tabo” is there for various hygienic purposes, not just to get water but to function as a small basin. Back in the 1970s, as a student doing rural service in places with limited water supplies, I learned to use one “tabo” of water to wash my face and brush my teeth with enough leftover to clean and put on my contact lenses.
The Townsville incident related to still another hygienic function: cleaning up after doing scatological duties, not just by dousing the rear with water but sometimes even soaping it, and after the cleaning, taking up another “tabo” of water to flush the toilet followed by still another “tabo” ritual to wash and soap the hands. (Scatological duties are also sometimes politely called “number two” or the more onomatopoeic “uu.”)
Now, you might ask, why can’t Filipinos make life simpler by using toilet paper? Ahh, there’s the culture-in-the-body component. It’s not accidental one of the words we use in Tagalog for culture is “kaugalian” or habits. Once learned, the “tabo” becomes an enduring habit, incorporated into our bodies and our psyche. Many Filipinos, even upper-class ones, will insist the “tabo” leaves you cleaner down there, and now we’re expanding the discussions to mean both front and back.
Filipinos are divided on the scatological function of the “tabo”. I grew up with toilet paper and was horrified when I was deployed in a rural village and found out no one used toilet paper there (except in one mayor’s house, where the toilets had martial law propaganda leaflets stacked up — his way, I suspect, of protesting the dictatorship). The idea of manual cleaning seemed repulsive, and I felt the rinsing left a mess on the toilet seat and on the floor.
Now with very young kids, I have no problems using the “tabo” or even my bare hands to wash them after they poo; in fact, I think it’s more ecologically friendly than using moist wipes or toilet paper, especially considering how often they scat. But ask me “to “tabo”” myself? Nope, I’m too acculturated, embodied in toilet paper.
Bidet
Don’t think, though, that this “tabo” and washing thing is a sign of barbarism or of the impoverished Third World. There are many cultures in the world that dislike toilet paper, which is why you have the bidet, a low-mounted plumbing fixture with nozzles to spray water for cleaning the down under — yes, front and back. (Usually, a short one is called the family nozzle, used for the rear, and a long one, a bidet nozzle, for the front.)
The bidet is used in southern Europe, Latin America, India, Arabic countries, Japan and Korea (and, lately, in China) and has evolved now to include hot and cold water and even a mini-heater that warms and dries whatever you wet. Far from being barbaric, the bidet is even considered part of a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle.
“Bidet” means “pony” in French, indicating the way you’re supposed to sit on it. It’s not that easy to do. Like the use of a “tabo,” proper bidet etiquette requires quite a bit of choreography to keep yourself balanced, not to get yourself too wet, and not to make a mess in the toilet. Still puzzled? Check out wikihow.com/Use-a-Bidet.
When you think about it, the “tabo” is a low-tech, affordable version of the bidet. Who knows? With so many Filipinos living overseas, the use of the “tabo” just might spill across (sorry if that sounded like the messy toilets) borders. Like the lowly tsinelas or slippers, the “tabo” will probably get a make-over with jazzed-up colors and designs, maybe even mutating in the way it’s pronounced by young Filipinos growing up overseas: Anyone for a “teboe”?
In the meantime, will someone please come up with a post for wikihow.com on the correct use of a “tabo,” including how “to “tabo”” without a “tabo,” like our brave Filipino worker did in Townsville?
* * *
Email: mtan@inquirer.com.ph
House probe sought on envoy to Australia
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:55:00 01/05/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- An investigation is being sought into the country's ambassador to Australia who has been allegedly neglecting his duties because he was studying full-time at the expense of the Philippine government.
In filing Resolution No. 919, Bayan Muna partylist Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño asked the committee on foreign affairs to find out if Ambassador Ernesto de Leon has been remiss in his duties in serving the Filipinos in Australia because he was preoccupied with his studies.
Some members of the Filipino community in Australia lament that De Leon was not as accessible as they would like him to be since he would only be available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays or Fridays, according to the resolution.
"Philippine taxpayers shoulder the living expenses of the country's top diplomats like De Leon. … In return, Ambassador de Leon is expected to be a full-time public servant to overseas Filipinos and the Filipino-Australian community and in advancing the interests of the Philippines within the coverage of the post," it said.
De Leon, a former Navy vice admiral who was involved in the wiretapping scandal in the 2004 election, was appointed to his post in 2006.
Few months after his appointment on June 23, 2006, De Leon presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia expressing his “intentions to continue building on defense cooperation through the Philippine Defense Reform Program and in other activities such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and education and training.”
In February 2008, De Leon was eventually accepted at the Australia National University to take up his Masters in International Affairs.
In an interview with ABS-CBN news, De Leon said he was "just like everyone else." And when asked what it was like being in the university, De Leon said, "When I'm there, I'm a student. When I step out of the University, I'm the ambassador."
"As an international student, De Leon has to pay the full tuition for the one-year program in International Affairs -- 24,000 Australian dollars. That figure is equivalent to P803,589 at the current exchange rate, the amount presumably being shouldered by the Philippine government. This is almost three times more than the Philippine President's constitutionally-mandated annual salary of P300,000," the resolution said.
De Leon is not a career diplomat and is among the long list of political appointees to the foreign service since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed office in 2001, the resolution added.
At the height of the wiretapping scandal investigation, Brigadier General Francsico Gudani testified at the Senate that then Navy Flag Officer-in-Command De Leon and General Emmanuel Teodosio instructed him to leave his post during the canvassing of votes in Lanao del Sur, asking him to "play golf, go to Boracay" instead.
De Leon explained that he had asked Gudani to come to Manila because of a shooting incident where a civilian died and the Marines were dragged into the situation.
De Leon, the 12th Philippine Ambassador to Australia, also has concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Nauru and the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:55:00 01/05/2009
MANILA, Philippines -- An investigation is being sought into the country's ambassador to Australia who has been allegedly neglecting his duties because he was studying full-time at the expense of the Philippine government.
In filing Resolution No. 919, Bayan Muna partylist Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño asked the committee on foreign affairs to find out if Ambassador Ernesto de Leon has been remiss in his duties in serving the Filipinos in Australia because he was preoccupied with his studies.
Some members of the Filipino community in Australia lament that De Leon was not as accessible as they would like him to be since he would only be available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays or Fridays, according to the resolution.
"Philippine taxpayers shoulder the living expenses of the country's top diplomats like De Leon. … In return, Ambassador de Leon is expected to be a full-time public servant to overseas Filipinos and the Filipino-Australian community and in advancing the interests of the Philippines within the coverage of the post," it said.
De Leon, a former Navy vice admiral who was involved in the wiretapping scandal in the 2004 election, was appointed to his post in 2006.
Few months after his appointment on June 23, 2006, De Leon presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia expressing his “intentions to continue building on defense cooperation through the Philippine Defense Reform Program and in other activities such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and education and training.”
In February 2008, De Leon was eventually accepted at the Australia National University to take up his Masters in International Affairs.
In an interview with ABS-CBN news, De Leon said he was "just like everyone else." And when asked what it was like being in the university, De Leon said, "When I'm there, I'm a student. When I step out of the University, I'm the ambassador."
"As an international student, De Leon has to pay the full tuition for the one-year program in International Affairs -- 24,000 Australian dollars. That figure is equivalent to P803,589 at the current exchange rate, the amount presumably being shouldered by the Philippine government. This is almost three times more than the Philippine President's constitutionally-mandated annual salary of P300,000," the resolution said.
De Leon is not a career diplomat and is among the long list of political appointees to the foreign service since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed office in 2001, the resolution added.
At the height of the wiretapping scandal investigation, Brigadier General Francsico Gudani testified at the Senate that then Navy Flag Officer-in-Command De Leon and General Emmanuel Teodosio instructed him to leave his post during the canvassing of votes in Lanao del Sur, asking him to "play golf, go to Boracay" instead.
De Leon explained that he had asked Gudani to come to Manila because of a shooting incident where a civilian died and the Marines were dragged into the situation.
De Leon, the 12th Philippine Ambassador to Australia, also has concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Nauru and the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu.
Pinoy-Aussie execs in Australia
By Margie Quimpo-Espino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: October 01, 2008
THINK OFW AND THE USUAL image that comes to mind is a Filipina working as a DH or domestic helper abroad or a Filipino seaman plying the different oceans and seas.
Not known to many is the big segment of Filipinos working as professionals overseas making waves in their current countries of residence.
The Inquirer recently got to know two such Filipinos in Australia who are occupying top positions in the land down under.
Beyond the Australian dream
Millie Telan was a young accountant who applied for migration to Australia in the early 1980s.
She says some friends had applied for migration and were rejected so they urged her to try. She was accepted.
“I did not know anything about Australia when I came,” she recalls.
Some 25 years later, Millie is a partner in a mid-sized Australian law firm, Thomson Playford Cutlers. Her field of expertise is tax law, one of the most complex legal areas, not just in Australia but the world.
Millie got her break courtesy of a client she had while still employed in a law firm in Manila. She was with the finance department then and the client, who was based in Australia, told her to look him up if she ever came to Sydney.
She arrived in Sydney on a Sunday and immediately rang her client the next day to take him up on his offer. Right there and then, he asked her: “When can you start?”
A workaholic with a passion to learn, Millie pursued a Masters of Commerce in Legal Studies and Tax from the University of New South Wales. She was able to get credits for some of her MBA courses at the Ateneo, but because she was studying part time, it took her six years to finish the program.
“I had a good employer. He allowed me two afternoons a week to go to the university,” she says.
Not content with her postgraduate degree, she pursued a Bachelor of Laws in the same university, also on a part-time basis.
On top of her studies, she worked out five times a week.
“With my type of work, you sit and read. There is no physical activity. A lot of exercise kept me fit and sane,” she explains.
Millie, however, downplays her achievements even if today, she is the only Asian partner in her law firm. She is also the first female president of the Australia-Philippines Business Council Inc., an association aimed at helping firms or businessmen do business in the two countries.
She did not want to delve too much into difficulties she experienced as an Asian building a career in a foreign land. She simply says that hard work helps.
She cites, “Australians are frank. You have to understand the differences in the culture.”
While many Australians are still working on their Australian dream, Millie has already achieved it. Still single, she lives in a 660-square-meter home in one of the expensive areas of Sydney, plus rents out a smaller home.
Still, she takes the bus or the train to go to work and to meetings.
And like many Filipinos who spent their careers in foreign lands, she hopes to retire in her hometown in Isabela.
Seeking investments in the Philippines
Eduardo Alcordo is a Filipino-Australian investment banker – complete with suspenders and pin-stripe suit with his initials embroidered on his shirt – looking to invest in energy in the Philippines.
He is a director of First Pacific Capital Underwriters Pty Ltd., an Australian investment-banking firm, with holdings in China and the Philippines that he set up in 1989 with Australian investors.
He studied high school in the Philippines and elementary education at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School. He lived with relatives while in the United States.
He spent a couple of college years at the University of the Philippines but eventually went to Australia because “you get high quality education but cheaper” than in the United States. Graduate school for his MBA, however, found him back in the United States.
He gave Wall Street a try after his MBA but Australia beckoned. It was compelling to return to Australia, he says, citing the opportunities that came more often in the continent than in New York.
He jokes that in Australia, with $500 million, you can move the market by one to two percent. In Wall Street, he says, you may have $1 billion and you will hardly make a dent.
First Pacific, which has about eight power plants under contract, was one of the bidders for National Transmission Co., which owns and operates the transmission lines in the country. The firm qualified up to the second round of bidding but decided not to pursue it.
Alcordo did not say why, but says: “You bid at your own risk but the major barrier to the cost of doing business is if the project is not awarded.”
Although, he acknowledges the difficulties of doing business in the Philippines, no different from the usual complaints of investors—bureaucracy, uncertain policies and directions—Alcordo says, “the Philippine experience is not all that bad. There are risks but there are returns. We see it as an expensive place to get into but the returns are good.”
First Pacific Capital recently set up a biomass power plant in Queensland, Australia. He says that this is the first venture into indigenous fuel use and he says there are plans to put up a similar plant in the Philippines.
“The issue is fuel sustainability. What we’re looking at in the Philippines is transmission and fuel,” he says, “If you locate the plant to the user, you have less use for transmissions. We are also mindful of the indigenous fuel the country has, such as coconut.”
Alcordo admits security remains an issue facing investors doing business in the Philippines.
“What is most likely to happen is you have private firms riding at the back of multilateral lending agencies investing in the country so that you have “governments fronting if something goes wrong,” he says.
But he remains bullish about opportunities in the Philippines. And with First Pacific taking on the symbol of the sea horse, which means “in troubled times the sea horse will float,” it is now the best time to go to the Philippines.
* * *
The author was invited to Australia by its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under its International Media Visitors Program last Sept. 14-20.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: October 01, 2008
THINK OFW AND THE USUAL image that comes to mind is a Filipina working as a DH or domestic helper abroad or a Filipino seaman plying the different oceans and seas.
Not known to many is the big segment of Filipinos working as professionals overseas making waves in their current countries of residence.
The Inquirer recently got to know two such Filipinos in Australia who are occupying top positions in the land down under.
Beyond the Australian dream
Millie Telan was a young accountant who applied for migration to Australia in the early 1980s.
She says some friends had applied for migration and were rejected so they urged her to try. She was accepted.
“I did not know anything about Australia when I came,” she recalls.
Some 25 years later, Millie is a partner in a mid-sized Australian law firm, Thomson Playford Cutlers. Her field of expertise is tax law, one of the most complex legal areas, not just in Australia but the world.
Millie got her break courtesy of a client she had while still employed in a law firm in Manila. She was with the finance department then and the client, who was based in Australia, told her to look him up if she ever came to Sydney.
She arrived in Sydney on a Sunday and immediately rang her client the next day to take him up on his offer. Right there and then, he asked her: “When can you start?”
A workaholic with a passion to learn, Millie pursued a Masters of Commerce in Legal Studies and Tax from the University of New South Wales. She was able to get credits for some of her MBA courses at the Ateneo, but because she was studying part time, it took her six years to finish the program.
“I had a good employer. He allowed me two afternoons a week to go to the university,” she says.
Not content with her postgraduate degree, she pursued a Bachelor of Laws in the same university, also on a part-time basis.
On top of her studies, she worked out five times a week.
“With my type of work, you sit and read. There is no physical activity. A lot of exercise kept me fit and sane,” she explains.
Millie, however, downplays her achievements even if today, she is the only Asian partner in her law firm. She is also the first female president of the Australia-Philippines Business Council Inc., an association aimed at helping firms or businessmen do business in the two countries.
She did not want to delve too much into difficulties she experienced as an Asian building a career in a foreign land. She simply says that hard work helps.
She cites, “Australians are frank. You have to understand the differences in the culture.”
While many Australians are still working on their Australian dream, Millie has already achieved it. Still single, she lives in a 660-square-meter home in one of the expensive areas of Sydney, plus rents out a smaller home.
Still, she takes the bus or the train to go to work and to meetings.
And like many Filipinos who spent their careers in foreign lands, she hopes to retire in her hometown in Isabela.
Seeking investments in the Philippines
Eduardo Alcordo is a Filipino-Australian investment banker – complete with suspenders and pin-stripe suit with his initials embroidered on his shirt – looking to invest in energy in the Philippines.
He is a director of First Pacific Capital Underwriters Pty Ltd., an Australian investment-banking firm, with holdings in China and the Philippines that he set up in 1989 with Australian investors.
He studied high school in the Philippines and elementary education at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School. He lived with relatives while in the United States.
He spent a couple of college years at the University of the Philippines but eventually went to Australia because “you get high quality education but cheaper” than in the United States. Graduate school for his MBA, however, found him back in the United States.
He gave Wall Street a try after his MBA but Australia beckoned. It was compelling to return to Australia, he says, citing the opportunities that came more often in the continent than in New York.
He jokes that in Australia, with $500 million, you can move the market by one to two percent. In Wall Street, he says, you may have $1 billion and you will hardly make a dent.
First Pacific, which has about eight power plants under contract, was one of the bidders for National Transmission Co., which owns and operates the transmission lines in the country. The firm qualified up to the second round of bidding but decided not to pursue it.
Alcordo did not say why, but says: “You bid at your own risk but the major barrier to the cost of doing business is if the project is not awarded.”
Although, he acknowledges the difficulties of doing business in the Philippines, no different from the usual complaints of investors—bureaucracy, uncertain policies and directions—Alcordo says, “the Philippine experience is not all that bad. There are risks but there are returns. We see it as an expensive place to get into but the returns are good.”
First Pacific Capital recently set up a biomass power plant in Queensland, Australia. He says that this is the first venture into indigenous fuel use and he says there are plans to put up a similar plant in the Philippines.
“The issue is fuel sustainability. What we’re looking at in the Philippines is transmission and fuel,” he says, “If you locate the plant to the user, you have less use for transmissions. We are also mindful of the indigenous fuel the country has, such as coconut.”
Alcordo admits security remains an issue facing investors doing business in the Philippines.
“What is most likely to happen is you have private firms riding at the back of multilateral lending agencies investing in the country so that you have “governments fronting if something goes wrong,” he says.
But he remains bullish about opportunities in the Philippines. And with First Pacific taking on the symbol of the sea horse, which means “in troubled times the sea horse will float,” it is now the best time to go to the Philippines.
* * *
The author was invited to Australia by its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under its International Media Visitors Program last Sept. 14-20.
More Filipinos leave for work in labor-deficient Australia
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:57:00 01/23/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- More Filipinos are going to Australia on work visa than family visa, outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely said.
In the last two years, Australia’s “structural shortage” in workforce and the Philippines “skills abundance” led to the shift in migration pattern of Filipinos, Hely said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.
Although he couldn't give exact figures, he said the number of skilled Filipino workers who went to work in Australia last year rose by 136 percent over 2006 figures.
“The Philippines is now the strongest source of skilled migration because of the structural skills shortages in Australia and the skills abundance in the Philippines,” he said.
Hely said Australian companies prefer Filipino workers not only because they speak English well, but also because they are known to be hardworking and can adapt to different cultures.
Australia is in need of welders, carpenters, masons, and other types of construction workers.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said Australia's priority development projects in the Philippines will focus on promoting peace and development in Mindanao .
“Peace and development in Mindanao is still a work in progress. But we believe that the Philippine government has done a good job in this aspect,” said Hely.
Australia ’s development strategy released last year noted that the continued threats to peace and security due to Islamic rebellion and communist insurgency pose serious constraints to economic growth in the Philippines.
It noted that the presence of transnational terrorist groups like the Jemaah Islamiyah in Mindanao complicates the country's internal security challenges.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:57:00 01/23/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- More Filipinos are going to Australia on work visa than family visa, outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely said.
In the last two years, Australia’s “structural shortage” in workforce and the Philippines “skills abundance” led to the shift in migration pattern of Filipinos, Hely said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.
Although he couldn't give exact figures, he said the number of skilled Filipino workers who went to work in Australia last year rose by 136 percent over 2006 figures.
“The Philippines is now the strongest source of skilled migration because of the structural skills shortages in Australia and the skills abundance in the Philippines,” he said.
Hely said Australian companies prefer Filipino workers not only because they speak English well, but also because they are known to be hardworking and can adapt to different cultures.
Australia is in need of welders, carpenters, masons, and other types of construction workers.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said Australia's priority development projects in the Philippines will focus on promoting peace and development in Mindanao .
“Peace and development in Mindanao is still a work in progress. But we believe that the Philippine government has done a good job in this aspect,” said Hely.
Australia ’s development strategy released last year noted that the continued threats to peace and security due to Islamic rebellion and communist insurgency pose serious constraints to economic growth in the Philippines.
It noted that the presence of transnational terrorist groups like the Jemaah Islamiyah in Mindanao complicates the country's internal security challenges.
RP, Australia mull social security deal
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:37:00 10/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-Australian pensioners could soon receive their pensions in the Philippines without much restriction as part of a social security agreement being set up by the Philippines and Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement, the DFA said the proposed accord has been elevated to the Australian federal government, adding the Philippine embassy in Canberra leads in the negotiations with the support of other Philippine government agencies like the Social Security System.
The agreement is being pushed by the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales, the Sydney Australian-Filipino Seniors Inc. (SAFSI), Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCAA), and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney in cooperation with the Australian Federal Members of Parliament, the DFA said.
Australia has entered into similar bilateral agreements with other countries.
As part of this effort, PCC and SAFSI conducted a massive signature campaign last July to rally support of Filipino-Australians for the proposed agreement.
The petitions were transmitted to Members of Parliament Roger Price and Chris Hayes who endorsed it to Federal Minister Jenny Macklin of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
In response, Macklin said the proposed agreement was probable, saying the Philippine and Australian social security systems are compatible and "the agreement is likely to be mutually beneficial." She said her office will continue to study the proposal.
The proposed social security agreement is part of the agenda in the Second Philippine-Australian Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) scheduled next week.
As of December 2007, there were 250,347 Filipinos in Australia, government records show. Of the number, 221,892 are permanent residents, 19,455 temporary, and 9,000 irregular.
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:37:00 10/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-Australian pensioners could soon receive their pensions in the Philippines without much restriction as part of a social security agreement being set up by the Philippines and Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement, the DFA said the proposed accord has been elevated to the Australian federal government, adding the Philippine embassy in Canberra leads in the negotiations with the support of other Philippine government agencies like the Social Security System.
The agreement is being pushed by the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales, the Sydney Australian-Filipino Seniors Inc. (SAFSI), Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCAA), and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney in cooperation with the Australian Federal Members of Parliament, the DFA said.
Australia has entered into similar bilateral agreements with other countries.
As part of this effort, PCC and SAFSI conducted a massive signature campaign last July to rally support of Filipino-Australians for the proposed agreement.
The petitions were transmitted to Members of Parliament Roger Price and Chris Hayes who endorsed it to Federal Minister Jenny Macklin of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
In response, Macklin said the proposed agreement was probable, saying the Philippine and Australian social security systems are compatible and "the agreement is likely to be mutually beneficial." She said her office will continue to study the proposal.
The proposed social security agreement is part of the agenda in the Second Philippine-Australian Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) scheduled next week.
As of December 2007, there were 250,347 Filipinos in Australia, government records show. Of the number, 221,892 are permanent residents, 19,455 temporary, and 9,000 irregular.
Public Lives : Overseas employment and its effects
By Randy David
Columnist
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The business pages of both the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star carried almost identical headlines the other day. “Remittances surged to $1.48B in May,” said the Inquirer. “OFW remittances hit record high in May,” said The Star. One cannot miss the celebratory tone in which Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. shared this piece of good news with reporters. “The stream of remittances from overseas Filipinos continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities,” he announced.
The loss of OFW jobs in some countries at the beginning of the financial crisis appears to have been successfully offset by the deployment of new workers to other destinations. Tetangco pointed to new hiring agreements recently forged by the Arroyo administration with host countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia and Japan. The Star report highlighted this development by giving it context: “Labor export has been a cause for embarrassment for past administrations but the Arroyo administration has made a policy of aggressive marketing of Filipino workers whose earnings boost the country’s dollar reserves.”
One can hardly fault the country’s financial managers for looking at the OFW phenomenon solely in terms of remittances. That is what their function directs them to do. But, the deployment of large numbers of Filipino workers for overseas employment produces various other effects to which the BSP would be systematically blind. How families and communities cope with the departure of huge numbers of individuals is certainly worth knowing. How young children adjust to the reality of absentee parents, or what spouses do to keep marital bonds strong despite prolonged separation, are long-term effects that no nation that has been sucked in a big way into the global diaspora can possibly ignore. But such are not the concerns of economic managers.
Unfortunately, because of the dire economic situation of the country and the persistence of mass poverty among our people, the national appreciation of overseas employment has been dominated by a fixation with remittances. Even the economic view has been narrowly focused on issues like effects on the nation’s credit standing, dollar reserves and consumer spending. Little attention, if any, is paid to the proportion of OFW remittances that is set aside for investments in productive capacity. Nor is the government creating meaningful opportunities for OFWs to invest a good part of their earnings in entrepreneurial activity. Is it possible that while these remittances are big in aggregate terms, they are really minuscule and just enough to cover subsistence when reckoned at the household level?
One wonders too if there are any government studies on the impact of steady OFW remittances on the recipient family’s motivation to find additional sources of income. My suspicion is that money sent regularly by OFWs tends to foster a vicious dependence on the part of the relatives left behind. Some academic studies have shown that the latter are effectively prompted to place their lives on hold until they themselves can leave for abroad. This mind-set is consistent with the promotion at the societal level of an infectious culture of migration.
Sociological analysis allows us to view the effects of the massive deployment of people for overseas work at various levels and from the standpoint of different institutional systems. The picture that emerges shows that while the OFW phenomenon has brought untold economic benefits to many households, it has also created injurious social outcomes for the Filipino family and the community. Though originally conceived as a stop-gap solution to the problem of unemployment, it has led to the entrenchment of an economic strategy based on labor export that tends to preclude planning for the long-term development of the national economy.
OFW remittances have funded the education of millions of Filipino children who, because of poverty, would have been excluded from the circuits of higher education. But, on the other hand, because OFW families have turned increasingly to private schools for quality learning, the government has found it easy to relieve itself of the basic obligation to educate its citizens. Thus, the deterioration of our public schools has come hand in hand with the improvement of private education.
Countless Filipino women have found personal liberation through overseas work, but many others have found themselves trapped in intolerable working conditions abroad where foreign laws do not provide them protection. Their global experience has given them a chance to step out of the skin of their culture and view their society through the prism of modern values. They have, as a result, become a singular force for change, yet their absence severely constrains their participation in the shaping of Philippine society.
They have reconstituted fragments of the Filipino nation in the remotest corners of the world using their creative genius, but the gap between the nation at home and the nation they try to re-create abroad persists. It troubles them. The task at hand is how to harness this latent commitment to nation and culture so that, beyond the remittances and the balikbayan boxes, their engagement with our society can begin with the rebuilding of our local communities as repositories of our common heritage. One cannot imagine how the recuperation of national pride can start from something as simple as this.
* * *
Comments to public.lives@gmail.com
Columnist
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The business pages of both the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star carried almost identical headlines the other day. “Remittances surged to $1.48B in May,” said the Inquirer. “OFW remittances hit record high in May,” said The Star. One cannot miss the celebratory tone in which Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. shared this piece of good news with reporters. “The stream of remittances from overseas Filipinos continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities,” he announced.
The loss of OFW jobs in some countries at the beginning of the financial crisis appears to have been successfully offset by the deployment of new workers to other destinations. Tetangco pointed to new hiring agreements recently forged by the Arroyo administration with host countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia and Japan. The Star report highlighted this development by giving it context: “Labor export has been a cause for embarrassment for past administrations but the Arroyo administration has made a policy of aggressive marketing of Filipino workers whose earnings boost the country’s dollar reserves.”
One can hardly fault the country’s financial managers for looking at the OFW phenomenon solely in terms of remittances. That is what their function directs them to do. But, the deployment of large numbers of Filipino workers for overseas employment produces various other effects to which the BSP would be systematically blind. How families and communities cope with the departure of huge numbers of individuals is certainly worth knowing. How young children adjust to the reality of absentee parents, or what spouses do to keep marital bonds strong despite prolonged separation, are long-term effects that no nation that has been sucked in a big way into the global diaspora can possibly ignore. But such are not the concerns of economic managers.
Unfortunately, because of the dire economic situation of the country and the persistence of mass poverty among our people, the national appreciation of overseas employment has been dominated by a fixation with remittances. Even the economic view has been narrowly focused on issues like effects on the nation’s credit standing, dollar reserves and consumer spending. Little attention, if any, is paid to the proportion of OFW remittances that is set aside for investments in productive capacity. Nor is the government creating meaningful opportunities for OFWs to invest a good part of their earnings in entrepreneurial activity. Is it possible that while these remittances are big in aggregate terms, they are really minuscule and just enough to cover subsistence when reckoned at the household level?
One wonders too if there are any government studies on the impact of steady OFW remittances on the recipient family’s motivation to find additional sources of income. My suspicion is that money sent regularly by OFWs tends to foster a vicious dependence on the part of the relatives left behind. Some academic studies have shown that the latter are effectively prompted to place their lives on hold until they themselves can leave for abroad. This mind-set is consistent with the promotion at the societal level of an infectious culture of migration.
Sociological analysis allows us to view the effects of the massive deployment of people for overseas work at various levels and from the standpoint of different institutional systems. The picture that emerges shows that while the OFW phenomenon has brought untold economic benefits to many households, it has also created injurious social outcomes for the Filipino family and the community. Though originally conceived as a stop-gap solution to the problem of unemployment, it has led to the entrenchment of an economic strategy based on labor export that tends to preclude planning for the long-term development of the national economy.
OFW remittances have funded the education of millions of Filipino children who, because of poverty, would have been excluded from the circuits of higher education. But, on the other hand, because OFW families have turned increasingly to private schools for quality learning, the government has found it easy to relieve itself of the basic obligation to educate its citizens. Thus, the deterioration of our public schools has come hand in hand with the improvement of private education.
Countless Filipino women have found personal liberation through overseas work, but many others have found themselves trapped in intolerable working conditions abroad where foreign laws do not provide them protection. Their global experience has given them a chance to step out of the skin of their culture and view their society through the prism of modern values. They have, as a result, become a singular force for change, yet their absence severely constrains their participation in the shaping of Philippine society.
They have reconstituted fragments of the Filipino nation in the remotest corners of the world using their creative genius, but the gap between the nation at home and the nation they try to re-create abroad persists. It troubles them. The task at hand is how to harness this latent commitment to nation and culture so that, beyond the remittances and the balikbayan boxes, their engagement with our society can begin with the rebuilding of our local communities as repositories of our common heritage. One cannot imagine how the recuperation of national pride can start from something as simple as this.
* * *
Comments to public.lives@gmail.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
iRemit beefs up services to boost transactions
By Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com
Created 07/17/2009 - 13:50
MANILA - Money transfer firm iRemit Inc. continues to beef up its service offerings to generate more transactions this year as the pace of remittances remains slow amid the economic downturn.
According to iRemit President and Chief Operating Officer Harris Jacildo, the company will provide new services to encourage overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to make more frequent transactions in their offices.
He said they are hoping that fees collected from these new offerings would make up for the slow growth in remittances as a result of the global crisis.
"Now, it's really more of a volume game. It's about the number of transactions. We should be generating traffic in our offices, and one way is to offer a wide array of attractive products and services," he told reporters at the sidelines of iRemit's annual stockholders' meeting on Friday, not citing figures. The company ended 2008 with 2.4 million transactions from 1.9 million in the previous year.
Jacildo said they are looking to tie up with an electronics firm so OFWs can send appliances to their families and beneficiaries in the Philippines. They are also boosting their partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to enable OFWs to pay for their health insurance online.
These are just a few of the creative offerings iRemit has thought of.
In February, iRemit tied up with consumer giant Nestle to allow OFWs to send home a variety of chocolates and other food items. Just recently, the company formed a partnership with Jollibee Foods Corp. for a food remittance delivery [12] service.
The remittance firm has also enhanced its partnership with state-run Pag-ibig fund [13] (Home Development Mutual Fund) and the Social Security System to improve monthly contributions and loan payments from OFWs.
Growth
Jacildo said iRemit is on track with its target to achieve "better" profits this year than last year, adding that the company usually performs better in the second half of the year as OFWs send more money for the holiday season.
"Even in terms of projections, the second half has always been better (than the first half). We expect that profits for the second half will pick up," he said.
iRemit reported a net income of P129.98 million [14] last year, a 15% rise from P113.29 million in 2007. For the first half of 2009, it has set a profit target of P60 million.
As for remittance growth, Jacildo expressed optimism that these will start to recover during the latter part of the year, but not in the same level as 2008.
"The trend in the first half will also follow in the second half. There's going to be growth from last year, but it will just be a small increase," he said.
Money sent home by OFWs reached a record $1.48 billion [15] in May, but the pace of growth is still slow at 3.7% compared to double-digit increases in the previous years.
The latest figure brings the country's total remittance inflows to $6.98 billion for the first 5 months of the year, a 2.8% growth from $6.79 billion reached in the same period in 2008.
Expansion
iRemit is planning to expand its operations in Italy, the country's fourth largest source of remittances after the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. At present, the company said some 200,000 OFWs are based in the European country.
"The Filipino migrants in Italy are generally educated, with most of them having exposure and access to different money transfer services. This poses a challenge, yes, but we are positive that we can exceed customer expectations by offering them innovative, fast, safe, and reliable remittance products and services," Jacildo said, adding that iRemit is still waiting for the release of its license to operate in Italy.
Aside from Italy, Jacildo said iRemit is also planning to establish its presence in Switzerland and Greece either by setting up its own subsidiaries or through partnerships with major remittance operators.
Next week, the iRemit is set to put up an office in Edmonton, the company's fifth branch in Canada.
"Canada is our strongest market. That's why we're opening our fifth branch there. We've been there for almost 8 years," he said.
iRemit is the country's largest non-bank Filipino-owned remittance company, with a growing network of remittance centers in 26 countries across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
as of 07/17/2009 3:54 PM
Created 07/17/2009 - 13:50
MANILA - Money transfer firm iRemit Inc. continues to beef up its service offerings to generate more transactions this year as the pace of remittances remains slow amid the economic downturn.
According to iRemit President and Chief Operating Officer Harris Jacildo, the company will provide new services to encourage overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to make more frequent transactions in their offices.
He said they are hoping that fees collected from these new offerings would make up for the slow growth in remittances as a result of the global crisis.
"Now, it's really more of a volume game. It's about the number of transactions. We should be generating traffic in our offices, and one way is to offer a wide array of attractive products and services," he told reporters at the sidelines of iRemit's annual stockholders' meeting on Friday, not citing figures. The company ended 2008 with 2.4 million transactions from 1.9 million in the previous year.
Jacildo said they are looking to tie up with an electronics firm so OFWs can send appliances to their families and beneficiaries in the Philippines. They are also boosting their partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to enable OFWs to pay for their health insurance online.
These are just a few of the creative offerings iRemit has thought of.
In February, iRemit tied up with consumer giant Nestle to allow OFWs to send home a variety of chocolates and other food items. Just recently, the company formed a partnership with Jollibee Foods Corp. for a food remittance delivery [12] service.
The remittance firm has also enhanced its partnership with state-run Pag-ibig fund [13] (Home Development Mutual Fund) and the Social Security System to improve monthly contributions and loan payments from OFWs.
Growth
Jacildo said iRemit is on track with its target to achieve "better" profits this year than last year, adding that the company usually performs better in the second half of the year as OFWs send more money for the holiday season.
"Even in terms of projections, the second half has always been better (than the first half). We expect that profits for the second half will pick up," he said.
iRemit reported a net income of P129.98 million [14] last year, a 15% rise from P113.29 million in 2007. For the first half of 2009, it has set a profit target of P60 million.
As for remittance growth, Jacildo expressed optimism that these will start to recover during the latter part of the year, but not in the same level as 2008.
"The trend in the first half will also follow in the second half. There's going to be growth from last year, but it will just be a small increase," he said.
Money sent home by OFWs reached a record $1.48 billion [15] in May, but the pace of growth is still slow at 3.7% compared to double-digit increases in the previous years.
The latest figure brings the country's total remittance inflows to $6.98 billion for the first 5 months of the year, a 2.8% growth from $6.79 billion reached in the same period in 2008.
Expansion
iRemit is planning to expand its operations in Italy, the country's fourth largest source of remittances after the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. At present, the company said some 200,000 OFWs are based in the European country.
"The Filipino migrants in Italy are generally educated, with most of them having exposure and access to different money transfer services. This poses a challenge, yes, but we are positive that we can exceed customer expectations by offering them innovative, fast, safe, and reliable remittance products and services," Jacildo said, adding that iRemit is still waiting for the release of its license to operate in Italy.
Aside from Italy, Jacildo said iRemit is also planning to establish its presence in Switzerland and Greece either by setting up its own subsidiaries or through partnerships with major remittance operators.
Next week, the iRemit is set to put up an office in Edmonton, the company's fifth branch in Canada.
"Canada is our strongest market. That's why we're opening our fifth branch there. We've been there for almost 8 years," he said.
iRemit is the country's largest non-bank Filipino-owned remittance company, with a growing network of remittance centers in 26 countries across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
as of 07/17/2009 3:54 PM
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Remittances hit record high in May, BSP says
RUBY ANNE M. RUBIO, GMANews.TV
Article posted July 15, 2009 - 06:11 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Money sent home by Filipinos working abroad reached a monthly record high in May this year, as demand for skilled labor continued to be steady, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
Remittances for May this year reached $1.48 billion, 3.66 percent from $1.43 billion in 2008, breaching the previous monthly record set in March worth $1.47 billion.
The latest figure brought the total five-month cumulative remittance at $6.98 billion, 2.8 per cent higher than the $6.79 billion reported during the same year.
Besides citing steady demand for Filipino labor, the BSP said that the hike in remittances was also the result of “expanded access of overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries to a wide range of financial products and services offered by banks and other financial institutions."
United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Germany were major sources of remittances during the January-May period with remittances from sea-based and land-based workers growing by 4.6 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.
Remittances “continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities, providing some basis for cautious optimism regarding steady remittance levels for 2009," BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said in a statement.
Demand for Filipino workers is expected to hold up as a result of hiring agreements forged between the Philippines and some host countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia and Japan, the BSP said.
Manila also entered into a bilateral agreement with Seoul with labor departments of both countries approving a hiring agreement.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli has started talks with the Libyan Health Ministry for the recruitment of about 4,000 Filipino medical workers in the North African country.
"Despite the relatively weak global economic environment, the Philippine government’s intensified efforts [such as employment facilitation programs] to assist retrenched overseas workers have contributed to the deceleration in the rise in the number of displaced OFWs," the BSP said.
For its part, New York-based GlobalSource said that remittances may slow further and possibly decline by three percent, citing its latest estimates as indicated in its July 10 report.
In April, the think tank said that remittances may be unaffected by the crisis since Filipinos abroad are employed in relatively recession-proof sectors such as healthcare, education, and government service, especially in the US.
It also said that Middle Eastern economies – particularly Saudi Arabia – continue to be resilient, helping sustain demand for Filipino labor.
Pump-priming efforts around the world have also been identified as among the reasons why Filipino workers will continue to the deployed abroad.
"…a drop in remittances, if it happens, will not be immediate and may be masked by a repatriation of savings and lump-sum benefits or, as we are learning, by a twist on the 'flight-to-safety' theme where a chunk of the inflows comprises accounts seeking safer shores [i.e. not current income]," GlobalSource authors Romeo Bernardo and Margarita Gonzales said.
GlobalSource is also looking at a stronger peso by yearend at P47.90 per dollar from an earlier projection of P49.
In its Market Call report in June, First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said sustained demand for our migrant workers in different countries continues to help keep up these inflows of OFW remittances.
"Moreover, with the government’s employment deals with several countries in need of our workers – the risks from the continuing global economic recession affecting the remittances are being tempered," the report said.
Under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership (JPEPA), an additional 273 health workers have already been deployed in May, the June Market Call report said.
“Even the rise in retrenchments of OFWs has abated. And with the OFWs and the recipients of remittances having easier access to expanded and enhanced remittance-linked services, the inflows of OFW remittances can be sustained," it added. - GMANews.TV
Article posted July 15, 2009 - 06:11 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Money sent home by Filipinos working abroad reached a monthly record high in May this year, as demand for skilled labor continued to be steady, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
Remittances for May this year reached $1.48 billion, 3.66 percent from $1.43 billion in 2008, breaching the previous monthly record set in March worth $1.47 billion.
The latest figure brought the total five-month cumulative remittance at $6.98 billion, 2.8 per cent higher than the $6.79 billion reported during the same year.
Besides citing steady demand for Filipino labor, the BSP said that the hike in remittances was also the result of “expanded access of overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries to a wide range of financial products and services offered by banks and other financial institutions."
United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Germany were major sources of remittances during the January-May period with remittances from sea-based and land-based workers growing by 4.6 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.
Remittances “continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities, providing some basis for cautious optimism regarding steady remittance levels for 2009," BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said in a statement.
Demand for Filipino workers is expected to hold up as a result of hiring agreements forged between the Philippines and some host countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia and Japan, the BSP said.
Manila also entered into a bilateral agreement with Seoul with labor departments of both countries approving a hiring agreement.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli has started talks with the Libyan Health Ministry for the recruitment of about 4,000 Filipino medical workers in the North African country.
"Despite the relatively weak global economic environment, the Philippine government’s intensified efforts [such as employment facilitation programs] to assist retrenched overseas workers have contributed to the deceleration in the rise in the number of displaced OFWs," the BSP said.
For its part, New York-based GlobalSource said that remittances may slow further and possibly decline by three percent, citing its latest estimates as indicated in its July 10 report.
In April, the think tank said that remittances may be unaffected by the crisis since Filipinos abroad are employed in relatively recession-proof sectors such as healthcare, education, and government service, especially in the US.
It also said that Middle Eastern economies – particularly Saudi Arabia – continue to be resilient, helping sustain demand for Filipino labor.
Pump-priming efforts around the world have also been identified as among the reasons why Filipino workers will continue to the deployed abroad.
"…a drop in remittances, if it happens, will not be immediate and may be masked by a repatriation of savings and lump-sum benefits or, as we are learning, by a twist on the 'flight-to-safety' theme where a chunk of the inflows comprises accounts seeking safer shores [i.e. not current income]," GlobalSource authors Romeo Bernardo and Margarita Gonzales said.
GlobalSource is also looking at a stronger peso by yearend at P47.90 per dollar from an earlier projection of P49.
In its Market Call report in June, First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said sustained demand for our migrant workers in different countries continues to help keep up these inflows of OFW remittances.
"Moreover, with the government’s employment deals with several countries in need of our workers – the risks from the continuing global economic recession affecting the remittances are being tempered," the report said.
Under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership (JPEPA), an additional 273 health workers have already been deployed in May, the June Market Call report said.
“Even the rise in retrenchments of OFWs has abated. And with the OFWs and the recipients of remittances having easier access to expanded and enhanced remittance-linked services, the inflows of OFW remittances can be sustained," it added. - GMANews.TV
Italy grants amnesty to illegal migrant workers
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Created 07/15/2009 - 18:07
Thousands of undocumented Filipino workers may soon find themselves legally staying in Italy when the Italian government grants them amnesty.
Reports said that a new law will soon be enforced that would give amnesty or regularize illegal migrant workers in the service sector including caregivers.
Employers need to pay a processing fee amounting to 500 Euros or P34,000 to legitimize the stay of the their worker.
The Philippine Consulate in Milan estimates that there are almost 50,000 undocumented Filipino domestic workers and caregivers in Italy. Majority of the workers come from northern Italy.
Overstaying Filipinos in Italy were overjoyed upon hearing the news about the amnesty.
The consulate office was flooded with applicants for new travel documents. Many of the applicants are even prepared to shoulder the processing fee provided their stay in Italy become legal.
Laking pasalamat naming mga nandito na walang dokumento gaya po sa akin na six years na pong hindi umuuwi, kung magkakaroon po nito pwede na akong umuwi
It was in 2003 when Italy last granted amnesty to illegal migrant workers.
Consul General Antonio Morales is thankful the law will now give protection to Filipino overseas workers.
We extend assistance to all. But if they are documented they have more advantages kasi proprotektahan sila ng batas ng Italya
The new law is expected to be implemented in September after it appears on the country's official gazette. Report from Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief
as of 07/15/2009 6:57 PM
Created 07/15/2009 - 18:07
Thousands of undocumented Filipino workers may soon find themselves legally staying in Italy when the Italian government grants them amnesty.
Reports said that a new law will soon be enforced that would give amnesty or regularize illegal migrant workers in the service sector including caregivers.
Employers need to pay a processing fee amounting to 500 Euros or P34,000 to legitimize the stay of the their worker.
The Philippine Consulate in Milan estimates that there are almost 50,000 undocumented Filipino domestic workers and caregivers in Italy. Majority of the workers come from northern Italy.
Overstaying Filipinos in Italy were overjoyed upon hearing the news about the amnesty.
The consulate office was flooded with applicants for new travel documents. Many of the applicants are even prepared to shoulder the processing fee provided their stay in Italy become legal.
Laking pasalamat naming mga nandito na walang dokumento gaya po sa akin na six years na pong hindi umuuwi, kung magkakaroon po nito pwede na akong umuwi
It was in 2003 when Italy last granted amnesty to illegal migrant workers.
Consul General Antonio Morales is thankful the law will now give protection to Filipino overseas workers.
We extend assistance to all. But if they are documented they have more advantages kasi proprotektahan sila ng batas ng Italya
The new law is expected to be implemented in September after it appears on the country's official gazette. Report from Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief
as of 07/15/2009 6:57 PM
Real estate law enacted, finally
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: July 15, 2009
MANILA, Philippines—After 20 years, the Real Estate Service Act (RESA) was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 29.
Republic Act No. 9646, hopes to professionalize and regulate the practice of real estate in the country through the development of technically competent, trained and accountable real estate practitioners in the country.
Under the new law, real estate consultants, appraisers, local government assessors and brokers will be overseen by the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They will be subjected to a licensing process that will require them to pass a technical examination, comply with the program of continuing education and training, and observe the Code of Conduct and Responsibilities.
Salespersons, although not considered part of the professional group, will be accredited by the PRC, after undergoing training and working under a licensed real estate broker.
RESA will require real estate practitioners to post a Professional Indemnity Insurance/Cash or Surety Bond upon taking their oath to practice the profession before the PRC.
The new law is expected to stimulate the property market, encourage investments in construction and development, generate employment and increase revenues for the government.
It was sponsored in the House by Iloilo City Representative Rep. Raul T. Gonzalez Jr., chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, and in the Senate by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, acting chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization.
The law, according to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, should protect the public from unscrupulous real estate service practitioners.
Posted date: July 15, 2009
MANILA, Philippines—After 20 years, the Real Estate Service Act (RESA) was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 29.
Republic Act No. 9646, hopes to professionalize and regulate the practice of real estate in the country through the development of technically competent, trained and accountable real estate practitioners in the country.
Under the new law, real estate consultants, appraisers, local government assessors and brokers will be overseen by the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They will be subjected to a licensing process that will require them to pass a technical examination, comply with the program of continuing education and training, and observe the Code of Conduct and Responsibilities.
Salespersons, although not considered part of the professional group, will be accredited by the PRC, after undergoing training and working under a licensed real estate broker.
RESA will require real estate practitioners to post a Professional Indemnity Insurance/Cash or Surety Bond upon taking their oath to practice the profession before the PRC.
The new law is expected to stimulate the property market, encourage investments in construction and development, generate employment and increase revenues for the government.
It was sponsored in the House by Iloilo City Representative Rep. Raul T. Gonzalez Jr., chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, and in the Senate by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, acting chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization.
The law, according to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, should protect the public from unscrupulous real estate service practitioners.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
High court OKs Japanese-Filipinos registering as citizens
The Japan Times: Monday, July 13, 2009
Kyodo News
The Tokyo High Court has granted approval for two Japanese-Filipino siblings born to a Japanese man and Filipino woman before World War II to register as Japanese citizens, accepting their claim that their parents were married.
The 80-year-old man and his 78-year-old sister had requested that they be registered in Japan, submitting an ex post facto certificate obtained in 2005 in the Philippines which recognized that their parents got married in 1920. Their parents did not have an official marriage certificate.
The high court made the decision Friday.
Presiding Judge Keiichi Hirabayashi, after going through a series of documents including the certificate from the Philippines, ruled that the father, who was from Nagasaki Prefecture, and the mother were legally married.
It is the first time a Japanese high court has confirmed the validity of a marriage certificate issued after the fact and given approval for citizenship, according to the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization.
The Tokyo Family Court had dismissed the request by the brother and sister to register as Japanese citizens on the grounds that their parents' marriage could not be confirmed by a document issued afterward, and the two had appealed to the high court.
Kyodo News
The Tokyo High Court has granted approval for two Japanese-Filipino siblings born to a Japanese man and Filipino woman before World War II to register as Japanese citizens, accepting their claim that their parents were married.
The 80-year-old man and his 78-year-old sister had requested that they be registered in Japan, submitting an ex post facto certificate obtained in 2005 in the Philippines which recognized that their parents got married in 1920. Their parents did not have an official marriage certificate.
The high court made the decision Friday.
Presiding Judge Keiichi Hirabayashi, after going through a series of documents including the certificate from the Philippines, ruled that the father, who was from Nagasaki Prefecture, and the mother were legally married.
It is the first time a Japanese high court has confirmed the validity of a marriage certificate issued after the fact and given approval for citizenship, according to the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization.
The Tokyo Family Court had dismissed the request by the brother and sister to register as Japanese citizens on the grounds that their parents' marriage could not be confirmed by a document issued afterward, and the two had appealed to the high court.
Mayor invites ‘kababayans’ in Canada to visit Villasis
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada -- Mayor Nonato Abrenica of Villasis, Pangasinan, urged natives of his town who are working in Canada to see for themselves the many improvements of the town that every one of them can be proud of.
Abrenica spoke on July 1, 2009, before his town mates at the Memories of Japan Restaurant at Don Mills Avenue in Toronto as he came to invite them during the forthcoming town fiesta in honor of the town's Patron Saint, San Antonio de Padua.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter [1]
Abrenica, who is on his last term as Villasis Mayor, said the construction of the new public market is now completed and P25 million was spent for it which is a part of the P40 million loan that was lent by the Philippine National Bank.
He said the P40 million was already paid by the Municipal Government in full.
He said the balance of the total amount is now being used for the construction of the Public Auditorium and the roofing is now being completed, which will be ready for use in January 2010 for the town fiesta.
Abrenica, who was introduced by Cristy Pe Benito, president of the Annak Ti Villasis of Canada, pointed out that the municipal building now looks elegantly because of the edifice’s new color, which is yellow.
He lauded the three candidates of Ms. Villasis 2010, which include Ms. Reynalda Lagleyva-Ramos presenting Canada, Ms. Violeta Madayag-Menor of France, and Ms. Nelpha Velasco-Vejano of Australia, for their participation in the contest. The proceeds of the project will go to a worthy cause.
Aside from the officers of Annak Ti Villasis of Canada, those who welcomed Mayor Abrenica were Quintin Palisoc, the incumbent president of the Pangasinan Association of Canada (Paca) and his wife Emily; Willie Rapanan, the incumbent president and immediate past president of Paca, and his wife Precy; Julio Sison, president of the Binalonan Association of Canada, and his wife Lan. (Jojo Taduran)
Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada -- Mayor Nonato Abrenica of Villasis, Pangasinan, urged natives of his town who are working in Canada to see for themselves the many improvements of the town that every one of them can be proud of.
Abrenica spoke on July 1, 2009, before his town mates at the Memories of Japan Restaurant at Don Mills Avenue in Toronto as he came to invite them during the forthcoming town fiesta in honor of the town's Patron Saint, San Antonio de Padua.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter [1]
Abrenica, who is on his last term as Villasis Mayor, said the construction of the new public market is now completed and P25 million was spent for it which is a part of the P40 million loan that was lent by the Philippine National Bank.
He said the P40 million was already paid by the Municipal Government in full.
He said the balance of the total amount is now being used for the construction of the Public Auditorium and the roofing is now being completed, which will be ready for use in January 2010 for the town fiesta.
Abrenica, who was introduced by Cristy Pe Benito, president of the Annak Ti Villasis of Canada, pointed out that the municipal building now looks elegantly because of the edifice’s new color, which is yellow.
He lauded the three candidates of Ms. Villasis 2010, which include Ms. Reynalda Lagleyva-Ramos presenting Canada, Ms. Violeta Madayag-Menor of France, and Ms. Nelpha Velasco-Vejano of Australia, for their participation in the contest. The proceeds of the project will go to a worthy cause.
Aside from the officers of Annak Ti Villasis of Canada, those who welcomed Mayor Abrenica were Quintin Palisoc, the incumbent president of the Pangasinan Association of Canada (Paca) and his wife Emily; Willie Rapanan, the incumbent president and immediate past president of Paca, and his wife Precy; Julio Sison, president of the Binalonan Association of Canada, and his wife Lan. (Jojo Taduran)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Registration schedule outside embassies
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:38:00 07/13/2009
MANILA, Philippines — In an attempt to get more Filipinos overseas to register for the 2010 elections, the Department of Foreign Affairs has scheduled the following field and mobile registration dates outside the embassies.
For Filipinos in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, the Philippine embassy in Canberra will be there from July to August; and in Hobart, Tasmania from August 3 to 7.
For those in Hong Kong, the Philippine consulate general will be at the Lik Sang Plaza, Kowloon Filipino Baptist Church, Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos, St. Joseph’s Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Benedict Church, and St. Thomas Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos from July to August.
Filipinos in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office will be at the Dart Wits Dormitory Chu-Nan on July 14 and 17; at the Top Polly Chu-Nan Dormitory on July 21 and 24; and at the King Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd. On July 28, and August 4 and 7.
For those in Fukuyama City in Japan, the Philippine consulate in Osaka will be there on August 16.
Filipinos or dual citizens in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the Chicago post will be there to register them from July to August.
Those in West Coast may clear their schedule for the following registration dates set by the Los Angeles consulate general: July 17 to 19 in Chandler, Arizona; July 30 to August 3 in Houston, Texas; August 1 in San Diego, California; August 7 to 9 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; August 13 to 17 in Dallas, Texas; and August 21 to 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Filipinos in Saudi Arabia may go to the Al-Tawhid International School in Yanbu on July 16 to 17 or to the Khamis Mushayt on July 23 to 24. The Philippine consulate general in Jeddah will conduct the registration in these places.
First Posted 11:38:00 07/13/2009
MANILA, Philippines — In an attempt to get more Filipinos overseas to register for the 2010 elections, the Department of Foreign Affairs has scheduled the following field and mobile registration dates outside the embassies.
For Filipinos in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, the Philippine embassy in Canberra will be there from July to August; and in Hobart, Tasmania from August 3 to 7.
For those in Hong Kong, the Philippine consulate general will be at the Lik Sang Plaza, Kowloon Filipino Baptist Church, Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos, St. Joseph’s Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Benedict Church, and St. Thomas Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos from July to August.
Filipinos in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office will be at the Dart Wits Dormitory Chu-Nan on July 14 and 17; at the Top Polly Chu-Nan Dormitory on July 21 and 24; and at the King Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd. On July 28, and August 4 and 7.
For those in Fukuyama City in Japan, the Philippine consulate in Osaka will be there on August 16.
Filipinos or dual citizens in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the Chicago post will be there to register them from July to August.
Those in West Coast may clear their schedule for the following registration dates set by the Los Angeles consulate general: July 17 to 19 in Chandler, Arizona; July 30 to August 3 in Houston, Texas; August 1 in San Diego, California; August 7 to 9 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; August 13 to 17 in Dallas, Texas; and August 21 to 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Filipinos in Saudi Arabia may go to the Al-Tawhid International School in Yanbu on July 16 to 17 or to the Khamis Mushayt on July 23 to 24. The Philippine consulate general in Jeddah will conduct the registration in these places.
International migration and global union: Filipino nurses and care workers
http://world-psi.org
Public Services International Japan Council (PSI-JC) and Union Network International Japan Council (UNI-JC) organised a joint workshop on 25th June in Tokyo, Japan.
In this workshop, both global unions and its affiliates discussed and examined the current situation of international migration of Filipino nurses and care workers in Japan who are working under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Japan is badly in need of nurses, assistant nurses and care workers to work in health facilities. Bad working conditions and low wages have resulted in the fact that there are insufficent health workers from the country to work in the heath facilities. In order to look at these challenges and find solutions, Japan had allowed foreign nurses and care workers to work in their health care system. Indonesia and Philippines have signed agreement with Japan to allowing their qualified nurses and care workers to work in Japan. However, they must study Japanese and pass the national licensure examinations to meet the qualification standards of professionals in the Japan Health Care System.
The participants had interesting discussions regarding the foreign health workers who enter the labour market in Japan. They felt that the global financial crisis and its impact on jobs should encourage the country to employ its own nationals instead of depending on foreign workers. Crucial factors to attract Japanese workers in the health sector include better working conditions, wages and other terms of employment. However, the unions realised that the shortage of nurses and care workers is a serious issue not only in Japan but also in sending countries. They also discussed the difficulty that many foreign workers have to adapt to the Japanese culture and language.
Participants felt that the agreements had neglected the unions during the consultation and preparation processes, with the result that the agreements do not offer a realistic view of the working conditions that migrant workers should expect to find. Further serious issues are the phenomenon of brain drain and damage to the quality of health care quality in the sending countries. However, when nurses and care workers are considering to work overseas, it was highly recommended that unions must take an active part in the ethical recruitment of migrant workers to avoid employment mismatches and exploitation. The Japanese unions will support the foreign workers to ensure that they will be respected and guaranteed of their basic rights like their Japanese colleagues. Norman Grecia from the Alliance Filipino Workers (AFW) said that “AFW, which is a federation of health workers, may be a conduit from the Philippines and help facilitate the conduct of pre-employment and pre-departure orientations.”
Katsuhiko Sato, PSI AP Regional Secretary, in his response to the JPEPA recommended to forge a Japan-Philippines Union Partnership Agreement (JPUPA). As countries enter into bilateral agreements, unions must bind together and act collectively. Jose Umali Jr, General Secretary of the UNI – Philippines Council (UNI-PLC) proposed a cross-border unions cooperation from sending to receiving countries and setting up of a Help Desk similar to what UNI has set-up in Malaysia to assist migrant workers.
For more information please contact PSI AP Regional Secretary: katsuhiko.sato@world-psi.org.
Public Services International Japan Council (PSI-JC) and Union Network International Japan Council (UNI-JC) organised a joint workshop on 25th June in Tokyo, Japan.
In this workshop, both global unions and its affiliates discussed and examined the current situation of international migration of Filipino nurses and care workers in Japan who are working under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Japan is badly in need of nurses, assistant nurses and care workers to work in health facilities. Bad working conditions and low wages have resulted in the fact that there are insufficent health workers from the country to work in the heath facilities. In order to look at these challenges and find solutions, Japan had allowed foreign nurses and care workers to work in their health care system. Indonesia and Philippines have signed agreement with Japan to allowing their qualified nurses and care workers to work in Japan. However, they must study Japanese and pass the national licensure examinations to meet the qualification standards of professionals in the Japan Health Care System.
The participants had interesting discussions regarding the foreign health workers who enter the labour market in Japan. They felt that the global financial crisis and its impact on jobs should encourage the country to employ its own nationals instead of depending on foreign workers. Crucial factors to attract Japanese workers in the health sector include better working conditions, wages and other terms of employment. However, the unions realised that the shortage of nurses and care workers is a serious issue not only in Japan but also in sending countries. They also discussed the difficulty that many foreign workers have to adapt to the Japanese culture and language.
Participants felt that the agreements had neglected the unions during the consultation and preparation processes, with the result that the agreements do not offer a realistic view of the working conditions that migrant workers should expect to find. Further serious issues are the phenomenon of brain drain and damage to the quality of health care quality in the sending countries. However, when nurses and care workers are considering to work overseas, it was highly recommended that unions must take an active part in the ethical recruitment of migrant workers to avoid employment mismatches and exploitation. The Japanese unions will support the foreign workers to ensure that they will be respected and guaranteed of their basic rights like their Japanese colleagues. Norman Grecia from the Alliance Filipino Workers (AFW) said that “AFW, which is a federation of health workers, may be a conduit from the Philippines and help facilitate the conduct of pre-employment and pre-departure orientations.”
Katsuhiko Sato, PSI AP Regional Secretary, in his response to the JPEPA recommended to forge a Japan-Philippines Union Partnership Agreement (JPUPA). As countries enter into bilateral agreements, unions must bind together and act collectively. Jose Umali Jr, General Secretary of the UNI – Philippines Council (UNI-PLC) proposed a cross-border unions cooperation from sending to receiving countries and setting up of a Help Desk similar to what UNI has set-up in Malaysia to assist migrant workers.
For more information please contact PSI AP Regional Secretary: katsuhiko.sato@world-psi.org.
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