Desperate expats appeal to King as a last resort

JEDDAH:  FOUZIA KHAN

Sunday 30 June 2013

Last Update 30 June 2013 4:28 am

With four days to go, expatriate workers here have appealed to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to extend the amnesty period.

Calls for an extension have also come from various ministries, a number of foreign governments and businesspeople.

Abdul Khaliq, a taxi driver, said he hoped the king would hear their appeal. “Only 10 percent of workers have completed their paperwork and thousands still have to fix their status.
“The Passport Department and the labor office have already announced that they will start raids as soon as the amnesty ends. We are very worried and under pressure. It’s our humble request to the king of the people to announce an extension of the amnesty period because thousands are waiting for his kindness.”

Rifat-ul-Islam, a Bangladeshi worker, said everyone is hoping for an extension. “We have been standing in line since 4 a.m. There are thousands of people here. How can this be fixed in such a short time? There is only one Thursday left for us before the end of the amnesty, and only a few hundred people could get their fingerprinting done. Everyone is waiting anxiously for the royal decree.”

He believed the king would extend the amnesty because it would benefit poor workers.
“We hope and request King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to give an order for the extension of the amnesty because millions are waiting for his kindness,” he said.
Workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka and other countries are trying to correct their status before the July 3 deadline.
The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is also trying to help the consulates and government departments to finish the process on time.

3 sex-for-flight victim tagged Riyadh Labor Official-Antonio Villafuerte for molesting and prostituting them

MANILA, Philippines - Three Filipino workers are seeking government protection after they accused a Philippine labor officer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia of molesting them.
Aside from the abuse, they also accused some embassy officials of selling free tickets to other distressed OFWs.

The 3 alleged victims of the "sex-for-flight" scheme accused Riyadh assistant labor attaché Antonio Villafuerte of molesting and attempting to prostitute them.
Speaking on ANC's Headstart, "Angel", who sought help from the Philippine embassy after she escaped from an employer who raped her, said Villafuerte further demeaned her.
"Tinanong niya ako diretsahan saan daw ako tinira nung employer ko, sa harap ba daw po o sa likod. Masarap ba daw ho," she said. "Unexpected ho talaga dahil mataas siyang tao."
Angel also narrated how Villafuerte offered her to have sex with Middle Eastern men in exchange for a return ticket to the Philippines.

"Tumanggi po ako kasi hindi naman porke't katulong kami hindi naman kami basta-basta papayag sa ganung trabaho. Naapakan na nga po kami, lalo pa kaming aapakan," she said.

"Michelle", who used to work for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh, said she even heard Villafuerte's casual remarks to Angel over a phone conversation on loudspeaker.
Michelle saod she was also molested by Villafuerte inside his office.
"Sinabi niya 'o sana sinubo mo na lang. Nadampian niya po ng konti yung labi ko pero sabi ko huwag po. Mext move niya hinawakan maselang bahagi ng dibdib, minash po niya," she said. "Mamaya, tinataas na yung abaya ko. Doon na ako nagpumiglas."

"Analisa", who also sought help from the POLO office after escaping ill treatment from her employer in Riyadh, said Villafuerte also made sexual advances on her.
"Mukhang mabait siya hindi mo akalain na gago," she said. "Sinabihan niya nahipuan ka ba ng employer mo, nung sinabi ko hindi, sabi nya gusto mo ba ako na muna ang humipo dyan."
They allege that plane tickets intended by government for the repatriation of distressed OFWs were supposed to be free but were being dangled by embassy officials for undocumented OFWs desperate to go home.

Analiza said one OFW was forced to pay 2,400 riyals or P50,000 for her ticket home.
The three have submitted their sworn statements to the Labor Department and are seeking protection for themselves and their families.

They also appeal to other victims to come forward.
The Labor Department, meanwhile, has recalled Villafuerte amid ongoing investigations by government.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/06/25/13/3-sex-flight-victims-tag-riyadh-labor-official

Malaysian police rescue 10 Pinays forced to work as GRO's

BY GMA NEWS ONLINE / PINOY ABROAD, ON JUNE 24TH, 2013

Malaysian police rescued 10 Filipino women who were forced to work as guest relations officers (GRO) for a karaoke bar in Sarawak state, the Philippine Embassy there said over the weekend.

“[The Filipinos] were recruited to work as service crew in Baila Me Karaoke Bar in Bintulu, Sarawak but ended up working as GROs,” the embassy in Kuala Lumpur said on its website, citing information from one victim.

The victims, who were illegally recruited on February 6, were forced to work beyond regular hours without regular salaries.

They only earned from the “commission” on top of the drinks for the customers, the embassy added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese-Malaysian operator was arrested for possible violation of Malaysia’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act of 2007.

According to Section 13 of the law, those involved in human trafficking through force, deception, abuse of power, among others, are penalized with an imprisonment ranging from three years to 20 years, plus a fine.

The embassy got wind of the incident via an e-mailed tip on May 13 from a concerned Malaysian citizen who forwarded the contact details of one of the victims.

The Filipinos are now at a shelter home after the raid, the embassy said.

Meanwhile, the embassy said they will work for the Filipinos’ immediate repatriation.

Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya III said they are “grateful to the Malaysian police authorities for their immediate action on our request.”

“Cooperation between police and other authorities, as well as vigilance among the general public, is essential in combating human trafficking,” he said.

Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News

Source:http://www.filipinosabroad.com/ofw-news/philippine-embassy-malaysian-police-rescue-10-pinays-forced-to-work-as-gros/

Allegations of one of 3 Pinays confirmed: DFA

by Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 06/24/2013 4:08 PM | Updated as of 06/24/2013 5:53 PM

MANILA, Philippines – One of the three overseas Filipino workers' allegations of sexual harassment, molestation and abuse of authority has been confirmed, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

In a press conference, del Rosario said some of the allegations were confirmed during the weekend consultations and fact-finding meetings between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the 13 heads of posts it ordered to return home to shed light on accusations of sex-related incidents experienced by distressed Pinay workers.
"Certain allegations were confirmed. And this was accomplished by the three witnesses from Riyadh coming forward and providing us their testimony," he said.

Del Rosario was referring to the three Pinay workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who accused an official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of making lewd comments and offers while they were still housed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.

Del Rosario said that individual involved is an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). "As of today, he has been recalled and he would be investigated when he arrives," he said.
Congressman Walden Bello brought the issue of the 'sex-for-flight' scheme and the alleged operations of prostitution rings in Jordan, Syria and Kuwait to the public. He named three embassy and POLO officials who exploited distressed OFWs by offering them return tickets in exchange for sex or prostituting them.
However, del Rosario said the prostitution ring allegations were not confirmed during the meetings with the heads of posts.

"Unless there are people who come forward, the allegations will remain as allegations. In at least one instance or one location where this sex ring is being alleged, the head of post has not heard of it. When we mentioned it, it was to him a new allegation," he said.

Despite this, the department is still looking at other alleged offenders.
"We have submitted a list of names and recommended actions to be taken against them. This I discussed with Cong. Bello and with Atty. Lea Fortuna and I also have been keeping the president informed of the developments. By the end of the day I expect to send him an expanded report on this," he said.
The DFA hopes more victims and witnesses will come forward and is committed to investigate those involved in the allegations.

"We hope that we can convince them to do this not only to help themselves, but to help others like themselves who had been taken advantage of," he said.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/24/13/allegations-one-3-pinays-confirmed-dfa

How the "sex-for-flight" scheme works

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 06/21/2013 9:40 PM | Updated as of 06/21/2013 9:40 PM

MANILA - A syndicate allegedly involving some unscrupulous Philippine embassy and labor officials in the Middle East is behind the "sex-for-flight" scheme that has victimized Filipinas, according to a migrant labor rights group.
John Leonard Monterona, Middle East and North Africa coordinator of Migrante International, revealed the information based on accounts given to the group by some alleged victims.

"The embassy and labor official normally will ask an OFW ward at the Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) [for] runaways and distressed, if she has money to pay for her own airplane tickets, payment for penalties being an absconder, and payment to her sponsor-employer who usually ask a reimbursement of her deployment cost," he said.

Monterona, in a statement to media, said most distressed and runaway OFWs do not have money.
"The official, who is an alleged member of the syndicate operating inside the Philippine embassy/labor offices in the Middle East, will discreetly talk to the OFW ward to offer an 'indecent proposal' of having a prospective 'client' in exchange for cash," he added.

Monterona also alleged that at night, the OFW will be fetched by either a driver or any local-hire staff of the embassy and labor officials who are members of the syndicate.

"Amount, per information direct from the OFW ward as victims of 'sex-for-flight' modus, ranges from 500 rials to 1,000 rials. Some very desperate OFW wards are accepting as low as 100 to 300 rials," he said.

Four migrant Filipina workers who were allegedly victimized in a sex trade scheme by a labor official met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday to reveal details of how they were abused. 
The foreign affairs and labor departments are now investigating the cases.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/21/13/how-sex-flight-scheme-works

DFA to boost intelligence-gathering vs sex trade

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 06/23/2013 8:42 PM | Updated as of 06/23/2013 11:17 PM

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) finished on Sunday its consultations with 13 heads of posts in the Middle East and North Africa, with the end goal of strengthening intelligence and preventive measures against sex trade schemes.

In a statement released late Sunday, the DFA said: “The consultations aimed at gathering more information on the alleged inappropriate and criminal behavior of certain personnel for the purpose of validating the allegations which could lead to the application of punitive measures as well as to identify preventive and corrective measures.”
The heads of posts were summoned late last week amid the sex-for-flight scheme revealed by Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello involving embassy officials who have allegedly been abusing distressed overseas Filipino workers.
The DFA said several recommendations were gathered, including immediate measures such as the termination of local hires and recall of individuals for investigation. These measures, however, have yet to be taken up with concerned stakeholders.

The heads of the posts also recommended a review of existing rules and standard operating procedures governing the overall management of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), as well as capacity-building for Foreign Service Posts to effectively handle sex-related offenses.
They also sought to have a stronger inter-agency cooperation as well as an effective implementation of the One-Country Team Approach.

“Of great import were re-orientation lectures encompassing Gender Sensitivity and Development conducted by Atty. Amparita Sta. Maria of the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and Sexual Harassment and “Sextortion” by well-known advocate for women's and children's rights Atty. Katrina Legarda,” the DFA said.
Bello and the head of the Department of Labor and Employment fact-finding team, Atty. Leah Fortuna, also participated in the fact-finding exercise.

“The DFA, in close coordination with other government agencies, will tirelessly pursue every effort to protect all Filipinos overseas,” the DFA said.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/23/13/dfa-envoys-boost-intelligence-vs-sex-trade-scheme

Is there a "sex-for-fly" scheme in Kuwait?

By Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, on June 17th, 2013

 

MANILA – Some embassy and labor officials in Kuwait are allegedly involved in the so-called “sex-for-fly” scheme in which distressed overseas Filipino workers are forced to have sex with them in exchange for a ticket home.

“First of all, I’m really enraged by this thing going on. We immediately put up an investigating panel, five people in it and we welcome the investigation started by Congressman [Walden] Bello,” said Charge d’ Affaires Atty. Raul Dado.

The move of the embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) to create a five-man investigating panel was in response to Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello’s call to probe the reported scheme. Bello is also the chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.

Labor Attache David Des Dicang condemns the reported scheme. He likewise appealed to alleged victims to come out and tell the truth.

“Kasama po ni Congressman Bello, kinokondena po namin itong mga balita na ito. At kung may katotohanan po ito, nanawagan po kami, lahat po ng mga complainants kung sinuman po sila, lumabas na po,” said Dicang.

Victims already back in the Philippines are urged to file their complaints with the OWWA, the Department of Labor and Employment or with the Department of Foreign Affairs, while those still in Kuwait are also encouraged to report such incidents.

“Lumabas po kayo. Sabihin po ninyo ang totoo in the spirit of fairness and for the truth. Para malaman po natin ang totoo. Lumantad na po kayo para lumabas na po ang katotohanan at magawan po ng aksyon ang mga hinaing ninyo,” he said.

The repatriation of distressed OFWs continues with the help from Kuwait immigration authorities. There are about 200 distressed OFWs temporarily staying at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Kuwait.

“Nandito po kami para sa welfare at saka proteksyon ng mga OFWs, lalo na po yong mga alaga namin dito sa center. So kung may mga ganyang isyu po, willing naman po kami sa sinasabi nilang imbestigasyon, open naman po tayo doon because we will not condone such act,” said Welfare Officer Norlita Lugtu.

The investigating panel vows to get to the bottom of the issue.

“I will personally make sure and use all my investigation skills to find out who this person is and to make him answer to the law to the fullest not only with an admin case but most especially with a criminal penalty of going to jail for this violation,” said Dado.

Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

Source: http://www.filipinosabroad.com/ofw-news/is-there-a-sex-for-fly-scheme-in-kuwait/

Great news: 7 seafarers get 18M in monetary benefits claim.

ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Posted at 06/07/2013 4:09 PM | Updated as of 06/07/2013 4:09 PM

MANILA - Seven seafarers benefited from more than P18 million in monetary awards after their various claims were settled through conciliation, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

“Each of the seven seafarers got benefits ranging from P1.4-M to P3.6-M,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

A report from the National Conciliation and Mediation Board-National Capital Region identified the seafarers as Elmer Tolentino, Giovanni Arnesto, Pablo Cain, Marciano Patena, Rey Laserna, Eden Ronzales, and Rizalde Ferrera.

• Tolentino, a bosun of MV Cosco China, was able to claim payment of his total and permanent disability compensation amounting to 3,626,555.33.
• Arnesto, a bosun of MV Alam Seri, got P3,228.000 in full and complete settlement for his claim for disability compensation and benefits, medical allowances and expenses, attorney's fees and damages;
• Cain, an oiler of M/V Cap Camarat, was awarded P3,380,960 as complete and final settlement for his claims of sickness allowance, medical reimbursement and disability benefits, attorney’s fees, and other damages.
• Patena, chief engineer of M/V Golden Crown, was awarded P1,474,265 as full settlement of his claims for disability benefits.
• Laserna, an able-bodied seaman of MV Genmar Strength, was paid P1,398,180 as full and final settlement of his claims.
• Ronzales, a seaman of MV MSC Gemma, was awarded P3,182,080 as full settlement for his claims for sickness allowance, medical reimbursement, disability benefits, attorney’s fees, and damages.
• Ferrera, a bosun of MV Bulk Philippines, got $47,500 (P1.9 million) as sickness allowance, disability compensation and benefits, attorney’s fees, and damages.

Baldoz commended the NCMB conciliator-mediators for their focused and pro-active effort in facilitating the settlement of disputes. She said their efforts mirror the DOLE’s intensified campaign to promote compliance to labor standards and uphold workers’ rights and welfare.
"This is in keeping with the reforms in the labor dispute settlement system that we have put in place in pursuit of the 22-point labor and employment agenda of the President," said Baldoz.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/07/13/7-seafarers-get-p18m-benefits-claim-dole

Great Info: Close to 2M OFW's hired in 2012

By Mayen Jaymalin, The Philippine Star, on June 5th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino workers have remained popular among foreign employers.
Despite economic slump and nationalization policies in some countries, close to two million Filipino workers managed to find employment overseas last year.

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that a total of 1.8 million Filipinos were deployed to various countries in 2012.
Filipino household service workers (HSWs) accounted for the bulk of those hired abroad, with a total of 155,831 followed by registered nurses with 15,655.

Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East hired the greatest number of workers even while their governments require employers to hire local workers.

JobStreet. Com, the leading jobsite in the country, projected that deployment of Filipino workers will continue to go up in 2013 and the coming years.

Caroline Enriquez, Jobstreet.Com marketing manager, said service workers and professional workers would continue to be in demand in various countries abroad.

“A survey we conducted among 100 licensed recruitment agencies also indicated that Middle Eastern countries have the most number of hirings,” Enriquez disclosed.
Enriquez noted that more than 40,000 overseas jobs are posted in their website daily and about 1.5 million Filipino jobseekers search their site daily to look for employment abroad.
Saudi Arabia alone has close to 30,000 job openings while Qatar posted about 9,000 jobs and United Arab Emirates (UAE) with about 5,000 jobs, Enriquez said.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said as overseas employment continues to increase, illegal recruiters have also resorted to different means, including use of social media to dupe jobseekers.
Just recently, he said, he discovered on facebook an alleged account of Canadian immigration which is offering various overseas jobs.
“I thinks it’s a form of illegal recruitment, so I have ordered our anti-illegal recruitment team to look into it and see what can we do about it,” he said.
To control illegal recruitment, POEA and JobStreets .com have joined forces to help jobseekers find employment overseas through proper and legal means.

Majority of those who seek employment abroad use online job search and Jobstreet.Com can help by listing only safe and real overseas employment.

Enriquez said they require employers who advertise job opportunities in their website to submit copies of their POEA license, approved POEA job orders aside from other government permits.
Cacdac said many Filipinos are being misled into thinking that they can work abroad even if they do not have the necessary skills as long as they were given the plane ticket.

“But that is not the right and legal way, those seeking employment abroad must abide by the procedures,” he said.

Mayen Jaymalin, The Philippine Star