Sailors had been stranded for six weeks aboard three vessels.
By Angel L. Tesorero
Dubai: A total of 415 Filipino seafarers stranded in the UAE for six weeks returned home to the Philippines on two chartered flights on Saturday and Sunday.
The first batch of 207 Filipino crew members were repatriated to the Philippines on Saturday and have already arrived in Manila. Another batch of 208 Filipino seafarers on Sunday boarded a special Emirates flight, EK334, bound to Manila, expected to arrive at 9.05pm (Philippine time or 1.05am Monday, UAE time.)
The stranded Filipino crew members, who are not UAE residents, worked on international vessels MV Norwegian Jade, SS Nautica, and SS Voyager which are still docked at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi and Port Rashid in Dubai, Philippine Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes told Gulf News.
The repatriation was coordinated with UAE authorities who allowed them to disembark and take a chartered flight arranged by their employers through local manning agencies.
“All expenses were shouldered by the Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings, Ltd, which owns and operates MV Norwegian Jade, SS Nautica, and SS Voyager,” said Cortes, adding: “The seafarers are still employed and also part of the DOLE-AKAP Program.”
DOLE-AKAP (Department of Labor and Employment-Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong) Program is a one-time financial assistance amounting to US $200 (Dh730), given by the Philippine government to overseas workers, both land-based and sea-based, who have been displaced by a lockdown in a foreign country, according to Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana oversaw the repatriation of the Filipino crew members who have been stranded for six (6) weeks at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi and Port Rashid in Dubai.
The sailors had been stranded in the UAE for six weeks aboard three vessels. (Image Credit: Supplied)
In a Facebook post by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Quintana “thanked the UAE authorities for assisting the Embassy in ensuring that these Filipino seafarers arrive home safely by allowing two special flights to leave for Manila despite flight suspension still being in effect.”
The Embassy added the Philippine Department of Health Bureau of Quarantine will ensure that upon arrival, “the seafarers will undergo proper screening procedures. Representatives from Depart of Foreign Affair’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and counterparts from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), will meet them upon their arrival in Manila.” #
This report was originally published in Gulf News.
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Dubai: A few hundred Filipino expats are seeking to be repatriated soon, a source within the Filipino diplomatic community said Saturday, March 11.
Flights to Manila from this city, however, are still suspended, following the Philippine government’s directive on extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) and budget airline, Cebu Pacific – have also extended the suspension of all flight operations between Dubai and Manila until April 30.
Moreover, the decision to suspend passenger and transit flights to and from the UAE – as a preventive measure to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) – is still in effect.
Meanwhile, around 200 seafarers have been repatriated to the Philippines on Saturday.
The repatriation of the stranded Filipino crew members, who are not UAE residents, was coordinated with UAE authorities who allowed them to disembark and take a chartered flight arranged by their employers through local manning agencies.
In an earlier Gulf News report, Marford Angeles, Consul-General and Deputy Head of Mission at the Philippine Embassy, said they have been working on the repatriation of Filipino crew members stranded in various ports in the UAE.
The Filipino diplomat also clarified, as per POLO-OWWA (Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), “employers are responsible for their employees’ repatriation, based on their contract.”
Angeles added the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has been closely coordinating with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on cases of stranded Filipino nationals. “These cases are subject to compliance with both Philippine and UAE laws and regulations, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon arrival in the Philippines being coordinated with the Philippine Department of Health and OWWA,” he earlier told Gulf News.
Angeles also clarified the Embassy’s programme of repatriating those with visa problems and immigration offences and victims illegal recruitment is still on hold due to the suspension of exit pass processing and suspension of UAE flights.
“This programme is also subject to availability of funds. Those who need help with their exit pass processing may call +971508584968 or +971508963089, or email [email protected] for proper advice,” he added. #
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Manila has promised Dh730 cash aid to Filipinos who have lost jobs.
By Angel L. Tesorero/Gulf News
Dubai: Filipinos in the UAE, who have lost their jobs or have been asked to go on unpaid leave, are asking their home country for cash aid after the Philippine Government last month promised a one-time financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose jobs were affected due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Several Filipino expats told Gulf News they have been waiting for the US$200 (Dh730) financial assistance announced on March 25 by Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III. They said the announcement was a welcome news.
Philippine labor secretary Silvestre H. Bello III (Photo by Raymund B. Villanueva/Kodao
Filipino expat Huey Rai Sta Ana, 26, a waiter at a Dubai restaurant, said: “Our employer told us to go on unpaid leave but we still have bills to pay. Losing a month’s salary will have a big impact on our wallets – we have not enough savings to pay for our rent and utility bills. Whatever assistance we can get from our government would really be a big help.”
Huey Rai Sta Ana
Another Dubai resident, Shiera lyza Fernando, 21, who is a service crew, added: “The Philippine Government, through POLO-OWWA (Philippine Labour Office- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), has the means to help us, OFWs.”
Shiera lyza FernandoImage Credit: Supplied
Ana Marasigan, an office administration staff, echoed the same sentiments. She said: “The financial assistance must be provided to our distressed OFWs who are currently affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We appeal to the Philippine government to fulfill its promise urgently.”
Filipino expat, John Raymart, 25, said he has to rely on friends for some of his basic needs. “We have been working on a tight budget since last month after we were placed under leave. The solution that me and my friends have come up with is to pool our money and buy food for everyone. But our fund is now running low.”
John RaymartImage Credit: Supplied
‘Let us be patient’
Meanwhile, Joan Vargas, 33, a restaurant manager and Filipino community leader, advised her kababayans (countrymen) to be patient. “I think the (Philippine) government is doing its job. I’m sure the money will come.”
Joan VargasImage Credit: Supplied
“But I hope there will be no difficult requirements needed – just passport and Emirates ID would be enough when we collect the money,” added Vargas, who said 19 of them were asked to go on unpaid leave since March 23.
Josephine Sanchez, 46, sales staff at a freight forwarding company, said majority of OFWs are family breadwinners. If they lost their jobs or experience pay cuts, their respective families will also suffer.
Josephine SanchezImage Credit: Supplied
“We have our own expenses and we also need to buy our own food. If we lost our jobs, how then can we provide for our family back home? We really hope our government will take care of us in times of need,” Sanchez said.
No comprehensive plan
In a statement sent to Gulf News, the chairperson of Migrante International, a migrants rights group based in Manila, said the delay in cash assistance “revealed the lack of comprehensive plan by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing the immediate and long-term effects of the crisis on OFWs.”
Migrante chairperson Joanna Concepcion said: “Up to now, the government has not provided any guidelines to disburse the funds they promised to distressed OFWs who were expecting the assistance since last month.”
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the various Philippine Overseas Labour Offices (POLOs) will start processing the release of financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) said in a statement sent to Gulf News on Thursday.
Overseas workers, both land-based and sea-based, who have been displaced by a lockdown in a foreign country will be given a one-time financial assistance amounting to US $ 200 (Dh730), under DOLE’s AKAP programme for OFWs.
Also eligible are OFWs infected by the virus provided that they have not received any form of financial assistance from their host government or employer.
DOLE-AKAP will cover regular/documented OFWs as defined in the 2016 Revised Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Rules and Regulations.
“Regular or documented OFWs are those who possess a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the receiving country; and whose contract of employment has been processed by the POEA or the POLO,” Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.
The assistance programme, Bello added, “also covers qualified undocumented OFWs or those who were originally regular or documented workers, but for some reason or cause have thereafter lost their regular or documented status”.
Bello said the assistance is part of DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Programme (DOLE-CAMP) that the department had initiated to extend financial support for Filipino workers displaced by the pandemic.
Bello underlined: “The coverage is generous since it will cover not only documented workers but also undocumented ones as long as they have “undertaken” actions toward regularisation or they are active members of OWWA.
Bello said OWWA and the POLOs will now start the processing and evaluation of the qualified DOLE-AKAP recipients, especially in countries heavily affected by the pandemic.
Requirements and guidelines:
According to DOLE, OFWs must submit the following documents to their respective POLO:
a. Accomplished application form for the special cash assistance which is downloadable at their respective POLO website or social media account;
b. Photocopy of their passport and/or travel documents;
c. Proof of overseas employment, such as a valid OEC, residence ID, visa, reentry-visa etc.
d. Proof of loss of employment on account of the COVID-19 disease; and
e. Proof of a pending case that have caused their current “undocumented status, such as case reference number, case endorsement stamped by the POLO, etc.
Those who are already in the Philippines or repatriated OFWS will be covered by Balik Manggagawa. They must submit the following documents to their respective regional or local OWWA offices:
a. Accomplished application form for special cash assistance downloadable at www.dole-akap.owwa.gov.ph website;
b. Copy of passport or travel documents;
c. Proof of overseas employment, sch as valid OEC, residence ID, visa/re-entry visa, etc. and
d. Proof of loss of employment due to the COVID-19 disease.
For further details, please check http://www.polodubaiportal.org #
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Labor
federation Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemned the creation
of police offices in Central Luzon industrial zones, saying the move violates the
Constitutionally-guaranteed right to form and join organizations.
The
KMU blasted Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region III and the Rodrigo
Duterte government’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
(NTF-ELCAC) as the agencies announced the creation of the Joint Industrial
Peace and Concern Office (JIPCO) to prevent militant labor groups from
organizing unions in the region.
“The
creation of the JIPCO is a direct attack on workers’ basic right to form unions
–our legitimate means to collectively fight for our basic interests and welfare
as workers. The JIPCO is meant to stifle not the so-called ‘radical labor
infiltration’ but the workers’ very right to exercise self-organization and
union work,” KMU Chairperson Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog said.
PNP Central Luzon director Police General Rhodel
Sermonia last Wednesday, January 22, led JIPCO’s launch at the Clark Freeport
Zone in Zambales Province “to act as the first line of defense from radical
labor infiltration of the labor force and the industrial zones in support of
ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict).”
With Sermonia as guests of honor and speakers were
presidential adviser on the peace process Secretary Carlito Galvez, newly
installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Direcor General Archie Francisco
Gamboa, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director Charito
Plaza.
The
KMU however said there can be no peace anywhere in the Philippines if the PNP, known
for criminal and deadly practices such as “ninja cops” and “Oplan Tokhang”, are
tasked to prevent unionism in factories and workplaces.
The
group also noted that both the PNP and Philippine Army have repeatedly accused
militant labor unions of being supporters of the underground communist movement
in the Philippines. The creation of a JIPCO is precisely aimed to prevent
organizing of unions which will affect the entire labor sector, it added.
“The
[NTF-ELCAC] has been weaponized to the extent of violating fundamental rights
of workers to form unions, which are clearly provided in the Bill of Rights of
the Philippine Constitution, as well as International Conventions. The JIPCO in
effect bans the existence of any union and all unions in Central Luzon,” said
KMU’s Labog.
The
militant labor group charged that the JIPCO is a project of the National Task
Force- End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which was created
through Executive Order No. 70.
“That
the JIPCO is a mechanism to defend industrial zones from radical labor in
support of the ELCAC is all rhetoric for crushing legitimate people’s
organizations carrying legitimate demands, such as unions calling for higher
wages, regular work and implementation of labor standards, especially in
Economic Zones which are not regulated by the Labor Department,” Labog said.
The
labor leader also added that “only the few big capitalists stand to benefit
from the eradication of unions in the economic zones.”
The KMU Chairman asked workers and the people to
launch actions and engage all institutions to stop JIPCO even as it looks for possible
legal actions against the PNP and PEZA. # (Raymund
B. Villanueva)
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Regent Foods Corporation (RFC) management
is set to implement a “run-away shop” tactic with its threat to transfer out of
Pasig City, the snack manufacturer’s striking workers said.
“The Regent management just proved what we have been
pointing out since we started our strike and mounted our picketlines last
October 16 — that the RFC management will implement a runaway shop and lockout
of its plant in Pasig City to get rid of the issues we are raising,” Regent
Food Workers Union (RFWU) president Tita Cudiamat said.
Cudiamat was reacting to RFC’s statement that it is
now mulls transferring its business out of Pasig City after Mayor Vico Sotto
advised the company to rethink its position of filing charges against its striking
workers.
“If you want to have a healthy relationship with
our city, I highly suggest you rethink your position,” Sotto warned.
“Moving forward, RFC may simply accept its fate that
the Pasig City Administration will unjustly make life hard for it and its
400-strong workforce, and contemplate simply bringing its business elsewhere,”
the company said in a statement.
Cudiamat however said that RFC’s reaction to Sotto’s
warning proves the company’s “illegal” plans.
Labor group Defend Jobs Philippines echoed the
strikers’ accusations that RFC implemented a “long list of unfair labor practices against their
workers.”
“For the longest time, striking workers have been
airing out and complaining about the management’s attempt of runaway shop,
lockout, union busting, unfair labor practices, contractualization, low wages,
unpaid benefits, and violations of the workers right to union and strike,” Defend
Job Philippines spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy said in a statement.
Magsoy defended Sotto who also raised funds to allow
some of those arrested, including a bystander, to post bail last Monday.
“No amount of defensive statements and baseless
attacks against Mayor Vico can justify the long-drawn hardships of Regent
workers for almost three decades of existence of this company,” Magsoy said.
Both RFWU and Defend Jobs Philippines warned the RFC
management to brace itself for countercharges they plan to file in several
legal venues the company’s “unfair labor practices, abusive acts…and the
violent dispersal” last November 9 that also injured several workers.
“Instead of lying and spreading fake news and charges, the RFC management must focus in addressing our legitimate concerns. If they will remain firm in fabricating lies and stories, then we have no resort but to fight back in whatever legal and just means possible,” Cudiamat said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
Regent Foods products
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Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto vowed to
defend the 23 arrested workers of Regent Foods Corporation after company owners
decided to go ahead with its charges of physical injuries against the strikers.
In a Facebook post, Sotto said he will do everything within his power to help the arrested workers regain and maintain their liberty.
“Yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, I talked to the 11
still inside and assured them that I will personally make sure that they are
out on bail by Monday,” Sotto posted.
The mayor said 12 of those arrested have already
posted bail, including the tricycle driver who was arrested with the workers.
Sotto
said Regent owners, couple Irwin and Susan See, refused his request to drop
charges against the workers, prompting him to “speak out in
public.”
“I asked
Regent to withdraw the charges against the 23. Mr. Irwin See and Ms. Susan See
separately asked me to give them some time to ask their board,” he revealed.
The Sees
reportedly told Sotto that the company board would talk about his request and
that he will be informed once a decision is reached.
Upon
multiple follow-ups by his office however, the company’s lawyers informed the
mayor they would not withdraw the charges, saying they will “just trust
the judicial process.”
The mayor
slammed the company’s decision.
“[That] is
of course easy to say as multimillionaires who will eat (three times) a day no
matter what happens here; while the people they have sued have recently lost
their main source of income and are now even torn away from their families,”
the mayor fumed.
Injured Regent Foods workers after violent dispersal by company guards last November 9.
The 23
workers were arrested after a violent dispersal by the security guards last
November 9, injuring several of the workers.
The workers
launched their strike last October 16 demanding regular employment for long-time
employees and salary increases.
They also
complained of
non-implementation of the collective bargaining agreement, non-recognition of
the new leadership within the union and physical and verbal abuses by
management.
The workers
immediately sought Sotto’s mediation and help in keeping their strike peaceful
and safe but the mayor initially clarified he cannot interfere with the labor
issues as those fall under the jurisdiction of the labor department.
“However,
when my constituents are being deprived of liberty as they fight for their
rights as workers, I cannot sit around and do nothing,” Sotto said Sunday.
He further
revealed that Regent management hired outside private security to disperse
their employees on strike last November 9 that turned violent.
“The situation
was naturally tense and violence broke out. I have seen videos of the workers
being kicked by the private security as they lay on the ground,” the mayor
said.
The
tricycle driver who was arrested with the workers and two of their supporters
was an innocent bystander “who just went down to see what was going on,” the
mayor said.
Sotto said
he condemns the company and its owners’ “misuse” of “[their] privileged position
to suppress the rights of [their] protesting workers.”
“These people are not criminals; they do not
have the goal of hurting you. They are fighting for what they believe to be
just. You can continue with the labor dispute without sending the poor and
powerless to jail!” Sotto said.
“If you want to have a healthy relationship with our city, I highly suggest you rethink your position,” Sotto warned.
Inilunsad kamakailan ang isang network para matulungan ang mga manggagawa sa pagtatanggol sa kanilang karapatan at seguridad. Nagtipon ang mga abugado, propesor, taong simbahan, labor rights advocatea at iba pa para buuin ang Labor Rights Defender Network (LaRD).
Ayon sa LaRD, sa kasalukuyang administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte, lalong tumindi ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga manggagawa. Kabilang na dito ang pagpaslang sa 43 lider manggagawa at labor rights advocates, pambubuwag sa mga unyon at welga, red-tagging at ilegal na pag-aresto sa mga union organizer.
Iniulat din ng LaRD na kabilang ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang may lumalalang rekord kaugnay sa paglabag sa karapatan sa trabaho at mag-unyon. Kahanay na nito ang ilang mga bansa sa Africa at Asia-Pacific.
Layunin din ng LaRD na tipunin ang pinakamalaking network ng iba’t-ibang grupo para itaguyod ang maayos na sahod at dignidad sa paggawa ng mga manggagawa. (Music: News background Bidyo ni: Joseph Cuevas/ Kodao)
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Inilunsad ng mga manggagawa ng Super 8 Warehouse ang kanilang welga sa Axis Road, Brgy. Kalawaan sa Pasig City noong Agosto 6 laban sa malawakang tanggalan sa kanilang kumpanya.
Itinayo nila ang welga dakong 7:00 ng umaga at lumahok ang 88 manggagawa.
Mariin nilang binatikos ang management na Matapat Service Cooperative na siyang pwersahang nagtanggal sa mga manggagawa.
Bukod dito, tinututulan din nila ang mahigpit na pamamalakad ng Agency, panggigipit at pangwawasak ng unyon.
Nagtungo sila sa Pasig City Hall kung saan kinausap sila ng bagong mayor ng syudad na si Vico Sotto.
Hiling nila na maibalik sila sa trabaho, maibigay ang kanilang mga naudlot na benepisyo at kilalanin ang bagong tayong unyon. Nasa 200 kontraktwal na mga manggagawa ang nasa Super 8 Warehouse sa Pasig.
Ito ay pagmamay-ari ni Alvin Lim, founder at CEO ng Super 8 Retail System at sister company din ng Suy Sing Commercial Corporation. (Music: News background Bidyo ni: Joseph Cuevas/ Kodao)
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“I will do everything to send my children to school. I do not want them to experience this kind of difficult work,” said Marifor Busadre, 32, a mother of four and a contractual worker of Peerless Manufacturing Company (Pepmaco) for three years running.
Mariflor endures all kinds of pain at work, such as skin rashes because of direct contact with strong chemicals used for the manufacture of Pepmaco’s detergent products such as Champion. As a packer, she received P375 per day including overtime work. Her wage, way below the mandated minimum, is not enough to feed her family and it is a daily struggle to keep aside money for their other expenses such as her children’s school supplies. Her eldest is in high school.
Being a contractual worker worries her no end. “I joined this strike to fight for our rights. I am getting old. I hope that the management will grant our demand to make us regular workers and allow us back to work,” she said.
Marifor and dozens of other Pepmaco Workers Union members launched their strike last June 24. Aside from poor pay and being kept as contractual workers, they also complain of dire working conditions.
Photo by Sanafe Marcelo/Kodao
Like Marifor, Christine Sudoy, 22, is a three-year contractual worker, a mother and her family’s breadwinner. “I am worried that I can’t support the financial needs of my family. I am also worried for our health safety and work security,” Christine said, explaining why she too joined the strike. Christine said they often feel they were not being treated as humans, but as work animals and machines.
The company, she said, ordered them not to use gloves in handling the chemicals “because the products may be affected.” There were also no face masks provided, the management saying these cost too much at around P1,000 per piece. They work 12-hour shifts and days-off are prohibited. Women in the packing section carry around 11,000 kilos a day and only receive P610 a day, including overtime work.
Aside from Champion detergent, Pepmaco also manufactures Systema toothpaste, Calla fabric conditioner, and Hana shampoo and hair conditioner.
Even if they do not succeed with their strike, Christine hopes things would be better for future Pepmaco workers. “I hope they do not experience the violations we suffered,” she said.
In the early hours of June 28, just four days into their strike, “goons wearing face masks and in full battle gear” arrived on board two vans and container vans and swooped down on the strikers’ camps while most of them were resting or sleeping. Eleven of the strikers were injured in the attack.
Photo by Sanafe Marcelo/Kodao
Romeo Aldamar, 33, nearly two years on the job as a contractual worker, was badly wounded when their picket line was attacked by company guards. “I was hit on the head, my skull and nose had bone fractures. The goons kept on spraying jets of water at me even if they could clearly see I was already bloodied,” he said.
Romeo’s wife, though still supportive of the workers’ strike, asked him to stop. But Romeo said he explained to her that he could not. “I will still stand together with the union to fight for our rights. I do this for our children,” he said.
Romeo dreams of sending his children to school and for them to finish college degrees. He said it is difficult for high school graduates like himself to find jobs. “I will endure anything for them. I wish they would never experience working in a factory like Pepmaco,” he said. #
Striking Pepmaco workers. (Photo by Sanafe Marcelo/Kodao)
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Si Jimmy Sioson ay isang kontraktwal na manggagawa sa Peerless Producers Manufacturing Corporation o PEPMACO na sumali sa welga simula noong Hunyo 24 sa Canlubang, Laguna.
Ibinahagi niya na bukod sa pagiging kontraktwal, masahol ang kanilang kalagayan sa pagawaan. Walang safety procedure at napakainit ng sabon na kanilang niluluto. Bukod pa rito, 12 oras sila kung magtrabaho, at kahit holiday a pinapapasok pa sila nang walong oras.
Nang buwagin ang isa nilang picketline noong Hunyo 28, isa si Jimmy sa malubhang nasugatan. Bukod sa tinamaan ng bato ang kanyang ulo, pinagpapalo pa siya ng mga gwardya at binomba ng tubig.
Hiling niya na pansamantala munang i-boykot ang mga produkto ng PEPMACO at humarap ang may-ari para matugunan ang kanilang mga hinaing. Ang PEPMACO ay pagmamay-ari ng kapitalistang si Simeon Tiu. Ang kanilang mga produkto ay ang sabon na Champion, detergent powder na Calla, Hana shampoo at Systema toothpaste. (Background Music: Tangerine Dream-Valley of Sun Bidyo ni: Joseph Cuevas/ Kodao)
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