Foreign maids hit decision to exclude ongoing contracts on suspension “A heartless decision”

by Eni Lestari

“With the exclusion of ongoing contracts in the suspension of the levy, the HK government has once again shown how heartless it is when it comes to foreign domestic workers,” this was the statement of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) as the Executive Council announced the implementation of the levy suspension starting August 1, 2008 but only for new contracts.

Staging a picket at the Central Government Offices in response to the government’s announcement, the AMCB expressed fears “an open season of termination” as employers will scramble to avail of the levy suspension.

“In the current design of the suspension, it does not show the government’s sincerity or flexibility. Instead what we are witnessing is the government’s obvious refusal to make our condition even slightly better,” AMCB spokesperson Eni Lestari said.

Lestari lambasted the HK government for the latter’s response to the concerns of premature termination of ongoing contracts due to the selective suspension of the levy. According to the government, it will leave to the discretion of the immigration director to allow for “advanced contract renewal” to enable the foreign domestic workers to stay in HK while their contracts are being processed.

“The government definitely missed the point, only aggravated the FDWs’ anxiety and complicated the process with the implementation of this new policy,” said Lestari. “This government has the habit of putting FDWs in a difficult position. With the decision of the HK government on the levy suspension, FDWs are put in a situation that is inconvenient, full of hassles, bureaucratic.”

Lestari said that “advanced contract renewal” is a vague process, lacks clear guidelines and does not allay worries of FDWs

“Does the new term say that even if an FDW has worked for only a month, for example, her contract can already be renewed now? Will this be considered as termination of contract? If so, does it mean that even if we can stay in Hong Kong, we cannot do any work while our papers are processed? The government is even thinking of a quota system to face the deluge of termination and applications. How are we to survive while we are waiting for more than a month? Additionally, what will happen to entitlements such as the long-service payment and severance payment?” she asked.

Lestari believed that the only beneficiaries of such scheme will be the employers who will be able to avail of the suspension, recruitment agencies who will be able to get more fees for the processing of applications and consulates of labour-sending countries for the fees it will charge to applicants.

“The best and simplest way to solve all these problems will be to implement the suspension of the levy without exclusion. Why make it complicated and difficult? The option that the government has offered for ongoing contracts is practically not an option at all considering the problems it will create. With the way the government is heading on this suspension, FDWs will surely find ourselves at the losing end,” she said.

The situation, she added, will be even worse for those who will not be rehired by their employers because the government’s proposal doesn’t guarantee that the current employees will be rehired. If they find a new employer, they still have to go out of Hong Kong to await their visa.

Last Sunday, more than 1,000 foreign domestic workers rallied at the Central Government Office (CGO) to demand the coverage of all FDW contracts – ongoing and new ones – and its immediate implementation. Testimonies were also given by several FDWs whose contracts were terminated or threatened with termination as well as those applying for a new visa but whose employer either withdrew or deferred its issuance.

“It is a heartless decision that has shown the HK governments’ discrimination against and total lack of concern for FDWs. Will chief executive Donald Tsang feed the families of those who will face the axe?” she remarked.

Lestari said that the decision of the government will be met by more protests of FDWs. She announced that in August 17, the AMCB will mobilize more migrant workers to continue the call for an all-inclusive levy suspension.

While the suspension of the levy is the government’s acknowledgment of her group’s position that the levy is burdensome, cruel and unjust, said Lestari, its decision does not dispel the FDWs’ fears of losing their jobs.

“We will monitor and document cases of termination resulting from this decision. The true stories of our fellow migrant workers will expose the injustice that this government has brought us,” she relayed.

Finally, Lestari called for more FDWs to take part in the actions. She also called on for the local people to support the call of the AMCB.

Lestari reiterated long-standing call for the abolition of the levy and the significant wage increase for FDWs. She blamed the levy for the drastic wage cut imposed to FDWs in 2003 and, according to her, “the continued collection of the levy has also held our wage hostage.”

Also, Lestari called for the abolition of the New Conditions of Stay or Two-Week Rule that, she said, has put FDWs in their current vulnerable position.

“The attacks to our rights must stop. We’ve been severely battered already. There is no recourse for us but to fight back,” she concluded.#

A victory for Juana Tejada is a victory for all Filipino migrants

Migrante-Ontario is pleased with the decision of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada to grant Juana Tejada her dying wish to stay in here. Indeed, we recognize this as a victory for Juana, and this also is a victory for all Filipino migrants, especially those who are still under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).

"It has been determined that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent resident status as a Member of Live-in Caregiver class," read the decision letter dated July 17, 2008.

This decision did not come easy. Juana and her husband were put in a very difficult situation. They had to endure anxiety and emotional letdowns after her application was twice refused because she was diagnosed with terminal illness. But despite frustrations, Juana remained persistent and confident. Through her lawyer, she challenged the previous decisions, and subsequently made an appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

"This victory is our community's victory. It is a victory for other Juana Tejadas out there, it is a victory for all Filipino migrants," said Marco Luciano of Migrante. "It's a very significant step towards our campaign for the fundamental changes to the LCP," he added.

While we celebrate this triumph, we remain vigilant. There are reasons to be so especially after the recent passing of the Bill C-50. This new policy seeks "to make it impossible for immigrants to determine not just the conditions of their work, but also of their own lives in Canada."

"We cannot allow this to happen again to others. No live-in caregiver should ever have to go through this harrowing process, like Juana Tejada did," Rafael Fabregas, Juana's lawyer, said in a statement released yesterday. "In recognition of their contributions and sacrifices, they deserve a more certain future," he added.

As we have said, Juana deserves the right to permanent residency. Since she arrived in Canada in 2003, she surmounted every difficulty working under the LCP – all in the service of a Canadian family, and by extension, in the service of Canadian society.

Again, while celebrate this victory, we remain vigilant and determined to pursue our campaign for fundamental changes to the LCP. Certainly, we stand firm and resolute in our commitment to continue our fight for justice, and for the rights and welfare of all Filipino migrants.

Expose and oppose political concessions and patronage in the appointment of new OWWA Administrator – Migrante ME

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today said that political patronage and concessions will play a vital role in the appointment of new administrator for the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, "thus should be expose and oppose!"

“Under Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership, political patronage and concessions play a vital role in the appointment of new OWWA administrator, a position vacated by now Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque that should be exposed and opposed by OFWs and their families,” said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East.

“The OWWA as a “juicy” agency with an almost P10-B thrust fund collected from the US$25 from every OFWs, Mrs. Arroyo would certainly appoint someone she could be trusted, that someone should be from her political company, a necessity for her political survival in the midst of her dwindling popularity and net-satisfaction ratings by the public who is more disappointed, enraged but are protesting her”, Monterona added.

Migrante’s Monterona said that as much as Mrs. Arroyo remains in office, it is but politically wise for her to appoint someone whom she can be trusted and someone willing to obey and implement her anti-people and anti-OFW policies and programs, such is the like of Mr. Romulo Neri, who knows how to keep her “secrets” in the dark.

Monterona said that though many OFWs prefer to have a new OWWA administrator who is a ‘true-blooded’ OFW who really understands the aspirations, concerns and issues of OFWs, he said with much doubt if Mrs. Arroyo would appoint from among the aspiring OFW leaders, but she would rather appoint from among her political minions who are actually losing candidates waiting for their “pay-back” time to be appointed by Mrs. Arroyo.

“That’s the very reason why losing senatorial candidate Prospero Pitchay is being eyed as OWWA administrator and according to reports his appointment paper was already been signed by Mrs. Arroyo”, Monterona added.

Monterona said that his group won't be surprised but will stage protests if Mrs. Arroyo appointed someone with concluded political concessions from among her political allies who lost in the senatorial election as she already appointed Ralph Recto, Tito Sotto, Mike Defensor, and even to some “insiders” who are eager enough to be appointed as OWWA chief.

Monterona said with an anti-people and most anti-OFW president, the woes and worsening plight of OFWs abroad would not end by Mrs. Arroyo’s appointing of a new OWWA administrator.

“OFWs and their families should collectively work hand in hand with other social classes and sectors to contribute meaningfully establish a more democratic and representative government, unlike the present Arroyo government that has been controlled by local big landlords and businessmen in cahoots with US and First World countries’ monopoly capitalists that displace thousands of workers who were forced to work abroad only to be maltreated, abused and neglected by their own government,” Monterona ended.

For reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

9 out of 10 NCR residents want Oil VAT scrapped

IBON Survey / July 26, 2008
Reference: Ms Rosario Bella Guzman (IBON executive editor)


In spite of aggressive government efforts to justify the 12% value added tax (VAT) on oil, almost nine out of 10 Metro Manila residents still feel that the said tax must be scrapped.

In a metro-wide survey conducted by IBON Foundation on July 12-13, 87.33% of respondents agree with the proposals to scrap the VAT on petroleum products.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to highlight the supposed benefits of the people from government's growing collections from the VAT in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Various groups have been calling for the cancellation of the VAT on oil in the face of escalating pump prices with several legislative proposals implementing the said measure currently pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has also called for at least a review of the oil VAT. Estimates show that at current price levels, removing the controversial tax can reduce pump prices by more than P7 per liter.

IBON's special survey was conducted across NCR and has a margin of error of plus of minus three percent.

Below is the tabulation of results of the respondents' perception on the removal of the value-added tax on petroleum products.




Do you agree with the proposals to remove the VAT on petroleum products?
Yes 324 87.33
No 31 8.36
Don't Know 16 4.31
371 100.00



*IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications, information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues.