Saudi issues new regulations on HSWs

MANILA, Philippines -- Saudi Arabia has issued regulations listing the rights and obligations of migrant household service workers and their employers, the Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Saudi Arabia approved last week Resolution No. 301, or the Household Regulation on Service Workers and Similar Categories.

“I am very much pleased that Saudi Arabia has issued its new regulations on the employment of foreign HSWs,” Baldoz said.

The resolution is an offshoot of an agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia on a standard employment contract for household workers.

The new regulations, said Baldoz, “will certainly boost the protection for our HSWs and enhance their welfare.”

Under the new regulation, HSWs have the following obligations:

render the work agreed upon and do her best in the performance of her work
follow orders of the employer and family members relating to the performance of her work
take care of the employer’s property
not harm the family members, children, and the elderly
keep secrets of the employers, family members, and people living in or visiting the employer’s house
not refuse work or leave the service without legitimate reason
not affect the dignity of the employer and family members and not interfere in their affairs
respect the Islamic religion and observe Saudi regulations applied in Saudi Arabia, and the customs and traditions of the Saudi society
not engage in any activity disadvantageous to the (employer’s) family
On the other hand, employers should:

not impose work on the household service worker unless the work has been agreed upon, and provided the work does not substantially differ from the original work
not impose any dangerous work that threatens the health and safety and the human dignity of the HSW
pay the agreed salary at the end of every month
pay wage and benefits in cash or check to be documented in writing if the HSW does not want the wage or benefit deposited in a bank account
provide appropriate accommodation to the HSW
provide HSW opportunity to enjoy a daily rest of at least nine hours a day
personally attend or send a representative to answer complaint, if any, of the HSW
not ‘rent out’ the HSW
HSWs are also entitled to a weekly rest day, one month’s leave after two years of service, paid sick leave of not more than 30 days, health care according to the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, and end-of-service benefits equivalent to one-month salary after four years.

According to Baldoz, the regulations, if violated also carry stiff penalties for both employers and HSWs.

Employers shall be fined 2,000 Saudi riyals and prevented from recruiting HSWs, while HSWs shall be fined 2,000 Saudi riyals and prevented from working in the Kingdom.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration offices were already instructed to disseminate the information about the new regulations to all HSWs applicants, in coordination with all licensed recruitment agencies.

Baldoz also directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to include in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for HSWs information about the new regulations.

source: interaksyon.com

2nd breast cancer-stricken OFW from HK dies amid rising incidence of killer disease in city-state

MANILA, Philippines - Another member of the Hong Kong-based cancer support group has passed away.

Noemi Tolmo, who was one of the four Buhay Ka members recently featured by Interaksyon.com, died on August 1, according to a Facebook account set up by her former colleagues in Hong Kong. She was 49 years old.

“Nag-text ang kapatid na lalaki ni Noemi na si Teodoro Tolmo, (to) inform us na namatay si Noemi noong August 1, 2012 at 12:45 a.m.,” said the post by Filmcass HK.

[Noemi's brother Teodoro Tolmo texted to inform us that Noemi died on August 1, 2012 at 12:45 a.m..]

Only last month, another Buhay Ka member, Nida Ampaguey, also passed away 20 days after coming home from Hong Kong. Ampaguey also succumbed to breast cancer after working in Hong Kong for two decades.

Rising incidence of breast cancer in HK

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer affecting women in the city-state since 1993, according to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.

The foundation said that cases of female breast cancer in Hong Kong had doubled to 2,945 in 2009 from 1,152 in 1993.

"On average, about 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. The number of male cases has also increased from 4 to 17," the foundation said.

The lifetime breast cancer risk for females in the ciyt-state is 1 in every 19. In 2009, 60 percent of the women in Hong Kong diagnosed with the disease were aged 40-59.

"The older the age, the greater the risk," the foundation said.

"Young people are not immune from the disease. The youngest case reported was below 20 years old," it added.

Interview with Tolmo before she died

Interaksyon.com was able to interview Tolmo on the phone last June in her home in General Santos City. One of the pioneers of the cancer support group when it was founded by running priest Fr. Robert Reyes in 2007, Tolmo returned to the Philippines only in March this year.

She worked in the former British territory for 20 years as a domestic worker where she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After five years, the cancer metastasized to her bones and liver.

During the interview, Tolmo said she had a very supportive employer but she decided to go home because she felt that she had become a burden to them.

“Pinipilit ako ng mag-asawa (na huwag umuwi). Pero ayaw kong maging pabigat. Naisip ko pag bigla akong namatay mas malaki ang gastos nila sa akin. Umiiyak siya (amo) at naisip ko pa daw sila,” said Tolmo who practically raised all of her employer’s three children.

[The couple insisted that I stay. But I didn't want to be a burden to them. I thought that if I suddenly die, they would spend a lot for me. My boss cried because I could still think of their welfare.]

When she was diagnosed with cancer, her employer even brought Tolmo's husband to Hong Kong so he could have a job there and also take care of his wife.

However, Tolmo’s husband only created problems for Noemi prompting her to send him back home.

It's expensive to get sick

Before she succumbed to cancer, Tolmo had only one chemotherapy session in a General Santos hospital because of money problems. She paid a total of P80,000 for that single procedure in April, but back in Hong Kong, she paid only HK$ 100 (less than P600) for a chemo session.

“Di ako makapaniwalang ganyan kabilis maubos ang pera dito. Sa four months ko dito 'yong dala kong pera wala na,” she complained.

[I could not believe that money here runs out that fast. In only four months, the money I brought with me was gone already.]

Because she could not continue her chemotherapy session, Tolmo resorted to taking oral drugs to ease the excruciating pain in her bones.

She was planning to sell their house in General Santos to pay for her medications.

“Hindi ko kaya ang sakit [I couldn't bear the pain],” were her last words during that interview.

source: interaksyon.com

OFWs holding global protest vs. planned hike in PhilHealth premiums

Some overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are holding from July 20 to 25 a global "web protest" against the planned increase in PhilHealth premiums.

Dubbed “Global Webwide Protest to Stop PhilHealth Increase,” the move aims to stop the proposed 150 percent increase in health premiums for OFWs — from P900 to P2400 per person.

According to a news release on the OFW site Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA), Philhealth premiums for all members, including OFWs, increased from P900 to P1,200 in January this year.

PhilHealth this month postponed to January 2013 plans for another increase for OFWs — from P1,200 to P2,400.

PEBA said OFWs want the planned hike stopped until further discussion.

“OFWs globally plead to stop and immediately implement a moratorium on imposing the increase until a comprehensive and genuine consultation with most OFWs and other stakeholders have been conducted,” PEBA said.

A direct violation

PEBA is a non-profit organization of international Filipino Bloggers founded by Jebee Kenji Solis, based in Jeddah.

Originally, PEBA was an awarding body recognizing outstanding OFWs. However, it has now expanded its services to provide assistance to distressed OFWs.

The group is staging the protesting via its Facebook and Twitter accounts, along with OFWs who are against Circular 22 which approves the increase recently issued by the Philhealth Board.

PEBA also cited a law to point out that the increase is a violation.

“The said increase is a direct violation of RA 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995 that “prohibits increase in government fees for services rendered to OFWs and their dependents,” said PEBA.

On the other hand, the Twitter community has shared its insights on the matter:

arnel abad: “@teamphilhealth OFW SAY NO TO Philhealth PREMIUM INCREASE MAKE IT OPTIONAL”

ROLS: “STOP THE PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE, YE SFOR OPTIONAL for OFWS!”

Mr. Apol E. Apuntar: “Stop the Philhealth Premium Increase!”

A fairly small investment

Meanwhile, in an interview with GMA News Online, Greg Rulloda, Vice President for the Philhealth Corporate Affairs Group said they are studying the best plan of action about the planned increase.

“Hindi na matutuloy yung Circular 22 this July kasi pinag-aaralan namin mapaganda lalo ang programa,” Rulloda said.

“Wag dapat mag-alala ang mga OFW sa Php 2,400 na isinusulong ng Philhealth dahil gagawan namin ng paraan yan para hindi isang bagsakan upang hindi mabigat sa bulsa,” he added.

Rulloda cited some of the benefits that will be improved:

• Free consultation
• In patient benefits
• Diagnostic services
• Laboratory services
• Animal bite package
• Primary health care benefits
• Z benefits (cancers) – leukemia, breast, prostate

He also stated that the Php 1,200 a year or even the Php 2,400 a year is a fair amount in exchange of the benefits the Philhealth extends not only to OFWs but their families.

“We are building up our capacity to provide greater value for your money. We are also enriching benefits and enhancing our services,” he said.

“Whether it’s Php 3.50 or Php 7.00 a day is a fairly small investment that can guarantee OFWs ample relief on any event of ailment,” he added. - VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Scores Of Opportunities For OFWs

The chairman of the House committee on higher and technical education saw “scores of opportunities” that would expand the Philippines’ socio-economic and investment ties with 27-nation European Union.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, who just concluded his five-day working sojourn to Europe last weekend, said that the Philippine government should further improve and strengthen its ties with the regional bloc not only to ensure the country’s solid economic footing, but also to promote the interest of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Europe.

“Certainly, there are many opportunities for greater interaction and cooperation in trade, investment, and opportunities for Filipino workers in certain parts of the EU that are less affected by the present financial crisis,” Angara said.

Angara is the first Filipino legislator who was invited by the EU to participate in its nearly four-decade old Visitors Programme.

He visited European cities of Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg from June 11 to 15 where he met with members of the 754-man European Parliament (EP) and representatives of EU’s key institutions, including the European Court of Auditors and the European Investment Bank (EIB), both based in Luxembourg.

“I was able to observe firsthand some of the European institutions developed over the years since the development of the community since the 1950s like the Parliament, the European Court of Auditors, European investment bank among others. I also had a chance to speak first hand to elected members of the parliament as well as members of the larger EU bureaucracy,” Angara said.

During his five-day program, he met Dr. Werner Langen,German member of the Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and the chairman of the Delegation for relations with the countries of South East Asia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and United Kingdom’s Emma McClarkin, member of the Group European Conservatives and Reformists and a member of the Committee on Culture and Education of the EP. (Charissa M. Luci)

source: mb.com.ph

SSS Eyes More OFW Deals

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) is set to enter into bilateral agreements within the year with three countries in an effort to protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) even after the expiration of their contracts.

SSS Senior Vice President Judy Frances A. See said in an interview they are set to start negotiation with Japan, while it is already about to sign an agreement with Portugal. SSS has also ongoing negotiation with Denmark.

“We’re going to negotiate with Japan by the second semester, so we’re expecting a visit from them in the second half,” See said.

The deal with Japan should benefit more OFWs as the increase in the entry of nurses in Japan is part of the Philippines Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered by both countries in 2006.

“There is also a clamor from our Filipino community in Denmark because without the agreement, the benefits will not be exportable to that country. If we have an agreement, and if they decide to come home, they will have a fallback,” See said.

Foreign countries are traditionally hesitant about entering into this agreement since bilaterals benefit OFWs more than their foreign nationals considering they usually have fewer nationals in the Philippines. But the government is expecting positive responses for this move since OFWs legitimately contribute to the social security system of these countries along with the payments of their employers.

Among countries, SSS has difficulty seeking negotiations with Middle East countries where there are more than one million OFWs.

To date, SSS has existing bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, the independent province of Quebec, and Switzerland.

The bilateral agreements should have four provisions. These are equality of treatment — whatever treatment to other foreign workers in a country should be accorded to OFWs; export of benefits — a benefit of a Filipino OFW should be remitted to the Philippines once his contract expires; totalization of benefit or a benefit should be granted to an OFW pro rata for the period of time for which he has rendered service even if he has not completed a pre-agreed period of entitlement; and mutual administrative assistance.

Susie Bugante, SSS vice president, said the pension fund has a plan to introduce a new program for returning OFWs particularly to finance livelihood or entrepreneurial program.

“DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) has brought up a proposal to finance a program for OFWs like the Sulong program that we have had even before,” said Bugante. “We will have more returning OFWs who are bringing home a set of skills that they have used abroad, and we have to support them.”

Sulong or the SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth is a financing program of SSS and other government financial institutions for SMEs.

SSS has started promoting membership to OFWs specially those that are just under contract as it considers them the most vulnerable to financial difficulties compared to immigrants.

Recently, SSS awarded raffle prizes to nine OFWs as part of its promotion to get more members. Three prizes were allocated for those working in the Asia Pacific, three for the Middle East, and three for the rest of the world.

SSS is targeting a total OFW membership to 500,000 by end this year from the 200,000 at the start of the year.

source: mb.com.ph