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Friday, February 03, 2017

SEN. CAYETANO, SUPPORTS CALL FOR THE ABOLITION OF OEC AND TERMINAL FEE

Labor groups who are pushing for the abolition of different fees that burden Overseas Filipino Workers finds favor in the person of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

The senator expressed his support for the abolition of policies that burden the OFWs.

In particular, Cayetano is pushing for the abolition of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and the collection of terminal fees.

READ MORE:

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NO MORE TERMINAL FEE FOR OFWS BY MARCH 2017

STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CLAIM THE P550 TERMINAL FEE REFUND AT NAIA

Local and overseas job fair schedule of DOLE starting this February 2017

Last week, OFWs in Hong Kong protested against the same policies outside of the Office of the Philippine Consulate General.

They claimed that the procedure introduced by the Department of Labor and Employment for securing the OEC in order to earn a refund of the terminal fee led to a “chaotic system that caused missed flights, long queues, fixers, and unnecessary expenses.”

Cayetano added that by law, migrant workers are exempted from paying the terminal fee. But since it is included in the ticket prices, they still have to line up to get refunds, which at times even caused missed flights.

On the other hand, Garry Martinez of Migrante International called the OEC as "money making scheme of the government hence, urging President Rodrigo Duterte to permanently abolish the OEC.

A study by Migrante International showed that every newly-hired OFW shells out an average of Php30,000 in the processing of documents. This amount ballooned from 2010’s average cost of P18,000 per new contract.

(The long line for the terminal fee refund at NAIA Terminal 3 - CTO Hong Kong News)

Last month, a labor group was urging President Rodrigo Duterte to abolish all kinds of recruitment fees, being asked from workers who want to work abroad particularly the placement fees.

According to Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President Annie E. Geron said that the imposition of recruitment fees has led only to exploitation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Read More:

China's plans to hire Filipino household workers to their five major cities including Beijing and Shanghai, was reported at a local newspaper Philippine Star. it could be a big break for the household workers who are trying their luck in finding greener pastures by working overseas China is offering up to P100,000 a month, or about HK$15,000. The existing minimum allowable wage for a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong is around HK$4,310 per month. Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the haven for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income. DOLE is expected to have further negotiations on the launch date with a delegation from China in September. according to Usec Say, Chinese employers favor Filipino domestic workers for their English proficiency, which allows them to teach their employers’ children. Chinese embassy officials also mentioned that improving ties with the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte has paved the way for the new policy to materialize. There is presently a strict work visa system for foreign workers who want to enter mainland China. But according Usec. Say, China is serious about the proposal. Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said an estimated 200,000 Filipino domestic helpers are presently working illegally in China. With a great demand for skilled domestic workers, Filipino OFWs would have an option to apply using legal processes on their desired higher salary for their sector. Source: ejinsight.com, PhilStar Read More: The effectivity of the Nationwide Smoking Ban or E.O. 26 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environment in Public and Enclosed Places) started today, July 23, but only a few seems to be aware of it. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Executive Order 26 with the citizens health in mind. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the executive order is a milestone where the government prioritize public health protection. The smoking ban includes smoking in places such as schools, universities and colleges, playgrounds, restaurants and food preparation areas, basketball courts, stairwells, health centers, clinics, public and private hospitals, hotels, malls, elevators, taxis, buses, public utility jeepneys, ships, tricycles, trains, airplanes, and gas stations which are prone to combustion. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. Read More: ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas to be provided by the owner of the establishment. Smoking in private vehicles parked in public areas is also prohibited. What Do You Need To know About The Nationwide Smoking Ban Violators will be fined P500 to P10,000, depending on their number of offenses, while owners of establishments caught violating the EO will face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the destination for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income.

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Friday, February 03, 2017

SEN. CAYETANO, SUPPORTS CALL FOR THE ABOLITION OF OEC AND TERMINAL FEE