Jordan must sign pact to prevent abuses on OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - After the deployment ban in Jordan was partially lifted, a migrants’ group urged the Philippine government to ensure that Jordanian employers are held accountable for any abuses they commit against Filipino household workers. 

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque lifted an eight-month ban on sending workers to Jordan on Thursday after setting a minimum wage of US$400 in hopes of eliminating abuse and exploitation.

Household Service Workers (HSW) who are returning to work with the same employer in Jordan will be exempted from the previous ban.

"Concluding a labor rights' agreement between the Philippines and Jordan is a step forward advancing overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs') rights and welfare," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East (Migrante-ME) regional coordinator.

Migrante-ME raised concern that without a labor rights’ pact, Jordanian employers might get away with their abuses on Filipino domestic workers.

"This labor rights pact should make foreign employers accountable to their hired HSWs as we’ve made the Arroyo administration accountable to all OFWs sent abroad due to intensification of its labor export policy," he added.

The ban in January was triggered by complaints of nonpayment of wages, mistreatment and rape that prompted hundreds of Filipinos, mostly maids, to flee their employers and seek refuge at a Philippine-run center in the Jordanian capital of Amman. 

Jordan's Labor Ministry said in January said about 16,000 Filipinos work in Jordan.

The government had earlier set the same minimum wage for maids in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, but it caused a drop in demand for Filipino household help.

"Our concern is how the (labor department) would ensure that the employer will respect and honor the provisions of the employment contract it agreed with hired Filipino HSWs," Monterona asked.

REACTION

OFW’s have been sacrificing a lot in order to sustain their most precious and beloved family. They leave their homes and work in far places just to make sure their children have milk to drink and food to eat. Then, they find out that they will only experience abuses, rapes, and maltreatment of their employers. Some may also not be paid of their services which devastates them and cause them to be financially, emotionally and mentally disoriented.

This big leap in enhancing the rights and welfare of the OFW’s is very much appreciated. Now, OFW’s and their families will feel more secure about their safety and finances. This will result to more Filipinos to apply a job abroad now that laws are more effective than before. They will work harder to ensure their families are well and kicking.

The welfare of OFW’s should always be monitored for they help building a stable economy for our country. The dollar they earn sent to families is a great contribution to our countries dollar reserve. This means their rights should be prioritized for they are a great asset to us. Nothing is more touching than seeing a parent hug his/her child after many years of working abroad and then saying, “I love you nak!”

Poll: Diplomacy best way to resolve Scarborough Shoal standoff

MANILA, Philippines – Majority of Inquirer.net readers believe that the Philippines should employ diplomatic methods in order to resolve the Scarborough Shoal standoff with China, a survey result said.

In a survey posted on Inquirer.net, 71.98 percent of the respondents or 578 readers, answered yes when asked whether they think the Philippines should engage in diplomacy to resolve the conflict with China regarding the Scarborough Shoal.

Meanwhile, 28.02 percent of the respondents or 225 readers answered no to the same question.

A total of 803 Inquirer.net readers participated in the survey which was posted last week.

Tension between the Philippines and China rose last week after the Philippine Navy deployed the BRP Gregorio del Pilar–a US Hamilton-class cutter and currently the biggest war ship in the country’s fleet—to the Scarborough Shoal in an attempt to deter Chinese boats from fishing in the area.

Following the deployment, China sent two surveillance vessels and prevented the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from arresting the Chinese fishermen.

Tensions eased over the weekend after Chinese fishing boats left the shoal following the pulling out of BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which local authorities said left to refuel and restock supplies.

My Reaction

                The struggle of China and Philippines with the Scarborough Shoal has developed a tension between the two. Personally, I like the result of this poll because it shows that Filipinos are not too aggressive with the matter. Too much aggressiveness might lead to greater tension which may be the reason for a battle between the two nations to rise. As we know, the Philippines is not that strong in terms of military capacity and China is the complete opposite. This means we will only have a little chance of winning in a war against it.

              

                History tells us that war is not going to have any positive after effects. Our government will be forced to put all money into gears and equipments for battle which will lead to economic decline. The lives of people will be affected and the comforts they experienced before will be turned to fear and struggle for survival. Waging a war against China should be AVOIDED!

               

                Instead, we must settle this in a diplomatic process. We can only hope for the best. Sad to say that only our leaders can do much about this. As a student I am one of those hoping for the victory of those in charge. I also hope that a war will never happen again.