10,000 OFW contracts in Taiwan not extended due to shooting incident - recruit consultant

More than 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Taiwan have returned to the country angry after their job contracts were not extended over the incident where members of the Philippine Coast Guard killed a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes two months ago, a recruitment consultant said in a news release.

Most of the OFWs who returned from Taiwan have worked in the island for the past three years and were due for an extension for another three years, said Emmanuel Geslani.
“They return to join the four million unemployed Filipinos here,” Geslani said, calling these OFWs “collateral damage” in the diplomatic row between the two countries.

Soon after the incident, Taiwan has stopped the issuance of visas to all visiting Filipinos, including OFWs, effectively stopping the hiring or extending the employment of OFWs.

Most of the returning OFWs have contracts that expired these in the months of May and June.
In a related development, newly elected party-list Congressman Roy Seneres Sr. of the OFW Family Club party has asked the government to disclose the findings of the Department of Justice regarding the May 9 shooting that caused the rift between Taiwan and the Philippines.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima previously announced that the Philippine Coast Guard was at fault in the incident, providing no further details of the investigation that followed the shooting.

Taiwan has demanded for an official apology from the Philippine government, the prosecution of those involved in the shooting, compensation for the family of the victim, and fishing talks with the Philippines.

Source:  interaksyon.com

Alert level 2 up in Egypt -- DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the crisis alert level in Egypt from 1 to level 2 as peace and order continues to deteriorate in this middle eastern country.

In a press briefing today, DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez strongly advises Filipinos in Egypt to avoid protest areas, restrict their movements and prepare for possible evacuation should the political situation further deteriorate there.

He also said that processing of Filipinos seeking work in Egypt has been put on hold until further notice.

The public is also advised to postpone non-essential trips to Egypt.

"The embassy is ready 24/7 to respond to request for assistance," Hernandez said.(PIA Central/DFA)

source:  PIA

OFW Dies in Jeddah Consulate

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who has been seeking assistance for repatriation from the Philippine government since 2011 after he was diagnosed with ulcer died Wednesday last week inside the consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said repatriation is now being arranged for the Filipino who was identified by migrant rights watchdog Migrante as Danilo Grefadilyo of Sorsogon. Hernandez said the OFW was last seen resting alone in one of the benches of the consulate on April 3, long before undocumented Filipinos began camping out near the consulate.
Grefadilyo, who appeared sick and weak, told consulate officials that he has not eaten for several days due to digestion problems and that “the food he eats was being rejected by his stomach, said Hernandez. (Roy C. Mabasa)

source: TEMPO

Baldoz warns OFWs against fake receipts

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz warned the public on Wednesday against groups or individuals issuing fake receipts in places frequented by overseas Filipino workers such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

The fake receipts were issued by some employees of manning agencies who reported the case to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, OWWA said.

Baldoz also instructed OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon to publish notices and issue advisory to recruitment and manning agencies to put internal control mechanisms to prevent the illegal practice.

“The public should be well-advised on the matter for the safety of  overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Benefits may be compromised if the OFWs’ names are not registered as OWWA members. OWWA members are assured of the social and protection programs and services offered by the Agency,” Baldoz said.

For her part, Dimzon said OWWA is now coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation to help investigate all possible sources of fake documents and bring to court those responsible.

source:  Philstar