Migrante gathers signatures vs POEA direct-hiring policy

In view of the widespread opposition to the new government guidelines on direct-hiring, the Middle East chapter of militant group Migrante has initiated a signature campaign seeking its immediate scrapping. The policy guidelines issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) under Memorandum Circular No. 4 took effect on January 15. It basically imposes qualifications and restrictions for foreign employers hiring Filipino workers without going through the POEA for processing of job orders and contracts. Attached with the Migrante-Middle East signature campaign is a critique paper, prepared by Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) and Hong Kong-based group, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), noting the negative impacts of the policies on OFWs. The joint position paper asserted that the circular will result in loss of jobs while further exposing Filipino workers to abuses by recruitment agencies. “MC-04 puts Filipino workers under the control of recruitment agencies and make them vulnerable to overcharging and other malpractices of unscrupulous recruitment agencies," the petition said. Further, it said the policy “translates to the deregulation of the Philippine labor export industry and relieves the government of its responsibility for protection and services to their nationals abroad." Apart from the immediate scrapping of the direct-hiring guidelines, Migrante is also urging the government to improve onsite services for and protection of Filipino migrant workers and scrap the OWWA omnibus policies. The group said it would also be good for them if the government institutionalizes effective mechanisms that will curb, if not not completely stamp out, overcharging and other malpratices of recruitment agencies. The petition also seeks the scrapping of the POEA guidelines on the deployment of Filipino household service workers that doubled the minimum monthly salary of domestic helpers from $200 to $400 and required skills training and language proficiency clearances prior to deployment. These guidelines took effect on Dec. 16, 2006. Under the circular approved by the POEA board on Dec. 18, 2007, foreign employers who want to directly hire Filipino workers need to have their applications screened by the labor attaché or the Philippine embassy and finally approved by labor secretary. Several OFW groups have denounced the policy particularly the requirement on foreign employers to post a repatriation bond of $5,000 plus $3,000 performance bond in hiring an employee from the Philippines. The performance bond will guarantee payment of the OFW’s salary for the duration of his or her job abroad. The repatriation bond will assure that in the event the OFW dies, he or she can be sent back to his or her country. Meanwhile, an online petition echoing calls to abolish MC-04 has been posted in the Internet site ipetitions.com. So far, it has registered over 2,600 online signatures as of Thursday afternoon. “Kung ‘di rin lang kayo makakatulong sa pag-unlad at pag-asenso nang mga mamamayang gustong mag trabaho sa ibang bansa- sana naman ay huwag na kayong maging perwisyo (If they [government] can’t help in the improvement and betterment of Filipinos wanting employment overseas, they should at least not be a hindrance)," the petition said. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV