NEWS AT A GLANCE

Continuing harassment of Joma Sison assailed

The Committee DEFEND (Committee to Defend Filipino Progressives in Europe) last week protested the continuing violations of the rights of exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Prof. Jose Maria Sison. In a May 16 statement, the group assailed what it calls "the cruelty of the Dutch government in depriving Professor Sison of basic necessities."

Since November last year, the municipality of Utrecht has discontinued the social benefits due to Sison as a recognized political refugee. According to Committee DEFEND, this violates Professor Sison's basic human rights as guaranteed by the European Conventions (EVRM), and UN Council Resolution 1452. Since then, he has made objections through written appeals and administrative hearings conducted by the Dutch Center for Reception of Asylum Seekers and the fiinance ministry.

As a member state of the United Nations, the Netherlands is required by the UN Security Council
Resolution 1452 of 20 December 2002 not to deprive anyone in the so-called terrorist list of the basic
necessities of life such as food, shelter, medicines and medical care, health insurance and professional
fees, the committee said.

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HK-based migrants body calls for clarity in settling wage

The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) recently called on the Hong Kong government for more clarity in settling the minimum allowable wage (MAW) issue and registered its continuing opposition to the levy to be imposed on employers of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) beginning Oct. 1 this year.

In a letter to Stephen Ip, secretary of the Hong Kong Economic Development and Labor Bureau, AMCB pointed out that the validity of the use of the consumer price index, wage of other workers, and unemployment situation to impose the recent pay slash had been questioned but no reply was given by the government.

"Up to now also," AMCB added, "migrant groups have not been made aware of the exact formula the government uses in its review."

AMCB also said the levy that the government will impose on employers of FDH by Oct. 1 will not
alleviate the pressure on households brought by SARS.

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Isabela special polls condemned

The special elections held in the fourth district of Isabela in northern Philippines have earned condemnation from the Diocerse of Ilagan for allegedly being marked by fraud.

In a pastoral letter, Msgr. Sergio Utleg, DD, Archbishop of Ilagan, said that the candidates of the
Dy dynasty won through harassment of volunteers, dagdag-bawas (add-and-subtract) tactics in the towns
of San Isidro and San Agustin, and ballot-tampering.

In a similar statement, National Democratic Front -Cagayan Valley spokesperson Salvador del Pueblo assailed the election as characterized by "unspeakable fraud." He lauded the efforts of the peopple of the fourth district of Isabela in exercising their democratic rights in the electoral struggle and called for a broad unity of the masses, progressive classes and enlightened politicians and businessmen to isolate the Dy dynasty.

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Unifil-HK to POEA: Clarify ban policy

The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-HK) last week called on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to clarify the status on the policy banning overseas Filipino workers from entering Hong Kong, implemented more than two months ago.

In a letter to POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz, Unifil-HK Vice Chairperson Rowena dela Cruz said that as the official implementor of the ban, the POEA is responsible for clarifying its status. It pointed out
that many OFWs and their families have been suffering as a result of the ban.

Bulatlat.com

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