Migrants

A Short-Lived Dream, a Shattered Family

admin — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:00:13 -0400

She left the country full of dreams not for herself but for her family. Because of the dearth of jobs in the country and the lack of attention given to the working sector by the Arroyo government, she was tempted to try her luck as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.

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On Labor Day, OFWs Protest ‘Triple Whammy’

admin — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:51:55 -0400

International Labor Day was protest day for migrant workers all over the world who are continuously struggling and fighting for their rights, just wages, benefits and humane treatment from employers and capitalists.

BY HANNAH FAITH DORMIDO
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 13, May 4-10, 2008

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OFWs Call for Investigation of Mysterious Deaths in Hongkong

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:24:27 -0400

Dolores Balladares, chairperson of UNFIL-MIGRANTE-HK, said that the alleged drowning of Vicenta Flores, whose body was found at the Tung Chung pier in Hongkong April 11, is the third case of violent death among Filipino maids in less than a week.

BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 12, April 27-May 3, 2008

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Celebrating Cordillera Day at Home and Abroad

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:21:58 -0400

Distance has never prevented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from celebrating Cordillera Day and taking on issues affecting them and the Filipino people.

BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 12, April 27-May 3, 2008

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Deported OFWs Call for Replacement of RP Officials in Saudi

admin — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:00:48 -0400

No doubt, the stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) recently deported back to the Philippines are rushing to be with their families. But before getting home, they have called on Philippine officials to act on their problems.

BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008

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Stories of Despair, of a Future Dimmed, and of Concern for Fellow OFWs

admin — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 06:58:16 -0400

OFWs never seem to run out of horrific stories to tell. But these are not merely stories. These are about lives ruined and hopes dimmed. These are about stranded OFWs in Jeddah returning home wounded but still determined to give a better life to their families.

BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat

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Senators Should Help Expose OFWs’ Plight in Middle East – Migrante

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:39:13 -0400

Migrante called on senators to help expose the deplorable conditions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in deportation centers and jails in the Middle East.

BY BULATLAT
MIGRANT WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 10, April 13-19, 2008

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Princess House Party Organizer Played with Lives of 10 OFWs

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:38:31 -0400

They were victims of illegal recruitment, having been sent to UAE with mere visit visas and forced to work for 10 to 20 hours a day for a fraction of the salaries promised to them. Worse, three of the 10 victims were even charged by their employers and arrested by the police. The alleged culprit, the Princess House Party Organizer, a company based in Dubai.

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Back from Hell: Story of a Stranded OFW from Jeddah

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:37:10 -0400

They paid fixers operating around the Philippine consulate to be able to go back home but were in stead made to live under a bridge. They asked the assistance of the Consulate but were taken to the Saudi police. They endured cramped cells with very little food and water in two deportation centers.

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POEA ‘Sleeping in its Job’ of Barring OFW Recruitment to Iraq – Migrante

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:19:03 -0400

Migrante fears that recruitment of OFWs bound for war-torn Iraq would intensify in the coming months as the U.S. State Department renewed its contract with Blackwater, a U.S.-based private contractor providing security to U.S. diplomats and personnel in Iraq. This, despite the existing ban on OFW deployments to Iraq, as, Kigrante said, the POEA is “sleeping on the job.”

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