Migrante Europe

Author: MigranteEurope

Message of Solidarity to UMANGAT and Gabriela-Rome in the occasion of Fifth Filipino Food Fair

15 October 2017
London, United Kingdom

On behalf Migrante-Europe, I would like to congratulate you all as you gather and celebrate for the Fifth Filipino Food Fair in Rome. With the theme: “Muling pagsaluhan pagkaing ambag, na siyang kalakasan ng ating pamilya at nagkakaisang kababaihan”, I firmly believe that the celebration will all also be an opportunity to all to strengthen the unity and identity of Filipino diasporas in Italy and in Europe.

Food security
In many developed countries food is always identified with culture. But in countries like the Philippines food is a symbol of economic and political struggle both for survival and identity. The World Food Summit in 1996 declared that: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Fr. Herbert Fadriquela

The Harvest in not enough
The Philippine economy depends mainly on agriculture. However, the peasant sector being one of the major forces of Philippine society for economic progress benefits less from the improvement of economy especially in globalize economic order. Almost forty percent of Philippine land is devoted to agricultural production but most of the land produces crops that are for export rather than crops for local consumption, hence, the nation cannot feed its people without importing staple food from the neighbor countries.

Landlessness is food insecurity
Majority of the Filipino peasants do not own sufficient land to match their household needs. Most farmers in the rural communities depend only on seasonal farm-based wage labor. During critical period of rice and corn

cropping that include planting, weeding and harvesting, the whole family – children included – work as farmhands in exchange for cash. In between planting, weeding and harvesting periods, family members, especially the able-bodied, temporarily migrate outside the community and work as house helpers, construction workers and other unskilled jobs in order to obtain cash for household needs.

Struggle for land ownership, struggle for social change
For the landless farmers, to have access and control of land that is the basic component of the means of production is a complete reversal of their present situation. To own a land is the hope and dream of many landless peasants and is a vital sign of new life with dignity in a new world filled with various blessings. With the land under the control and ownership of the farmer-tillers, and with the government and other stake holders providing them with the needed support services such as capital, farm inputs and pre and post harvest facilities, many peasant families will be free from unjust feudal relationship. This means farmer-tenants will no longer be subjected to excessive land rent, loan sharks and usury, and farm workers will no longer receive ‘slave-wages’. With this, farmers and their family shall enjoy the full fruits of their labor. More importantly, they shall have the capacity to address their basic needs and develop their potentials and subsequently contribute to the total development and progress of the community and the larger Philippine society.

Today as you are gathered, may this occasion remind you of the economic poverty situation back in our home country and the challenge to each one of us to participate in achieving genuine social change. Like in the Gospel reading today, may you become one of those chosen few who were called to serve the least, the lost and the last of Jesus Christ’s brethren.

Mabuhay ang UMANGAT and Gabriela-Rome!
Mabuhay ang pakikibaka ng mamamayang Pilipino tungo sa ganap na panlipunang pagbabago!

Fr. Herbert Fadriquela
Chairperson
Migrante Europe

15 October 2017
Mensahe ng pakikiisa sa Ika-4 na Anibersaryo ng Pagkakatatag ng Filipino Domestic Workers Association-United Kingdom

Isang maalab na pagbati ang ipinapaabot ng Migrante Europe sa buong kasapian ng Filipino Domestic Workers Association-United Kingdom sa inyong ika-4 na anibersayo ng pagkakatatag.

Mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga domestic workers sa isang maunlad na bansa katulad ng United Kingdom. Ang kalinisan ng bahay o opisina, masarap na pagkain sa hapag kainan at ang kasiguruhan may mag aaruga sa mga bata o may edad ng kapamilya ng inyong mga banyagang employer ay bunga ng inyong tapat na paglilingkod sa kanila. Ang inyong katapatan sa paglilingkod sa kanila ay nasusuklian din ng kanilang magandang pagtrato sa inyo, subalit hindi rin maikakailang may mga domestic helpers ding nakakaranas ng maltrato, di sapat ang sahod, walang pahinga at hindi tiyak ang kinabukasan sa trabaho. Bagamat mahirap ang kalagayang mawalay sa asawa, anak o magulang para mangibang-bayan at magligkod sa ibang pamilya, nagtiis kayo alang-alang sa inyong mahal sa buhay, na sila makaranas din ng pag-unlad at kaginhawahan.

Sa kabila ng inyong ambag sa pag-ulad ng ekonomiya ng mga mayamang bansa katulad ng United Kingdom, napakabulnerable ang kalagayan ng mga domestic workers lalo na yong mga walang legal na batayan para tumira at magtrabaho sa UK mula sa banta ng deportation at kawalan ng kaukulang suporta mismo sa Embahada ng Pilipinas.

Hindi matatawaran ang naging papel nating mga migrante at ng ating mga pamilya sa pagkakaluklok ng Pamahalaang Duterte sa poder ng Malacanang. Nangampanya tayo, nag organisa, bumoto at binantayan ang mga boto sa paniniwalang ang pamahalaan Duterte ay magbubukas ng pintuan para sa mga batayang panlipunang pagbabago sa ating bayan. Subalit, sa paglipas ng mga buwan, tila bingi ang Pamahalaang Duterte sa panawagan ng mamamayang Pilipino para sa mga pagbabagong tunay na repormang agraryo, pambansang industriyalisasyon at malayang pakikipagrelasyon sa ibang bansa.

Patuloy pa ring hikahos at walang pag-aaring lupa ang mga mayorya sa sektor ng mga magsasaka na karamihan sa ating mga migrante ay nabibilang. Hawak pa rin ng dayuhan at iilang lokal na negosyante ang mga estratehikong establisemento sa ating ekonomiya. Ang edukasyon sa ating bayan ay nakatuon pa rin sa programang “labor-export” samantalang ang batayang pangangailangan ng mamamayan ay nagmumula pa rin sa ating mga karatig bansa. Hungkag ang pangako ni Pangulong Duterte na wala ng Pilipinong mapipilitang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa upang bigyang kaginhawahan ang pamilya, sapagkat patuloy pa rin ang libo-libong manggagawang Pilipinong lumilisan araw-araw upang makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa.

Mga kasama, ng inyong Tema: “Muli nating panghawakan ang mga tagumpay..Palakasin ang hanay ng nga migranteng kababaihan sa United Kingdom!!!!!” sa inyong pagdiriwang ay napapanahon at makabuluhan. Kaisa ninyo ang Migrante Europe sa pagpupunyaging mapalakas pa ang inyong hanay at muling igiit ang ating mga batayang karapatan bilang manggagawa, bilang migrante, bilang Pilipino.

Sa pagtatapos nais ko pong ipaalala sa bawat isa na walang ibang maasahang magsusulong sa interes at kagalingan ng migranteng Pilipino kundi tayo ring mga migrante at mga kasamang may malasakit sa kapwa migrante at may tunay na pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa.

Mabuhay ang Filipino Domestic Workers Association-United Kingdom!
Mabuhay ang Migrante-Europe!
Mabuhay ang Pakikibaka nga Sambayanang Pilipino para ganap at tunay na panlipunang pagbabago.

Father Herbert Fadriquela
Chairperson
Migrante-Europe
Email: [email protected]

Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
Chaplain to the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester
Church of England
Mobile Number: +447456042156

7 October 2017
Migrante Europe thumbs down new OFW ID

PRESS STATEMENT
18 July 2017

Filipino migrants’ alliance Migrante-Europe today expressed their strong disapproval of the new identification card to be issued by the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), saying that the IDs will not be issued free of charge, contrary to previous DOLE statements.

It was earlier announced by DOLE Secretary Silvestro Bello III that the OFW ID, which will be called iDOLE, will be given “to all bona fide OFWs at no cost”.

“This will serve as the OFW’s Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)… so they don’t have to go to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA),” he added.

For years, Migrante International and migrants advocacy groups had been fighting for the scrapping of the OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate). The OEC was a requirement for every OFW who leaves the country, burdening them with additional unjust and excessive costs.

In August 2016, the POEA finally scrapped the OEC for returning OFWs and those hired through an employment agency’s in-house recruitment facility.

The so-called iDOLE was launched on 12 July. Bello described the ID as a major initiative of the Duterte administration in addressing the needs of the OFWs and the best gift of the president to migrant Filipinos.

“The processing of the iDOLE would be shouldered by the employers; hence, OFWs need not pay for the cost of the ID, which would be delivered by PhilPost to their respective addresses,” DOLE announced in a statement.

“We are disappointed that we need to pay for the OFW ID! Is this the ‘best gift’ that Duterte has for us?” decried Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr, Chairperson of Migrante-Europe.

On 15 July, it was reported that Filipino migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates tried to apply for the OFW ID through the online iDOLE portal https://ofw.idole.ph/. They were surprised to find out that they were being charged PhP501 pesos plus PhP200 pesos for delivery fee (PhP700 is about €13).

OFW ID card (e-Card) 2002
Overseas Filipinos still recall that in May 2002, the POEA began to issue OFW e-Cards to Filipinos who went back home on vacation. The e-Cards can also be used as ATM cards in the Philippines. The then government of President Gloria Arroyo justified that the e-Cards will speed up the delivery of services and benefits to the OFWs. To get an e-Card, overseas Filipinos were encouraged to renew their payments for the OWWA membership and avail of the benefits immediately.

However, many believed that the e-Card was just one way of legitimizing the $25 OWWA membership fee, which has become mandatory for OFWs. This was despite the provisions of
Republic Act 8042 which clearly state that an OFW can opt not to be a member of the OWWA.

“We can do without a new OFW ID. We urge all member organizations of Migrante-Europe and other concerned migrant groups to reject the OFW ID and to join our call to end state exaction on overseas Filipinos!” Fr. Herbert concluded.

Reference: Father Herbert Fadriquela, Jr. email: [email protected]

18 July 2017
Mensahe ng Pakikikisa: Pangkalahatang Assembliya ng MIGRANTE at Gabriela sa Saudi Arabia!

Maalab na pagbati ang ipinapaabot ng Migrante-Europe sa mga opisyales, kasapian, delegado at mga panauhin ng Pangkalahatang Assembliya ng MIGRANTE at Gabriela – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!

Ang krisis pang ekonomiya at ang kawalan ng makabuluhang pagkakakitaan sa Pilipinas ang pangunahing dahilan upang araw-araw libo-libong manggagawang Pillipino ay sapiliting iiwanan ang pamilya at kumonidad at makikipagsapalaran sa ibayong dagat. Ang Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ang isa sa mga bansang nagiging destinasyon ng migranteng Pilipino.

Ang tumiding krisis pampulitika at pang-ekonomiya sa kaharian ng Saudi Arabia at Middle East maging sa loob at labas ng bansa, ay nagreresulta rin ng pagiging bulnerable ang manggagawang migranteng Pilipino at kanilang pamilya sa mga pagsasamantala, pang-aapi at pangaabuso.

Ang lumalalang krisis pang ekonomiya sa buong mundo ay nararamdaman din dito sa Europa. Ang pagsara maraming pabrika at pagbawas ng pamahalaan ng maraming bansa sa Europa sa kaukulang budget para sa panlipunang kagalingan ng mga mamamayan ay may direktang epekto rin sa kabuhayan at karapatan ng maraming migranteng Pilipino.

Ang mga nararanasan ninyo at ng inyong mga pamilya, kaibigan at kapwa manggagawang Pilipino sa Saudi Arabia ay kahalintulad din sa karanasan ng maraming migranteng Pilipino saan mang daku ng mundo at ito ay mga buhay na patunay na hindi migrasyon ang sagot sa kahirapan at kawalan ng kabuhayan sa bayang Pilipinas. Ang pagpupustura bilang makamanggagawa at makamigranteng Pilipino ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay kabaliktaran ng “labor export policy” ng kanyang pamahalaan.

Ang Tema ng inyong pagtitipon “MAPANGAHAS NA PUKAWIN, ORGANISAHIN AT PAKILUSIN ANG PINAKAMARAMING BILANG NG MANGGAGAWANG MIGRANTE AT PAMILYA UPANG IPAGLABAN ANG KANILANG KARAPATAN AT KAGALINGAN AT PARA SA TUNAY NA PAGBABAGONG PANLIPUNAN SA ATING BAYAN“ ay makabuluhan at napapanahon. Eto ay nanganghulugan ng matibay na pagkakaisa ng pinakamalawak na bilang ng migranteng Pilipino at ng kanilang pamilya at lumahok sa pagtataguguyod ng batayang interes at kagalingan ng manggagawang Pilipino sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eto ay nanawagan ng isang kongkretong pagsulong para sa ganap na panlipunang pagbabago sa ating bayan. Ang inyong tema ay hindi lamang panawagan para sa inyo mga kabababayan at kapwa ko migranteng Pilipino sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eto rin ay panagawan para sa amin dito sa Europa at sa mga migranteng Pilipino sa ibat ibang bahagi ng mundo.

Ang inyong kolektibong pagtugon sa panawagan ng inyong Tema ay malaking ambag sa ating pangkalahatang pagsusulong para sa ganap na panlipunang pagbabago sa ating bayan. Ang inyong pagtugon ay magbibigay din ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng nakikibakang migranteng Pilipino sa ibat-ibang bahagi ng mundo upang ibayong isulong ang paggiit ng ating karapatan sa trabaho at kabuhayan. Ang ating samasamang pagkilos at pakikibaka bilang migrante Pilipino saan mang dako tayo ng mundo ay ambag at pakikiisa natin sa lumalawak na kilusang pagbabago ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan Pilipino para sa lupa, sahod, trabaho at karapatan.

Mabuhay ang Pangkalahatang Asembliya ng MIGRANTE at GABRIELA – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!
Mabuhay ang migranteng Pilipino!
Mabuhay ang Sambayang Pilipinong nakikibaka para ganap na panlipunang pagbabago!

Reference: Father Herbert Fadriquela, Jr.
[email protected]
25 ng Hunyo, 2017

25 June 2017
Migrants in Europe laud 10-year passport validity but rebuff DFA double price plan

PRESS STATEMENT
Migrante Europe
22 May 2017

Migrant Filipinos in Europe strongly rejected the announcement on Thursday of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that new passports with a 10-year validity will be twice as expensive as current passport fees.

“We are certainly YES to the new 10-year validity of Philippine passports, but certainly NO if OFWs are to be burdened by the DFA proposed double fee. That is unjustifiable and exorbitantly high! Passport should not be used as moneymaking scheme!” said Migrante Europe Chairperson Father Herbert Fadriquela.

In a report on Thursday, May 18, Ricarte Abejuela, Passport Director of the DFA Consular Affairs justified the plan to double the fees because the materials to be used for the new passports will be more costly and the number of pages will be increased.

Passport fee overpricing
For many years, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been complaining about the excessive fees and unjustifiable requirements for passport applications and passport renewals.

In 2007, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) filed a complaint before the Ombudsman against officials of the DFA for corruption in connection to the over pricing of the e-passport contract. The CEGP petition had since been the basis for congressional inquiries and investigations on the P857 million e-passport deal.

In July 2010, Migrante International called on the Aquino administration to investigate the overpricing of e-passport applications in light of allegations that the contract entered into by the DFA for the procurement of new e-passport is illegal and tainted with corruption.

10-year passport approved
On Monday, May 8, the Philippine Senate approved on the third and final reading the bill extending the validity of Philippine passports from five to 10 years. The House of Representatives approved a similar measure in February. The proposed law is seen to immensely benefit OFWs.

Under the proposal, regular passports shall be valid for a period of 10 years. Those 18 years old and under, however, shall be issued passports with a five-year validity.

The DFA could not say yet when the 10-year validity would be implemented, as it still has to issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations after the bill is signed into law.

Migrante says NO to double price of 10-year passport
Migrante Honkong applauded the news that the 10-year validity of passport was approved by the Senate. They said that this is a proposal included in the “Hongkong OFWs Agenda for Change” which they submitted to the Duterte Government last year. But they are firmly opposed to the plan to double the price of passport fees.

In Italy, Filipino migrants are determined to block this DFA plan. They started posting slogans and calls in their facebook accounts, urging kababayans to reject and take a stand against this new scheme to fleece OFWs of their hard-earned income.

“We urge our kababayans, member organizations and allies to remain vigilant in the fight to defend our rights and welfare,” concluded Father Herbert.###

REFERENCE:

Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe

Chaplain to the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester
Church of England

Email: [email protected]
Mobile No: +447456042156

Ann Brusola
Secretary General, Migrante Europe
Email: [email protected]
Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

22 May 2017
Mensahe ng pakikiisa para sa Ikalawang Kongreso ng Migrante Milan

Mayo Uno 2017
Via Teocrito 50 Angolo Via Cirenie 10, Milano

Isang maalab na pagbati mula sa Migrante Europe ang ipinapaabot ko sa lahat ng kasapi ng Migrante Milan sa inyong Ikalawang Kongreso. Akoy nagagalak at umaasang sa inyong pagtitipon, mahalagang mabalikan ninyo ang naging gawain ng inyong organisasyon at nagkakaisang mapag-usapan at planuhin ang susunod na mga hakbang sa inyong gawaing paglilingkod partikular sa migranteng Pilipino at sa buong sambayanang Pilipino.

Malaki ang naging papel ng Migrante Milan sa pagpapatampok ng mga isyung kinakaharap ng mga migranteng Pilipino sa ibat ibang panig ng mundo at mamamayang Pilipino sa ating bayan. Mula sa isyu na may direktang epekto sa ating mga migrante tulad ng “tanim-bala” at tahasang pagbukas ng mga “balikbayan boxes”, “travel tax at terminal fee” at tuwirang pagsingil ng SSS contribution sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers, ay naging aktibo rin kayo sa pakikiisa sa mamamayang Pilipino sa ating bayan lalo na sa mga kapatid nating katutubo sa kanilang pakikibaka para karapatan sa lupang ninuno; pakikibaka ng mga maralitang lungsod para sa karapatan sa trabaho at makatarungang sweldo at programang pabahay; at noong nakaraang ikalawa at ikatlong usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Gobyerno ng Republika ng Pilipinas at ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines dinala nyo ang tinig at inihapag ang hinaing ng migranteng Pilipino sa magkabilang panig.

Ang inyong napiling tema sa kongresong ito ay napapanahon. Ang inyong pagtitipon sa Pandaigidigang Araw ng Manggagawa ay nagpapatunay lamang sa inyong pagkilala bilang bahagi ng uring manggagawa. Akoy naniniwala na mas lalong hihigpit ang inyong pagkakaisa sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pag-aaral sa ating panlipunang kalagayan at pagpapalalim sa ating pag unawa sa mahalagang papel ng migranteng Pilipino sa pangkalahatang hangarin ng sambayang Pilipinong makamtan ang ganap at tunay na kalayaan at panlipunang pag unlad ng ating bayan.

Hayaan nyong ibahagi ko sa inyo ang aral mula Ebanghelyo tungkol sa paglalakbay patungo sa Emmaus ng dalawang kaibigan ni Hesus na kanyang sinahamahan matapos na sya ay nabuhay na muli. Bagamat tinuruan sila ni Hesus habang sila ay naglalakad, hindi sya nakikilala ng mga eto maliban na lamang noong habang silay naghahapunan at pinagpiraso piraso niya ang tinapay at ibinahagi niya sa eto sa kanila.

Bilang mga kasapi ng Migrante Milan, samahan po ninyo ang ating mga kapwa migrante sa kanilang paglalakabay. Tulungan ninyo sila sa pag unawa sa ating kalagayan at lipunan at sa pag aaral sa mahalang papel ng mga manggagawang migrante sa panlipunang pagbabago at pag-unlad ng ating bayan. Subalit inyong pakatandaan mga kasama, na ang pag aaral sa kalagayan at sa lipunan ay hindi sapat. Mas madaling maunawaan ang mga aral at turo at kayo ay sumusulong kung ang mga eto ay nailalapat sa mga praktika at gawa.

Pagsumikapan nawa ninyong makikilala ang Migrante Milan bilang sentro ng paglilingkod sa mga migrante at mamamayang Pilipino. Maging katulad nawa ang Migrante Milan ng mga pinagpiraso pirasong tinapay upang abutin ang mas malawak na bahagi ng migranteng Pilipino sa Milan, sa Italya at maging sa buong Europa bilang ating mahalagang ambag sa pagsusulong at tagumpay ng pakikibakang Pilipino para sa ganap na kapayapaang nakabatay sa katarungan, pambansang demokrasya at kalayaan.

Mabuhay ang Migrante Milan!
Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Father Herbert Fadriquela
Chairperson
Migrante Europe
+447456042156

1 May 2017
Migrante Europe welcomes achievements of 4th round of peace talks

Press Statement
07 April, 2017

[Rome, 07 April] Migrante Europe today expressed optimism on the resolution of the roots of the armed conflict in the Philippines, after the 4th Round of formal peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) was concluded on an upbeat note on 6 April, in the seaside town of Noordwijk, in the Netherlands.

On 5 April, the two Parties signed the Agreement on an Interim Joint Ceasefire, aimed at providing “a conducive environment for the GRP and NDFP negotiations, encourage the forging of a more stable and comprehensive Joint Ceasefire Agreement, and provide an enabling environment for the (signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms or CASER)”.

In a formal ceremony presided by the Royal Norwegian Government facilitator Elisabeth Slattum, both parties recognized that the document was a product of three “very difficult” days of negotiations.

Migrante Europe looks forward to the immediate formulation and approval of both Parties of the ceasefire’s guidelines and ground rules that shall govern the presence of armed units and elements of both Parties in local communities, and the creation of buffer zones to avoid armed confrontation. The guidelines and ground rules shall include agreement on what constitutes prohibited, hostile, and provocative acts. It will also provide for the creation of joint ceasefire monitoring committees and verification mechanisms to oversee the ceasefire’s implementation and handle complaints and alleged violations.

One of the major victories in the 4th Round is the firming up of the agreement of the two Parties on the free distribution of land as the basic principle of genuine agrarian reform. In the next round of talks, the Parties are planning to discuss and finalize the remaining items under Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, National Industrialization and Economic Development, Environmental Protection, and Rehabilitation and Compensation. They also agreed to accelerate the process of concluding the CASER which can be signed before the end of the year.

“We are hopeful that after the signing of the interim joint ceasefire agreement, more peace deals can be reached between the two parties despite the peace-spoiling by minions of US imperialism in the military establishment, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of National Defense.” said Fr. Herbert Fadriquela, Migrante Europe Chairperson.

AFP all out war in civilian communities
Meanwhile, Migrante Europe condemned the spate of killings of leaders of people’s organizations and human rights defenders in the Philippines.

“It is alarming that despite the 4th Round of Peace talks in the Netherlands, aerial bombings and encampment of military troops in civilian communities continue in Mindoro, Agusan del Norte and Davao Oriental provinces.” said Father Herbert.

Just recently, armed troops of the AFP occupied Barangay Baglay in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, as well as other villages in Abra, Marilog, Davao City, and Sultan Kudarat. Residents are being prevented from going to their agricultural lands or worse, are being forced to evacuate their communities for fear of military repression and killings.

“AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año must be made to answer for the series of killings perpetrated by state security forces of Renel Mirabeles of Bagong Silang, Sipocot, Camarines Sur (March 30), Jeffrey Santos of Mati, Davao Oriental (March 30) and Danilo Nadal of Pantukan, Compostela Valley (April 2),” asserted Fr. Herbert.

Records from human rights group Karapatan show that, since February 2017, close to 50 peasants and members of indigenous peoples’ communities have
been killed by operating troops of the AFP. State security forces claim that the unarmed civilians are part of the NPA mass base.

Migrante Europe appeals to President Rodrigo Duterte to sincerely abide by previously signed agreements.

“We urge President Digong to always ensure that the rights and welfare of every Filipino citizen are recognized, upheld and protected”, stressed Fr. Herbert.

Filipino migrants hold simultaneous activities around Europe in support to the 4th Round Peace Talks

In Rome, concerned Filipinos and members of Umangat Migrante and Gabriela Rome Chapter danced “zumba for peace” last Sunday, in solidarity to the 4th round of peace talks. Filipino organizations and friends of the Filipino people in other cities of Europe also held photo opportunities and forums.

Alan Jazmines, of NDFP delegation 4th Round Peace Talks, The Netherlands

On Tuesday, 4 April 2017, Migrante den Haag organized a peace forum in the The Hague, participated in by their members and the Filipino communities in the Netherlands.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, a discussion group was also organized about the current peace talks.

Migrante Milan organized a “Dinner for Peace” with Filipinos and Italians in support to the 4th Round of peace negotiations.

“We urge the Filipinos in Europe and around the globe to make a united stand to support the peace negotiations between the GRP and NDFP, and vigorously campaign for a just and lasting peace in the Philippines,” concluded Fr. Herbert.##

For references:

Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe

Chaplain to the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester
Church of England

Email: [email protected]
Mobile No: +447456042156

Ann Brusola
Secretary General, Migrante Europe

Email: [email protected]
Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

7 April 2017
Migrante Europe says NO to mandatory SSS payments

Press Statement

Migrante Europe today expressed strong disapproval on the announcement of state-run Social Security System to impose mandatory membership and membership payments of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel F. Dooc made the announcement last weekend, pushing for all OFWs to be covered by the SSS on a mandatory basis, supposedly “in order to secure their basic safety net in time of contingencies.” The mandatory OFW coverage is one of the proposed amendments to the SSS charter now pending in Congress.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are 2.4 million OFWs as of 2016, and only 20% or 500,000 are paying members of the SSS, with contributions reaching P4.64billion in 2016. In the same year, SSS disbursed P779 million in benefits to its OFW members. These include initial and lump sum benefits to retirement, death, (funeral with grant) and disability, and short-term benefits for sickness and maternity (for female workers).

OFWs all over the world cheered the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by 41 airline companies with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will take effect on 30 April, completely abolishing terminal fees paid by OFWs. But now they are once again dismayed by this announcement of mandatory SSS membership and payments.

“With the OFWs’ huge contribution to the Philippine economy, basic social services should be provided freely to them by the government. That is guaranteed by R.A. No. 10022, an act amending R.A. No. 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. This law mandates the government to provide for the protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress, and for other purposes.” stated Fr. Herbert Fadriquela, Migrante Europe Chairperson.

“Overseas Filipinos reject this additional financial imposition,”

declared Fr. Herbert.

In 2007, a global protest of Philippine migrant groups erupted when the Gloria Arroyo government attempted to impose mandatory SSS contributions, and made it a requirement for the issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). The OEC is a requirement for every OFW who leaves the country. For new hires, the OEC will not be issued unless they pay additional compulsory fees for every contract processed.
Amidst the widespread protests, the Arroyo government backed down on its proposal.

In Europe, regular migrant workers contribute to their host countries’ social security system through monthly deductions from their salaries and contributions from their employers. In Italy for example, through the INPS (equivalent to SSS), OFWs are also entitled to social protection and pension benefits like family allowance, unemployment allowance, health and maternity benefits, invalidity allowance, disability pension, length of service pension, old age pension and survivor’s pension.

“We are definitely against the mandatory SSS membership and payments. This is a double burden for us and a blatant attempt to extract more money from OFWs’ hard-earned income. Every individual should be free to choose to be an SSS member or not, it should not be obligatory!” concluded Fr. Herbert.

For Reference:

Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe

Chaplain to the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester
Church of England

Email: [email protected]
Mobile No: +447456042156

Ann Brusola
Secretary General, Migrante Europe
Email: [email protected]
Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

29 March 2017
Pahayag ng Pakikiisa para sa ika-19 na Anibersaryo ng Umangat Migrante

Sa pangalan ng Migrante Europe, ipinapaabot ko ang isang maalab na pagbati sa mga opisyales at buong kasapian ng Umangat Migrante sa iyong ika 19 na taong anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag.

Ang kulang kulang dalawang dekadang paglilingkod ng Umangat Migrante sa pagsusulong ng interes at kagalingan ng mga Pilipinong migrante sa Roma at sa pakikibaka ng mamamayang Pilipino para sa isang masagana, mapayapa at malayang Pilipinas.

Mahalaga ang orgnisasyon sa buhay ng mga migrante at maging sa ibat-ibang sector ng lipunang Pilipino. Sa pamamagitan ng organisasyon nagkakaroon tayo ng pagkakataong tayoy ay magkahalubilo, magkabalitaan, magkasayahan, magtulungan, magdamayan. Pero higit sa lahat, mahalaga ang organisasyon sapagkat itoy nagiging isang malakas na boses ng nagkakaisaang kasapi ng organisasyong upang ang mga hinaing at mga magkahalintulad na problema ay maipaabot sa kinauukulan, at ang mga kolektibong plano ay naisasakatuparan. Sabi nga ng isang kabataang-istudyante sa panahon ng Martial Law, nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas, nasa pagsulong ng pakikibaka ang tagumpay.

Ang buhay ng mga migranteng Pilipino at maihahambing natin sa mga karakter sa kwento ng Mabuting Samaritano. Marami sa atin ang naging katulad ng manlalakbay na inabuso, ninakawan, sinugatan. Marami sa atin ang may ibat ibang reaksyon at pagtingin sa kalagayan ng manlalakbay. May ilan sa atin ang walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa panlipunang kalagayan. May ilan sa atin ang piniling umiwas sa nakikitang mga problema kahit may direktang epekto ito sa kanyang kalagayan. May ilan sa atin ang naging mabuting samaritano. Ang kwento ng mabuting samaritano ay hindi nagtatapos sa pagtulong at pag-aruga sa inabuso, ninakawan at nasugatang manlalakbay. Ang hamon ng kwento ng mabuting samaritano ay kung papaanong ang dinadaanan ng mga manlalakbay ay magiging ligtas sa anumang panganib, mapayapa at maaliwalas.

Sa araw ng inyong pagdiriwang sa pagkakatatag ng Umangat Migrante dalangin ko na sana patuloy at determinado nyong harapin ang hamon ng kasalukuyang panahong at kalagayan.

Members and friends of Umangat-Migrante Rome on its 19th anniversary

Pagpalain kayo ng Panginoon Diyos sa inyong patuloy at aktibong paglahok sa pakikibaka ng migranteng Pilipino at mamamayang Pilipino para sa isang ganap na panlipunang pagbabago sa ating bayan na ang bawat mamamayan ay nakakatamasa ng panlipunang katarungan, ligtas sa anumang gutom at kapahamakan, may katiyakan sa trabaho at disenteng sahod, may lupang sinasaka ang bawat magsasaka, may paggalang sa karapatan ng mga katutubo na kolektibong paunlarin ang kanilang pamayanan – isang bayang may ganap na kapayapaan at kalayaan!

Mabuhay ang Umangat Migrante! Mabuhay ang Migranteng Pilipino!
Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!

Father Herbert Fadriquela
Chairperson
Migrante Europe

19 March 2017
March for Justice and Dignity, Paris

Solidarity Statement
March 18, 2017

Greetings of Solidarity!

The Nagkakaisang Filipino sa Pransya (United Filipino in France) and Migrante Europe express our warmest greetings of solidarity to the organisers and participants to the March 19 event as we join the growing voice of oppressed and exploited and its defenders and advocates calling for Justice and Dignity for all.

Throughout the world today, the phenomenon of peoples’ movement is undeniably changing the character and shape of the world, both locally and abroad, and it is characterized both by voluntary and forced migration.

In the case of many Filipinos, migration is a product of extreme poverty and joblessness brought about by the unjust social system in the home country. The deepening and worsening economic challenges in the Philippines have aggravated the growing number of land-based and sea-based Filipino workers. There are more than 4,000 migrant Filipinos that leave the country each day and they can be found in around 182 countries worldwide.

Migrant Workers and Seafarers are giving substantial contribution to the economies of both the host and their home countries.

We left our homes and families to take care of other homes and families. We left our noble profession in the home country to work abroad in a hope that we will enjoy the real fruits of our labor. We work as nanny, we prepare food and drinks, we maintain the cleanliness of houses and offices, we care for the elderly and vulnerable people, we groom other’s pets and make them fit, we tend the ships that transport goods and people to feed the world and sustain the world economy.

But in spite of our social contribution, many of us experienced discrimination, abuse in work places. While some of us received the right wages and others don’t, we all pay the right taxes.

We are here today to assert our rights and make clear our role in the social development of the French society and the world.

Living as Migrants here in France has made us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, which makes as even more alarmed and concerned on the harsh realities endangering our communities.

We link our hands with against the war on the poor and migrants. More than ever, now is the time to close our ranks and unite to free ourselves from racism, police violence and humiliation. As a sign of support, we will be present on March 19, 2017.  Rise Up Against Racism! Rise Up in the Name of Justice and Dignity! Long Live International Solidarity!

Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Pransya (NPSP)
Migrante Europe

March for Justice and Dignity, 19 March 2017

For references:

Marie Mercado, Secretary General, NPSP
Email: [email protected]
Mobile No. (+33) 771808910

Revd Fr. Herbert F. Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe

Chaplain to the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester
Church of England
Email: [email protected]
Mobile No: +447456042156

Ann Brusola
Secretary General, Migrante Europe
Email: [email protected]
Mobile No. (+39)-3278825544

18 March 2017