DOLE launches virtual

forum P2 NATIVE SPIRIT, GLOBAL HEROES OFWs get due recognition from host photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS

countries for providing diligence PROUD PINOYS. It has been a common sight at the NAIA to see an unending stream of OFWs happily returning home. The Labor Department expects the festive homecomings to return once the global pandemic is over specially during the and care in unsure times P2 holidays. File photo shows Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello in his annual "Year-end Salubong" for OFWs. Gov't guarantees OFWs START GOING BACK TO WORK Kin of displaced FILIPINO workers abroad have started going back to work amid easing lockdowns workers given welfare, health and the reopening of economies in their host countries as observed by several Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO). P2 educational of all seafarers help P3 THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board has issued its latest interim guidelines on Phl hails big Qatar Large companies the deployment and repatriation of Filipino seafarers to further ensure their protection and welfare in the current crisis brought by urged to provide the COVID-19 pandemic. migrant reforms P3 P2 shuttle for workers TO STRENGTHEN government’s anti-COVID campaign and help ease the plight of workers affected by the pandemic-induced transport crunch government now requires large companies to provide shuttle services for their workers. P3

OVERSEAS Ex-rebels, child workers Bahrain lifts virus photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS P7 ban on PH labor BIG BROTHER'S VISIT. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (left) head of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat aided P5 COVID-19 (CODE) Team confers with Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta (right) and Rep. Jaye Lacson-Noel (center). Secretary Bebot, Big Brother of Metro city vs COVID AGENCIES THE REGIONS GOOD NEWS THE local government of Malabon got the thumbs up from the team of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Workers want Dep't pours aid DOLE lends hand Epidemic (CODE) of the National Task Force against COVID-19 for its efficient more bike lanes for unsettled in 4B to rural displaced approach in bringing the corona virus P6 P7 P8 under control in the city. P3 2 September 2020 NATIVE SPIRIT, GLOBAL HEROES OVERSEAS Filipino workers US, UK, The Netherlands, Japan, two Filipina workers for their continue to bring pride to several Middle Eastern countries, dedication and outstanding the country as their spirit for employ Filipino health workers. contribution to improved work hardwork, diligence and care has During the initial stage of the condition during the pandemic. gotten due recognition from their pandemic, British ambassador “True to what our OFWs are host countries in the global fight to the Philippines Daniel Pruce known for, our modern-day to contain the corona virus. have praised “the commitment heroes have been unfailing in “Many of our kababayans have and dedication of Filipino health giving honor to the country. been heaped with recognition workers in Britain.” Even British They make the Filipino nation and accolade for their exemplary Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Duterte proud,” photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS industry and work ethic in the was photographed wearing Bello said. “For their exemplary face of the global pandemic,” a Philippine emblazoned deeds, we continue to express GLOBAL CITIZEN. File photo shows recently returning overseas workers being assisted by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III sweatshirt while jogging after our gratitude to them,” he added. DOLE and OWWA personnel. said September 17. recovering from the illness Careworker Estrella Arado Bello expressed pride in the himself. Pierce Morgan a British Jalgalado and factory workers Attaché Rustico SM de la Fuente Outstanding Migrant Workers the growing roster of OFWs celebrity also praised the Jenalyn del Rosario, Nelda of his help on concerns affecting award by the Taipei City’s Labor being recognized by their host contributions of Filipino nurses Untalan Arellano, Tomas Joel Filipino workers. Affairs Department. countries for their “dedication in the UK calling them “unsung Miquiabas, and Benjie Avenida “Having Taiwanese nationals Evelyn Kaguitla, a factory and hardwork amid the heroes.” Bituin were feted by Kaohsiung and foreign workers together in worker, and Amelia Comilang, challenges by the health crisis.” This month, another batch of Mayor Chen Chi-mai in a this annual event showcases the a careworker, were given the Since the outbreak OFWs, OFWs were given recognition, ceremony organized by the non-discriminatory labor laws citation by Taipei City Mayor especially nurses, have been this time by the Kaohsiung Bureau of Labor Affairs at the and good employment practices Hou You-Yi during the Taipei lauded for their role as “global Bureau of Labor Affairs in Kaohsiung Grand Hotel. in Taiwan,” de la Fuente said. annual recognition ceremony for frontliners” against the pandemic. Taiwan. Earlier, the Taipei City During the ceremonies, The award represents the exemplary workers. Various countries, such as the government also awarded Mayor Chen assured Labor Kaohsiung government’s rec- Also authorities in Singapore ognition of the diligence of the recently cited the contributions city’s foreign workers who are of OFWs, especially in the health mostly employed in the manu- sector for helping contain the facturing, construction, and care virus and for their contribution DOLE launches virtual café service industries. in the reopening of the country’s Also, earlier this month, two economy. Pinay workers were given the TO RAMP up its information campaign amid discourse on the web. the pandemic, the Department of Labor and The inaugural edition of DOLE’s V-Café Employment (DOLE) is launched on September featured Bello himself. He fielded questions OFWs start going back to work . . . 9, 2020 an on-line media kapehan. via “Zoom”, “Facebook Live” and other social from P1 Called “V-Café@DOLE,” the virtual café media platforms, on the day’s current issues POLO-Canberra recently consultations, that POLO, as well is pursuant to the directive of Labor Secretary and labor developments. reported that Filipino overseas as the participants have learned Silvestre Bello III for the department to further Bello said “the strictures imposed by social workers in Australia have been the best strategies to cope with improve its information campaign as the country distancing compels us to take advantage of the reporting back to work as the the difficulties and showcased continues to grapple with the pandemic. growing reliance on on-line platforms for group country has started easing up its the resilience of our workers “It is during crisis when the people need news meetings while also ensuring the safety of media economy. in the face of global crisis. The and information the most. And as government practitioners.” Most Filipino workers in Filipino spirit is truly alive as prepares for recovery, we need to enhance our The V-Café@DOLE will initially be Australia have returned to each participant described the capacity to keep the people abreast of what the conducted once every week. Each edition will their respective jobs after the lessons they have learned and government is doing,” Bello said. feature a key DOLE official, and from any of its lockdowns meant to contain the creative means they have adapted This weekly online talakayan adheres to 59 attached agencies, bureaus, offices, and the spread of corona virus had eased to ensure their sustenance along current protocols on social distancing while various Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and up, the labor department reported with their families,” POLO helping usher in the new normal in media regional and field offices. this month. Canberra added. engagements and the conduct of public In separate reports to Labor It also said: “This also provided Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the us with the crucial information Philippine Overseas Labor Offices regarding the viability of the in Canberra and Singapore said industries in Australia for the DOLE’s foreign posts are abreast continuing deployment of Phl hails big Qatar migrant reforms with the conditions of the Filipino Filipino workers.” migrant workers online in view In Singapore, meanwhile, WITH a new ‘non-discriminatory Citing a report from the been described by the labor of the restrictions imposed by Labor Attache Saul de Vries said minimum wage’, the government Philippine Overseas Labor Office department as “a giant step host governments to address the OFWs are acquiring IT-related of Qatar became the first Arab (POLO) in Qatar, Bello said the towards improving the work pandemic. skills to enable them to seize state to introduce significant law establishes a Minimum Wage condition of Filipino workers” “It is inspiring that workers emerging IT-based employment labor policy reforms covering all Committee that will review the in the Arab state, Qatar has also have now resumed their opportunities amidst the global its migrant workers, the labor impact and application of the abolished the “kafala” system in employments which gives hope pandemic. department announced late this minimum wage, in consultation the hiring and employment of to OFWs in Australia to continue ”Our OFWs “remain confident month. with different bodies, experts, migrant workers holding on to their aspirations for and believe they will withstand Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello workers, and employers. “Kafala” is an employment a better life here,” POLO Canberra this unusually difficult and III said the government of Qatar The report, according to Bello, sponsorship system used to said in its report. challenging times,” he said adopted Law No. 17 series of said that the government of Qa- monitor migrant laborers working It said it launched a series of during an online seminar during 2020, setting the minimum wage tar, through the Ministry of Ad- primarily in the construction online consultations with OFWs a seminar organized by the for all workers of all nationalities ministrative Development Labor and domestic sectors in Gulf all over Australia since last month Philippine Bayanihan Society in the private sector at 1,000 and Social Affairs (MADLSA), Cooperation Council member designed to reach out to Filipino Singapore (PBSS). The webinar, Qatari Riyal (QR) equivalent to will be working with employers states, namely Bahrain, Kuwait. workers whose employment were registered thousands of viewers $274 or Php13,325.00, the basic to update all employment con- The system requires migrant affected by the pandemic. not only in the city-state but also wage. tracts where workers are earning workers to get permission from “With interstate travel from Cambodia, Indonesia, and In addition to the minimum less than the amount established their employers should they restrictions in place all over other parts of the world” basic wage, employers are by the new law. decide to change jobs. Australia, POLO Canberra did The POLOs also have directed to ensure that workers Bello stressed that overseas “We wish to thank the state of not allow these setbacks to emphasized that thousands of are provided adequate food and Filipino workers (OFWs) who are Qatar for this significant reform impede the delivery of services overseas Filipinos, especially accommodation, or allocation already enjoying higher salaries in their employment laws. This is to our OFWs,” it said, adding those working in the health of additional 500 QR for and benefits need not worry as a giant step to improve the work that the suspension of mobile sector, were in the middle of the accommodation and 200 QR for MADLSA gave an assurance that conditions of migrant workers,” consular missions hampered fight to contain the spread of the food, bringing the minimum total they will not be affected by the Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on-site services and personal new corona virus in their host gross salary to 1,800 QR equivalent new law. said. consultations. countries. to $ 494 or Php 24,000.00. In another move that has “It is through these virtual dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR September 2020 3 Large companies urged Kin of displaced workers to provide shuttle for workers from P1 Big companies are those with such as cost-sharing, partial given educational help from P1 total assets of above 100 million vouchers for use of Transport pesos located inside special Network Vehicle Services, and THE labor department is ready to economic zones and other other alternative arrangements rollout its educational assistance areas under the jurisdiction of to facilitate the transportation for children of overseas Filipino investment promotion agencies needs of their employees,” workers that were stricken with are required to provide shuttle Secretary Bello said. COVID-19. services for their employees. The joint advisory also The regional offices of the This was emphasized by stipulates that “employers labor department are all set to both Labor Secretary Silvestre may contract the services of implement the P1-billion package Bello III and Trade Secretary Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) of ‘tabang’ or tertiary education Ramon M. Lopez in an advisory to subsidize public transport assistance for dependents of issued last September 13, 2020. operations.” COVID-affected overseas Filipino The advisory also lays down DOLE and DTI also clarified workers, Labor Secretary Silvestre the procedures that require that employees classified Bello III said over the end of the private firms to set up isolation as Most-at-Risk Population month. areas and implementation of (MARP) and those who are at Bello, at the same time, disinfection procedures as least 18 years old but below encouraged OFWs whose provided for in the DTI-DOLE 21 years may be allowed to children or dependents are Joint Memorandum Circular report to work for eight hours, college students to avail of the (JMC) No. 2020-4-A. provided that they undergo a aid program which is jointly The advisory on the fit-to-work examination and undertaken by the Department provision of shuttle services is secure a medical certificate from of Labor and Employment and consistent with Inter-Agency any competent authority. the Commission on Higher photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS Task Force (IATF) Resolution An occupational health Education. No. 69 released earlier this physician or government The DOLE regional offices EDUCATION ASSISTANCE. On top of other DOLE assistance, the young dependents of OFWs month. physician with occupational (ROs) will undertake the who were stricken by COVID-19 can now avail of an educational assistance from DOLE's The IATF guideline states health training can examine and processing and evaluation "Tabang OFW" program. that “large-sized private certify the employee’s fitness to of applications under the establishments with total work for regular hours under program and ensure its smooth implementation, including “Tabang OFW” provides to the joint memorandum circular assets above Php100,000,000.00 Rule 1967 of the Occupational the release of cash grants to grant-in-aid to currently enrolled signed by Bello and CHEd chair located inside special economic Safety and Health Standards. beneficiaries. The program is children of OFWs affected by Prospero de Vera III this month. zones and other areas under The advisory however a one-time P30,000 cash aid to COVID-19 who must meet Under the circular, DOLE the jurisdiction of Investment further clarified that employers qualified beneficiaries. the admission and retention will identify OFWs who have at Promotion Agencies are are highly encouraged to allow “The assistance is on a first- requirements of government and least a dependent or is intending required to provide shuttle the said employees to be in a come, first-serve basis that is why private colleges and universities. to enroll in a public or private services for their employees.” work from home arrangement, we advise our OFWs to apply at Also, the qualified grantees higher education institution in “Assets shall refer to total when applicable. our regional offices this early. must have not been expelled the academic year 2020-2021. assets, inclusive of those arising Moreover, the requirement They will facilitate the preparation from school, are not recipients The repatriated or displaced from loans but exclusive of the of designating an isolation of payment, including the release of any scholarship grant from OFW shall elect one dependent land on which the particular area of one room for every 200 of the financial benefit to the any government agency, and are who shall be included in the business entity’s office, plant, employees shall be based on the grantees,” Bello said. certified by DOLE as a dependent program. In the case of deceased and equipment are situated. average number of employees The grant will cover school of an OFW who has been OFW, the legal surviving spouse, (Section 3, Republic Act 9501 or reporting to work per shift. costs such as textbooks or repatriated, or displaced due to parent, or next of kin shall elect the Magna Carta for MSMEs),” “The isolation rooms may learning materials, academic and the COVID-19 pandemic, or had the dependent. the advisory said. be outside the establishments, extra-curricular expenses, and died from COVID-19. The fund for the program “In case the private provided that they are within stipends including board and The recipients must be will be transferred to DOLE by establishments are unable to the control of the employer, i.e. lodging, clothing, transportation, financially dependent on the CHEd’s United Student Financial financially sustain the provision the facility is readily available health or medical needs, and OFWs of their college education to Assistance System for Tertiary of shuttle services, they may when necessary. school supplies. qualify for the program, according Education. adopt alternative arrangements, Secretary Bebot, Big Brother Gov't guarantees welfare, health of all seafarers . . . from P1 In Governing Board Resolution employer shall provide the of city's anti-COVID fight No. 13, Series of 2020, the POEA similar assistance and benefits emphasized the provision of to seafarers who are already in from P1 assistance and benefits to seafarers contract and deployed but who In a visit by the CODE in the facility every other day, under unfortunate situations in are unable to join the ship and Team led by Labor Secretary or 3,000 tests per week. While provide the much needed their deployment or repatriation is repatriated back home, as well Silvestre Bello III at the Oreta the number of active cases support to cushion its impact due to COVID-19 related reasons. as to seafarers who cannot be Sports Center Swab Testing increase everyday, the mayor on the communities. The POEA board is chaired by repatriated due to COVID-19 Facility, the labor chief lauded also said they are consistently While he expressed concern Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. related factors. the city government, saying expanding their isolation over job losses among residents, The new resolution states Furthermore, seafarers who the successful fight to contain capacity and intensifying Oreta said he was grateful that that a seafarer that has already have completed his period of the virus “rests heavily on the their strict implementation Malabon has Bello as a big signed an employment contract contractual service and who are residents who strictly observe of minimum health protocols brother. but cannot be deployed from the already ashore but cannot be health protocols just like the in communities and “Ang isang malaking point of hire due to factors related repatriated shall still be provided people of Malabon.” establishments. problema ng Malabon ay to COVID-19 shall be provided with basic pay, accommodations, Mayor Antolin Oreta lll Bello led the turn-over maraming nawalan ng trabaho with accommodation and food food, and medical benefits. said the facility of the City of 5,000 personal protective pero swerte tayo dahil big at the employer’s cost, unless Quarantine costs and offers free reverse transcription equipment (PPEs) and 4,000 face brother natin si Sec. Bello na provided by the government, accommodations shall also until the seafarer is deployed or be provided by the employer polymerase chain reaction (RT- masks to the local government nakikinig sa atin at malaking returned home, and even until the unless otherwise provided by the PCR) tests for all residents of courtesy of the CODE Team. tulong sa atin,” Oreta said. contract cancellation. government. Malabon who may have been Bello and Commission on For his part, Bello vowed Also, a seafarer who has The resolution also allows in contact with confirmed Higher Education (CHED) to support more informal been deployed but is stranded employers to recover any Covid-19 cases, with the ratio of Chairman Prospero de Vera III workers in the city, and assured in transit shall be paid basic associated cost on the said 1:20 or 20 individuals contact- are designated “big brothers” repatriated OFWs from the area pay, accommodations, food, and provision of assistance and traced for every infected of the cities of Malabon and of benefits from the additional medical benefits at principal or benefits in accordance with the patient. Marikina in Metro Manila, funds granted by President employer’s cost until the seafarer employment contract or the Oreta added that at least tasked to help in the response Rodrigo Duterte. joins the vessel. Collective Bargaining Agreement. 1,000 tests are being conducted of LGUs to COVID-19 and Likewise, the principal/

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment 4 September 2020

Regional Director Salome O. Siaton With RD’s mettle, DOLE’s central labor front is waged with skill and aplomb

THE management principle that has taken all the hellfire in stride, says, all commanders befit the which is the required mettle of all “ battles they are assigned to wage veteran and unperturbable field I took on a great could apply to Director Salome O. commanders. Siaton, the lady general who heads One of her big marching challenge knowing that one of the labor department’s orders is to accomplish the largest employment battlefronts. department’s linchpin role, not DOLE 7 is full of capable Ever since her assumption only as government’s main succor as the regional director of DOLE for providing monetary and and talented people” Region 7 last year, RD Siaton has livelihood assistance for millions RD Siaton added a qualifier to that principle: of displaced workers, but also to and fisherfolk in . malls of the nearby towns are the “leading a big organization is help ensure that the deadly virus One of the beneficiaries were potential buyers of their catch,” Like all good commanders RD never an easy task. Taking note won’t breed and spread among members of the the Guinacot said the director. Siaton both balances her tactical of all deliverables of an entire the various industries. Fisherfolk Association received She said that DOLE, thru its and strategic goals. For the latter, region is always a gigantic And through her able P950,000.00 for their All Season Regional Project Management she had always been a stickler responsibility,” she said during leadership DOLE-7 has both Fishing Project. The members Team (RPMT), ensures for getting the pulse of industrial her assumption last year. judiciously implemented and of the association will soon be beneficiaries’ easy access to peace in the entire region. But like all hypothetical intensified the department’s equipped with more advanced the Department’s Kabuhayan “I’ve always been a firm battles waged by management livelihood and social amelioration fishing gears that will help them program, while seeing to it that believer in sound industrial commanders, she added, “I took programs in the region such as increase their catch and augment those with viable and feasible relations and social dialogue, on this great challenge knowing COVID-19 Adjustment Measures their income. project proposals will benefit especially now that new work that the region, itself, is full of Program (CAMP) which provides “All association members are from it. paradigms have been fallen on men and women who are capable, cash assistance to workers experienced fishermen but with Also this month, DOLE- both industry, the workplace and talented and competent.” displaced by the pandemic, the the assistance they got from the 7 turned over half a million in the common worker,” she said. The battle analogy surely befits Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa DOLE, they are now targeting to livelihood aid to the Barangay One of her messages for RD Siaton’s latest assignment; for Ating Disadvantage at Displaced be successful in their small scale Buhisan Tricycle Drivers industry was in echoing Labor not only has she been asked to lead Workers (TUPAD), an emergency commercial fishing project,” said Association in City to help Secretary Silvestre Bello’s one of DOLE’s largest regional cash-for-work initiative, and Director Siaton. its members pursue a motorcycle appeal for industry leaders to offices she took its helm right in DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood On the other hand, members parts business venture. Public maintain compassion and retain the moment when all hell broke and Emergency Program of the Isla Kuratan Fisher utility drivers throughout the their workers during the crisis. loose in the whole world because (DILEEP). Folks Association (IKFA), got country have been severely Another was in inculcating the of the pandemic and how it has Recently, she handed out over P607,150.00 cash aid. “The fish affected by the pandemic due new imperatives of instituting impacted jobs and employment. P4 million pesos in livelihood vendors in the neighborhood as to the imposed lockdowns and flexible working arrangements Siaton, who hails from , assistance to a group of farmers well as the stalls located in the quarantines. for workers across all industries.

GUEST EDITORIAL Prioritizing People Over Profit THE damage to the job market caused by the It did not increase tuition for the incoming school pandemic looks likely to be deep and long lasting as year, even if the school was also facing the prospect of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the country. a massive drop in enrollment and even if its tuition is A recent Social Weather Station survey showed much less than the miscellaneous fees many private Executive Editor | RAUL M. FRANCIA 45.5 percent of the labor force, or about 27.3 million schools are charging. Filipinos were jobless in July. Not all schools even considered refunding their Editor-in-Chief | GERRY S. RUBIO For many businesses, especially micro, small and unused miscellaneous fees, and not all schools paid Issue Editor | N.L. PETILLA medium enterprises (MSMEs), the only way to keep in full their teachers and non-teaching personnel, their organizations afloat is to cut costs and let go even their part-timers, during the quarantine. But the Central Desk | RHEA S. CARLOS | MARIO F. FETALINO JR of a large number of their workers. Unfortunately, school officials of Northern Christian College felt the whatever cash aid the government could grant under word “Christian” in their name would have been a Senior Writers | CORAZON C. GONZALES | TEEPHANIE D. LADERAS ALTHEA LOUISE D. MAJAN | PETER PAUL R. ANG the Bayanihan 2 law for these laid-off employees complete mockery if they had not done their best to might take two weeks to reach them, too late for their help their employees, students and parents during Contributing Writers | HERSHEY AQUINO, NCR | PATRICK RILLORTA, CAR families. this pandemic. ARLY STA. ANA-VALDEZ, RO1 | REGINALD ESTIOCO, RO2 Amid the constant threat of job losses, however, The way this small school has responded to JELYN ABELLA, RO3 | FRANZ RAYMOND AQUINO, RO4-A there are a few companies doing the heroic thing of the COVID crisis is a defining moment that will be EMMANUEL ANTONIO PORTUGAL, RO4-B | JOHANA VI GASGA, RO5 keeping their workers employed. Not all of these remembered by its stakeholders for decades. NIEZEL ANEN SABRIDO, RO6 | LUCHEL TANIZA, RO7 businesses are big companies with huge cash reserves. In March, during the start of the lockdown, NORMA RAE COSTIMIANO, RO8 | KAREN CLAIRE GRAFIA, RO9 Take, for instance, the Northern Christian College, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III called on private MILDRED DABLIO, RO10 | EDUARDO MONREAL, RO11 a small private school in Laoag City, , companies and other big enterprises “to take the extra CHRISTOPHER GAMBOA, RO12 | OLGA VIRGINIA DEMATA, which was founded by a group of evangelical leaders, mile” in assisting their workers, to keep paying their aided by foreign missionaries and benefactor-families. salaries even amid work stoppages, and not resort to Creative Artist | VERONICA C. CASIL It’s raison d’etre has always been to minister to retrenchment. the less privileged. As such, the great majority of A great many businesses talk about having a social Photographers | ALEJANDRO P. ECHAVEZ | REGIE D. MASON its students belong to the C, D and E social strata, purpose and a set of values, about having corporate Circulation Manager | GIRLIE MARLYN E. ARCE except their Nursing students, which come from the social responsibility. Well, this is the best CSR they B families. can do nowadays, to sacrifice short-term profitability Circulation Assistants | MADELYN D. DOMETITA | RANDY F. FERNANDEZ They only have less than 2,000 students and their for the sake of their people. Anyway, companies average tuition is only P6,000 a semester, a fraction of lose money all the time. They write off the costs of The PHILIPPINE LABOR is the official publication of the many private colleges and universities are charging. restructuring, product failures or acquisitions that go Department of Labor and Employment with editorial office at the And yet, despite its smaller income stream, wrong. And laying off their skilled workers might even Information and Publication Service this school paid all the salaries of its regular and prolong the path to recovery for many companies, 5th Floor, DOLE Building, General Luna Wing, Manila. permanent employees (teaching and non-teaching since they will have to rebuild their work forces and staff) throughout the lockdown. Even their part-time thus incur new recruiting and training costs. teachers were paid their full salaries from March until The country commemorated National Heroes’ the end of May, which comprises the school months Day on Monday. In this light, we also commend missed owing to quarantine measures. the companies and employers who are taking The school never imposed the no-work-no-pay extraordinary and compassionate measures to keep policy, not even for their office personnel who, unlike their workers employed during this pandemic. This Readers’ queries, comments, and suggestions are welcome. the teachers, were doing no work at all. act, too, is heroism, one that will be remembered and Mail or fax them in, or call us at telephone numbers 527-3000 loc. 620, 621, 622, The school also refunded miscellaneous fees to repaid through increased loyalty, higher productivity, 623, 625, 626, 627. students, in particular one quarter’s worth for BES and a lasting legacy for many years to come. Our fax number is 527-3446. (Basic Education School), half a semester worth for (Reprinted from the BusinessMirror, September 1, 2020) You may also visit our website: www.dole.gov.ph; college, and part of the unused graduation fees for the or e-mail us at [email protected]. Graduate School.

dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR September 2020 • OVERSEAS • 5 Bahrain lifts pandemic OFWs preferred ban on Pinoy workers in Kyushu EMPLOYERS in the region of employers on the issues and Kyushu, the southernmost and concerns on Filipino workers THE Labor Market Regulatory third largest island of Japan, and labor documentation. Authority (LMRA) of the prefer the industriousness and The employers also com- Kingdom of Bahrain announced fast learning ability of Filipinos mended POLO’s sharing of in- last September 14, 2020 that it over other foreign workers. formation and documents on has resumed the recruitment In a report, the Philippine the prescribed processes and of domestic workers lifting the Overseas Labor Office (POLO) documentary requirements for suspension it imposed last March in Osaka, cited the employers’ both the Specified Skilled Work- due to the pandemic, the labor preference in the region for ers (SSW) and the Technical In- department said yesterday. Filipino workers for their tern Training Program (TITP) The labor department said industry and ability to learn fast. and the common mistakes that that the move comes in the wake “The employers were very the POLO-Osaka has observed of the renewal of the issuance appreciative of our efforts to in the evaluation of labor docu- of work permits for expatriate reach out to them, particularly ments with Japanese translation. amid the pandemic, and The Specified Skilled Worker workers made by Bahrain last expressed their hope for the is a status of residence appli- August 9. lifting of the ban on foreign cable to foreigners who work in In a report to Labor Secretary workers due to coronavirus,” jobs that require considerable Silvestre Bello III, the Philippine photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS Labor Attaché Elizabeth Estrada knowledge of or experience in Overseas Labor Office in Bahrain told Labor Secretary Silvestre specified industries while the also said Filipino workers are Bello III in her report. Technical Intern Training Pro- IMPROVING LABOR MARKET. A batch of OFWs returning from the Middle-East. The global preferred by most employers in labor market is expected to improve as economies start opening up. The POLO visited the work- gram (TITP) is a program that the kingdom in reopening their sites of OFWs in vulnerable oc- aims to contribute to developing doors to migrant workers. operating without license and employment contracts that caused cupations, particularly in the countries by accepting people POLO-Bahrain said the LMRA were hiring run-away domestic the proliferation of hourly-paid performing arts and agriculture from these countries. –POLO also warns would-be employers to workers of various nationalities, cleaning services in Bahrain. sectors, and consulted with the Osaka/GSR refrain from engaging the services to provide hourly cleaning Based on the January-June of unlicensed domestic expatriate services. 2020 Report of Congress to employees employment offices LMRA’s Preventive Inspection POLO–Bahrain, the number of (DEEEOs) to mitigate against the Director Ahmed Junaid said Filipino domestic workers in Acquitted Pinay gets help spread of COVID-19 and uphold these rogue manpower agencies the Kingdom dropped abruptly the rights of foreign workers. move domestic workers from by 9%. From 18,663 domestic THE labor department has assured server for the Saudi Ministry of The warning came after 61 one household to another, posing workers in 2019, only 16,576 assistance to an overseas Filipino Defense and Aviation. manpower agencies were recently a major threat to the spread of remained as of June 2020. worker who was recently repatriated She however ended up as a questioned in a series of raids COVID-19 virus, prompting the As verified by the number after being acquitted of murder in household service worker for a the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Lebanese woman. Barely two jointly conducted by LMRA and government of Bahrain to take of recruitment documents Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello weeks after her arrival, she was the Interior Ministry, where said legal action against these erring submitted to POLO-Bahrain for III said the government has worked falsely accused of the murder of her agencies were found to have been agencies and their employees. processing, recruitment agencies closely on the case of Rose Dacanay employer. According to Junaid, the expect that the huge gap in the Policarpio until she gained her Policarpio denied the accusation shortage in the supply of domestic demand specifically for domestic freedom, and will continue to help and claimed that the crime was workers in Bahrain lured some workers, will be filled up by her to start anew. perpetrated by three unidentified POLO axes to abscond and renege on their Filipino workers. Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa men, who entered the house of of the Philippine Overseas Labor her employer while she was out Singapore Office in Riyadh said that Policarpio throwing garbage. was repatriated this month, two The Philippine Embassy years after being acquitted for the in Riyadh provided her with a recruiter murder of her Lebanese employer. lawyer from the AI Kheraiji Law DOLE sustains welfare In a report to Bello, Mustafa said Office, which helped her obtain FOR REFUSING to settle Policarpio arrived in Saudi Arabia an acquittal in November 2018. the complaint of a Filipino on June 3, 2013 after being deployed –Althea Louise D. Majan household service worker tabs and succor to OFWs by her Philippine recruiter as a food (HSW), the Department of THE government continues to Prima Park Hotel in Jerusalem. Labor and Employment’s Philippine Overseas Labor extend assistance to overseas Gabasan said that as of this Office (POLO) in Singapore Filipino workers that have been month the POLO had extended Bello assures aid for kin issued a notice of suspension affected by the coronavirus while AKAP assistance to 336 OFWs. to a Singapore-based working in their host countries, POLO-Qatar has said that employment agency. the labor department said late 3,052 OFWs tested positive and of Abu Dhabi blast victims POLO suspended Union this month. 17 workers had already died from THE Department of Labor and (KFC) restaurant along Airport United Employment Pte Secretary Silvestre Bello III the virus. said that the labor department In Europe, POLO Spain Employment (DOLE) has assured Road on August 31. Ltd for refusing to settle the financial assistance for the families The explosion instantly killed complaint of a Pinay HSW. continues to monitor the status of reported that among the 100 COVID-19 cases involving OFWs Filipinos monitored, 85 have of two overseas Filipino workers Gasis, 39, an electrical draughtsman The aggrieved OFW (OFWs) who were killed in a gas from and Bertoces, as the 40 Philippine Overseas recovered; while two tested alleged that the agency explosion in Abu Dhabi, United 26, a KFC—Abu Dhabi employee collected unauthorized fees Labor Offices (POLO) spread negative and seven tested positive Arab Emirates. from . from her salary and failed across Asia and the Pacific, US of COVID-19. There are also six Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello The blast also caused injuries to to properly document her and North America, Europe, recorded deaths among those III said both victims—Clark Bacud eight other Filipinos. Six of them deployment despite its being and the Middle East continue to OFWs monitored. Gasis and Merriner Goc-ong were immediately taken to the Sheik a POEA-accredited agency. submit regular reports on the In France, eight OFWs have Bertoces—will receive P120,000 Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC) The order to cease health and welfare of Filipino recovered, while six died of bereavement assistance each from for treatment. Five of the injured operation means that the workers abroad. COVID-19; in Germany, 80 the government. have already been discharged while POLO and the POEA will In the Middle East, Labor Filipinos have recovered; while “They will also get insurance the other one identified as Rodel suspend all the documentary Attaché Gregorio Abalos, Jr. of in Belgium, seven Filipinos have benefits if they are qualified Paclibar remained at the hospital for processing of the erring POLO Oman reported that 122 recovered from COVID 19. members of the Overseas Workers’ further observation. agency. OFWs have recovered, while four In Asia, 11 OFWs were infected Welfare Administration,” Bello When visited and interviewed POLO-Singapore has also have succumbed to the disease. with the coronavirus in Taiwan. added. by POLO officials at SKMC, Paclibar, Bello said OWWA would be also a KFC-Abu Dhabi staff, said he recommended to POEA the He added that 107 OFWs The POLO in Taiwan also ready to provide more aid allowed was relaying to his supervisor the revocation of the agency’s have been given the Abot Kamay reported that all arriving OFWs by law to the families of the condition of the gas tank when the accreditation to prevent ang Pagtulong (AKAP) financial from the Philippines will no victims. “We will extend to them blast happened. it from victimizing more assistance, equivalent to a one- longer be swab tested upon all the support the government can Meanwhile, POLO officers HSWs. time P10,000 or $200 cash. arrival, except for those who have provide,” he added. also gathered that two Filipino POLO Singapore In Israel, Labor Attaché symptoms; and that quarantine A report from the Philippine children—a two-month old and encourages OFWs to call Rodolfo Gabasan reported cost for arriving OFWs is free, a Overseas Labor Office (POLO) three-month old–were also hurt in telephone number 6737.3977 65 infections in the Filipino rule which is different from that in Abu Dhabi said a total of 10 the incident but are out of danger. ext. 107, or text cellphone community, with 56 recoveries imposed on other nationalities. Filipinos, including two children, A total of 28 persons including number 90235608 if they and one death. The confirmed –Althea Louise D. Majan figured in the deadly accident other nationals were involved have their labor complaints. cases included two Filipinas who reportedly caused by a gas leak in the deadly blast, reports said. were both quarantined at the inside a Kentucky Fried Chicken –Mario Fetalino

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment 6 • AGENCIES • September 2020 OWWA maintains home-return BLR launches E-portal LEARNING about labor rights professional practice. program for overseas Pinoys and responsibilities has been made The Comprehensive Course more accessible online through the on Freedom of Association and Labor and Employment Education Collective Bargaining, on the AS OF late this month, more provided with accommodation, alternative overseas job markets Services (LEES) e-Learning Portal. other hand, intends to enhance than 200,000 overseas Filipino food, transportation, and COVID for displaced OFWs, such as the In a report to Secretary Silvestre the capacity of multisectoral workers have been transported testing upon their arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which Bello III, the Bureau of Labor Rela- stakeholders to promote the back to their home provinces, the country. has resumed accepting and tions (BLR) has institutionalized effective implementation of labor department reported. To help OFWs financially, processing work visas; Qatar, the online portal which presently Freedom of Association and In a report to Labor Secretary DOLE has also been extending which has abolished the ‘kafala’ offers two free courses, the Basic Collective Bargaining principles in Silvestre Bello III, the Overseas a one-time P10,000 or $200 cash system that requires migrant Labor and Employment Education the Philippines, based on principles Workers Welfare Administration aid under the Abot Kamay ang workers to get permission from Course and the Comprehensive under the International Labour said over 40,000 OFWs tested Pagtulong (AKAP) program to their employers should they Course on Freedom of Association Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 negative for Covid-19 were sent OFWs whose incomes were af- decide to change jobs; and the and Collective Bargaining. and 98. to their provinces this month fected by the pandemic, both Kingdom of Bahrain, which Through the platform, BLR The course also aims to improve aims to equip workers and the participation of tripartite social alone, including the latest on-site and those stranded in the has renewed the recruitment of employers alike with the right partners in the existing mechanisms batch of 1,440 OFWs who were country. household service workers. labor information so that they will in addressing violations of workers’ transported on September 23. Bello said more OFWs will Other job markets available become better partners in attaining civil liberties and trade union This brings to 218,205 the benefit from the AKAP program for Filipino workers, he added, and maintaining harmonious labor- rights. total number of OFWs who were following President Rodrigo are China, Japan, Czech Republic, management relationships. To create an account, visit http:// assisted by the labor department Duterte’s signing of Bayanihan and Taiwan. –Althea Louise D. The Basic Labor and lees.dole.gov.ph/moodle/ Enroll since it has started sending home to Recover as One or Bayanihan Majan Employment Education Course in the preferred course once an OFWs en masse in May. 2 law. covers topics on pre-employment, account has been created. Browse The OFW returnees were The labor chief said there are employment, and post-employ- through the course contents and ment, as well as the processes in- take the quizzes to receive a volved in entrepreneurship and certificate of completion.–BLR/aldm ILS study shows workers OSHC offers online want more safe bike lanes safety ed for MSMEs MORE bike lanes on paved roads and paths, and more THE Occupational Safety and respective companies. secured bike parking. These were Health Center (OSHC) is offering The qualified participants are some of the sentiments expressed a series of free online Basic required to use laptop or desktop by Filipino workers in a survey Occupational Safety and Health computers equipped with a conducted by the Institute for (BOSH) Training via Zoom for webcam and microphone and a Labor Studies, the research arm future safety officers in micro, small stable internet connection. and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) The project, introduced as of the Department of Labor and that have less than 50 employees. early as June, has lined up 13 more Employment (DOLE). To provide service for both batches of free online trainings With COVID-19 keeping most the public and private sectors until December. commuters away from public amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the “The Covid-19 pandemic has transport, the use of bicycle has OSHC developed modules for the brought economic difficulties and emerged as a safe and convenient mandatory training to allow the we want to help equip companies, alternative mode of transport, migration of training services to especially the distressed small and ILS Executive Director Ahmma an online platform and enable the micro enterprises to keep their Charisma Lobrin-Satumba said provision of these services while workers and workplaces safe and as she presented the study’s ensuring the protection of training healthy,” said Occupational Safety results to DOLE Secretary participants and resource persons. and Health Center Executive Silvestre Bello III. OSHC is an agency of DOLE. Director Noel C. Binag, CE. The research is part of DOLE’s All mandatory BOSH training Other enterprises that will not now includes a module on the be able to take part in the free online Bike-to-Work Project, which prevention and control of Covid-19. BOSH trainings may avail training aims to assist workers in this The webinar is open for Safety services from DOLE-accredited time of pandemic by providing Officers Level 1 (SO1s) in MSMEs in Safety Training Organizations bicycles as a transport option or the low-risk category and includes (STOs) which are certified to a livelihood opportunity. a 10-hour training for potential perform the same quality of training Respondents were asked, safety officers that will implement from OSHC. among others, for their desired safety and health programs in their improvements in bicycling commuting. Majority of the workers are in favor of having more bike lanes Free web courses for seafarers on paved roads, bike paths, and photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS FILIPINO seafarers can now in the comfort of their homes or more secured bike parking. access maritime courses being workplaces. The presence of bike lanes NEW GRADUATES TESTING THE JOBS MARKET. A recent study from the Institute of Labor offered by the government for “This is our way of keeping our and their safety on road are also Studies showed that many Pinoy workers want government to install more bike lanes due to free, the labor department said seafarers active and productive the current dearth in public transport. among the foremost concerns of early this month. whether they are at their respective bike riders. The National Maritime homes spending quality time Respondents said that what cycling club or bicycle advocacy increased after the imposition Polytechnic (NMP) has launched with their families, in quarantine prevents them from using the group. of the Enhanced Community online courses especially designed facilities, or even when onboard bike is because of the following According to the respondents, Quarantine (ECQ). to enhance the skills of maritime ships. They will be able to receive reasons: 1) they do not feel the significant health benefits of The preliminary results of workers. NMP is an agency of their Certificate of Completion safe traveling in the road; 2) bicycling is the primary reason the research, which was carried the Department of Labor and upon successful fulfilment of the poor road conditions; 3) lack of for them getting into bicycling out at the onset of the relaxing Employment. online courses,” Maglunsod said. secured bike parking or storage (85%). This is followed by of community quarantine in Aside from upskilling, NMP The safety courses were facility and facilities (ex. shower biking as a mode of transport Metro Manila and other parts of is also offering personal safety developed as part of the agency’s or change rooms). to get to work (82%) concerning the country, were presented to courses, among which are STD/ corporate social responsibility, in Despite these concerns, 78% of the pandemic and limited DOLE Senior officials to discuss HIV/AIDS Prevention in Maritime cooperation with the International the total respondents answered transportation. possible projects and policy Sector (SHAPIMS) and the Labor Organization (ILO) and the that they would still use bicycles For those who have used a recommendations. Prevention of Alcohol and the United Nations Program on HIV/ in going to work, even if there bicycle for the last 6 months (813 The survey yielded a total Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector AIDS (UNAIDS), geared towards were other accessible forms of respondents), more than half of 1,119 respondents, with the (PADAMS). addressing psychosocial issues transportation. or 58% said that their bike trips majority of them coming from NMP Executive Director Joel in the maritime industry which Most of the respondents are were for traveling to and from the National Capital Region Maglunsod said the safe and free is now implemented in nautical learning platform is an alternative schools and private training bike owners (total of 865), where work. It was also noted that those (NCR). –Rei Alba/GSR to classroom-based education that centers in the country. 33% of them are members of a who have used a bike to work Filipino seafarers can access while

dole.gov.ph PHILIPPINE LABOR September 2020 • THE REGIONS • 7 Aid pours for workers in Region 4B Bright students

TO HELP marginalized workers recover from the get paid internships impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor and AROUND a 100 college wages they will receive, 60% Employment released P6.3 students from various colleges will be shouldered by the million in livelihood assistance in are provincial government while to various workers’ groups in set to benefit from DOLE’s the remaining 40% will be , DOLE-4B reported educational program for disbursed by DOLE 9. early this month. students. . “For the safety of the Beneficiaries include fisher- DOLE-9 said early this students, SPES applicants folk, coconut farmers, tricycle month that the student below 21 years old and those drivers, motorcycle shop workers, beneficiaries have undergone with immunodeficiency, women’s group, and displaced orientation and had signed comorbidities or other workers from the provinces of a contract for their short health risks are prohibited Mindoro and . employment stint under from participating in the In Mindoro, 96 members of the Special Program for the said program,” Buenafe fishers’ organization and tricycle Employment of Students said, citing advisories that drivers association received (SPES). outlined the guidelines for P725,000 from DOLE’s Integrated photo by Dod ong Echavez, IPS SPES is DOLE’s youth the implementation of the Livelihood Program (DILP). employment-bridging program in areas under In Romblon, the Sta. Maria AID TO INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS. Workers attending one of the Labor Department's program which aims MGCQ or GCQ. Coconut Farmers and Processing provincial workers' forum. DOLE has also prioritized extending aid to informal sector workers to provide temporary “Also, employers are Association was provided with displaced by the pandemic. employment to poor but advised to provide flexible a million pesos to help improve deserving students, out-of- work arrangements for the their production of high value- Workers (TUPAD) program. The beneficiaries rendered 10- school youth, and dependents students or to strictly ensure added coconut products. The 500 displaced worker- day work, such as sanitation and of displaced or would-be that beneficiaries fulfil only Regional Director Albert beneficiaries are in addition to disinfection, including repacking displaced workers during desk work or related tasks Gutib said the SMCFPA is the the 5,765 beneficiaries already and distribution of relief goods summer and/or Christmas that will not require them to first producer of coconut oil in the provided with emergency in their community. Each vacation or any time of the travel or stay outside for an Province of Romblon. employment assistance in the beneficiary received P3,200 based year to augment the family’s indefinite period of time,” he In , the province at the height of the on the prevailing minimum wage income to help ensure that added. Samhahan ng mga Inang Nag- community quarantine. in the region. beneficiaries are able to PESO Officer Ameliano kakaisa ng Tahanan Association DOLE also released P1.5 TUPAD program is a pursue their education. Himang expressed his (SINTA) received P500,000 assis- million emergency employment community-based package of DOLE Regional Director gratitude to DOLE 9 tance for their bakery project. assistance to informal workers in short-term wage employment Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said and Zamboanga del Sur Meanwhile, 500 more displaced the municipality of Concepcion, assistance of the department to that each student will receive Governor Victor Yu and workers in Occidental Mindoro Romblon. The workers received mitigate the impact of calamities, P503.00 per day for 20 days of Congresswoman Divina Grace benefitted from the P1.6 million- daily wage assistance through disasters, and pandemics on work in various offices where Yu for the support afforded to peso Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa the TUPAD or emergency workers in the informal economy. they will be assigned. Of the the program. Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced employment program.

Cagayan enlists Rubber workers given aid Dep't extends helping hand the youth in in campaign to ex-rebels, child laborers OVER a hundred rubber TUPAD beneficiaries engaged MORE than a hundred component of the DOLE vs pandemic workers in Zamboanga in social community projects former rebels and the families Integrated Livelihood and Sibugay and close to a and community disinfection/ of erstwhile child laborers in Emergency Employment TUGUEGARAO CITY, thousand more in Zamboanga sanitation activities with strict were given Program (DILEEP). – The DOLE Peninsula were beneficiaries observance of social/physical a fresh start on life by the labor Cagayan- Field Office of the P7.5 million aid package distancing and the use of basic department early this month. Provincial Field Office, (CBFO) recently hired a total DOLE recently poured into the personal protective equipment Livelihood starter kits were meanwhile, said 20 parents of of 850 government interns not region early this month. (PPEs). given to 83 parents of child child laborers from different only to provide employment Beneficiaries included Each beneficiary received laborers and to 34 former barangays of Oroquieta City opportunities for the young but displaced rubber workers P3,160 or P316 a day, which to help in the government’s battle rebels in the region amounting were given assistance to start belonging to the Goodyear is equivalent to the prevailing to P2 million, DOLE-10 said livelihood projects that included against the new corona virus. Agrarian Reform Multipurpose minimum wage in the region. in a report to Labor Secretary rice trading, swine fattening, Prexie A. Caronan, head Cooperative (GARBEMCO) In Zamboanga del Sur, of DOLE CBFO, said that the in who DOLE released over P6.9 Silvestre Bello III. and sari-sari store ventures. program continuous to open were given assistance from million in the form of wages The beneficiaries were The Cagayan de Oro City up job opportunities not only the Tulong Panghanapbuhay for 699 informal sector workers among the 137 individuals Field Office, on the other hand, to young workers but also to sa Ating Disadvantaged/ from the municipalities who received working capital released a separate package of those who lost their jobs due to Displaced Workers (TUPAD). . of Bayog, Dumingag and in the form of raw materials, assistance worth P1.6 million retrenchment and/or closure of DOLE 9 Regional Director Kumalarang. equipment, tools, and other to 83 beneficiaries through establishments. Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said RD Buenafe personally support services to enable them the Skills Mastery Institute “Despite the effects of the that the distressed rubber handed the checks to the to become entrepreneurs. for Learning, Employment/ pandemic, the DOLE stands to workers received their wages mayors of the three towns The recipients, which also Entrepreneurship and Success be one of the victors of the many for rendering services under early this month in a simple included 15 individuals from (SMILES) Foundation, DOLE’s hopeless jobseekers and remains a ten-day employment turn-over ceremony held at the barangay Balulang which were accredited partner in the area. a strong advocate in achieving program. Specifically, the City Fish Port. displaced by a recent typhoon All the beneficiaries the government’s thrust of in Mindanao and five other underwent a series of training inclusive growth through displaced workers were from on basic marketing and financial massive employment generation The interns who also serve as hospital personnel and other different barangays in Misamis aspects in a small business and poverty reduction. While manpower complement are not functions not highly technical Occidental, Cagayan de Oro conducted by the SMILES the DOLE recognizes the only expected to augment the and hazardous in nature. City, and Iligan City. Foundation. right to participation and self- government’s services essential This is also an opportunity development of the youth, it also in curbing out the negative effects for the interns to learn life skills They received livelihood The ensures the safety and protection of this global pandemic but also in the workplace and introduce starter kits worth P20,000 Provincial Field Office, for of the interns,” she added. assist in the monitoring of projects them to public service as their each from the Regional Office its part, awarded livelihood The program provides each as well as in the implementation contribution to nation building. through its Misamis Occidental assistance of close to P.7 million worker a stipend of P370.00 per of DOLE employment facilitation The GIP is a component of Provincial Field Office, Cagayan to 34 rebel returnees from the day, accident insurance coverage programs such as but not limited Executive Order (EO) No. 139 de Oro City Field Office, and area. for one year with the Government to profiling of child laborers, s. 1993 under the Kabataan 2000 Lanao del Norte Provincial The beneficiaries received Insurance System (GSIS) and encoding of registrants in the and DOLE Administrative Order Field Office. their starter livelihood kits after Certificate of Completion at the Skills Registry System (SRS), No. 260-15. –Froctoso C. Agustin The assistance was completing their skills training end of the contract. assisting public school and released under the Kabuhayan conducted by TESDA.

PHILIPPINE LABOR @laborandemployment • THE GOOD NEWS • In Japan, it’s ‘hai’ for Pinoy workers seeking to earn extra RECOGNIZING that there is at POLO-OWWA Tokyo hope and opportunity in every Official Facebook Fan page, crisis, the Philippine Overseas reaching about 2,300 views and Labor Office (POLO) in Japan 5,400 social media users as of has started training oversesas last week. Filipino workers how to Elmer B. Poblete, a Help extended become entrepreneurs. participant, and works as POLO-Japan recently Supervisor, thanked POLO, conducted a webinar on food OWWA, PTIC, and Coach specialty, real estate, online Petalver for the online training learning and other forms of which gave them tips and to rural displaced ‘new normal’ Bestsellers. knowledge on starting a Dubbed ‘Negosyong Patok business. Ngayong COVID-19: The “I realized that I could be a THE Filipino is not only resilient director of HEI. “That’s a good required by the government to Champion’s Mindset,’ the champion as early as today. As but creative. The Department start,” he said. help stop the transmission of virtual seminar teaches trainees a young OFW, I have a chance of Labor and Employment has The priest thanked the COVID-19. to learn entrepreneurship, said to become an entrepreneur,” he seen this a lot of times during Department of Labor and “Let’s strike a balance Tokyo Labor Attache Marie said. the current pandemic. Employment for supporting the between our livelihood and Rose Escalada POLO Welfare Officer Amy The recent one was in how project through its Kabuhayan health. That way, we can “We can overcome this B. Crisostomo said the online some lackluster farmers in Program. Febrero also expressed triumph over this pandemic,” pandemic and build as one training will be the start of , turned ennui into a his gratitude to DOLE for giving he said. nation with a Filipino spirit more trainings for Filipinos in promising poultry venture with HEI the opportunity to become For his part, DOLE Regional of Bayanihan. We are on our Japan. some small help from a priest Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) Director Cyril Ticao urged the second step, learning new The online training is a and the labor department. in the implementation of its project beneficiaries to nourish skills, retooling and upscaling part of the Reintegration- In various ways, their Kabuhayan Program and for their newly-found sources of our dear kababayans not only Preparedness Program of manner of earning a living approving their project. income. in Japan but all over the world POLO-OWWA Tokyo which ‘evolved’ into new professions The backyard chicken “Let this opportunity boost who are joining us today aims to support and develop they never dreamed of. This was project benefitted displaced your resiliency against the through FB live”, Escalada personality, enhance the skills the experience of 170 members farm workers from the pandemic,” he said. –Niezel said. and capabilities of OFWs, and of the Hublag Evelio, Inc. (HEI) municipalities of Hamtic, San Anen T. Sabrido The event was held mainstream returning OFWs in Antique who “surprisingly” Jose de Buenavista, Sibalom and via Zoom and was also into their communities. found themselves becoming Belison. LIVELIHOOD AID. File photo shows simultaneously live-streamed managers of a backyard layer Labor Secretary Silvestre Secretary Silvestre Bello III giving livelihood assistance to a group of rural workers. chicken project initially worth Bello III has encouraged the P3.4 million that came by way of new poultry businessmen the labor department. to continue working hard Under the project, each and to keep trusting on the member sets up and operates a government. “Don’t surrender backyard poultry business and to the challenges posed by turned its members into micro the crisis. Instead, allow it to entreprenuers. reinvent yourself in such a way HEI, a non-government or- that you defeat the virus,” he ganization, partnered with said. the Antique Catholic Work- Bello also assured DOLE’s ers Multi-Purpose Coopera- relentless support for those tive (ACWMPC) as its market- affected by the outbreak. ing arm. It also linked up with “The Labor Department will bakeshops and other potential never stop helping displaced buyers of eggs produced by the employers and workers as long project. as it has the resources to do so,” At the start, the project he said. yielded 900 eggs per month, The Labor chief also according to Fr. Edione R. reminded them not to forget Febrero, who is executive the safety and health protocols photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS

Pinoys in South Korea become ‘pandepreneurs’

TRUST the tough Pinoys to turn crisis address the needs of OFWs who were participated in these online seminars. (ISK), and the Filipino Community into opportunity. displaced from employment or stranded She added that the conduct of the on- Center in Busan (FCC). Inspired by the enthusiasm of migrant in the host country and faced health risks site learning is pursuant to the directives Participants to the training expressed workers and support of the Filipino due to COVID-19,” Valderrama said. of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to appreciation for the continued communities, the labor department’s Other livelihood trainings include support the reintegration plans of every implementation of financial literacy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in KKK-Poultry Production conducted OFW. entrepreneurial development courses by Korea ventured into business and in partnership with the Philippine “The need for every OFWs to POLO. financial literacy for pandemic-stricken Agriculture Office; Trabaho, Negosyo, manage their finances and prepare very “Malaking tulong ang ganitong Pinoys in the peninsula. Kabuhayan: Franchising Seminar in well for their return is more pressing programa para sa mga gustong Dubbed “The Happy Pandepreneur: partnership with the Philippine Trade during this time of pandemic when magsimula ng negosyo sa Pilipinas, lalo Paano Maging Negosyante sa Gitna and Investment Center; and Livelihood we are facing challenges on overseas na sa mga OFWs na gaya ko pag mag- ng Pandemya,” Labor Attaché Maya Skills Training: Table Setting and Napkin employment. I am glad that POLO Korea for-good na sa sariling bayan. Thank Valderrama said the training is part of a Folding. has found alternative ways of providing you, DTI and POLO-KOR, nawa’y tuloy series of financial and business trainings Prior to the learning sessions, POLO information that could help our OFWs to tuloy po ang ganitong activities upang for OFWs as the world continues to has been running online business and manage their finances better, and prepare lalo pa po kaming mahasa to become grapple with the pandemic. financial seminars for OFWs in Korea and themselves to become entrepreneurs entrepreneurs someday”, said Jayson The undertaking is under the auspices those who have returned to the country when they return to the country,” Bello Olipas, an EPS worker. of POIMEN, an organization of leaders of in line with the Philippines Reintegration said. “Gauging from the many participants various churches in Seoul. Preparedness Program for OFWs. To reach to as many OFWs in different that are registering in our online seminars, “This pandemic has created Just last month, a number of sessions locations in Korea, POLO has partnered we hope that we are also able to address opportunities for us to offer weekend had already been conducted on Basic with the various Filipino community the needs of our OFWs to be more secure sessions that OFWs can attend even in the Financial Literacy and TNK’s Gusto mo organizations such as the United Filipinos financially and be entrepreneur-ready comforts of their homes or workplaces. bang Mag-negosyo sa Pilipinas? in Korea (UFILKOR), Pinoy Investors in especially in this time of the pandemic,” During this time, DOLE’s services Valderrama said almost 200 OFWs Korea (PiNK), Ilocanos in South Korea Valderrama said. –POLO Korea/GSR