Philippine Labor Ban Includes Semi Skilled Workers Returning to Kuwait Filipinos Bound to Kuwait Stranded at Manila, Clark Airport’S Immigration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Philippine Labor Ban Includes Semi Skilled Workers Returning to Kuwait Filipinos Bound to Kuwait Stranded at Manila, Clark Airport’S Immigration 3 Local Sunday, January 19, 2020 Philippine labor ban includes semi skilled workers returning to Kuwait Filipinos bound to Kuwait stranded at Manila, Clark airport’s immigration By Ben Garcia and Agencies DOLE imposed total ban for the deployment of new- Filipino workers in Kuwait. The ban includes skilled their Filipino workers. ly-hired workers to Kuwait, including domestic workers,” Panelo said. Panelo also issued the state- KUWAIT: The total ban the Philippines imposed on helpers and skilled and unskilled laborers. The deci- ment after the DOLE sought the total ban on the Kuwait dismayed laborers seeking to work in Kuwait has been expand- sion was based on the results of an autopsy conduct- deployment of OFWs to Kuwait in the wake of Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular ed to include even vacationing Filipino semi-skilled ed on the remains of Filipina maid Jeanelyn Villavende’s murder and the Arab state’s supposed Affairs Ambassador Samie Al-Hamad had on Thursday workers, who can no longer return to their employers. Villavende indicating she was not just heavily tor- attempt to cover up the case. voiced Kuwait’s dismay at a Philippine government Hundreds of vacationers who were heading back to tured, but also sexually abused, which is contrary to The announcement came after Duterte recently decision to impose a total ban on the deployment of Kuwait after they had just concluded their Christmas the brief autopsy report of the Kuwaiti health min- announced that he was not keen on ordering the repa- workers to Kuwait. The Philippine move came in spite break are being held back in Manila by immigration istry, a POEA decision said. triation of Filipino workers from Kuwait. Results of the of the legal action taken by concerned Kuwaiti officers. “I have the papers and certificate of employ- National Bureau of Investigation’s examination of authorities in the aftermath of the killing of a Filipino ment in Kuwait. I have been with the company for 12 Vulnerable workers Villavende’s remains showed signs of sexual abuse on in Kuwait, Hamad said in a press statement. “As we years. I have a good salary and I do not have any Speaking to Kuwait Times, Estrelita Hizon the victim. There were also “old healed wounds” which express our extreme sorrow at this appalling crime, problem with my employer. They are treating us pretty explained why the balik mangagawa (returning indicate that Villavende had been battered weeks pri- which is uncommon in the Kuwaiti society and even well. Why am I now being included in the ban,” asked OFWs) semi-skilled workers were included. “They are or to her killing. Panelo said it seemed that the Kuwaiti against our Islamic values, the legal action taken Roland Gaspar David, who was supposed to be back also classified as vulnerable workers, so we decided to government is trying to conceal the truth. against the culprits - including arresting them and fil- to work as a line cook at a chain restaurant in Kuwait. include them as well in the ban. If their job category is “The result of the re-autopsy conducted by the ing a case with the Public Prosecution - reflects David was supposed to fly back via Qatar Airways included in the list, I suggest the only way is to make a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) indicates that Kuwait’s keenness on applying the law and ensuring from Clark International Airport in Pampanga, north of request and if the administrator of the POEA will overseas Filipino worker Jeanelyn Villavende was sex- justice to guarantee the safety and protection of all Manila on Friday when he was offloaded from the grant them permit, they can leave for work again in ually abused and sodomized,” he said. “The Kuwaiti those living on its soil, and that’s why it is a favorable flight. “I was advised by my boss to go to the main Kuwait; but again, no new hires will be permitted to government was attempting to hide the said circum- destination for people of different nationalities, office of the POEA in Manila and ask for exemption. I leave from all work categories, including semi-skilled stance when it gave us a general autopsy report that including Filipinos who are nearly a quarter million hope they will listen to me. My boss is also Filipino,” and skilled professionals,” Hizon explained. Asked for the cause of death was trauma and bruises all over her workers in number,” he said. Hamad wondered why he said. David took his annual leave from his work as the grounds for them to be permitted to go back to body,” he added. Philippine officials handle this case through mass chef to take advantage of the Christmas break. “If I their sponsors after spending vacation, he said: “If Panelo said the total deployment ban would not be media, rather than official methods, consultations and was able to fly back to Kuwait, I am expected to they were able to present to the Administrator (of the lifted unless Kuwait honors the 2018 labor deal with meetings, which Kuwait has always called for, and has return to work by January 19. But now, I am here and POEA) their case pretty well, maybe they will be per- the Philippines. He was referring to the memorandum even helped both sides overcome many obstacles and helpless,” he told Kuwait Times via phone. David said mitted to leave for work again in Kuwait,” he said. of agreement on the protection of OFWs in the Arab led to the signing of an agreement on domestic work- he was with three more workers who were all heading In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador country signed by the two countries on May 11, 2018. ers in 2018. The Kuwaiti official considered that such to Kuwait from Clark International Airport but were Panelo said Filipinos are now officially barred from “PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) is for a meetings are the optimum way to address the prob- all stopped by immigration officers last Friday. One seeking jobs in the Gulf state, following the killing of total ban until the memorandum of agreement lems of workers, revamp agreements and assess meas- was a hotel worker; another was a sales lady and the Filipino domestic worker Jeanelyn Padernal between the two countries is fully implemented and ures taken, thus averting any decisions or stances that third a salon worker, he said. Villavende. the terms contained therein are incorporated in could undermine bilateral relations. He concluded by Last Friday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “The Palace wishes to inform the public that every labor contract with our OFWs,” he said. The offering heartfelt condolences and sincere solace to gave the green light to the Department of Labor and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has approved the rec- labor pact between the Philippines and Kuwait was the family of the victim, restating that meetings Employment (DOLE) to impose a total deployment ommendation of Labor and Employment Secretary seen as a solution to end the persistent human rights between both countries’ officials are essential to ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait. Silvestre Bello III on the total deployment ban of violations committed by Kuwaiti employers against resolving these problems. List of semi-skilled workers banned from working in Kuwait 1. Aerobic instructress 23. Public work, worker 2. Attendants (gasoline station, food) 24. Restaurant workers, amusement park 3. Baker worker 4. Beader, embroider, dressmaker, sewer, 25. Sales representative cutter, seamstress 26. Saleslady, supermarket worker 5. Beautician, beauty consultants, make- 27. Sandwich maker, sweet maker up artists, medicinal, manicurist, hair- 28. Secretary dresser, hairstylist, nail technician 29. Service crew 6. Cashier 30. Skin care specialist 7. Chambermaid 31. Storekeeper 8. Checker 32. Telephone operator 9. Clerk 33. Waitress 10. Cook 11. Customer service assistant Low semi-skilled male workers 12. Dishwasher 1. Bartender 13. Flower arranger (florist) 2. Butcher 14. Guest relations officer (GRO), recep- 3. Carpenter tionist 4. Liaison officer 15. Helper 5. Machine operator 16. Janitress, cleaner 6. Mason 17. Kitchen helper 7. Master cutter 18. Laundry woman 8. Painter 19. Masseuse, reflexologist 9. Plumber 20. Merchandiser 10. Room boy 21. Poultry worker 11. Tailor 22. Printer, canvasser Jaber Causeway only for cyclists on Fridays By Meshaal Al-Enezi a legislation is passed to allocate special paths for cyclists, Ajmi added. KUWAIT: The Jaber Causeway will be In other news, Al-Kout municipality closed from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on emergency team recently filed two cita- Fridays on the side heading to Subbiya as tions for not showing prices of dis- the road will be allocated for bicycles’ use played items during a recent tour in only, Public Authority for Roads and Fahaheel, which included the fish mar- Transportation’s Official Spokesperson ket. In a similar inspection tour in Abdullah Al-Ajmi announced yesterday. Farwaniya, Al-Saddiq team filed eight This weekly closure will be temporary until different citations. KPC recruitment probe panel meets today By A Saleh for the secondary stage, and noted that those interviews had been rescheduled to avoid KUWAIT: The committee entrusted to inves- holding them during the midterm break. tigate suspected violations in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) appointments New students and promotions will meet today, said Kuwait University’s admission and regis- informed sources, noting that KPC CEO tration dean Dr Ali Faisal Al-Mutairi Hashem Hashem, executives, their deputies announced that the total number of students and managers of subsidiary companies have registered for the second semester due to been invited to attend the meeting. start next Sunday is 33,916 including 1,849 The sources added that the committee new recruits.
Recommended publications
  • Social Security for Overseas Filipino Workers in the Top Ten Countries of Destination
    1 SOCIAL SECURITY FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS IN THE TOP TEN COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION A Survey of Social Protection Mechanisms and Recommendations for Reform Center for Migrant Advocacy June 2012 With support from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Philippine Office 2 The Center for Migrant Advocacy – Philippines is an advocacy group that promotes the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos –land- and sea-based migrant workers, Filipino immigrants and their families. The Center works to help improve the economic, social and political conditions of migrant Filipino families through policy advocacy, information dissemination, networking, capacity-building, and direct assistance. We wish to thank Mikaela Robertson, Principal Researcher-Writer, Valentine Gavard-Suaire, Assistant Researcher/Writer, and Chandra Merry, Co-Editor. We also wish to extend our deepest thanks to Alfredo A. Robles Jr., Loreta Santos, Amado Isabelo Dizon III, Elryn Salcedo, Sylvette Sybico, Mike Bolos, Josefino Torres and Bridget Tan for the information that they provided for this report. Funding for this project was generously provided by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines takes full responsibility for the contents of this publication. Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) #15 Unit 7 CASAL Bldg, Anonas Road Project 3, Quezon City Philippines Tel. (+63 2) 990-5140 Telefax: (+63 2) 4330684 email: [email protected] website:www.centerformigrantadvocacy.com The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) is a German non-profit, private political foundation committed to the concepts and basic values of social democracy. The FES promotes democracy and social justice within the context of national societies as well as international cooperation.
    [Show full text]
  • Allocation of Remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers' (Ofws') Households in Cebu, Philippines Using the Personal and Family Financial Planning Framework"
    ALLOCATION OF REMITTANCES OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS' (OFWS') HOUSEHOLDS IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the School of Business and Economics University of San Carlos Cebu City, Philippines In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION by GALVEZ, KEVIN C. January 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research would not be possible without the involvement of the following: ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First of all, our Almighty Creator, for the wisdom, strength, and patience, He bestowed upon me and the instrumental people in completing the output. To my ever supportive adviser, Dr. Marissa Baldecir, CPA, for sharing her time and knowledge to improve my thesis and for always being there to guide me in the duration of this study. To the panelists, Dr. Melanie De Ocampo, Dr. Lauro Cipriano Silapan, and the chairman, Dr. Marites Khanser, for giving comments and suggestions helpful for the betterment of the output. To Mr. Rene Argenal, for helping me in the methodological and statistical aspect of the study. I would also like to extend my sincerest gratitude to To Ms. Evelia Durato, Director of POEA Regional Center for Visayas for granting my survey request and Ms. Marina Villaflores, Supervising CEO of POEA Region VII, for assisting me to conduct the survey within the office premises and Ms. Fenita Berdon, Public Information Officer of POEA Region VII, in retrieving the latest data for OFW deployment. To Ms. Wilfreda Misterio, Director of OWWA Region VII for approving my pretesting request and Mr. Reynaldo Jacalan for accommodating and assisting me during the pretesting of the research instrument held at OWWA Region VII office.
    [Show full text]
  • (Nitaqat) in Saudi Arabia and the Condition of Filipino Migrant Workers
    Journal of Identity and Migration Studies Volume 8, number 2, 2014 Nationalization Scheme (Nitaqat) in Saudi Arabia and the Condition of Filipino Migrant Workers Henelito A. SEVILLA, Jr.1 Abstract. The Philippines is one of few countries in the developing world that heavily relied on exporting its laborers to sustain its economic growth. Despite attempts by previous administrations to minimize sending Filipino workers abroad by improving working condition at home so that working abroad would no longer be compulsory but optional, many Filipinos continue to leave the country hoping to alleviate their families from poverty. This idea of working abroad has several implications for migrant workers especially in regions where labor policies are not clearly laid down and that rights and welfare of migrant workers are not protected. This paper seeks to elucidate the conditions of Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia which strictly implemented “Saudization”2 policy since 2011. In particular, the paper tries to address the following questions: What does “Saudization” (nitaqat) mean from Filipinos’ perspectives?; Who are affected by this policy and Why have OFWs been affected by such policy?; How did undocumented or illegal OFWs survive in previous years?; What policies they have implemented to counter it? This paper is centered on its main thesis that Saudi Nationalization policy, which is centered on solving socio-economic problems facing the young and unemployed population in several Gulf countries, has been the driver for these governments to strictly implement such a law and that many migrant workers including Filipinos working on specific areas together with undocumented ones are gravely affected.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on the Information Seeking Behaviour of Singapore‑Based Filipino Domestic Workers
    This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. A study on the information seeking behaviour of Singapore‑based Filipino domestic workers Sibal, Hannah Trinity; Foo, Schubert 2015 Sibal, H. T., & Foo, S. (2015). A study on the information seeking behaviour of Singapore‑based Filipino domestic workers. Information Development, 32(5), 1570‑1584. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/80644 https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666915615929 © 2015 The Authors (Published by SAGE Publications). This is the author created version of a work that has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication in Information Development, published by SAGE Publications on behalf of the authors. It incorporates referee’s comments but changes resulting from the publishing process, such as copyediting, structural formatting, may not be reflected in this document. The published version is available at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666915615929]. Downloaded on 04 Oct 2021 14:40:23 SGT Original Article A study on the information seeking behaviour of Singapore-based Filipino domestic workers Hannah Trinity Sibal Nanyang Technological University Schubert Foo Nanyang Technological University Abstract This research examines the information seeking and use behaviour of Filipino domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore who collectively make up around 40% of about 173,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in this city state. It is based on the premise that low-paid migrants are generally typecast as “information poor,” who are left with very common, limiting, and homogeneous information sources. The FDWs are drawn to their co-equals to form an information ground where they can exchange information serendipitously.
    [Show full text]
  • Parenting in Filipino Transnational Families Amethyst Reyes Taylor University of North Florida
    UNF Digital Commons UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations Student Scholarship 2008 Parenting in Filipino Transnational Families Amethyst Reyes Taylor University of North Florida Suggested Citation Taylor, Amethyst Reyes, "Parenting in Filipino Transnational Families" (2008). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 265. https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/265 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 2008 All Rights Reserved Parenting in Filipino 1 Running head: PARENTING IN FILIPINO TRANSNATIONAL FAMILIES PARENTING IN FILIPINO TRANSNATIONAL FAMILIES By Amethyst Reyes Taylor A thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY April, 2008 Unpublished work c Amethyst Reyes Taylor Parenting in Filipino 2 The thesis of Amethyst Reyes Taylor is approved: Date Signature Deleted (Dominik Guss:Ph.D.) Signature Deleted Committee Ch irperson (Ma. Teresa Tuason, Ph.D.) Signature Deleted Chairperson (Linda Foley, Ph.D.) Accepted for the College: Signature Deleted 4--;;22-o~ bean (Barbara Hetrick, Ph.D.) Signature Deleted Dean of Graduate Studies (David Fenner, Ph.D.) Parenting in Filipino iii Acknowledgements I would like to extend my appreciation to my thesis advisor, Dr. Tuason, for her guidance and mentorship during these past years. I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Giiss for his input and being a part of my committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Colonization and Its Impact on Female Migrant Workers
    E n g l i s h | 1 Western Colonization and Its Impact on Female Migrant Workers: The Study of Labor Management of Domestic Migrant Workers from Indonesia and the Philippines by Marhaennia English Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Departmental Honors in the Global Studies Major (Department of Political Science) Hood College April 2021 E n g l i s h | 2 Contents Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................ 4 Research Question .......................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Literature Review.......................................................................................................................... 10 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 13 Brief History of Western Colonization in the Philippines and Indonesia. .................................... 15 The Dutch Colonization in Indonesia (1595 – 1945) ................................................................ 17 Spanish Colonization in the Philippines (1521-1898) .............................................................. 21 The American Colonization in the Philippines (1898-1946) ...................................................
    [Show full text]
  • EVIDENCE REPORT No 120
    EVIDENCE REPORT No 120 IDSSexuality, Poverty and Law How Filipino LBTs Cope with Economic Disadvantage GALANG Philippines, Inc. February 2015 The IDS programme on Strengthening Evidence-based Policy works across seven key themes. Each theme works with partner institutions to co-construct policy-relevant knowledge and engage in policy-influencing processes. This material has been developed under the Sexuality, Poverty and Law theme. The development of this material has been led by the Institute of Development Studies and GALANG Philippines, Inc. who jointly hold the copyright. The material has been funded by UK aid from the UK Government, however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government’s official policies. AG Level 2 Output ID: 230 HOW FILIPINO LBTS COPE WITH ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE GALANG Philippines, Inc. February 2015 This is an Open Access publication distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are clearly credited. First published by the Institute of Development Studies in February 2015 © Institute of Development Studies/GALANG Philippines, Inc. 2015 IDS is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (No. 877338). Contents Abbreviations 2 Introduction 3 1 Methodology, scope and limitations 5 2 Case study: how Filipino LBTs cope with economic disadvantage 7 2.1 Gaps between labour policies and workplace realities 7 2.2 Migration as an option
    [Show full text]
  • International Labor Migration: a Responsible Role for Business
    International Labor Migration: A Responsible Role for Business October 2008 www.bsr.org International Labor Migration: A Responsible Role for Business October 2008 About BSR: A leader in corporate responsibility since 1992, BSR works with its global net- work of more than 250 member companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. With offices inAsia, Europe and North America, BSR leverages its expertise in environment, human rights, eco- nomic development, and transparency and accountability to guide global companies toward creating a just and sustainable world. Visit www.bsr.org for more information. About Migration Linkages: Migration Linkages is an initiative to help protect the rights of migrant workers who are moving between developing countries. We do this by connecting multi- national companies and suppliers with civil society, international organizations, labor unions, and governments to build transparency around the global migration system and advance respon- sible business practices. For more information, contact [email protected]. International Labor Migration: A Responsible Role for Business © Copyright 2008 BSR Cover photography: Notice Board, Sonapur by Mohamed Somji, 2008 Making Jeans by Hexodus, www.flickr.com/photos/dsnet/2672575811/ Untitled, Chad Bolick, 2006 Acknowledgments: This Trends Report was written by Racheal Yeager, and the Philippines Case Study was written by Chris Nolan. Jeremy Prepscius, Tara Rangarajan, Ayesha Khan and Chad Bolick also contributed to this report. The research and writing of this report was made possible by generous funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Several of the photographs used in this report were taken by Mohamed Somji, a freelance photojournalist based in Dubai who has been working on an independent body of work on the migrant workers in the UAE.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents Table of Contents
    Table of Contents of Contents Table List of Tables v List of Figures vii List of Text Boxes vii List of Annexes vii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations viii Foreword xi Preface xii Acknowledgements xiii Executive Summary xiv I. Background of the Study 1 A. Research Objectives 1 B. Research and Survey Methodology 2 1. Baseline Survey and Sampling for Italy-based Filipinos 3 2. Data Analysis and Focus Group Discussions 4 3. Research Validation 4 C. Scope and Limitations of the Study 4 II. The Context of Migration in Italy and the Filipino Migrant 6 A. The Italian Context 6 1. Demographics of the Migrant Population in Italy 6 2. Salient Features of Present Immigration Laws in Italy 8 B. Profile of Filipinos in Italy 11 1. Recording Available Migration Data about Filipinos in Italy 11 2. Issues and Challenges in Philippines–Italy Migration 12 III. The Remittance Environment in Italy and in the Philippines 17 A. Overview of the Italy–Philippines Remittance Corridor 17 B. Remittance Policy and Market Environment in Italy 19 1. Informality of Remittance Channels 19 2. The Banking and Remittance Regulatory Environment 20 3. Anti-Money Laundering Law and Other Security Measures 21 C. Remittance Policy and Market Environment in the Philippines 23 1. Remittances and Migration Profile of the Philippines 23 2. Remittance Transaction Costs for the Italy–Philippines Corridor 26 IV. Survey Findings on the Remittance Behaviour of Filipinos in Italy 28 A. Demographic Profiles of Surveyed Filipino Remitters 28 B. Migration History and Current Occupation 30 C. Frequency, Amounts and Beneficiaries 32 D.
    [Show full text]
  • Assisting the Reintegration of Philippine Return Migrants Through Mobile Technology a Submission to the Geneva Challenge 2015
    Assisting the Reintegration of Philippine Return Migrants through Mobile Technology A Submission to the Geneva Challenge 2015 Frances Antoinette Cruz, University of the Philippines, Diliman Janina Clare Tan, University of the Philippines, Diliman Yvan Ysmael Yonaha, University of the Philippines, Diliman This paper presents a proposed policy on the use of mobile technology to consolidate information and the needs of return migrants who have settled in the Philippines temporarily or for good. The Philippine government offers a number of programs aimed to facilitate the return of former overseas workers, although these are often disparate and uncoordinated, exacerbated by the lack of concrete information about return migrant population. Our project aims to address the gaps in information and services by providing integrated platforms through built-in USSD (unstructured supplementary service data) codes for cellphones and applications containing phone services and updates on pertinent information concerning return migrants. These technologies provide links between various entrepreneurial, employment and educational opportunities, which return migrants can use to improve their skills and/or capital. 1 Table of Contents 1. Introduction …………………………………………………………….3 1.1 The Situation of Return Migrants ……………………………………4 1.2 Challenges to Development Policies on Return Migrants ……………6 1.3 Existing Policies and Opportunities …………………………………7 2. Technology and Development ………………………………………..8 2.1 Models of Technology and Development …………………………..10 2.2 Return
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of HIV/AIDS on an Overseas Filipino Worker and His Family
    Blackwell Science, LtdOxford, UKAFMAsia Pacific Family Medicine1444-1683© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia and WoncaJune 200322120125Original ArticleImpact of HIV/AIDS on an overseas workerAGF Valencia and GLA Nicomedes Asia Pacific Family Medicine 2003; 2: 120–125 FOCUS ON FAMAILIES Impact of HIV/AIDS on an overseas Filipino worker and his family Antonio Guido F. VALENCIA and Gary Louie A. NICOMEDES Department of Family and Community Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of The Philippines, Manila, The Philippines Brief medical background symptoms (cough paroxysms, anorexia, weight loss, fever, night sweats and chills) after completion of the JD was a 42-year-old male from Cavite, the Philippines 6-month treatment for PTB with symptom resolution. who was referred to the Research Institute for Tropical An assessment of HIV infection category C was given Medicine (RITM) for further management of progres- on the basis of a positive HIV confirmatory test and sive dyspnea secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis having AIDS indicator conditions (i.e., PTB and Pneu- (PTB). As part of the Family and Community Medicine mocystis carinii pneumonia,Tables 1,2).1 Residency Training Program in our institution, I He was given the appropriate antibiotics. The fam- underwent a rotation at the RITM, where I first met JD ily was worked-up for PTB. The youngest daughter was on 21 April 2002. screened positive for PTB and appropriate therapy was JD was previously diagnosed to have, and treated initiated. JD’s wife, ND, was screened negative for HIV, for PTB, in September 2001. Symptoms resolved dur- but repeat screening after 6 months was advised.
    [Show full text]
  • The Economic Crisis and Overseas Filipinos’ Remittances: Learning to Build a Future Back Home
    THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS’ REMITTANCES: LEARNING TO BUILD A FUTURE BACK HOME Imelda Nicolas* Introduction The Philippines has emerged as one of the world’s major migrant-sending countries, together with Mexico, China, and India. Our latest data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas stock estimates show that as of December 2010, 9.45 million Filipinos are living overseas worldwide, 47 percent of whom (4.42 million) are per- manent residents, 45 percent (4.32 million) are temporary migrants, commonly known as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and 7 percent (705 000) are irregular. They are spread out in more than 210 countries and territories (CFO 2010). TABLE 1 STOCK ESTIMATE OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS (as of December 2010) Total: 9 452 984 Overseas Filipino Workers 4.32M (45%) Permanent Migrants 4.42M (47%) Irregular Migrants 0.71M (8%) Source: CFO (2010). The data likewise demonstrate that the Philippines has gone beyond labor migration. Many Filipinos leave the country for a wide variety of reasons ranging from the intent to marry to family reunification, from educational to professional advancement, from business to investment opportunities. * Cabinet-rank secretary of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Office of the President of the Philippines, www.cfo.gov.ph/[email protected]. 122 IMELDA NICOLAS Remittances and the Philippine Economy According to the World Bank’s Migration and Development Factbook (2011), the Philippines now ranks fourth globally in terms of remittances, with the top three remittance-receiving countries identified as India, China, and Mexico. From the same World Bank report, we note that remittances constitute 10.7 per- cent of the Philippines’ 2010 gross domestic product (GDP), the highest of any country in Southeast Asia and the twenty-first highest in the world.
    [Show full text]