Still searching for our own identity

Ako ay Pilipino. But what does it mean to be a Filipino? What values do I uphold? What am I known for? What do I contribute to society? Am I really proud to be a Filipino? It’s weird but when I ask people these questions, I get answers such as “I am Filipino because I love lechon and bagoong.” Others would reply, “We are known for being domestic helpers in Hong Kong, labourers in Saudi… ” Oops! That’s not good. // Bless Salonga

RP labor delegation holds successful talks in Australia

The Philippine Embassy in Canberra reported recently that a labor delegation had successful exploratory talks with Australian officials from November 23 to 28. The group talked with the Australian officials in Canberra regarding the training and deployment of Philippine nurses to Australia, and putting the finishing touches to a draft Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation between the Philippines and South Australia [...]

Philippines re-elected to IMO Council

The Philippines was re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category “C” during the 26th Session of the IMO Assembly held on November 27, Philippine Ambassador to London Antonio M. Lagdameo reported.

The Philippines obtained 124 votes and placed fifth in a field of 26 candidate-states vying for 20 seats. It has been a member of the IMO since 1964, and started serving in the Council in 1997.

Category “C” is composed of states which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation, and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

The other countries elected in Category “C” are Singapore, Turkey, Cyprus, Indonesia, Malta, Egypt, Nigeria, Malaysia, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Denmark, Bahamas, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Australia, Jamaica, Belgium, and Thailand.

Noting that Filipinos account for more than 20 percent of the world’s maritime manpower, Ambassador Lagdameo said, “The IMO shall always be an important international organization where the Philippines intends to be active. As the primary source of globally competitive seafarers, we have to be in the IMO Council in order to advocate for better treatment and conditions for the world’s seafarers.”

The Philippines has been widely recognized as the voice of the seafarers.

“Our re-election to the Council would not have been possible without the support and trust given by an overwhelming number of governments represented in IMO for which we shall always be grateful,” he added.

The IMO Assembly is expected to conclude its session by December 4 after reviewing all the recommendations submitted by its various committees and sub-committees.

Its primary committee, the Maritime Safety Committee, is chaired by Filipino diplomat Neil Frank Ferrer.

The IMO is the United Nation’s specialized agency on maritime issues. Its primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.

Source: Department of Foreign Affairs

Consulate mission in New Caledonia

The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney conducted a mission to New Caledonia recently to provide consular services and to register Filipino overseas absentee voters (OAV) residing in this island. New Caledonia is an island territory of France, located 2000 kilometers east of the coast of Queensland. The island has an area of 18,575 square [...]

Consulate to undertake mission to New Caledonia

The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney will undertake a special consular mission to the French overseas territory of New Caledonia to provide consular services to Filipinos in this South Pacific island 1,200 kilometers east of the coast of Queensland. The mission, which will be led by Consul General Eva G. Betita [...]

457 visa changes reduce migrant numbers intake, but healthcare workers still in demand

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans gave assurance that the temporary visa skilled workers program will not be used to undermine local labour. He said that the number of applications for subclass 457 visas lodged last month was the lowest rate in four years [...]

Skilled migrant numbers slashed

In our previous article about Australia’s 457 visa program, we wrote that “Australia cannot be any different from other countries tending to be more inward looking in times of recession.” It looks like our apprehension came sooner than expected. During the weekend, it was reported that next week’s federal budget will reduce the general skilled migration intake for next financial year by about 7,000 to 108,000 [...]

Higher English score now implemented

The language requirement for all subclass 457 trades and chef applicants has been raised, effective yesterday, in response to concerns about the exploitation of workers from non-English speaking countries. A DIAC spokesperson said increasing the existing language requirement from International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 4.5 to IELTS 5 would align the subclass 457 English standard [...]

Australia announces changes to 457 visa program

The Australian Government announced yesterday seven major changes to the Subclass 457 visa program. The measures included indexation of the minimum salary level by 4.1% on 1 July 2009, implementation of a market based minimum salary, increasing the existing minimum language requirement [...]

Government releases draft employer obligations for overseas workers

The Rudd Government recently released draft regulations outlining new sponsorship obligations for employers of temporary skilled overseas workers on Subclass 457 visas.

A panel of industry, union and state government representatives will now begin assessing the proposed new regulations to provide feedback to government.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said advice from the Skilled Migration Consultative Panel will assist the Government to finalise the sponsorship obligations that will apply to all employers of Subclass 457 visa holders.

The employer obligations were drafted following the Visa Subclass 457 Integrity Review conducted by industrial relations expert Barbara Deegan last year.

Proposed employer obligations to be considered by the panel include:

* Payment of a minimum salary to Subclass 457 visa holders
* Payment of return travel costs for visa holders and their spouses
* Cooperating with inspectors exercising powers under the Worker Protection Act.

Senator Evans said the Government is considering basing the minimum wage for Subclass 457 visa holders on the market rate paid to Australian workers employed in similar positions.

‘Paying market rates for Subclass 457 visa holders will effectively make them a more expensive option for employers,’ Senator Evans said.

‘This will ensure that temporary skilled overseas workers are not employed ahead of local workers or used to undermine Australian wages and conditions.

‘The principle of the Subclass 457 visa scheme is to supplement – not replace – the local workforce when there are serious skills shortages.

‘The scheme is not to be used to employ overseas workers at the expense of local labour.’

Senator Evans said that application rates for Subclass 457 visas in January 2009 were 31 per cent lower than in September 2008, reflecting the change in economic conditions. The declines were most pronounced in the construction, mining and manufacturing sectors.

‘The 457 visa program is a demand driven scheme and it is showing that it is responding to the changes in the labour market,’ Senator Evans said.

The draft regulations also propose removing the requirement for employers to cover health care costs for temporary overseas workers.

Instead, Subclass 457 visa holders will be required to take out private health insurance at their own expense and cover any school expenses for their children.

Under the Worker Protection Act passed late last year, employers who fail to satisfy a sponsorship obligation may face administrative sanctions and/or pecuniary penalties of up to $33 000 from September 2009.

The Subclass 457 visa program is an uncapped scheme driven by labour market demand for employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers in Australia for up to four years.

Source: Minister for Immigration and Citizenship website