ofw info: Newsbits

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Newsbits

Garcia to give up Meralco bid if power rates reduced by 20%
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President Winston F. Garcia vowed yesterday to back off from his bid for a takeover of the management of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on the condition that the Lopez family, its owners, agrees to reduce electricity rates by 20 percent within the next two months.
Senate action on 200 bills sought
House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles urged the Senate yesterday to act on nearly 200 local bills that were already transmitted by the House of Representatives once Congress resumes session next month.
More schoolbuildings finished soon
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to complete within this month 223 additional schoolbuildings to augment the number of educational facilities nationwide.
BoC told to step up collection
President Arroyo has ordered the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to boost its revenue collection to achieve its target for the year and contain a ballooning budget deficit.
DepEd chief tells schools: Plant trees
Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus has directed all public and private schools nationwide to plant trees to mitigate the effects of global warming.

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Philippines Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

Sending Workers Abroad. Manolo Abella. Examines the role played by the state and private sector in organizing labour migration It explores the question of whether, and how, migrant workers should be controlled and regulated to safeguard the interests of the sending state without infringing the basic rights of the individual.

WHAT I.L.O. CAN Do?

The ILO can offer countries of origin advice on many aspects of labour migration, including training on labour policy and management. Usually we work with the Ministry of Labour or with a ministry that has been created for overseas employment — as well as with employers, trade unions and migrant workers organizations.

Among other things, we can assist countries in their efforts to integrate labour migration issues with other key economic and social concerns, including employment, national and local economic development, education and skills development, and gender empowerment

LABOUR MIGRATION IN ASIA ROLE OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND MOUs

Major issues to be covered in BAs

Exchange of information

Recruitment, testing and certification of applicants Sectors, quotas, duration, possibility of renewal

Employment contracts and conditions of work

Provisions to deal with migrant workers in irregular status

Dispute settlement

Social security arrangements

Return provisions

Jurisdiction and enforcement: Joint review committees

Diversity of agreements

Bilateral labour agreements

Memorandum of understanding: MOU (common in Asia)

Statements of mutual labour cooperation or informal assurances

Bilateral social security agreements

Anti- trafficking agreements:

Mekong subregion; Thailand with neighbours.

Agreements between labour-sending countries:

Philippines and Indonesia

Model employment contracts

Objectives of BAs and MOUs in Asia

Sending countries

To ensure continued access to labour markets of receiving countries.

Reduce domestic unemployment pressures

Ensure protection of migrant workers’ rights and welfare.

Earn foreign