The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

T he Of fici al P u bli ca ti on of Fil i pin o EPS W or kers Ass oc ia ti o n - So u th K o rea (F EW A )

EPS ) EPS ( ( )
Issue 20 November December 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org

Volume 2

NOT FOR SALE

People and God-centered Association

OFW-KOREA-2006-001

A blessed Christmas to all my friends, co-officers, and readers of Sulyapinoy. Another year have pass in our lives and I am thankful that FEWA/Sulyapinoy is still going strong despite all the ups and downs the group encountered throughout the year. This holiday seasons, I wish that all the volunteers, members and believers of FEWA will always be there to support the group. It has been six years when FEWA was formed, aiming to improve the welfare of all Filipino workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS) and four years when Sulyapinoy was established that aims to give reliable information regarding all labor, immigration, and even news from our embassy that will help all the Filipinos in Korea. Keeping the Torch Burning is not an easy task to all the officers of FEWA/Sulyap oftentimes we rush for every hour that we have just to make sure that the group can released a presentable newsletter that will be beneficial to all. Collecting all the information is not just one click away, each contributor needs to make it a point that, they are giving the right and exact information to avoid confusion to all those who will read the newsletter. Some think of inspirational words of wisdom, hoping that it will help our kababayans overcome homesickness and all the difficulties in their work. Giving the accurate thing to do in order to solve ones problem in work, where to ask help and who to ask legal assistance are some of the volunteer works the group gave to some distressed Filipino workers. But to some they found home and second family in FEWA, a friend who listens, and gives advice a brother/sister, who celebrates in special occasion in our lives that as much as we want is to spend it together with our family. FEWA is not all about labor issues, the group also held recreational activities not just for its member but to all who wants to join and be a part of it. Some of it is the yearly summer outing wherein everyone got the chance to relax and enjoy, a sportfest where every individual can get the chance to play the kind of sports that we seldom play because of our busy days. This also gave the chance to interact with each other in a healthy way. All I wish for FEWA and Sulyapinoy is to remain strong and to have more dedicated members that will continue all the good start the former officers had started. To stay as a GOD centered organization, and to overcome all the obstacles that we may encounter in the future. I am also saying thank you and, Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all whove been there for the group giving their full support. To all the Filipino community who have the same goal, to every individual who shared their time, talents and abilities for the association. Indeed you are the Living Modern Heroes. Again, MALIGAYA , MAPAGPALANG PASKO at MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON sa ating lahat! BENJIE DEL MUNDO FEWA PRESIDENT A Blessed Day to Everyone!!! As the Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA) main objective is the general welfare of all Filipino migrant workers in South Korea. Under this objective, Sulyapinoy Newsletter was born as the official publication of its own to serve as The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes and bridge to the unification of all EPS workers and other Filipino migrant in South Korea considering the fact that its population has been gradually increasing every year. FEWA is an active and well established association of Filipino workers in South Korea under Employment Permit System (EPS) and was the first officially registered Filipino OFW association by the Philippine Embassy through its office known as Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) with registration number OFW-Korea-2006-001. In four years of delivering news and information to our fellow Filipino migrants working in Korea, up to date labor issues that may affect the working status and life of individual, Sulyapinoy is there with you. With our objectives thru honest, credible, and balanced reportage, we will continue to serve more with dedication, passion and heart to volunteer. Sulyapinoy and FEWA as its new objective to create a centralized, up to date, and credible news thru community partnership as its goal to strengthen the ties of all Fili pino Community in South Korea, and delivers information to the concerned agencies in the community. Sa Ika-Apat na Taon ng Taos Pusong Paglilingkod, kami po sa FEWA at Sulyapinoy ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong suporta, at asahan ninyo na mas pagbubutihin pa namin ang aming adhikain para sa kababa yang Pilipino. Maraming, maraming salamat po at Maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat. NOEL JOSEPH ALVAREZ SULYAPINOY BOARD OF PUBLICATION CHAIRMAN

SULYAPINOY is accepting cash donations for its monthly printing expenses. You may deposit them @ Account #: 1002 640 334730 / Acct Name: Marcelino M. / Bank: Woori Bank - Hyehwa-dong Branch

First I would like to greet all of you in this group a peaceful and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and to all fellow Filipinos in South Korea. It seems as if it had been just a few days ago when we talked and made a plan for the group, but it s already December. Times goes fast that there s not enough time to fulfill our last goals for the year. As we look back from the past 3 months we spent, it is filled with excitement and fulfillment though there are times of feeling regret for what we have done wrong. But these made us stronger to make a stand and become more careful in our decision-making. Consequently we have become more dedicated to what we are doing and more united in everything. To my fellow members, I know how much time you give to serve our group and how much you love to serve our fellow Filipinos here in South Korea. You re helping without asking for anything in return. I know God sees what you are doing and He will bless you for being such a good person. I am hoping that what you have started, your commit-

ment to the group will not change and you may bring it wherever you are. We should not scale back our help for people needs us nor scale back our concern for the association. You ve been part of this group and being part of this you are highly needed for the accomplishment of the group s mission. Without you members, leaders can do nothing
There are five words I would like to share to you.

Saying thank you as an expression of gratitude Saying good job as a compliment for things well done Saying sorry as a heartfelt apology for a mistake or wrong doing Saying its ok as an acceptance of peoples shortcomings Saying I love you as an expression of love to the members and friends Again, best wishes to every one! ! !
D I S C L A I M E R
Different opinions are encourage to stimulate member input and involvement. SULYAPINOY s role is to provide information that permits FEWA members to develop informed opinions on subjects that will affect their status as migrant workers and, in some instances, their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of FEWA unless so For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions & Advertisements e-mail: editorialstaff@sulyapinoy.org or sulyap.editorialstaff@gmail.com SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine Press Code of Ethics We reserve the right to refuse any submission we deem does not meet our policies and guidelines.

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November December 2011

The 4th Leaders Forum (with the participation of all the leaders from different communities and groups and which was recognized by Labor Attach Felicitas Q Bay,) was held last December 03, 2011 at the 2nd floor multi-purpose hall of the Philippine Embassy. The coverage of the said forum was about the following;

Obtaining higher license than craftsman in the field of work or having made a higher annual income than the filled average over the recent one year. License, the original and duplicate copy of the license higher than craftsman in certain sectors issued by HRD Korea. Income requirement

Qualified

A. Labor Updates

Minimum wage for 2012 Hourly rate KRW 4,580 Daily rate (8hrs/day) KRW 36,340 Monthly rate (40 hr workweek or 209hrs/month) KRW 957,220 Monthly rate(44 hr workweek or 226hrs/month KRW 1,035,080 Special EPS-TOPIK for Re-hired Workers I. Qualifications

Higher

Verified with the withholding tax receipt. Total annual income will be investigated.

than the average in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock and fishery over the past year.

Korean Language Skill or Social Integration Program

Submit the record card of level 3 or higher issued by Social

the National Institute for International Education (NIIE) Integration Program-415 hours of Korean language course and 50 hours of cultural comprehension course of Korea

Re-employment

Age requirement is from 18 to 38 on the closing day

once a quarter at the sending countries computer based testing center II. Candidate Countries

foreign workers who voluntarily returned home with their employment period granted by the MOEL (applicable to departures after 01 January 2011)- Re-employed means after the second sojourn of their 3 years to complete the 5 years and 10 months or 3 years after plus 1 year and 10 months. of registration

Available

the certificate of completion of social integration program issued by the Chief Immigration Office which has jurisdiction over the place of your residence. Quota by Company

Submit

The maximum number of employees to hire as E-7

worker will be set within the scope of one tenth of quota by industry and company under the EPS (5 manufacturing and construction, 3 agriculture, livestock and fishery)

Vietnam and Thailand

cooperation between the sending and receiving country. III. Incentives

Efficient

Why Vietnam and Thailand only? Why Philippine is not included? Because Vietnam and Thailand has a computer based testing center and these are the countries which has the large number of voluntary return. Philippine has no computer based testing center yet and with a small number of voluntary return.

F-2-6

E-9,

Who 32

E-10, H-2 who have a record of 4 years and legal stay during the last 10 year period. has achieved a certified technician license of higher from HRD Korea. million won earning as of previous year (yearly earning)

Shortening the re-entry period Permission to ask for former employees

previously worked for more than a year

who had

KLPT 3rd grade or higher (level 3 or higher) With a bankbook, with balance of 20 million won or
higher for more than 1 year. Bill No. 13525

Exemption from preliminary job training Policy guidance on granting professional work status to skilled foreign workers E-9 to E-7. Qualifications: (must fulfill all of the following)

Bill on re-entry employment Proponent, Kang Sungcheon and 9 other congress-

Lawfully working in manufacturing, construction or With enough remaining residence period (legitimate Excluding those G-1 Excluding those who returned to the home country
after the work contract expired. residents only) 3~4 months and above. agriculture, livestock and fishery for 4 years or more within the past 10 years.

men Statistic

No. of Filipinos in Korea as of September 2011------182(11,854) No. of EPS workers as of September 2011--------26,227(5,326) No. of EPS workers admitted, January to Nov 2011--------3,108 No. of EPS workers refused admission--------------------------13 No. of EPS workers who absconded at the airport---------------4 No. of EPS workers who failed to return home after sojourn No.
period expired (as of August 2011--------------------------1,803 of EPS workers whose sojourn will expire between September to December 2011------ ----------------------------2,889 Voluntary departure---------------------------------------------63 Deportation through crackdown----------------------------1,021

Age

Diploma issued by academic institutions higher than Certified by the Korean in the home country.
junior or certificate of graduation containing the fact of degree earned.

less than 35 with higher degree than junior college.

Deportation Statistic (KIS), January to September 2011

November December 2011

www.sulyapinoy.org

Continued on page 4

By: Rigoberto Banta, Jr. Public Relations Officer Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea, Inc.

It was a gathering not only of Filipino talent, but one that reflects the close ties of the Filipino communities in South Korea. The Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea, Incorporated held the Himig Pasko Tinig Pinoy: The PIKO Christmas Song Festival, yesterday, December 4, 2011 at Tongseong Highschool Auditorium, Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. Different Filipino communities from South Korea participated in the said event from Incheon to the north down to Changwon in the South. With 21 contestants to represent different communities in South Korea, this event can be considered to be a gathering not only of students but migrants alike in light of the yuletide season. Considered to be one of the major events of the year for Filipino migrants in South Korea, PIKO members, led by Ramon Christian Eusebio, President of PIKO envisioned an event that shares a sense of community amongst Filipinos in South Korea. As Christmas is fast approaching, PIKO aimed to provide an event that shares the spirit of the Filipino celebration amongst Filipinos and foreigners present in the event as well. The student-led event represented great expectations from organizations and institutions that supported them. PIKO is the only student association recognized by the Philippine Embassy, and with the support of the said institution, PIKO was able to make the event possible. It is the first time for the student-led organization to hold an event of such scale. With the active participation of all the members, the event held by the 300-member strong student body was a success. It was unique in a way that the Filipino youth in South Korea had opened an initiative to dialogue with other communities through this event. Not only does PIKO participate actively in different initiatives for Filipinos in South Korea but has proven that they can be a good host as well. Himig Pasko is supported as well by the Seoul Global Center

David Danclride Buctor ( 4 years old) , shown here belting a Filipino Christmas song supported by his family and friends, overwhelmingly won the People s Choice Award.

through Water Drop. Water Drop is a community based on multiculturalism and has presented a multicultural fashion show in Himig Pasko, a rare treat for Filipino migrants. They showcased different traditional costumes from different countries and it was topped with the multicultural women wearing the tradition Hanbok all together. The contrast of the fashion show to the singing contest turned out to be effective and should be continued in the future as well, with both of it having the same vision of sharing with migrants in South Korea. Out of the 21 contestants, Lerma Goce of Asian Gospel Light Community won the competition who brought home the cash prize of KRW 1,000,000 and the certificate from PIKO. Mary J ane J overez of International Paul Church won 2nd place, Antonio Sacapanio of El Shaddai DWXI won 3rd place and Alex Custodio of EPS Filipino Workers Association won 4th place. Amongst the special prizes, the 4-year old David Danclride Buctor of FILSDAK overwhelmingly won the People s Choice Award while Antonio Sacapanio won the Best Concept Award. Overall, the event was a great opportunity to bridge the student -led Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea to other communities in South Korea. With this success, PIKO hopes to continue to organize such events in the future.

continued from page 3 (Leaders Forum)

II Consular Updates
For E-Passport Delivery Requirements Complete Name Complete Address Telephone Number

To those who live very far from Seoul like Gimhae, Jeju, Gunsan, Galsan, Pusan and Daegu and want to renew their passport, the embassy is giving a special group service. There should be at least 40 applicants and 2 months before the expiration period of your passport. Bring a copy of passport. For the information needed just call the hotline number 010-9385-0535 and look for Ms Elaine Diza.

Requisition of Citizenship (RA 9225)

Applies to those who acquired foreign citizenship only Natural born Filipino Documents: BC/Naturalization Order/ Foreign Passport/Marriage Certificate/ 8 copies of photos Processing: 5 working days Oath Taking: Order of Approval; Certificate of Identity

Fee: US $ 50.00, Child-US $25.00 Optional: Apply E-Passport

Consular Team

ATN/Death/Dual - Jerry Yambao Passport - Mr. Rolly Salazar/Elaine Diza Report of Birth/Errors - Elaine Diza Marriages/TD - Paul Fiedecan National/Certification - Elaine Diza Authentication - Bobby dela Cruz Visa - Rommel Quilang Cashier - Erlinda Yamat Cultural - Mylo Fausto Window Processor - Mr. Ramon Tirona

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November December 2011

By: Benjie del Mundo

Isa sa mga maipagmamalaking kaugalian nating mga Pilipino ay ang pagtanaw natin ng UTANG NA LOOB. Pagbabalik sa mga kabutihan na natanggap natin mula sa ibang tao. Taong 2009 nang mapag-usapan ng mga opisyales ng FEWA kung anong proyekto ang maaaring gawin ng asosasyon upang makatulong at maibahagi ang mga biyaya na tinatamasa nating mga Pilipino dito sa bansang Korea. Napagkasunduan ng mga officers na magbigay tulong sa mga paaralan na hindi masyado naabot ng tulong ng ating pamahalaan. Dito nag simula ang BALIKTANAW PROJ ECT. Nagsimulang lumikom ng pondo ang FEWA sa pamamagitan ng pagaambag ng bawat miyembro upang makalikom ng sapat na halaga na maaring ibili ng anumang gamit pampaaralan na makakatulong sa bawat estudyante ng mapipiling pagbigyan. Nakalikom ang grupo ng sapat na salapi at ibinili ito ng isang computer set na maaring gamitin ng isang paaralan sa mas mahabang panahon. DANCALAN CAIMAWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sa GUINAYANGAN, QUEZ ON ang kauna-unahang naging benepisyaryo ng BALIKTANAW PROJ ECT ng grupo. Sa munting paraan at maliit na bagay na ito napasaya ng asosasyon ang mga mag-aaral ng nasabing paaralan at ipinaabot ang taos pusong pasasalamat sa bumubuo ng FEWA. Taong 2010 ng mapinsala ang Pilipinas ng bagyong Ondoy, sa kalamidad na ito marami sa mga kababayan natin ang nasalanta. Kabuhayan, tirahanan at higit sa lahat ay ang kakulangan sa pangunahing pangangaila -ngan kung kaya dito nagbigay ng atensyon ang BALIKTANAW PROJ ECT ng FEWA. Lumapit ang grupo sa bawat kaibigan kakilala upang humingi ng tulong na maaring ipadala sa mga kababayan natin na nasalanta.Mga damit (luma man o bago),pagkain at kahit ano pang mga gamit na makakatulong upang maitawid ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino ang buhay nila matapos ang bagyo.Nakalikom ang grupo sa tulong na rin ng mga kaibigan na taos-pusong nagbahagi ng kanilang biyaya at ito y kaagad na ipinadala sa Pilipinas.

Ngayong 2011, isa na namang paaralan ang nais na bahagian ng grupo ng munting tulong. At upang mas marami ang matulungan napagkasunduan ng FEWA officers at sa tulong ng mga kababayan natin boluntaryong nagbigay ng panahon at oras, na ilunsad ang 10 won campaign. Layunin ng kampanya na ito na mangalap ng mga barya mula sa mga miyembro at sa mga kababayan dito sa Korea upang mas mapalawak ang tulong na maibigay sa isang paaralan/ estudyante na maaring makinabang sa proyekto.At ito ay AETA YOUTH sa CAPAZ , TARLAC kung saan malaki ang kakulangan sa mga pasilidad at gamit pampaaralan. Maliit na halaga lamang ang ito para sa iba sa atin pero kapag napagsama-sama natin maganda at maayos na buhay ang maaring maibigay natin . Kaya humihingi ng tulong ang FEWA sa lahat ng ating kababayan na sana y suportahan ang proyektong itoAt laging tandaan na anumang maliit na bagay, kapag pinagsama-sama maaari tayong makapagbigay pagbabago ng isang buhay.

Para sa kaalaman ng mga Pilipino sa South Korea, mahigit sa isang libong katao na ang kumpirmadong namatay sa nakaraang bagyong Sendong. Ayon kay Sen. Benito Ramos, Executive Director ng Civil Defense Office, 650 ang natagpuang patay sa Cagayan de Oro, 283 sa Iligan City at and iba ay mula sa mga karatig na bayan. Ang Pilipinas ay kasalukuyang nasa state of national calamity. Sikapin po natin na magbigay ng donasyon sa Pilipinas.

Para sa mga nagnanais na alamin ang kalagayan ng kanilang mga kapamilya o kamag-anak sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyong Sendong, maari pong makipagugnayan sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center sa mga sumusunod:
NDRRMC OpCen telefax: (+632) 911-1406; 912-2665; 912-5668 NDRRMC Secretariat: (+632) 912-0441; 912-5947 Office of the Administrator Office of Civil Defense: (+632) 912-2424 Email: dopcen@ndcc.gov.ph; dopcenbackup@gmail.com Website: www.ndrrmc.gov.ph

November December 2011

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November December 2011

Malugod kong binabati ang lahat ng mga bumubuo ng SULYAPINOY ng isang maligaya at matagumpay na anibersaryo. Tunay nga na kahanga-hanga ang inyong pagpupunyagi maiangat ang kamalayan, at mabigyan ng mga mahahalaga at angkop na impormasyon ang mga Pilipino sa bangsang Korea, lalot higit ang sector ng mga manggagawa, hinggil sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa kanilang usaping paggawa. Sa Patnugot, mga manunulat at iba pang mga sangkot upang mailimbag ang babasahing ito, maraming salamat. Batid kong ito ay malaking sakripisyo dahil bukod sa inyong pinagkakaabalahang hanapbuhay, kayo ay naglalaan ng panahon para ditto na walang hinihintay na kapalit. Kayo ay aking binabati at pinasasalamatan dahil inyong ibinabahagi ang talentong ipinagkaloob sa inyo ng Diyos. Tunay nga kayong mga bayani. Sa mga nagbabasa at tumatangkilik ng SULYAPINOY, patuloy sana natin itong maging suportahan upang lalo pa itong maging matagumpay. Muli, maligayang anibersaryo! Mabuhay ang SULYAPINOY!!!

Mensahe ni Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat Sulyapinoy Board of Publication Adviser

November December 2011

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Source: Philippine Embassy Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Luis T. Cruz attended a round table seminar held in Jeju Island last December 3, 2011. During the said occasion , Ambassador Cruz expressed his optimism on ROK s Immigration Policy related to work programs particularly the Employment Policy System (EPS). Also, he noted some suggestion on how to further improve the welfare of the Filipino EPS workers here in Korea. Here is an excerpt from his speech: Distinguished guests, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me, at the outset, congratulate the CIFAL Jeju for organizing this seminar. Immigration policy is a matter that, I believe, needs to be treated with both urgency and care given the sensitivity of issues attendant to migration. I also wish to express my sincerest thanks for inviting me to be one of the speakers today. Yesterday s session was very candid and informative, and I hope to be able to add to the wealth of ideas that has already given us greater platform upon which to pursue our respective migrationrelated goals. I will divide my 30-minute presentation into two main topics: first, I will talk about my impressions of South Korea s immigration policy in general, after which I will discuss some of my thoughts on how we can better protect our respective citizens while ensuring the integrity of our borders. To provide context into these two topics, I will focus on the two sectors in South Korea that are most crucial in our formulation of relevant policies and work programs: workers under the Employment Permit System, which for the Philippines account for roughly 53% of Filipinos in South Korea; and foreign spouses of Korean nationals, whose growing number has forced an introspection by the Korean society on the impact that such multicultural families will have on its immediate future. Allow me to begin. I. Impressions of Korea s general immigration policy I will start by categorically stating that the Employment Permit System is among the best government-to-government arrangements on labor that I have encountered. Since the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and the HRD-Korea began the EPS seven years ago, thousands have benefited from its orderly, accessible and systematic implementation. It therefore comes as no surprise that the EPS was selected as the 1st place winner of the UN Public Service Awards on June 23, 2011, in the category of Preventing and Combating Corruption in the Public Service . As an EPS sending country, the Philippines has approximately 26,000 EPS workers throughout South Korea. The EPS is so efficient and holistic as to include all processes from selection and deployment to feedback, skills upgrading, and contract termination; and yet it is so accessible and open-minded as to be able to adjust to, and improve with, the demands of the times. The EPS, I therefore believe, deserves emulation. Let me elaborate:

With the entry of foreign workers come various issues related to immigration. Adjustments are made not just by the worker, but also by the employer and the community that shelters the foreign worker. The adjustment, in fact, is not made just by the workforce alone but by the entire Korean society. The presence of both locals and foreigners leads to a dynamic interaction that inevitably shapes the way of life and thinking of the people. Multiculturalism is a societal trend that is made possible not only by foreign spouses and expatriates, but also by the thousands of EPS workers who have found a second home in South Korea no matter how short their stay is. Through all these, the EPS makes sure that the foreign worker is able to adjust as smoothly as possible. For instance, EPS workers are required to study Korean prior to deployment. This makes sure that they For instance, EPS workers are required to study Korean prior to deployment. This makes sure that they hit the ground running as language skills help minimize communication gaps. The workplace is not a perfect setting, and anywhere in the world, there are problems related to possible worker maltreatment, abuse or discontent. In South Korea, common complaints we receive from EPS workers pertain to delayed salaries, misrepresented contracts, and physically or verbally abusive sajangnim or colleagues. It is important that we become aware of these issues but it is even more important that we address these issues. The EPS is unique in that the system has established several centers nationwide that are specifically tasked to handle the grievances of workers. For example, an EPS worker can get his or her delayed salary and transfer to a better workplace through MOEL Job Centers and HRD branch offices. South Korea helps make the job of embassies to protect the rights and welfare of their workers easier, because South Korea itself has placed labor contact points in strategic places nation wide, in areas that are far from where embassies are located. The EPS is not only concerned about the stay of the workers here, but also about the future of the workers once their tenure ends. The HRD offers various training programs to current workers that will help them gain employment in their home countries or start a business. Such reintegration programs are essential, because their focus on capacity-building gives workers greater confidence to pursue other exploits. Towards these ends, the policies of South Korea as a receiving country and the Philippines as a sending country are in perfect harmony. The Philippines understands very well the need for reintegration programs. There are more than eight million Filipinos working abroad, and it is our desire to continually strengthen our economy to generate, in turn, more local employment. We want our nationals to bring back their experience abroad and share their skills in the

Philippines. At the same time, we want to give them every reason and opportunity to return. Here in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, regularly conducts regular sessions on skills and knowledge enhancement for Filipino workers. Last year, for example, the embassy conducted one course on PC assembly; six seminars on financial management; two three-weekend classes on entrepreneurship; one seminar each on franchising and the business climate in the Philippines; and one forum about housing options for foreign workers. In the Philippines, workers and their families can take advantage of various similar reintegration programs. The Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, for example, has several other skills and knowledge programs that range from SME development to scholarship opportunities for talented but needy children. The Philippine Department of Labor has recently announced the availability of noncollateralized loans for those who wish to start a business. Budgeted at around US$ 47 million, the loan includes a program for business matching and entrepreneurship training. Perhaps the reason why EPS workers are in a position of greater flexibility and decision-making compared to foreign workers in other countries is because the EPS has inherent processes that do not restrict themselves with sole deployment; the system oversees and prepares for the stay and eventual return of the worker. South Korea and the Philippines definitely share a common goal: the rights and welfare of the workers. II. Areas for Improvement No system is, however, perfect. This is why forums like this are important, because they provide opportunities to further improve existing programs. In the case of EPS, there are recurring issues that are raised not only by the Philippines, but also by other EPS-sending countries. For instance: For workers who have completed their sojourn, it may be best if they no longer have to retake the Korean Language Test and other exams. These are people who already passed the tests once and who have lived in South Korea as EPS workers. Requiring them to take the same test to be included anew in the roster is a redundant process that only consumes time and resources. This requirement can be waived without damaging the reason behind the exams, which is to ensure that the workers are able to adjust to Korean society and perform their jobs. Returning workers have already proven that. The waiting period of six months for EPS workers who have completed their sojourn translates to a period when productivity risks a dip. Employers who wish to retain the same people have to deal with the costs of retraining and adjustment while waiting for the period to lapse, while EPS workers who are still qualified to apply have to contend with half a year of untapped potential. continued on page 9

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November December 2011

Continued from Page 8 ( Ambassador Cruz speech) Attention can perhaps be given to further improvements in the agricultural and construction sectors, which appear to have less defined parameters of operation than the manufacturing sector. I am very pleased to note that South Korea has begun implementing a computer-based exam for re-hired workers from Vietnam and Thailand. This is certainly a positive step forward and will greatly contribute to the convenience of returning workers from Vietnam and Thailand. It does not, however, address the basic issues of continuity and stalled productivity. It is my understanding that the EPS is developed in such a way that it prioritizes the infusion of new blood meaning that workers can only stay up to a certain period and up to a certain age. The idea is that they will go back to their home countries and they will be replaced by other individuals, thereby giving others a chance to become part of the system. Now may be a good time to re-examine this arrangement. The bond between an employer and an employee who have developed mutual trust and confidence is sacred. Such a relationship needs time and nurture. It is a relationship that can be viewed as a long-term investment because it leads to greater productivity and can expand operations. The current system only allows up to a maximum of four years and ten months of sojourn for the EPS worker. The worker then has to wait out six months in the home country. Upon return, he or she can only work up to around 38 years old. An EPS worker who joins now at the age of 22, for instance, can only work three times or a total of approximately 14 years with sixmonth breaks in between. Assuming that the worker goes to the same employer each time, the bond between them will have to be broken once the worker s age ceiling is reached. In a typical workplace, the benefits of 14 years of experience are immeasurable. I respectfully wish to propose a system where, for as long as the employer is willing

to take in the worker, the worker can be allowed to stay legally. The employer is in the best position to judge the skills and and resourcefulness of the worker. Once either employer or worker wishes out of the contract, the worker can find employment else where assuming that another SME is willing to receive the transfer. We are not even talking about permanent residence. We are talking about giving the employer and the employee who have formed a bond the opportunity to let the working relationship flourish such bonds cannot be aptly captured or maximized by designations of age ceilings. Short-term employment visas that have to be periodically renewed can be used. Under this arrangement, the worker will still be under the EPS and will still be counted in the quota. In the long term, this arrangement may be more feasible than a regular turnover of workers. It will also be cost-effective for the MOEL / HRD when handling its operations. We can expect more workers to violate the provisions of their visa for every turnover that takes place. Over time, the number of undocumented workers may increase. The age ceiling may thus be counterproductive in the long run if one overriding purpose is to encourage workers to stay legally. I wish to highlight the importance of the employer in this set up. Oftentimes, when we talk about the EPS, we think about the foreign worker. In reality, several other stakeholders exist, such as the government and, of course, the employer. And many employers themselves like to retain their workers regardless of their age. Employers, in fact, are among those who signed a petition last year requesting improvements in the EPS, which the Philippine Embassy positively endorsed to the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I believe that their voices should also be heard in forums like this, because they are the ones who directly deal with the foreign workers. By abolishing the age ceiling, workers can have the opportunity to stay legally. Certain conditions should of course be put in place, first and foremost of which is what

I have discussed regarding the willingness of the registered employer. This leads me to my next point. In the Philippines, we do not call workers who have violated the terms of their visa as illegal workers. Instead, we call them irregular workers for a number of reasons. The term illegal is such a loaded word that connotes crime and even violence. To be branded as illegal is to be labeled in the most negative sense. It minimizes the person and practically puts him or her in the same league as others who have committed arson, rape, murder or white-collar crimes. Irregular workers, however, have done none of the above. In fact, irregular workers are the ones who choose to lie low and not be involved in any dangerous activities because their only goal is to send remittances to their families. Irregular workers are not criminals, and they should not be treated or labeled as such. Calling them illegal is one step closer to completely pushing them out of the boundaries of society and away from social safety nets. Irregular workers are honest people who have decided to violate the terms of their visas for economic or humanitarian reasons they must not be subjected to the same stigma that accompanies those who have committed arson, rape, murder or whitecollar crimes. Acknowledging this fact is the first step towards a more open-minded immigration policy. On this note, I humbly state my hope that, at an opportune time, the Korean Government can also study the possibility of providing amnesty to overstaying workers and find a way for them to become eligible to apply to the EPS. This is a proposal that may warrant serious attention given the implications of South Korea s ageing society, which will one day need more and more human resources to drive its dynamic industries. The EPS is such an excellent system to deny, and I sincerely hope that it will cover as many workers as possible. It is a system that I sincerely believe should be emulated by other countries and in other sectors.

DIWA NG PASKO Ni Rodney S. Queman Ang tunay na diwa ng pasko ay nasa puso ng bawat tao Sa bawat pakikipagsapalaran nating mga nasa malayo, Isa sa pinakamasakit na pagkakataon ay ang pagdiriwang tuwing pasko. Sa bawat halakhak, ngiti at tawa na maririnig nila, Katumbas nun ang ating pagdurusa Na kahit gaano kasarap ang mga handa sa noche buena, Di nito kayang tumbasan ang kakaibang saya, pag sila'y kapiling na. Pasko na naman kaibigan Nangungulila na naman ang mga pusong luhaan Namimiss ang mga matatamis na nakaraan Naaalala ang masasayang pinagsamahan. Bawat paskong dumaraan sa buhay natin Ninanais nating mga mahal sa buhay ay kapiling At nang pagmamahal ng bawat isa'y damhin At mapunan ang mga puwang sa bawat damdamin. Buhay OFW, minsan masaya at masarap Pero madalas may hirap at pait na kaakibat Saan man tayo naroroon, basta may tyaga at pagsisikap At makakaahon din tayo sa hinaharap. Pasko sa ating mga puso Pasko ng bawat Pilipino Mabuhay ang mga bagong bayani Maligayang Pasko.

November December 2011

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Mga tanong at sagot tungkol sa Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) o Pag-IBIG Fund - Part 1
Tanong: Magkano ang buwanang hulog sa programa na Pag-IBIG I ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund? Sagot: Ang kinakailangan buwanang hulog sa programa na Pag-IBIG I ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund ay P100.00. Subalit ang isang miyembro ay maari rin maghulog o magipon ng mas higit sa itinalaga ng Batas upang magkaroon ng higit na malaking ipon para sa kinabukasan. Tanong: Saan maaring magbayad ng buwanang ipon?
Buwanang Hulog Halaga ng maaring hiramin sa Multi Purpose Loan (MPL) may 24 buwan na hulog = P 1,440 - P 4,320 may 59 buwan na hulog = P 3,540 - P 10,620 may 60 buwan na hulog = P 4,200 - P 12,600 may 119 buwan na hulog = P 8,330 - P 24,990 may 120 buwan na hulog = P 9,600 - P 28,800 may 24 buwan na hulog = P 5,760 - P 8,640 may 59 buwan na hulog = P 14,160 - P 21,240 may 60 buwan na hulog = P 16,800 - P 25,200 may 119 buwan na hulog = P 33,320 - P 49,980 may 120 buwan na hulog = P 38,400 - P 57,600 may 24 buwan na hulog = P 10,080 - P 12,960 may 59 buwan na hulog = P 24,780 - P 31,860 may 60 buwan na hulog = P 29,400 - P 37,800 may 119 buwan na hulog = P 58,310 - P 74,970 may 120 buwan na hulog = P 67,200 - P 86,400 may 24 buwan na hulog = P 14,400 - P 17,280 may 59 buwan na hulog = P 35,400 - P 42,480 may 60 buwan na hulog = P 42,000 - P 50,400 may 119 buwan na hulog = P 83,300 - P 99,960 may 120 buwan na hulog = P 96,000 - P 115,200 P 100 - P 300

P 400 - P 600

Sagot: Ang buwanang ipon sa programa na Pag-IBIG I ay maaring ibayad sa mga kinatawan ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund na matatagpuan sa Embahada, Konsulado at Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). Tanong: Ano ang kapakinabangan ng isang miyembro ng programa na Pag-IBIG I ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund. Sagot: A. Kapakinabangan ng Ipon - libreng buwis ng ipon; - nadadala o naililipat na ipon; at - garantisado ng gobyerno ang ipon Ang sumusunod ay halimbawa paano lalaki ang ipon sa programa na Pag-IBIG I ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund lalo na kung higit sa P100.00 ang buwanang ihuhulog.

P 700 - P 900

P 1,000 - P 1,200

C. Pahiram sa Pabahay Ang Pahiram sa Pabahay ay maaring gamitin sa mga sumusunod: - pagbili ng lupa; - pagbili ng tahanan; - pagpapatayo o pagtapos ng bahay; - pagpapaganda ng bahay; - pag refinance ng pagkaka-utang mula sa isang bangko ng tanggap ng Pag-IBIG Fund; at - kumbinasyon ng mga nasabi. And sumusunod ay halimbawa ng halaga at karampatang bahagi ng kita na maaring hiramin sa Pahiram sa Pabahay hango sa laki ng buwanang hulog o ipon.
Buwanang Hulog P 100 - P 300. P 400 - P 600 P 700 - P 900
P 1,000 - P 1,200 P 1,450

Buwanang Hulog/Ipon P 100 P 200 P 500 P 1,000 P 2,000 P 5,000 P 10,000

Kabuuan Halaga ng Naihulog sa loob ng 20 taon P 24,000 P 48,000 P 120,000 P 240,000 P 480,000 P 1,200,000 P 2,400,000

Kabuuan Ipon matapos ang 20 taon sa 5% Dividend Rate kada taon P 40,753.79 P 81,507.58 P 203,768.88 P 407,537.88 P 815,075.76 P 2,037,689.40 P 4,075,378.80

Pinakamataas na halaga ng maaring mahiram Up to P 700,000 Over P 800,000 - P 1.3 Million Over P 1.4 Million - P 1.9Million
Over P 2.0 Million - P 2.5 Million Over P 2.9 Million - P 3.0 Million

Bahagi ng Kita kada taon 7% 7% - 10.5% 10.50%

11.50% 11.50%

Ang naipon sa programa na Pag-IBIG I ay maari ng kunin sa pagdating ng alin man sa mga sumusunod ano man ang mauna: - 15 year optional withdrawal (kailangan na may 18 bilang 0 ng buwanang hulog na walang patlang at wala ng utang); - 20 year membership maturity (kailangan na may 240 bilang ng buwanang hulog); - pagdating ng edad na 60; - matapos magretiro; - total disability/ insanity; - pagkaalis sa trabaho dahil sa sakit o karamdaman; - pag-alis ng permanente sa Pilipinas; at - pagkamatay B. Pahiram sa Maikling Panahon ( Multi Purpose Loan and Calamity Loan) Ang sumusunod ay halimbawa kung magkano ang maaring hiramin na isang miyembro sa Pahiram sa Maikling Panahon hango sa bilang at halaga ng buwanang hulog o ipon.

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D. Karagdagang Kapakinabangan sa namatay ( hanggang P6, 000.00) Tanong. Ang Pag-IBIG Overseas Program ( POP) ba ay katulad ng programa na Pag-IBIG I na tinutukoy sa Batas Pambansa Bilang 9679? Sagot. Hindi. Ang Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) na nagsimula noong 1991 ay isang kusang-loob na pag miyembro para sa mga Pilipinong nagtratrabaho sa ibang bansa, permanenteng naninirahan, dayuhan o naging mamamayan ng ibang bansa. Ang kapanahunan ng tapos ng pagiging miyembro ay 5, 10, 15 o 20 taon depende sa isinaad ng miyembro noong siya ay mag rehistro. Tanong. Ang isa bang miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Overseas Program ( POP) ay kailangan pa rin na mag rehistro sa programa na Pag-IBIG I? Sagot. Hindi. Subalit kung ang miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Overseas Program ( POP) ay mayroon lamang na 12numero ng pagkakakilanlan at hindi ang 8titig at numero na Registration Tracking Number ( RTN) , siya ay kailangan na mag rehistro o mag palista sa programa na Pag-IBIG I upang mabigyan ng ( RTN) na kailangan gamitin sa bawat kasunduan na gagawin sa HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund.

November December 2011

By: Gennie Kim Sulyapinoy Online Forum Adviser From December 1, workers retiring from workplaces with four workers or less can receive retirement benefits. There are 963,366 workplaces ordinarily employing four workers or less, and 1,618 ,923 workers employed in such workplaces. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act amended on September 29, 2010, the Retirement Benefit System expanded to cover workers in workplaces ordinarily employing four workers or less on December 1, 2010. The coverage of retirement benefits was extended from workplaces with 30 workers or more in 1961 to those with 16 workers or more in 1975, and then to those with five workers or more in 198 . 9 However, retirement benefits are paid to workers who have worked for at least one consecutive year. Therefore, actual payments are made on or after December 1, 2011 when one year has passed since the amendment came into effect. The level of retirement benefits will stay at 50% of the statutory retirement pay of the worker concerned until December 31, 2012, and then be raised to 100% at the beginning of 2013. This gradual increase in the level of benefits is intended to soften the impact on workplaces with four workers or less given their

ability to pay, and negative employment effects that might be caused. Under the current law, an employer should introduce either the retirement pay system or a retirement pension plan (defined benefit type or defined contribution type). In the case of workplaces with four workers or less, which tend to have a short cycle of creation and extinction and frequently delay payment of wages, introducing a retirement pension plan is desirable in terms of a stronger guarantee of workers' right to receive retirement benefits. Under a retirement pension plan, an employer puts aside contributions each year into an account at a financial institution, etc., outside the company, and retirement benefits are paid in a lump sum or in annuity payments if a worker retires. Retirement pension plans encourage workers' long consecutive service, and thus help to lower job separation rates and boost productivity. Many workplaces with four workers or less are introducing a retirement pension plan to avoid the burden of raising a large sum of money temporarily to cover retirement payments. Retirement pension plans are well received by workers, resulting in fewer job separations and higher satisfaction. Among workplaces with four workers or less, 36,233 or 3.8 have adopted a retire% ment pension plan with a total of 98 8 ,08 workers covered.

MOEL has publicized the expansion of retirement benefits for workplaces with four workers or less through the mass media, such as radio campaigns, newspaper and subway ads, and surveys on social networking sites. MOEL carries out publicity activities focused on policy target groups to ensure that no one fails to pay or receive retirement benefits because of his/ her ignorance of the coverage expansion. For instance, it develops and distributes related posters and leaflets, sends direct mail to all workplaces employing four workers or less, informs target groups of the institutional change in collaboration with industry- or regional-level associations of small business owners, and operates a relevant PR booth at job fairs. Park Jong-gil, the Director-General of the Working Conditions Improvement Bureau, said " Now that retirement benefits have been expanded to cover workplaces with four workers or less, they will greatly contribute to promoting the welfare of workers in these workplaces by helping them to providefor their retirement." He also said, " In light of their small business scale and relatively weak ability to pay, many workplaces with four workers or less would fail to pay retirement benefits on time. So we will conduct thorough guidance and inspection activities. http:/ / www.moel.go.kr/ english/ topic/ working_view.jsp? &idx=8 6 7

Sulyap OFW: Si Julio Asero

Padre de Pamilya.isang malalim na salita na kung gagampanan mo ay di birong responsibilidad. Pero natural sa mga Pinoy ang maging palaban sa lahat ng bagay, mahirap man at malayo sa Pilipinas. Asero, solid, matibay. Isang salita na madalas ginagamit sa mga taong matitibay ang dibdib, walang takot at palaban sa lahat ng bagay. Nakilala ko si kuya Julio (di tunay na pangalan) isang EPS, mahigit apatnapung taong gulang, tubong Batangas City. Isa siyang Padre de pamilya sa Pilipinas na napilitang mangibang bansa dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay at kagustuhang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya. Isa si Kuya J ulio sa mga naninindigang Padre de pamilya . Pero ayun sa ibang Pilipino na naka-usap ko ang tawag kay Kuya Julio ay " Julio Asero" . Na kahit mag-isa lang siyang mabuhay sa mundo ay kakayanin nya. May halong panlalait ang nadama ko sa sinasabi nila. Di raw marunong makisama, kung lumabas daw ay madalang lamang at walang masasabing kaibigan talaga dito sa South Korea. Isa pang dahilan kung bakit siya binansagang Asero ay dahil sa loob ng mag-aanim niyang taon dito ay ni minsan ay di siya umuwi para mag bakasyun. Doon ako nagulat at parang maniniwala na sa

Katha ni Marvin Vinuya (EPS Worker from Gwangju)

Napakasakit ng naramdaman ko nung umalis ako sa atin at alam ko din na ganun din kasakit ang naramdaman ng pamilya ko nung umalis ako. Kaya ayaw kunang muli nilang maramdaman yun. ang maluha luhang sabi ni Kuya Julio. Pinakita din sa akin ni kuya Julio ang mga larawan ng mga na ipundar niya sa pinas habang siya ay nandito sa Korea. Sa isip ko, iba-iba talaga ang prinsipyo ng mga tao, kanya kanyang diskarte. Merong iba na nagpapakahirap sa trabaho at tinitipid ang pamilya' t sarili pero pag dating sa bisyo ay ubos-ubos biyaya kung gumastos. Meron naman na kada isang taon ay umuuwi at gagastos ng sobra-sobra sa Pilipinas na parang di nahihirapan sa pag tatrabaho dito. Meron din na katulad ni Kuya Julio na tiniis na di umuwi para lang maka pag pundar ng mga ari-arian at makapag ipon upang pag uwi sa Pilipinas ay for good na at dina iiwang muli ang pamilya. Ikaw kabayan ano ang diskarte mo? Lahat tayo ay nasa tamang edad na upang malaman ang tama at mali. Nasa tamang diskarte lang at disiplina sa sarili. Sa Patnubay ng Poong May Kapal ay makakaya nating magtagumpay sa diskarteng ating gagawin. Salamat po at Mabuhay Tayong Lahat.

November December 2011

sa sinasabi nila tungkol kay kuya Julio. Madalang lang siguro ang nakakagawa nang ganun na tapusin ang kontrata ng walang uwian (pwera na lang ang mga artista. na dahil sa sitwasyun nila gusto man nila umuwi ay di pwedi). Isang pagkakataon ang dumating sa akin at nakausap ko si Kuya Julio. Tingin koy mabait naman at madaling lapitan. Nagkwentuhan kami at kumustahan tungkol sa aming mga trabaho dito. Di ako nakatiis sabihin sa kanya ang mga naririnig ko tungkol sa kanya. Isang tipid na ngiti ang sinukli nya sa tanong ko. Inamin niya na madalang siyang lumabas at maki salamuha sa mga ibang pinoy. Bahay ,kumpanya, simbahan at madalang sa tambayan. Ganun daw ang buhay nya sa loob ng mahigit limang taon niya dito. Pero bilang depensa sa kanyang sarili ay nag paliwanag siya. " Sinasabi nilang wala akong pakisama, pero nagbibigay ako pag merong naniningil para sa mga kababayang nagangailangan ng tulong, anong pakikisama ang gusto nilang gawin ko? Yung sumabay sa kanila sa magdamagang inuman at pagsusugal? Oo, di pa ako nakakauwi ng Pilipinas mula ng umalis ako, dahil takot ako na baka diko na kayaning bumalik dito at iwan muli ang asawa t mga anak ko.

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