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06-12-09 Jinggoy speaks before FilCom in Kuwait; pays tribute to OFWs in Kalayaan ’09 celebration
Posted: June 15th, 2009 @ 1:54am
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is the guest speaker in the 111th RP Independence Day celebration in the State of Kuwait, and he took the chance to honor the Philippines’ “modern day heroes” who continue to shield the economy from ill effects of the global recession.
“Our OFWs here and elsewhere have done so much to float the Philippine economy especially in the face of the current financial crisis that is now resulting in recession in even the most advanced economies in the world. This is something that I believe our OFWs can claim with pride and distinction… Maganda ang ekonomiya, at ito ay dahil sa pawis, hirap, pagod at sakripisyo ng manggagawang Pilipino na nasa ibayong dagat. Kayo ang tunay na bayani ng henerasyong ito ng Pilipino,” Estrada asserts.
Sen. Estrada, together with his father and former President Joseph Estrada, was invited by the Philippine Embassy officials led by Ambassador Ricardo Endaya and the Filipino community to grace the Kalayaan 2009 celebration.
Speaking before the Filipino community in Kuwait, Sen. Estrada also cited the efforts made by the Senate in advancing interests of the overseas Filipino workers.
For one, just before the Congress adjourned sine die, the Senate passed on third reading amendments to Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
Senator Estrada, also Chairman of joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, co-authored and principally sponsored Senate Bill 3286, known as “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 2009.”
Among the proposed amendments include: 1) Automatic license revocation to recruitment agencies involved in illegal recruitment; 2) Compulsory liability insurance provided to the migrants to answer for the money claims or damages; 3) Prohibition of issuance of post-dated checks as guarantee of payment of migrant workers; and 4) Additional functions and powers to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to combat illegal recruitment.
Sen. Estrada also checked on the condition of the OFWs in Kuwait and engaged in a dialogue to learn more of their concerns, in aid of legislation.
It was learned that there are more than a hundred OFWs are housed in Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuwait, mostly charged with absconding or running away from their employers. Moreover, there are twenty nine (29) men and women who are currently detained in Sulaibiya Central Jail in Kuwait, and four of which are to serve life sentence. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is providing legal assistance to the detained OFWs and regularly visits them.
Sen. Estrada had earlier called on the government to implement “Oplan Repatriation” to bring home all distressed and stranded OFWs abroad.
“More than giving the much-deserved verbal recognition to our OFWs, it is more proper that the government translate talk into concrete and immediate response to the needs of our OFWs. I think it would be highest form of appreciation that we can extend to our makabagong bayani,” Estrada said.
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