NEWS RELEASE - February 20, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 259-1145 & 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

Correction to the DFA on the US$20,000 bond
Philippine gov't profiteering from plight of OFWs in Japan

Migrante Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado today expressed outrage over the newly-exposed reasons why the Philippine government is adamant in its drive to keep sending Filipino women to Japan as entertainers who are highly vulnerable to human trafficking.

"While the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) belies reports that the Philippine embassy in Tokyo profits immensely from fees collected from Japanese recruiters of Filipinos deployed to Japan, the fact that Philippine Ambassador Domingo Siazon Jr. admits that the bond of US$20,000 paid by Japanese recruitment agencies for each overseas Filipino worker they hire is an escrow bond that is deposited in either the Land Bank or the Philippine National Bank and then goes straight to the National Treasury shows that government is further profiteering from the exploitation of OFWs in Japan, most especially those forced to work in the notorious entertainment industry in Japan," Bragas-Regalado said.

The said bond, US$20,000 (2.1 million yen) collected from Japanese promoters and recruiters as payment plus the US$70 (7,350 yen) fee for each Filipino worker who enters Japan, entertainers included, who comprise the biggest chunk of Filipino workers deployed to Japan.

"We would like to correct the DFA's notion that these bonds provide protection to OFWs in Japan. Memorandum Circular No. 01, issued by the Department of Labor and Employment on Nov. 20, 1991, purposively requires the payment of these bonds to answer for all claims of the artist against the employer or promoter. The amount is paid back to the employer or promoter in case his or her company closes shop or after the lapse of the prescription period for OFWs to make claims on the bond. This DOLE Memorandum, just like the Artist Accreditation Certificate does not guarantee the welfare and safety of Filipina entertainers and all other 31,000 undocumented Filipinos in Japan since it gives a legal way out to abusive employers and promoters - especially those connected to criminal and human trafficking syndicates," Bragas-Regalado said.

According to the DFA, the system has been in place for the last 14 years for those in Japan who wish to file claims against their employers, mostly in cases where the OFWs were not paid their wages.

"This bond charged to employers and promoters is also the reason why recruitment and processing fees charged to OFWs applying for jobs in Japan range from the P50,000 up to even P200,000. Promoters and employers always eventually pass on the burden of these bonds to the OFWs," Bragas-Regalado said.

The Migrante Sectoral Party also called on Congress to investigate this bond scheme, saying government has "a lot of explaining to do beyond glib statements by Ambassador Siazon."

"We therefore want the DFA and Malacanang to correct its own statements. They are profit immensely from the plight of OFWs in Japan, including those who are pushed into the clutches of human trafficking syndicates. An comprehensive audit of these bonds and how government has handled these funds is in order," Bragas-Regalado ended. #