NEWS RELEASE - January 31, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 259-1145 & 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

Contrary to what Philippine govt says, Singapore laws are anti-migrant

The MIGRANTE Sectoral Party today criticized the Department of Labor and Employment of officials for deceiving the public for saying that "Singapore is good destination for overseas Filipino workers due to its new measures enacted in the city-state."

"Labor undersecretary Manuel Imson is misleading the public in citing Singapore as a favorable destination for OFWs. He calls the new Fo reign Manpower Division (FMD) of the Singaporean government as a 'welfare protective agency for legally employed foreigners.' But a careful examination of the Immigration Amendment Act of 2004 passed by the Singapore legislature last November 16, 2004 reveals that this new office was created to crackdown on undocumented migrant workers that include Filipina domestics who enter Singapore on tourist visas," MIGRANTE Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.

According to the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment, "the FMD, which is under the Ministry of Manpower (MoM), is tasked to protect foreign workers, improve professionalism among employment agencies, and strengthen employment enforcement by conducting spot checks on employers of foreigners."

"But Philippine labor officials ignore the fact that under this Immigration Law, the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and MOM have, si nce August 2000, provided an on-line verification service wherein landlords can verify the status of their tenants directly with ICA and MOM. This provision will render undocumented Filipino workers, especially those who entered Singapore on tourist visas, prone to arrest at checkpoints in airports, roads, seaports and be penalized with fines and jail terms. Technically speaking, migrant workers who enter with tourist visas are considered illegal under the said law," Bragas-Regalado said.

Among others, a skilled levy will be exacted from migrant workers with a S$2,500 basic monthly salary.
Also a former domestic worker in Singapore, Bragas-Regalado added that "the FMD, MOM and ICA of the Singapore government will not improve the services and protection of OFWs as the DOLE would want to project. It only aims to further intensify the existing anti-migrant policies and exact revenues from undocumented workers in the police-state," Bragas-Regalado said.
Many Filipino migrants, especially domestic workers enter Singapore on tourist visas before undergoing exams in order for them to be recognized as migrant workers.

"This endangers Filipino migrant workers who enter Singapore on tourist visas since they are guilty of offenses specified in the said law once the get to the airport," Bragas-Regalado said.

Migrante also said that "the provisions of the immigration law enjoins all Singaporean citizens to participate in the tracing and reporting of undocumented migrants that shall lead to their arrest, detention and deportation - treatment that is accorded to criminals.

"Philippine labor officials should stop praising the Singapore government for creating new anti-migrant policies. It should study the adverse impacts of the Immigration Law amendment so that appropriate contingency measures can be taken to protect the undocumented Filipinos in the police-state," Bragas-Regalado ended. #