Sulyapinoy December Issue(2011)

The Official Publication of Fil ipino EPS Workers Association -South Korea (FEWA)

필리핀 EPS ( 외국인 고용허가제) 근로자 협회 공식 발행 – 대 한민국

The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

Volume 2 Issue 20 November— December 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org NOT FOR SALE

필리핀 EPS (외국인 고용허가제) 근로자 협회 공식 발행 – 대 한민국

OFW-KOREA-2006-001

People and God-centered Association

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

A Blessed Day to Everyone!!!

As the Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA) main objective is the general wel-

fare 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 He-

roes and bridge to the unification of all EPS workers and other Filipino migrant in South Ko-

rea 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 Ko-

rea 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 individ-

ual, Sulyapinoy is there with you. With our objectives thru honest, credible, and balanced re-

portage, 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 Com-

munity 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 Sul-

yapinoy ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong suporta, at asahan ninyo na mas pagbubuti-

hin 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

“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 encoun-

tered 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 work-

ers 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 Filipi-

nos 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 difficul-

ties 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 conti-

nue 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 who’ve 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

November — December 2011 2

For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions & Advertisements

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

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.

D I S C L A I M E R

Different opinions are encourage to stimulate member input and involvement. SULYAPI-NOY’ 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 con-tributor. Statements or opinions expressed in SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of FEWA unless so

www.sulyapinoy.org

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 associa-tion. You’ ve been part of this group and be-ing part of this you are highly needed for the

accomplishment of the group’ s mission. Without you members, leaders can do noth-ing… 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 “it‟s ok” as an acceptance of peo-ple‟s shortcomings

Saying „I love you” as an expression of love to the members and friends

Again, best wishes to every one! ! !

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 Filipi-

nos 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 hop-

ing that what you have started, your commit-

www.sulyapinoy.org 3

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 Attaché 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;

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

Re-employment 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.

Age requirement is from 18 to 38 on the closing day

of registration

Available once a quarter at the sending countries’

computer based testing center II. Candidate Countries

Vietnam and Thailand

Why Vietnam and Thailand only? Why Philip-pine 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.

Efficient cooperation between the sending and re-

ceiving country.

III. Incentives

Shortening the re-entry period

Permission to ask for former employees who had

previously worked for more than a year

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)

Lawfully working in manufacturing, construction or

agriculture, livestock and fishery for 4 years or

more within the past 10 years.

With enough remaining residence period (legitimate

residents only) 3~4 months and above.

Excluding those G-1

Excluding those who returned to the home country

after the work contract expired.

Age less than 35 with higher degree than junior

college.

Diploma issued by academic institutions higher than

junior or certificate of graduation containing the fact of degree earned.

Certified by the Korean in the home country.

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.

Qualified License, the original and duplicate copy

of the license higher than craftsman in certain sec-tors issued by HRD Korea.

Income requirement

Higher than the average in manufacturing, con-

struction, agriculture, livestock and fishery over the past year.

Verified with the withholding tax receipt.

Total annual income will be investigated.

Korean Language Skill or Social Integration Program

Submit the record card of level 3 or higher issued by

the National Institute for International Education (NIIE)

Social Integration Program-415 hours of Korean

language course and 50 hours of cultural compre-hension course of Korea

Submit the certificate of completion of social inte-

gration program issued by the Chief Immigration Office which has jurisdiction over the place of your residence.

Quota by Company

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)

F-2-6

E-9, E-10, H-2 who have a record of 4 years and

legal stay during the last 10 year period.

Who has achieved a certified technician license of

higher from HRD Korea.

32 million won earning as of previous year (yearly

earning)

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

Bill on re-entry employment

Proponent, Kang Sungcheon and 9 other congress-

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

period expired (as of August 2011--------------------------1,803

No. of EPS workers whose sojourn will expire between Sep-

tember to December 2011------ ----------------------------2,889

Deportation Statistic (KIS), January to September 2011

Voluntary departure---------------------------------------------63 Deportation through crackdown----------------------------1,021

Continued on page 4

4 November — December 2011

It was a gathering not only of

Filipino talent, but one that reflects

the close ties of the Filipino com-munities 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 rep-

resent 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 envi-sioned an event that shares a sense

of community amongst Filipinos in

South Korea. As Christmas is fast

approaching, PIKO aimed to pro-

vide an event that shares the spirit

of the Filipino celebration amongst Filipinos and foreigners present in

the event as well.

The student-led event repre-

sented 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 ini-tiatives 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

www.sulyapinoy.org

through Water Drop. Water Drop

is a community based on multi-

culturalism and has presented a multicultural fashion show in

Himig Pasko, a rare treat for Fili-

pino 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 cer-

tificate from PIKO. Mary Jane

Joverez of International Paul

Church won 2nd place, Antonio

Sacapanio of El Shaddai DWXI won 3rd place and Alex Custodio

of EPS Filipino Workers Associa-

tion won 4th place. Amongst the

special prizes, the 4-year old

David Danclride Buctor of FILS-DAK 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 Ko-

rea. 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 Certifi-cate/ 8 copies of photos

Processing: 5 working days

Oath Taking: Order of Approval; Cer-

tificate 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

By: Rigoberto Banta, Jr.

Public Relations Officer Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea, Inc.

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

November — December 2011 5

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 PROJECT.

Nagsimulang lumikom ng pondo ang FEWA sa pamamagitan ng pag-aambag 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 GUINAYAN-GAN, QUEZON ang kauna-unahang naging benepisyaryo ng BALIKTANAW PROJECT 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 pu-song pasasalamat sa bumubuo ng FEWA.

Taong 2010 ng mapinsala ang Pilipinas ng bagyong Ondoy, sa kalamidad na ito marami sa mga kababayan natin ang na-salanta. Kabuhayan, tirahanan at higit sa lahat ay ang kaku-langan sa pangunahing pangangaila -ngan kung kaya dito nag-bigay ng atensyon ang BALIKTANAW PROJECT 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 ba-hagian 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 tu-long na maibigay sa isang paaralan/ estudyante na maaring makinabang sa proyekto.At ito ay AETA YOUTH sa CA-

PAZ , 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 ito…At 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, ma-higit 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 Ca-gayan 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 makipag-

ugnayan sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage-

ment Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center sa mga su-musunod: 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: [email protected]; [email protected] Website: www.ndrrmc.gov.ph

6 November — December 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org


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 bang-sang Korea, lalo‟t higit ang sector ng mga manggagawa, hinggil sa mga usaping may ki-nalaman sa kanilang usaping paggawa. Sa Patnugot, mga manunulat at iba pang mga sangkot upang mailimbag ang ba-basahing 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

Source: Philippine Embassy 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 dy-

namic 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 thou-sands 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 run-ning 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 mal-treatment, 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 rein-

tegration 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 un-

derstands very well the need for reinte-gration 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 experi-ence 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 Em-bassy, through the Philippine Overseas

Labor Office, regularly conducts regular sessions on skills and knowledge enhance-ment 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 cli-

mate 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 Philip-pine Overseas Workers Welfare Administra-tion, for example, has several other skills and knowledge programs that range from

SME development to scholarship opportu-nities for talented but needy children. The Philippine Department of Labor has recently announced the availability of non-

collateralized loans for those who wish to start a business. Budgeted at around US$ 47 million, the loan includes a program for business matching and entrepreneur-

ship training. Perhaps the reason why EPS workers are in a position of greater flexibility and deci-sion-making compared to foreign workers in

other countries is because the EPS has inherent processes that do not restrict themselves with sole deployment; the sys-tem oversees and prepares for the stay and

eventual return of the worker. South Korea and the Philippines definitely share a com-mon 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 im-

prove existing programs. In the case of EPS, there are recurring issues that are raised not only by the Phil-

ippines, 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. Re-

quiring them to take the same test to be included anew in the roster is a redundant process that only consumes time and re-sources. 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 con-tend with half a year of untapped potential.

continued on page 9

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic

of Korea, Luis T. Cruz attended a round table seminar held in Jeju Island last De-cember 3, 2011. During the said occasion , Ambassador Cruz expressed his optimism

on ROK’ s Immigration Policy related to work programs particularly the Employ-ment 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, con-gratulate 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 migration-related goals. I will divide my 30-minute presentation into two main topics: first, I will talk about

my impressions of South Korea’ s immi-gration 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 formula-

tion 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 in-trospection 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 immi-gration policy

I will start by categorically stating that the Employment Permit System is among the best government-to-government ar-

rangements on labor that I have encoun-tered. 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 win-

ner 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 Philip-pines has approximately 26,000 EPS work-ers throughout South Korea. The EPS is so efficient and holistic as to include all proc-

esses 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:


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 pagdiri-

wang 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 pagsisi-

kap

At makakaahon din tayo sa hinaharap.

Pasko sa ating mga puso

Pasko ng bawat Pilipino

Mabuhay ang mga bagong bayani

Maligayang Pasko.

Continued from Page 8 ( Ambassador Cruz speech)

Attention can perhaps be given to fur-ther 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 relation-ship needs time and nurture. It is a rela-tionship that can be viewed as a long-term investment because it leads to greater pro-

ductivity 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 six-month 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 ex-perience 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 con-

tract, the worker can find employment else where – assuming that another SME is willing to receive the transfer. We are not even talking about perma-

nent 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 periodi-cally 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 im-

provements 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 rea-sons. 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 com-mitted 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 remit-

tances 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 white-

collar 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 soci-ety, which will one day need more and more

human resources to drive its dynamic in-dustries. The EPS is such an excellent sys-tem 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.


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 mag-ipon ng mas higit sa itinalaga ng Batas upang magkaroon ng

higit na malaking ipon para sa kinabukasan. Tanong: Saan maaring magbayad ng buwanang ipon? 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 Philip-pine 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.

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 180 bilang 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 Pana-hon hango sa bilang at halaga ng buwanang hulog o ipon.


Buwanang Hulog/Ipon

Kabuuan Halaga ng Naihulog sa loob ng 20 taon

Kabuuan Ipon matapos ang 20 taon sa 5%

Dividend Rate kada taon

P 100 P 24,000 P 40,753.79

P 200 P 48,000 P 81,507.58

P 500 P 120,000 P 203,768.88

P 1,000 P 240,000 P 407,537.88

P 2,000 P 480,000 P 815,075.76

P 5,000 P 1,200,000 P 2,037,689.40

P 10,000 P 2,400,000 P 4,075,378.80

Buwanang Hulog Halaga ng maaring hiramin sa Multi Purpose Loan (MPL)

P 100 - P 300

may 24 buwan na hulog = P 1,440 - P 4,320





P 400 - P 600






P 700 - P 900






P 1,000 - P 1,200






C. Pahiram sa Pabahay

Ang Pahiram sa Pabahay ay maaring gamitin sa mga su-musunod:

- 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.

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 mi-yembro 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 12-numero ng pagkakakilanlan at hindi ang 8-titig 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.

Buwanang Hulog Pinakamataas na halaga ng

maaring mahiram Bahagi ng Kita kada taon

P 100 - P 300. Up to P 700,000 7%

P 400 - P 600 Over P 800,000 - P 1.3 Million 7% - 10.5%

P 700 - P 900 Over P 1.4 Million - P 1.9Million 10.50%

P 1,000 - P 1,200 Over P 2.0 Million - P 2.5 Million 11.50%

P 1,450 Over P 2.9 Million - P 3.0 Million 11.50%

11 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 Retire-

ment Benefit System expanded to cover work-ers 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 1989.

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 bene-

fits is intended to soften the impact on work-places 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 fre-

quently delay payment of wages, introduc-ing 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 annu-ity 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 retire-ment payments. Retirement pension plans are well received by workers, resulting in fewer job separations and higher satisfac-

tion. Among workplaces with four workers or less, 36,233 or 3.8% have adopted a retire-ment pension plan with a total of 98,088 work-

ers 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 fo-cused on policy target groups to ensure that no one fails to pay or receive retirement bene-fits because of his/ her ignorance of the cover-

age 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 rele-vant 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 busi-ness 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=876

Sulyap OFW: Si Julio “ Asero” Katha ni Marvin Vinuya (EPS Worker from Gwangju)

Padre de Pamilya.isang malalim na salita

na kung gagampanan mo ay di birong re-sponsibilidad. 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 ka-

hirapan ng buhay at kagustuhang mabi-

gyan 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 si-

yang 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 min-

san ay di siya umuwi para mag bakasyun.

Doon ako nagulat at parang maniniwala na

sa

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 dis-

karteng ating gagawin. Salamat po at Ma-

buhay Tayong Lahat.

www.sulyapinoy.org

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 pag-kakataon ang dumating sa akin at na-kausap ko si Kuya Julio. Tingin koy ma-bait 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, simba-

han 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 naninin-

gil para sa mga kababayang nagangailan-

gan ng tulong, anong pakikisama ang

gusto nilang gawin ko? Yung sumabay sa

kanila sa magdamagang inuman at pag-

susugal? 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.

http://www.moel.go.kr/english/topic/working_view.jsp?&idx=876

http://www.moel.go.kr/english/topic/working_view.jsp?&idx=876

Sulyapinoy December Issue(2011)

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Transcript of Sulyapinoy December Issue(2011)