Monday 21 November 2011

Migrants and refugees to hold counter-forum in Geneva during GFMD

Migrants and refugees to hold counter-forum in Geneva during GFMD

Reiterating that the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)is contemptuous of migrants and refugees and denies the exploitativenature of exporting human labor and of making profits out of migrants,the International Migrants' Alliance (IMA), a progressive globalalliance of migrant and refugee organizations, said they will lettheir voices echo in Geneva when the GFMD convenes in December there.

"We are determined to expose and oppose this so-called 'development'through migration and reliance on remittances as a development tool.These are neoliberal anti-poverty and financial concepts that thriveon people’s exploitation and the miseries of migrants, enhance laborflexibilization and therefore, greater commodification of labor,"stressed Grace Punongbayan of Migrante International-Europe and whorepresents the European section of the IMA.

The GFMD is an annual inter-government meeting of differentlabor-sending and labor-receiving countries. It is now on its 5th yearand is scheduled to convene in Geneva on December 1-2 hosted by thegovernment of Switzerland. As in previous GMFD meetings in 2008 inManila, 2009 in Athens and 2010 in Mexico, migrant and refugeeorganizations led by the IMA held counter assemblies and challengedgovernments to address urgent migrant issues and uphold migrant rightsas human rights.

"Increasing poverty, unemployment, wars and conflicts and ecologicaldisasters are forcing millions to migrate as exploitable cheap labor.The economic and financial crisis is breeding the politics of“anti-migrant/refugees” and policy to criminalize and deport theundocumented. Border control mechanisms are in place causing thousandsof deaths and untold suffering," according to the IMA.

Punongbayan also explained that the GFMD shows contempt on migrantsand their families by giving them only token participation in the GFMDprocesses and failing to address issues that urgently affects them. Itis thus right, said Punongbayan, for migrant organizations to say “wecan speak for ourselves” and “not in our name! ”.

The IMA Europe section, said Punongbayan, is determined to echo thevoices of migrants and refugees in Geneva as a migrants counter to theGMFD by holding a protest demonstration at the site of the GFMDmeeting on December 1 at the “The Chair” infront of the Palais desNations, from 17:00-19:00 to denounce the GFMD and to call forprotection of migrant and refugee rights especially the undocumented,and a Consultation Meeting for the Rights of the Undocumented andagainst their Criminalization and Deportation on November 30 followedby a discussion on a “Critique of the GFMD” (a research prepared bythe Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, an IMA-memberorganization),at the Maison Internationale des Associations from 18:00-20:30.

Reference:
Rev. Cesar Taguba
MIGRANTE International-Europe
bayanintl@gmail.com

DEADLINE European Premiere Kicks Off in Italy



On November 19, the European premier of Deadline (The Reign of Impunity) kicked off with 2 successful screenings in Modena, Italy. With 18 scheduled screenings in 7 European countries, the European tour of the film is being sponsored by the International Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICCHRP) and IBON Europe to raise awareness regarding the dismal state of human rights in the Philippines.
The film is a political thriller inspired by the 2009 Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao, Philippines, where 34 journalists were killed. It brings public attention to the impunity of political killings in the country, earning for it the reputation of being the second most dangerous country in the world for journalists, second only to Iraq.[4]
With breaking news regarding the arrest of former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for alleged sabotage of the 2004 presidential election results, the film brings to light the heinous human rights violations that were perpetuated with impunity under her former government and which she also has to be made accountable for.

Accompanying DEADLINE on its European tour are Allen Dizon, lead actor, and Dennis Evangelista, line and supervising producer of the film. Atty. Carlos Zarate, human rights lawyer and legal counsel for some of the Ampatuan Massacre victims will also be attending the screenings in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The screenings in Italy also include a press conference on the 20th of November in Rome. On 23 November, the second anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao, a public screening in the United Kingdom will be sponsored by Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP), Amnesty International, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and UNISON, Britain's biggest public sector trade union with more than 1.3 million members.

More screenings are scheduled in Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Brussels, Gent), the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Utrecht), Denmark (Copenhagen), and Switzerland (Bern, Geneva) and the United Kingdom (London). The Amsterdam premiere on the 10th of December will be part of activities celebrating International Human Righs Day. The final screenings for 2011 will be in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 17.

This independent film is the latest artistic collaboration between both multi-awarded playwright Bonifacio Ilagan (Story/Screenplay) and Director Joel Lamangan.

For more information: IBON Europe, Haachtsesteenweg 53, 1210 Brussels, Belgium
office@ibon.be

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Fake President GMA back to Davos... Begging!

23 Jan 2008 (Bern, Switzerland). The Fake Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is back in Davos begging to the super power nation and economic giants to aid her illigitimate government.

Members of Migrante Switzerland and Swiss-Filipino Solidarity Group's are encouraged to join other activist in mass actions in Zurich and Bern, the capital of Switzerland.













Die politische Situation auf den Philippinen

Die politische Situation auf den Philippinen

Derzeitiges Staatsoberhaupt ist Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, seit 20. Jan. 2001 (zuvor Vizepräsidentin); sie wurde am 30. Juni 2004 trotz verschiedener Vorwürfe massiver Wahlfälschungen, die in der Folgezeit noch bestätigt wurden (Tonbandmitschnitt der Fälschungsvereinbarungen, im weiteren Verlauf auch präzise Aussagen vonreuigen Mitgliedern der Wahlkommission) erneut vereidigt. Arroyo's Reaktion auf die Vorwürfe war: "I am so sorry"... Arroyo ist Nachfolgerin von Estrada, der nach Verlust seiner Machtbasis als Folge von Korruptionsvorwürfen bzw. des Drucks von der Strasse seinen Amtssitz vorzeitig verlassen hatte. Seit der Veröffentlichung der Tonbandmitschnitte (Hello Garci) wächst der Druck gegen die Präsidentin auf der Strasse. Menschenrechtsorganisationen berichten wöchentlich von politisch motivierten Morden (800 seit 2001) an GewerkschaftsaktivistInnen, MenschenrechtsaktivistInnen, Führungskräfte aus oppositionellen Parteien und Organisationen, DemonstrantInnen, aber auch JuristInnen und kirchliche WürdenträgerInnen. Für JournalistInnen sind die Philippinen das zweitgefährlichste Land, gleich hinter dem Irak...

Ausschnitte aus einem Interview mit Ruth Cervantes von der philippinischen
Menschenrechtsorganisation Karapatan.

...die Überlebenden, die zu uns kommen, sagen es war das Militär sowie Paramilitärische Elemente, sogenannte Todesschwadrone. Die Morde verlaufen oft nach demselben Muster. Männer mit Skimützen auf Motorrädern erschiessen die Opfer und die ZeugInnen sagen, meist fahren die Motorräder nachher in Richtung Militärstützpunkt. In vielen Fällen wurden die Leute vor der Ermordung vom Militär eingeschüchtert, überwacht und erhielten Todesdrohungen...

...Zivilpersonen, die Mehrheit sind Bäuerinnen und Bauern. Darunter alte Frauen mit ihren Enkelkindern. In einem Fall wurde ein Vater mit seinem 2 Monate alten Kind in den Armen erschossen...

...Unsere Untersuchungen ergaben, dass die Regierung rund 3.5 Milliarden US Dollar Militärhilfe von den USA erhielt und die Regierung beantragt eine weitere Milliarde für dieses Jahr...

Die Lohnarbeitssituation auf den Philippinen:

In den letzten Jahren wurden die meisten Festangestellten im industriellen Sektor entlassen um temporär wieder angestellt zu werden. Temporärarbeitskräfte haben keinen Anspruch auf Sozialleistungen und dürfen keiner Gewerkschaft beitreten. Sie haben praktisch keinen Rechtsschutz und müssen jederzeit damit rechnen, entlassen zu werden. In der Hochsaison zum Beispiel der TextilarbeiterInnen heisst das, dass sie täglich bis zu 10 Überstunden leisten müssen. Manchmal werden sogar die Tore der Fabriken geschlossen, so dass dieAngestellten nicht nach Hause gehen können. Werden sie vor Übermüdung ohnmächtig, bekommen sie ein Aufputschmittel um weiterarbeiten zu können.

Das Beispiel Nestlé:

Als vor gut 6 Jahren der Gesamtarbeitsvertrag mit den über 600 Angestellten der Nestlé-Fabrik in Cabuyao, Philippinen erneuert werden sollte, weigerte sich das Nestlé-Management, den Altersvorsorgeplan in die Verhandlungen aufzunehmen. Daraufhin traten die Angestellten in Streik. Seither haben verschiedene Gerichte festgehalten, dass die ArbeiterInnen durchaus das Recht haben darauf zu bestehen, dass die Altersvorsorge Teil des Gesamtarbeitsvertrages ist. Doch das Nestlé-Management weigert sich weiterhin, an den Verhandlungstischzurückzukehren.

Im September 2005 wurde der Gewerkschaftspräsident Diosdado Ka Fortuna ermordet. Das ist schon der zweite Nestlé Gewerkschaftspräsident der in Cabuyao ermordet wurde. (Mel Roxas, 1989) Was macht die philippinische Präsidentin am WEF? Wer hat sie eingeladen, was soll mit ihr dialogisiert werden, wem nützt es? Trifft sie sich mit dem Nestlé-CEO Brabek, zusammen mit dem Präsidenten der "Asian Development Bank Manila" und dem Direktor der philippinischen Zentralbank? Erarbeiten sie gemeinsam neue Ausbeutungsstrategien? Oder trifft sie sich mit den CEOs diverser Minen um in den Cordillieren noch mehr Gold abzubauen und die Leute dabei noch schlechter zu bezahlen? Oder geht es um die Bodenschätze inOstvisaya, wo sie nur noch die Leute vertreiben muss, die bisher trotz massivster Repression ausgehalten haben, damit sie das Land an sich reissen kann?

Wir fordern:
-Stop the political killings!
-Gloria Macapagal Arroyos Rücktritt-Stoppt die neoliberale Ausbeutung!
-Oust GMA

Thursday 13 December 2007

Pasko Para sa Karapatan at Kapayapaan

Association
MIGRANTE
Philippines in GENEVA

Invites you to
A Day with Philippine Migrants in Geneva
(Pasko Para sa Karapatan at Kapayapaan)

On 15th Dec 2007, Saturday

From 14h (2pm) to 19h (7pm)
Forum with MIGRANTE
Guest Speakers: HUG, Health Insurance,
Migrant situation in Geneva
Film Showing
*
Election and Induction of Migrante’s Officers and Members

From 19h30 (7:30pm) to onwards
SMI – Migrante Christmas Party
(Family and Friends are all invited – Potluck)
Parlour Games, Songs and Dances

Gifts for the families of victims of Human Rights Violation in the Philippines

Where : Salle Parti du Travail
25 rue du Vieux-Billard,1205 Genève
Tram 13 or 15 Arret : Place du Cirque


Saturday 27 October 2007

Appel du Maire de Genève à une régularisation des "sans papiers" de l'économie domestique

Appel du Maire de Genève à une régularisation des "sans papiers" de l'économie domestique


Unofficial English Translation:

Call of the Mayor of Geneva for the regularisation of the status of undocumented domestic workers.






Wednesday 10 October 2007

Minimum legal standards for household workers in Geneva

Migrante-Geneva/Communal Earth Citizens
August 2007 (email: migrante.geneva@gmail.com)

Minimum legal standards for household workers in Geneva

Under RSG J-1-50.03: Contrat-type de travail pour les travailleurs de l'économie domestique à temps complet et à temps partiel,
< www.geneve.ch/ocirt/relation_travail/contrats_types.asp >
< www.geneve.ch/legislation/rsg/f/rsg_j1_50p03.html >


RESPECTFUL TREATMENT

By law the employer is obligated, on a personal level, to treat you properly and with respect and dignity.

SALARY/WAGE RATES

Housework/”Domestic help”:

CHF 2,530/Month plus CHF 900 (600-Food and 300-Lodging) minimum
If meals and/or lodging are not provided, you are entitled to that amount to be added to your monthly salary.
P-T: CHF 18.25/Hour minimum

WORKING HOURS

The ordinary working hours, including the time during which you have to stay at the disposal of your employer, must not exceed (rest hours not included): 46 hours a week (8 hours a day for P-T jobs)

F-T: You must be given at least half an hour rest every day for mealtimes at noon and at dinner, and an additional hour of rest during the day (this also applies to P-T jobs if you work a full 8-hour day).

F-T: You are entitled to the following rest days a week that must not be followed by duty in the evening: 1½ days off every week, with at least 2 Sundays off in a month.

OVERTIME WORK

Overtime work (after 8 hrs/day and 46hrs/wk) must be compensated with additional payment, or (for F-T jobs), with your agreement, with additional hours off (paid time off equal to the number of overtime hours).

Compensation with payment

Overtime hours must be paid on the basis of your normal salary plus a supplement of 25%, per hour.
Overtime hours worked on Sunday or a legal holiday must be paid with a supplement of 50% and those worked between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. twice (100%) the normal salary, per hour.

F-T only: Compensation with free time

Overtime work can instead be compensated in due time with at least the same number of paid hours off, but only with your agreement.

If overtime is worked on a Sunday or a legal holiday, 1.5 times as many paid hours off;
If overtime is worked between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., twice as many free hours.

Your work during holidays should be counted as overtime work and have to be compensated as such, as well as for the time your employer requires you to work in addition to the regular working hours.

Compensation with free time has to take place soon after the overtime, in a period which does not go beyond the following dates: 14 weeks after overtime.

Food and Lodging

F-T: If you are a "live-in" employee, your employer must provide free meals (three per day), free accommodation with pri­vate bedroom (and in Geneva, your own key to close your room), a bed, a chair, a table, a cupboard, light (just as much natural as artificial light), heating, window, free laundry and opportunity to wash, bathe or shower. This represents a part of your "total salary".

LEGAL HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL DAYS OFF

You are entitled by law to at least nine holidays per year in addition to the usual rest days:

JANUARY 1st (NEW YEAR’S DAY), GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER (MONDAY), ASCENSION DAY, PENTACOST (MONDAY), AUGUST 1st, JEÛNE GENEVOIS, CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 31st (NEW YEAR’S EVE)

If you have to work on a legal holiday, you are entitled to another day off in compensation.

P-T: If you work on a legal holiday, you must be paid time-and-a-half (50% more than your normal hourly rate).

You are entitled to a number of additional paid free days for extraordinary reasons such as death in your family, marriage, transfer of your residence, etc.

SICK LEAVE

If you can’t work because of illness, your employer has to continue to pay your full salary (after 3 months of employment), while on sick leave, for the following periods:
1st year of employment - 3 weeks; 2nd year of employment - 1 month; 3rd year of employment - 2 months

VACATION LEAVE

As a household employee, you are entitled to a paid annual (vacation) leave as follows:

4 weeks: This is the normal leave allowed per full working year. In Geneva, it is equal to 22.5 working days
5 weeks: This is a benefit for those who are below the age of 20 or above the age of 50.

These weeks are cumulative. A vacation leave not taken in one year is not forfeited but carried over to the next year. At least 2 consecutive weeks should be scheduled. The employer schedules the date of paid leave in consultation with the worker. He or she must fix the date long enough in advance to allow you to make the necessary arrangements for your leave. The absence of your employer and his/her family from home is not counted as vacation leave if you have to stay in their house or if this time has not been scheduled early enough as vacation leave.

The time spent with your employer when he/she requests you to accompany his or her family "on holidays" is not counted as vacation leave if during this time, you have to perform domestic duties or look after the children. In Geneva and Zurich, even if you do not have to work, this time will not be counted as vacation leave without your previous written agreement.

P-T: During the vacation period, the part-time worker is entitled to a payment equal to a percentage of her/his salary earned in the previous 12 months: 8.33% for those entitled to 4 weeks, and 10.64% for those entitled to 5 weeks.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The law requires your employer to insure you, either in Switzerland or abroad, against accidents. Your employer must pay the cost of this insurance (except the premium for insurance covering non-professional accidents, which the employer will deduct from your salary).

NOTICE AND TERMINATION

After the probation period (first 2 weeks for F-T jobs), employment for an indefinite period can be terminated, but notice has to be given by either side for the end of a month (Jan 31st, Feb 28th, and so on), at least one month before termination and must be in writing.

An employer may terminate your employment without justification, but not for reasons that are “unfair” or “abusive” (for example, to prevent you from making claims for your salary payments or benefits or labor standards under the law). You must protest your dismissal by registered letter before the end of the ordinary period of notice, if you believe you were subject to an unfair or abusive dismissal.

You have the right to abandon work or terminate without notice, if you have just reasons (such as non-payment of salary); you can claim a maximum of 6 months’ salary in compensation for an unjust dismissal or justified leaving.

What rights do "undocumented" workers enjoy?

Working without a regular working and residence permit does not deprive you of the legal benefits of your employment such as salary and the respect of the legal working conditions. These rights include the working conditions above and also the following, the right to:

- Be paid at least the legal minimum wages irrespective of any other verbal or written agreement
- Receive the children's allowance
- Be affiliated to insurance in case of accident and enjoy medical care and compensation of salary in case of accident
- Be affiliated to insurance for compensation of salary and receive compensation of salary during sickness and pregnancy
- Be affiliated with the national public social security system (AVS/AI; AHV/IV) and obtain reimbursement of the paid premiums including the employer's share of the premiums; but you will not enjoy the benefits of this insurance plans
- File a claim or complaint in court

Your employer may not use your undocumented status against you, if that is a pretext to discriminate or retaliate against you for demanding or exercising your labor rights.

Monday 1 October 2007

“standard employment contract” [RSG J-1-50.03],

NOTICE to employers of domestic (household) workers in the Canton of Geneva: You are legally obligated to comply with relevant labor standards under the legislated “standard employment contract” [RSG J-1-50.03], regardless of your employee’s permit/residence status under federal immigration law. See summary of the law at: http://migrante-swiss.blogspot.com/. BE ADVISED that we are deploying any and all lawful tactics to enforce these rights. [Migrante-Geneva/Communal Earth Citizens]

NOTICE to employers of domestic (household) workers in the Canton of Geneva: You are legally obligated to comply with relevant labor standards under the legislated “standard employment contract” [RSG J-1-50.03], regardless of your employee’s permit/residence status under federal immigration law. See summary of the law at: http://migrante-swiss.blogspot.com/. BE ADVISED that we are deploying any and all lawful tactics to enforce these rights. [Migrante-Geneva/Communal Earth Citizens]