Filipino mariners: sailing on turbulent seas

(A special report on Seafarers’ Week)  With the world economic crisis still there, the 24/7 piracy attacks in key waterways in the world, and the continued human rights violations on-board, the Filipino mariners and seafarers had no other hope but to stand, struggle and fight for their rights as human beings and as workers. By: […]

Govt urged to help pregnant OFW raped in Saudi

MANILA—Migrant workers’ watchdog, Migrante Middle-East (ME) asked the Philippine Government to quickly extend help to a Filipina, who was gang-raped in Saudi Arabia. “A very reliable source confirmed that, based on the police’s initial investigation, the rape-survivor had had her routine check up in one of the general clinics in Dammam. When she’s walking towards […]

Seafarers, called to unite on fight for their rights and welfare

MANILA, June 25, 2011—The International Seafarers’ Action Center (ISAC) calls on different mariners’ and seafarers’ groups to intensify its struggles for their rights and welfare, as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) declares June 25 as the 1st Day for the Seafarer. In a statement, ISAC said that seafarers face myriad of problems, which solutions remain […]

Fil-Ams to help Japan calamity victims

MANILA, March 25, 2011—Filipino-Americans in the United States are once again united in helping their kababayans who have been affected by the earthquake, tsunami and radiation leaks in Japan. Filipino communities, especially those who have been engaged in the religious service, had launched their own help campaign drive for Filipinos severely affected by the catastrophe. […]

OFWs in Taiwan assails compulsory insurance fee

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan have assailed the new law making an insurance plan compulsory among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Dave Chang, chairperson of Migrante in Taiwan has said in a statement that the new regulation will just shoo away prospective employers for it will just be add to their already heavy […]

OFW found dead in Saudi jail

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) accused of being a drug trafficker was found dead inside his cell, Migrante Middle East’s report said. The 36 year-old Franco (not his real name), a native of Candaba, Pampanga was reported dead dead inside his cell at the Jizan jail last OFW Franco (not his real name), 36 years […]

Runaway OFWs wish to come home this Christmas—Migrante

Antipolo City, November 30, 2010—Only 24 days before the celebration of the birth anniversary of Christ, hundreds of stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi, who run away from their abusive employers, are hoping that they can go home to their families in the Philippines, to celebrate Christmas with them. John Leonard Monterona of Migrante-Middle […]

27 undocumented OFWs nabbed in Saudi crackdown

ANTIPOLO CITY, November 25, 2010—Twenty-seven (27) Filipino workers were arrested in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom has intensified its campaign against illegal aliens working and living there. Migrante Middle East coordinator John Leonard Monterona told CBCPNews, the 27 undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were nabbed by the Saudi police the night of November 23, as […]

Migrante-ME warns of arbitrary raids in Saudi

QUEZON City, Nov. 5, 2010—Migrante Middle East, an alliance of Filipino workers based in Middle East, has sounded the alarm over arbitrary raids in Saudi, in guise of the Kingdom’s anti-drug campaign, but only to crackdown illegal or undocumented migrant workers staying there. Migrante-ME regional coordinator John Monterona told CBCPNews in an email, that his […]

14 OFWs in Saudi arrested in ‘practicing’ religion

MANILA, October 5, 2010—Migrante Middle East (ME) appealed to the government to help 14 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrested by the Saudi cultural police due to participating in a Christian worship. John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-ME told CBCPNews that the 14 OFWs, whose names are yet to be verified, were included to more […]