Government exactions became legalized extortion under BS Aquino

Posted by Pahayag ng Migrante
Rome, Italy 18032014

Plain robbery (caricature by Bill Saguing)

During the Marcos’ regime, labor exportation (LEP) was systemized thru the creation of POEA and its trident. The late Cory Aquino formalized LEP in her economic recovery  program as source of government income. Ex-president Ramos has officially made the Philippine migrant workers an export commodity and labor exportation became an industry and tool for economic development under ex-presidents Estrada and Arroyo.

Not to be left behind, in October 1, 2012, BS Aquino, signed the Administrative Order #31 (AO31) ordering all government heads and agencies to “rationalize the rates of their fees and charges, increasing their rates and impose new fees and charges. ” BS Aquino practically leagalized the state exactions.

According to Sol Pillas, spokesperson for Migrante International AO 31 practically institutionalized more state exactions and fees imposed on OFWs when existing onerouse fees remain under protest by the sector since BS Aquino took office and had legalized “kotong” and state exactions on OFWs, particularly through the implementation of Admnistrative Order 31.

A study by Migrante International estimates that since 2010 the BS Aquino government has been collecting an average of at least P26,267 from every OFW processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). This amount is higher than the average P18,000 the government collected before 2010.              

                                                                        

With the recent increases in Philhealth premium, NBI clearance fees, e-passport fees, barangay clearance fees, and the mandatory contributions to Pag-Ibig, OWWA and mandatory insurance,  among other requirements, the average cost for every OFW for the processing of their Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) has reached an estimated P30,000,” Pillas said. If 4,884 OFWs leave daily to work abroad, the government earns an average of P146.5 million a day from processing fees and other costs shouldered by OFWs

Aside from the hike in costs of requirements for the OEC, other fees and tax schemes being imposed on OFWs include the affidavit of support (AOS) in UAE, Macau and some parts of Europe and the discriminatory P75 Comelec certificate of registration, other onerous fees specifically charged to seafarers and entertainers, and House Bill 3576 dubbed as the “forced remittance bill”.

 Migrante has recently filed a petition at the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order on the recent 160% Philhealth premium hike

According to Migrante International,  “OFWs are plagued with an assortment of issues and problems throughout the entire migration cycle yet the BS Aquino government has barely done any decisive action to support and protect its migrant workers and their families. The BS Aquino government’s ability to uphold Filipino migrants’ rights and promote their welfare has lagged behind its apparent success in pursuing a more aggressive labor export policy,”

STOP THE LEGALIZED EXTORTIONS!

BS AQUINO – PAHIRAP SA OFW!

EXORCISE THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE EVIL STATE EXTORTION, OUST AQUINO!

Read more at http://migranteinternational.org/?p=3470