PHILIPPINES - MIGRATION IN 1999

After the minor decline in overseas employment experienced in 1998, migration from the Philippines returned to its normal values, with a slight increase of 3 percent in 1999. No major changes occurred in terms of destination countries, with Saudi Arabia still accounting for one fifth of the overall emigration, followed by Taiwan and Hong Kong. An increase in remittances was anticipated for 1999, since from January to July the amount remitted was US$4.48 billion, compared to US$3.02 billion in the previous year. To encourage the mobilization of remittances, the government offered US$500 million in small-denominated Treasury bonds.

On the domestic side, much discussion occurred on presenting possible amendments to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. Amendments were pressed mostly by the employment agencies that do not want to be considered illegal recruiters if properly licensed, even when committing crimes against migrants. The government was also interested in modifying the section which mandates deregulation by the year 2001. On the other hand, migrant NGOs continued pressing for the full implementation of the law and for additional protection to migrants, bringing to the attention of the government countless cases of abuse. They were successful in obtaining sufficient attention by the government to free Violeta Miranda, who was wrongly accused of bringing illegal drugs to Saudi Arabia, and avoid the execution of John Aquino in the United Arab Emirates. In the meantime the number of Filipino migrants who died abroad increased from 581 in 1997 to 673 in 1998.

In the attempt to increase the level of protection accorded to Filipinos overseas, the government has entered into discussions with more countries, aiming to reach some form of arrangements with 34 of the nations to which Filipinos migrate. At the end of 1998, Filipinos in jail abroad were 2,091 (967 in Kuala Lumpur, 162 in Jeddah, 152 in Tokyo, 135 in Hong Kong and 129 in Riyadh).

In foreign countries, Filipino overseas workers were particularly vocal in Hong Kong, trying to avoid the wages cut demanded by the government. Eventually, wages were reduced by 5 percent from HK$3,860 to HK$3,670, affecting approximately 140,000 Filipino domestic workers who constitute 80 percent of domestic workers in Hong Kong.

Taiwan and the Philippines signed an agreement in September allowing direct hiring of Filipino workers by Taiwanese firms, without the intermediation of labor brokers and recruiters which has increased the placement fees to more than 100,000 pesos. A clash between Filipino and Thai workers employed in the Formosa Plastics Industrial complex in central Taiwan brought the issue of interethnic relations to the attention of local authorities. To avoid future disputes the 7,000 Filipinos and 5,000 Thais employed by the firm were relocated to different working sites. Relations between the Philippines and Taiwan reached its lowest level because of the suspension of the direct air links between the two countries. The dispute raised the cost of airfare for Filipino workers, creating difficulties particularly for those who need to be repatriated and encouraging Taiwanese employers to look for alternative sources of labor, such as in Vietnam.

Concerns emerged during the year because of the crackdown by various governments (Malaysia and South Korea) on irregular migrants. Some 7,000 Filipinos were estimated to be irregularly in South Korea. Also, Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, to be implemented in the year 2000, provides for up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen to irregular migrants. Filipinos working irregularly in Japan could be 40,000. The issue of trafficking received new attention as it was revealed that perhaps 600 of the 1000 Filipinas working as entertainers in Japan could actually be working as prostitutes around the US military bases. A bill on trafficking was introduced in the House of Representatives.