by Rudy Santos (The Philippine Star), 25 Mar 2021
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday it has launched an investigation into allegations that some of its officers were involved in the trafficking of 44 women to work in Syria.
A Senate inquiry into the human trafficking scheme has been told that women using tourist visas traveled from the Philippines to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where they had been promised work.
They were “locked up inside a dark and dirty dormitory and were made to sleep on the floor,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who is spearheading the inquiry, said previously.
After their 30-day visas expired, the women were forced to go to Damascus, where they were sold to employers for as much as $10,000.
“Our immigration officers seem to be sending our women into slavery,” Hontiveros said last week.
Dozens fled to the Philippine embassy in the Syrian capital “due to harsh working conditions,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said last month.
The DFA has repatriated at least six of the undocumented workers after securing exit visas for them.
“I am disappointed and frustrated about the alleged involvement of BI personnel in these nefarious activities,” BI chief Jaime Morente told the Senate inquiry, according to a statement released yesterday.
At least 28 immigration officers were under investigation over their alleged involvement in the scheme, he said.
“As already proven in the past, we will not hesitate to make them face the harshest penalties,” Morente said. – AFP
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
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29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
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Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
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Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
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Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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