WORK - NO PAY: Pinoy rebuilders of New Zealand's Christchurch stricken by 2011 earthquake are exploited; working No PAY

Some Filipinos working on the Christchurch earthquake rebuild are being exploited by unscrupulous employers, a union says. (MSN File)

Christchurch Filipino workers exploited

A rogue employer in Christchurch has been forcing Filipino workers to labor for free on Saturdays amid exploitation claims, a union says.

The First Union says a subcontractor made 40 employees work for free on Saturdays before the main contractor found out.

 

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"It's one of the terrible situations where someone takes advantage," union southern secretary Paul Watson told NZ Newswire.

The 40 were employed by a reasonably big company, but were managed by another agency. That agency had since been sacked, he said.

The union says another case involves 15 employees who say they have not been paid for six to 11 weeks' work.

Filipinos make up the biggest single group of migrant workers helping with Christchurch rebuild following the 2011 earthquake.

The unions were hearing about exploitation cases through the Filipino community who were already living in Christchurch.

Mr Watson said some are not aware of their rights under New Zealand employment and health and safety laws. They were also scared of losing their work visa if they complained and were sacked.

"It's not good for the Canterbury workforce, and it's not good for New Zealand itself."

Mr Watson said government officials were moving quickly when they became aware of exploitation but migrant workers needed to be made more aware of their rights.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says the numbers involved are small, but there is a risk they could grow.

The government was distributing information about workers' rights both here and in the Philippines and also working on a law change to make exploitation of migrant workers a criminal offence, he told Radio New Zealand. – MSN news

 

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Philippines, Iran and South Korea to represent Asia for FIBA World Cup in Spain; MVP ordered GILAS to play & win not Touring

Gilas five no tourists in Spain

 

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They're not going to Spain in August to watch a bull fight, try its famous cuisine, troop to its crowded beaches or visit its ancient basilicas.

The Gilas players will be there to vie in the FIBA World Cup and if possible win a game or two.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan has given members of Gilas Pilipinas, from the coaches down to the players, their marching orders.

"MVP (Pangilinan) told the whole team he does not want them to be tourists in Spain," said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios yesterday.

"The target is to win at least two games and move to the next round," added Barrios during the PSA Forum at Shakey's Malate.

The former PBA commissioner did now say how they intend to do it. But he sounded confident that it can be done.

"He (Pangilinan) like all of us will be disappointed if we lose all five games (in the elims)," he said.

"The pessimists are saying it's a waste because nothing will happen but that's not the right attitude. We will not go there thinking that way," added Barrios.

Only the best, the top 24 players in the world, will see action in Spain. Only three teams in Asia will be there – Iran, the Philippines and South Korea.

Barrios said the country's chances will all depend on the draw on Feb. 3 in Spain.

"It's a high target but depends on the grouping that we're landing. You can only imagine if we are bracketed with the United States," Barrios added.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, team manager Aboy Castro and logistics officer Andrew Teh will fly to Spain to witness the draw.

Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the FIBA World Cup by finishing second to Iran in the 2013 FIBA Asia Men's Championship held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The last time the Philippines saw action in the World Cup was in 1978 when it hosted the event. In 1986, the Philippines also qualified but wasn't able to compete because of the Edsa Revolution.

The United States won the 2010 crown by beating Turkey in Istanbul. In 2006, Spain defeated Greece for the title as the Americans finished third.

Reyes, according to Barrios, is "burning the candles" making sure Gilas Pilipinas fields the best team possible for the World Cup.

The SBP is keeping its fingers crossed that the PBA and its teams can find a way to "pro-actively" support the campaign by loaning its best players.

"There are many ways to skin a cat. I hope the PBA can find a solution that will not hurt the league as much. If the PBA can only give us two months (with their players) it may be sufficient," said Barrios.

"We will play the cards dealt to us.  But we want to send the best team we can."

Barrios said the Philippines already received an invitation from the Jones Cup organizers but the SBP "politely declined" because Reyes has already lined up a training sting in Europe in August.

By the time the Gilas players return from Spain, they will only have a couple of weeks to prepare for the Incheon Asian Games set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

"They only have a week to train and say 'hello and goodbye' to their families," said Barrios. - By Abac Cordero /philSTAR

 

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Philippine Population to breach 100 Million by September 2014; Foreign Analyst call to curve fastest growth

Philippines unfazed by rising population

The Philippines said the prospect of breaching the 100 million population mark is both a challenge and an opportunity.

"It is both a challenge and an opportunity because people are the most important resource. That is our balanced view of the situation," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on the state-run DZRB Radyo ng Bayan yesterday.

Coloma was reacting to a statement given by Philippine Populations Commission (Popcom) executive director Dr Juan Antonio Perez that the country was expected to breach the 100 million mark by the third or fourth quarter of the year.

Perez, in an interview published in the Philippine Star, noted that a rising population would require investment in social health, education and infrastructure — expenditures that the government can hardly afford right now.

Perez said that with the country's population growth rate pegged at an annual two per cent, the Philippines needs to "maintain a gross domestic product of more than four per cent to keep pace with employment".

But Coloma said these issues were factored in when the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) came up with the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

Coloma said the PDP is geared for inclusive growth, to make sure all Filipinos benefit from any improvements in the country's economy. Coloma, likewise, stressed a large part of the budget for 2014 was geared towards social protection and social welfare and development.

"The majority of Filipinos should not be left out of any growth," he said.

The country's population growth had always been a subject of debate among economists. During the administration of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this matter had been brought up and the standard response was that population growth would be good for a country like the Philippines. This, given that the country had no qualms about exporting its surplus manpower and benefiting from this arrangement in terms of foreign currency remittances.

International observers have said that the Philippines has to rein in its population growth so that its citizens would be able to share the benefits. – Gulf News

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