Headlines blaring at us before going to bed and waking up in the morning broadcast the same thing: Global economic crisis affecting countries; Nurses to US not answer to OFW crisis; OWWA offers unemployment package, etc. etc.
While it is commendable that the government is actually doing something 'for the OFWs,' it is very ironic that in a country like Nigeria where jobs are bountiful and the Filipino workers are treated with respect and paid highly, where Filipinos are given a very good living condition, the Philippine government imposed a Travel Ban.
The OFWs here in Nigeria do not suffer like the workers in the Middle East and yet there is no travel ban in the said countries. Iraq where there are actual terrorists, the Honorable Vice President is recommending to lift the ban.
The basis of the government to impose this ban is 'to protect' us - due to the kidnappings of the Filipino seamen in Niger-Delta. As was explained over and over again, with the visits of Conejos and company, the seamen are that - SEAMEN.
Niger-Delta where the militants are and Abuja / Lagos or where the land-based employees are could be compared to Mindanao and Manila. The problem in Niger-Delta is political - unfair sharing of oil revenues.
Filipino Seamen were caught while in the process of oil bunkering. They are still languishing in jail here. The Philippine government paints Nigeria as a dangerous country (where we OFWs prove otherwise); then what would the Nigerian government make of the fact that the Filipinos were the ones caught making trouble? Isn't it very embarrasing?
Many Filipino contract workers had lived and worked honorably here for more than 30 years. Filipinos are working in companies where even the fringe benefits are substantial.
We can not understand the stubborn stand of the government to continue imposing this travel ban. The government is even sending Cimatu to assess the condition here, because the government can not rely on the first hand information as attested by the Filipinos actually living and working here with families, the government has to rely on somebody who has not even an inkling on how we live here.
Because of this 'travel ban' the government via the Bureau of Immigration has actually legitimize 'the escort system' - no pay, no go.
The government is not protecting us - the government has actually turned us into milking cows.
Mabuhay ang Pinoy Workers!
COMMENTS
Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 4:15:43 PM
TRAVEL BAN NOT PROTECTING OFWs IN NIGERIA If the government is not really meant to protect us, then the Travel Ban imposes in Nigeria are the plain facts that they lied to us, contemplating a destructive move to our inalienable rights to travel and work abroad being protected by the Constitution. Our basic rights to choose a better place to work and to find a better life is constrained by this declaration and as circumstances it leads us to hard life.
The government refuses to understand our options what is best and most appropriate places for us to work abroad. The government is refusing to understand our primary pursuit for a better life. The government refused to listen to our statement of supporting facts on the better quality of working environment wherever we are stationed in all places of Nigeria and the security protection our Company being provided to us. All these forms of refusal by our government responsible authority are an obvious violation to our fundamental rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
If Nigerian OFWs are treated as a “Milking Cow” by the unscrupulous Government Officials then what will be the reaction? Isn’t it that the cow is providing milk to the needy but if the cow is hurt because of too much milking then the cow kicks them away. However, how can the cow kicks them because his four legs are tied tightens, of course he will find a proper timing not only to kick them but also to horn them like a mad bull is doing to his oppressor in the fighting arena.
Nonetheless, our appeal for the lifting of travel ban is been a long issue many ideas and comments gathered and written in any forms of critics to various media outlets, we even tried writing to government concerned office and yet nothing yields any positive answers from the government. Now, gauging from your feedbacks, we have the same impression as to why the government is prolonging the effect of this travel ban. Because they knew that OFWs in Nigeria is getting much better compensation compared with the Middle East OFWs and for this reason the real intent of the travel ban to protect us from any imaginary danger, is now transformed to promote a lucrative illegal activity for them called “Milking Cow Business”.
Best regards
Noel S. Archide
INTELS Nigeria .
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