Dhalla nanny affair should prompt assessment Live-in Caregiver Program

Advocates once again calls to scrap the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Read The Georgia Straight Article Here

After working as a Live-in Caregiver - what next?

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Vancouver Balikbayan Box Philippines

For your reading pleasure - sorry could not be translated - it would lose it's flavour.

Registered nurse si Maria sa Canada. Kasama nya ang kanyang ina na nagpagamot din doon. Namatay ang ina nito. Dahil sa kamahalan ng pamasahe pabalik sa Pilipinas, nagtipid si Maria. Pinauwi na lang niya ang kabaong ng kanyang ina na mag-isa.

Pagdating ng kabaong, napansin ng mga kapamilya niya na dikit na dikit ang mukha ng bangkay sa salamin ng ataul. Nagkomento tuloy ang isang anak, "Ay, naku! Tingnan mo 'yan... hindi sila marunong mag-ayos ng bangkay sa Canada!" Upang ayusin ang itsura ng bangkay, binuksan ang kabaong Aba! May sulat sa dibdid ng ina. Kinuha nila ito at binasa. Ang nilalaman ng liham na mula kay Maria?

Mahal kong tatay at mga kapatid,

Pasensya na kayo at hindi ko nasamahan ang nanay sa pag-uwi riyan sa Pilipinas dahil napakamahal ng pamasahe. Ang gastos ko pa lang sa kanya ay mahigit $10,000 na Ayoko nang isipin pa ang eksaktong halaga. Anyway, ipinadala ko kasama ni nanay ang mga sumusunod...

Nasa likod ni nanay ang dalawampu't apat na karne norte. And adidas na suot ni nanay ay para kay tatay. Ang limang pares ng de-goma ay nasa loob ng dalawang asul na Jansport na backpack na inuunan ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo. Ang iba't-ibang klase ng tsokolate at candy ay nasa puetan ni nanay. Para sa mga bata ito. Bahala na kayong magparte-parte. Sana'y hindi matunaw ang mga ito. Ang Pokemon stuffed toy na yapos-yapos ni nanay ay para sa bunso ni ate. Gift ko sa first birthday ng bata Ang itim na Esprit bag ay para kay Nene, Ate, nasa loob ng bag ang pictures ni inay, mga japanese version ng Pokemon trading cards at stickers.

Suot ni nanay ang tatlong Ralph Lauren, apat na Gap at dalawang Old Navy t-shirts. Ang isa ay para kay Kuya at tig-iisa ang mga pamangkin ko. Maisusuot ninyo ang mga iyan sa fiesta. Suot din ni inay ang anim na panty hose at tatlong warmer para sa mga dalaga kong pamangkin. Isuot nyo ang mga ito sa party.

May isang dosenang NBA caps sa may paanan ni nanay. Para sa inyo, itay, kuya, dikong, Tiyo Romy. Bigyan nyo na rin ng tig-isa 'yung mga pamangkin ko at yong isa ay kay Pareng Tulume Ang tigdadalawang pares ng Nike wristband at knee caps na suot-suot din ni nanay ay para sa mga anak mo, diko, na nagbabasketball. Tigdadalawang ream ng Marlboro Green at Winston Lights ang nasa pagitan ng mga hita ni nanay. Apat na jar ng Skippy Peanut Butter, dalawang dishwashing liquid, isang Kiwi glass cleaner at tig-aanim na Colgate at Aqua Fresh ang nakasiksik sa kilikili ni nanay. Hati-hati na kayo, huwag san kayong mag-aagawan. Isang dosenang Wonder bra na gustong-gusto ni Tiya Iska, suot-suot din ni nanay. Alam kong inaasam-asam nyo 'yan, tiya. Ang Rolex na bilin-bilin mo tatay, suot-suot ni nanay. Kunin mo agad, tatay. Ang hikaw, singsing at kuwintas (na may nakakabit pang anim na nail cutters) na gustong-gusto mo, ditse, ay suot-suot din ni nanay. Kunin mo na rin agad, ditse. Isang Ray Ban ladies sunglass na pabirthday ko kay Ninang Berta, hindi ko ba pinasuot kay nanay. Isiniksik ko na lang sa may bandang ulunan ni nanay. Nasa pink na plastik na maliit. Mga Chanel at Champion na medyas, suot-suot din ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo, mga pamangkin ko. Mga pampers, panty liners, cotton buds, cotton balls, table napkins at mga scotch brite na may foam ay natatakpan ng mga puting bath towels...yon bale ang pinangkutson ko sa kabaong ni nanay. Marami- rami rin iyon Parte-parte rin kayo.

Marami pa akong ipinagsisiksik kung saan-saang parte gaya ng cafe, coffee creamer, ilang vienna sausage na de lata, Barbie dolls, toothbrush, paper cups, plastic spoon and pork, paper at styro ! foam plates, perfume, cologne, ballpens, stationaries, envelopes, bar soaps, Matchbox toys, used t-shirts, hand towels, CD, VHS tapes, padlock, tools gaya ng screw driver, plais, long nose, atbp. Hindi ko na na-itemize ang mga ito dahil nagmamadali ako. Marami pa sana akong ipaglalalagay kaya lang, baka mag-excess at si nanay pa ang maiwan. Basta parte-parte kayo, tatay, kuya, ate, dikong, ditse. Para sa inyo lahat ito.

Bahala na kayo kay nanay. Pamimisahan ko na lang siya rito. Balitaan ninyo na lang ako pagkatapos ng libing. Paki-double check ang lista kung walang nawala sa mga ipinadala ko.

Nagmamahal,

Maria

P.S. PAKIBIHISAN ninyo agad si Nanay!

Agonizing wait for OFW on Taiwan death row

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE) The next five days would be the most agonizing for Cecilia Alcaraz and her family, including sons Jherome and Efhraim Alcaraz, as they await the verdict of a Taiwan court.

On May 4, the Taiwan Appellate Court is scheduled to hand down its decision on the appeal of Cecilia, a teacher who hails from Liliw, Laguna, who pleaded innocent on the murder of her job broker in September 2007. If found guilty, she would be sentenced to death by firing squad.

Another OFW left to fend for themselves? Common story -- "no one available" yet these OFW's pay the Philippine Government in order to get out of the Country to work outside.

Read article here

Background info here

ONTARIO ACTS TO HELP TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS

Telephone Hotline And Fact Sheet To Aid Live–in Caregivers
April 25, 2009

NEWS
A new toll free telephone hotline, outreach team, and information fact sheet will help employees who are part of the federal Live–in Caregiver Program address issues regarding their employment rights.

The Ministry of Labour hotline will provide these employees, often called nannies, with information on their rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The hotline will be supported by a specially trained team to assist them in filing claims and link them to dedicated investigative officers.

The ESA fact sheet for live–in caregivers provides information on wages, hours of work, overtime pay, and other rights under the ESA. It also explains that employers cannot punish or threaten them for asking for their rights under the ESA.

The measures announced today are part of Ontario’s strategy that will also include introduction of legislation later this year that will, if passed, ban placement fees and begin targeted enforcement of agencies that breach Ontario’s labour laws.

QUOTES
“We are taking action to help protect vulnerable employees who are in Ontario under the federal Live–in Caregiver Program. The new telephone hotline and information fact sheet will assist these employees while we move forward on a made–in-Ontario solution to address broader concerns.”

– Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour

“Women working in Ontario under the federal Live–in Caregiver Program will now be safer. The hotline and fact sheet will ensure more women know their rights under the law and can take action when their rights aren't being respected.”

– Deb Matthews, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues

QUICK FACTS
The new toll free information hotline will be 1–866–372–3247. The hotline will begin receiving calls on April 27, 2009.

There were approximately 18,000 employees in Ontario in 2007 that were part of the federal Live–in Caregiver Program.

LEARN MORE
Read the new ESA fact sheet for employees in the federal Live–in Caregiver Program
Find out more about the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)

Probe sought into Filipina maid’s death

Probe sought into Filipina maid’s death Saturday, April 25, 2009-->
Web posted at: 4/25/2009 3:28:11Source
::: THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Advocacy group Migrante has called on the Philippine government to seek a thorough probe into the death of a Filipina domestic helper who allegedly jumped out of her employer’s car here last month.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East coordinator, said in a statement that an investigation was needed into the death of the 24-year-old woman, Noliza Leynes, and the Philippine Embassy in Qatar should make proper representation on behalf of her family.
The Philippine Embassy in Qatar is following up the case.
According to reports, Leynes jumped out of the car she was travelling in on March 22. She died of head injuries on March 28 at Hamad Hospital, exactly three months after she arrived in Qatar, on December 28.

“We are also worried (about the case),” Monterona said. He said Leynes’ death could have been prevented if the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Doha had acted swiftly to rescue her.
The mother of the deceased, Corazon Magnaye, had earlier sought help from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs after being informed by her daughter’s recruitment agency that she was comatose at
the hospital.

Magnaye expressed fears there could be suspicious circumstances behind her daughter’s death.

Pasalubong Sa Inyo: online sari sari store now open!

If you have family located in Pangasinan or surrounding area -- http://www.pasalubingsainyo.com/ is Canada's newest friendly neighborhood store for Filipino-Canadians on the Web. Created by MAR Media Consulting - the online Filipino store is now open and ready to take your orders anytime and anywhere you are in Canada or the world!.

http://www.pasalubingsainyo.com/ , makes it easier for Fil-Cans to send gifts to their loved ones in the Philippines. Simplified packaging, practical products - delivered within 24hrs. (Province of Pagasinan and surrounding area only)

http://www.pasalubongsainyo.com/ has one key service offering: Pre-packaged Balikbayan Box. Reduces your head-ache. Packages are available for most occassion. Save TIME - save MONEY save ENERGY

Example: Holiday Specials Family Pack Special Care Pack Big Party

Balikbayan Boxes that contain popular goods and items - ready for delivery to loved ones in the Philippines.

http://www.pasalubongsainyo.com/ has also partnered with the best suppliers the Philippines to offer its customers the best products and services possible. Soon to come, flowers, food and electorinics.

Visit them online: http://www.pasalubongsainyo.com/

Great Maid Debate

Thousands of Filipinos marched through Hong Kong last weekend in protest against a local magazine columnist who described The Philippines as a "nation of servants" in a satirical article that has sparked an international race row.

But even as the protest march was going on, some influential Filipino groups were admitting that The Philippines has indeed become a country of overseas domestics.Media in The Philippines said that many migrant groups, including the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), Kanlungan Center Foundation, and Migrante International, have bashed the columnist for spouting this "racial slur" while at the same time lamenting that the "servant" tag for the nation’s overseas workers fits because of the government’s labour export policy.

Read full article here

Our condolence to the family of Juana Tejada

Saddened by Loss of Caregiver Rights Activist: Juana Tejada The Driving Force Behind Campaign to Change Law

This article can be found at: http://www.usw.ca/program/content/5660.php

9 MARCH 2009 - Steelworkers Saddened by Loss of Caregiver Rights Activist: Juana Tejada The Driving Force Behind Campaign to Change Law Msgr. Charles Owen Rice-->
Juana Tejada signing the first iWorkers membership card last summer. Juana passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009 at age 40.

TORONTO – United Steelworkers (USW) Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said Monday that the union is deeply saddened by the loss of Juana Tejada, the live-in caregiver whose struggle to remain in Canada under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) sparked a campaign to change immigration law and ensure a fair process to workers seeking permanent residence under the LCP.

Known as the Juana Tejada law, the changes are being championed by NDP MP Olivia Chow, who met Juana last summer and worked on her behalf.

An amendment to section 38(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) would include members of the Live-in Caregivers Class on the list of foreign nationals exempted from the “excessive demand” ground of inadmissibility.

Juana Tejada came to Canada after passing a rigorous medical exam but was refused permanent residence and ordered deported after contracting the cancer that ultimately resulted in her death Sunday at age 40. Juana was denied permanent residence twice by Canadian immigration authorities before finally being allowed to stay permanently following a vigorous public campaign.

The proposed amendment would recognize that, if a caregiver has done her work and paid her taxes, she should be entitled to permanent resident status under the Live-in Caregiver Class after at least two years of working here, no matter what her medical condition is. The current immigration laws must be changed so that they do not disqualify hardworking caregivers from becoming permanent residents, only because they develop a medical condition that is clearly beyond her, or anyone’s control.

“Juana Tejada is a true hero and was a fighter for the rights of workers like herself,” said Fraser. “She was a reserved person but was prepared to have her illness and her situation made public if would serve the greater good.

“She was a founding member of the Independent Workers Association, now known as iWorkers, because she felt live-in caregivers needed a stronger voice. Her wish was to have the immigration law changed in her lifetime. Now, it is in her memory that the USW urges Parliament to pass these changes as quickly as possible so that no other caregivers have to face the challenges that Juana did.”

iWorkers is a collaborative effort of the USW and community-based Migrante Ontario
CONTACT: Peter Leibovitch 416.278.4123 Wayne Fraser 416.243.8792; 416.577.4045

New Live in Caregiver Advertising Requirements! - January 1, 2009

As of January 1, 2009, new advertising requirements must be met by agencies or families who seek to hire a foreign live-in Caregiver to work in Canada.

The HRSDC has eliminated all Occupation Under Pressure lists previously utilized by employers to facilitate the temporary entry of foreign workers into Canada. Prior to this date, employers seeking to hire foreign workers whose occupations were listed as being “in demand”, benefited from minimal or no advertising requirements for the provision of an HRSDC approval. Following January 1, 2009, advertising for foreign national employees that would have fallen into this beneficial exception has become mandatory and significantly more involved. This change significantly impacts families seeking live-in Caregivers and live-in Caregiver agencies across Canada.

Minimum Recruitment Requirements

For Canadian families in need of a live-in Caregiver in Canada, these changes mean significantly greater requirements. Service Canada now requires that the following minimum recruitment requirements be met before it will approve an application for a Labor Market Opinion for Live-in Caregivers:

• Advertise on the national Job Bank; and
• Conduct similar recruitment activities consistent with the practice within the occupation in the three (3) months prior to applying for a LMO; and
• Demonstrate reasonable ongoing recruitment efforts which include advertising directly to communities that traditionally face barriers to employment.

As families seeking to employ live-in Caregivers are often subjected to time constraints, these recent changes, which add a minimum of three (3) months to the application process, are of significant importance. We invite you to contact us to secure further information regarding your live-in Caregiver and other immigration needs.
http://www.a-procare.com/ E-mail: admin@aprocaregivers.com

USEFUL LINKS - Provincial - Federal

FEDERAL

Human Resources Development Canada

Human Resources Development Canada offices nearest you Live-in caregiver program - Human Resources Development Canada

Human Resources Development Canada - How to fill out a Record of Employment

List of Service Canada Centres that process Foreign Workers

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Live-in caregiver program - Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada Visa offices Application for work-authorization

Canada Customs and Revenue agency

Canada Customs and Revenue agency - Main menu

Canada Customs and Revenue agency - How to request a business number

Canada Customs and Revenue Canada- General payroll information

Canada Customs and Revenue agency - Fact sheet T4 filing

Tables on diskette for Windows - WinTOD

Childcare expenses deduction form

PROVINCIAL - BC

Employment Standards
B.C. Employment Standards Branch - Homepage

Info for Domestic Workers and Employers

Domestic Workers and Employers Guide

Health Care Insurance Plans

Medical Services Plan

Worker's Compensation

Contacts for WCB of BC offices

Work Safe BC

Registering of Coverage

Caregivers - should not marry until they have status in Canada

A client had emailed me over the holidays.

Q: I always read your blogs and articles on the net and noticed that you have been a blessing to a lot of people who need assistance and advice. Now I am writing this letter to seek some. I am under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and soon will acquire my landed status. I have a fiancé overseas. What is the best, right and fastest way to be reunited? Thanks a lot. God Bless.

A: Congratulations on your engagement. Since you are under the LCP you are entitled to apply for permanent residence from within Canada after completing two years of care giving here. Your fiancée cannot be included as your dependent in your application until you are married, or in a common law or conjugal relationship, as defined under our immigration laws.

Family members will be processed concurrently if they are included “at the time the application was made”. Applicants must list all family members in Canada and abroad, and indicate which ones they wish to have processed concurrently for permanent residence. Family members may not be added to an application once processing has begun (i.e. passing the initial evaluation stage).

You absolutely must notify immigration authorities in writing of any changes in your marital or common law status before you are landed. If you marry after applying but prior to landing, make sure that you have confirmation that CIC has received your notice and ensure that your spouse is examined before you are landed. If he is not examined prior to your landing, you will not be able to sponsor him later as your spouse. Furthermore, an undisclosed marriage prior to landing will be treated as a material misrepresentation and could lead to deportation proceedings, if discovered. CIC usually catches these misrepresentations when a sponsor includes a marriage certificate that pre-dates their own landing as a single person.

It is unimportant where you marry. However, the biggest reason for you to avoid getting married before you are landed is that if your husband is medically or criminally inadmissible both of your applications will be refused. A newly wedded nanny can see 2-3 years of hard work go down the drain because of their grooms’ undisclosed drunk driving conviction or previously undetected medical problem.

He can apply for a visa to visit you here but there is no guarantee that it will be approved. He should be truthful about having a fiancé/spouse in Canada even though it may make it more difficult for him to get the visa. Any lack of candor may come back to haunt you later when you sponsor him.

Of course, this will result in a longer separation from your partner, but this may be better than risking your hard work and future in Canada