In preparation for the upcoming OFW World Conference in December, the Philippine Migrants Right Watch (PMRW) has successfully hosted the last of the four Round Table Discussions (RTDs), Friday, 24 September at the Blondel Function Room in Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati . Titled: The OFW's Migration Process: Detecting Problems and Identifying Solutions,” the fourth RTD was participated by a representative of the East Asia Missions and representatives of the various organizations of the PMRW. The participants were:

•  Mr. Joseph Chang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office;

•  Ms. Ellene Sana of the Center of Migrant Advocacy (CMA);

•  Mr. Edmund Ruga of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI);

•  Ms. Carmelita Nuqui of the Development Action for Women's Network (DAWN) and president of PMRW;

•  Ms. Ma. Celeste Marasigan of the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW); and

•  Fr. Fabio Baggio of the Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC)

1. In your experience, how rampant are cases of falsified documents in the visa application process? What are your suggestions to curtail this practice?

There are times when they receive falsified documents. In August 2004 out of the 3,468 applications received, 96 were dubious. After verification, 26 or 0.75% were real fake documents.

2. What are the pre-departure requirements (e.g. language courses, training, pre-departure orientation seminars) for Filipino citizens migrating to your country as contract workers?

For contract worker applicants there is a minimum age requirement of 20 years old. For visa examination, the applicant must prepare the following:

a. duly accomplished visa application form

b. three passport size photos (1.5x2, with white background)

c. Passport valid for at least six months

d. Chinese approval letter from the Council of Labor Affairs, R.O.C.

Note: For Caretakers: Original and one photocopy

For Factory Workers: one photocopy for each worker

e. Medical Examination Clearance from accredited hospital

f. Statement of Declaration authenticated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA)

(Contract workers must get POEA approval first. A receipt from POEA must be submitted; otherwise the application is rejected without it.)

g. Certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation

h. Employment Contract

i. Special Power of Attorney Training

j. Certificate from TESDA (caretakers only)

k. Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office

l. Additional for new applicants:

-Old government ID

-other old documents

m. Any other document or ID deemed necessary by the office.

POEA arranges the necessary training of the applicants. Caretakers need 100 hours of training.

For Tourists:

They must submit their passport; photos; approval from employer and financial documents.

* For more details, it was recommended to visit their website at www.taiwanoffice.org.ph .

3. How do prospective employers from your country hire or obtain information about Filipino workers? What has been your experience, if any, in dealing with the migration industry (e.g. recruitment agencies) in the Philippines ?

Employers in Taiwan pay brokers which contacts the recruitment agency here to find qualified applicants. The employer will then come here to find suitable employees. After the applicant or his/her agent submit the necessary documents to POEA then the agency will submit it to TECO for approval.

TECO deals more with agencies than personal applicants. They receive applications through recruitment agents but states that it is better for to applicants apply personally. At present there are 202 recruitment agencies accredited by Taiwan 's Council for Labor Affairs. All agencies have to renew their accreditation every year. The Council also decides if an agency will be delisted upon violation of terms. Applicants from unauthorized agencies are rejected.

4. What are your main concerns about unauthorized (or irregular) migration from the Philippines to your country? What do you think should be done in the Philippines to curb unauthorized migration?

Close relations with the Philippine government can prevent migration-related problems.

5. What is the feedback from your Home Ministry about the situation of the Filipino communities in your country?

It was suggested that Filipinos have to report unjust recruitment agencies so they will be aware and be reported to the Council for judgment.

6. What kind of dialogues or arrangements do you have with the Philippine government, if any, to address the concerns of Filipino migrants in your country?

This was not discussed fully, although they work closely with the POEA

Additional information:

1. Number of days for visa process:

The time needed to process each visa is four working days. However, the application can be expedited to only two working days with the consent of the office on special request and with an additional fee. But if the application is deemed incomplete by the examination, the office may take time to check the documents before releasing the visa or turning down the case.

2. Application payment:

Each visa case is Php 3,600. If it is to be expedited there will be an additional Php 1,800. Both payments are non-refundable.

3. Number of Filipinos in Taiwan :

There are 84,000 legal Filipinos in Taiwan as of April 2004.

4. Recommendation:

It was recommended that evidence of injustices towards Filipino workers (such as broker's 25% share in their salaries) be given to the office to be forwarded to the Taiwanese government.

For religious workers going to Taiwan , it was recommended that the Church in Taiwan submit a letter and constant follow up with the contacts in Taiwan .