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PBBM hopes for fair, just appeal process of Ranara’s killer
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday wants the appeal process of the killer of the 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara to be conducted fairly and that justice will be served accordingly. Ranara's burnt body was found in a desert in Salmi, Al-Jahra Governorate in Kuwait, last January. The 17-year-old son of her employer was arrested and convicted of her murder earlier this month and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The killer was given lesser penalties because he was a minor, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. He has 30 days to appeal the judgment to the Kuwait Court of First Instance. "We hope that the appeal process will be conducted fairly, and justice will be served accordingly," Marcos said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). Marcos Jr. thanked the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Kuwaiti Authorities for their continued pursuit of justice for Ranara. "I commend the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Kuwaiti Authorities for their continued pursuit of justice for our OFW, Jullebee Ranara," Marcos Jr. said. The President also took comfort in thinking that Ranara and her daughter, Toots, are "looking down from heaven with smiles." "Their legacy serves as a reminder of our duty to protect and support our fellow countrymen, regardless of where in the world they may be," he said. Meanwhile, Ranada's family called for a more severe punishment for her murderer, whereas OFW's family said the killer should spend life in prison. Although the offender was found guilty of murder in a juvenile court, the Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that the only aspect that can be appealed is the amount of compensation awarded to the victim's family. "Just receiving justice like that is not enough," Ranara's mother Norlynda Cabiles said in a television interview on Friday. Although the family was aware of different laws in Kuwait, Ranara's brother, Mark Reyes, wanted to have life imprisonment for the murderer. "Fifteen years (of imprisonment) is not enough as what the murderer has done to her was too much. She has four children here. She doesn't deserve that," Reyes said in the same television interview. Earlier this year, Marcos personally condoled the family of Ranara and promised various aid from the government, including financial and scholarship grants. "I just want to offer my sympathies to the family. And to assure them that all the assistance that they might need for the family," Marcos said as he acknowledged that Ranara had worked abroad because she had big dreams for her family. Marcos Jr. has previously said that he would like to review the Philippines' bilateral labor agreement with Kuwait to ensure that OFWs are better protected. The post PBBM hopes for fair, just appeal process of Ranara’s killer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Texas Instruments to expand sites in Clark, Baguio, eyes $1B investment
Analog chipmaker Texas Instruments eyes investing up to $1 billion to expand its Philippine facilities, Malacañang said on Thursday. In a statement, the Palace said Texas Instruments is set to submit an application covering the expansion of its sites in Clark and Baguio in two weeks. TI’s investment plans align with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 signed into law by US President Joe Biden last year, aimed at building and making historic investments that will poise US workers, communities, and businesses to win the race for the 21st century. The law is seen to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, and invest in research and development, science and technology, and the workforce of the future to keep the United States the leader in the industries of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. then welcomed TI’s investment plans, saying, “These (are) areas and sectors in the economy that we would like to be involved in.” “And we have a great deal of [dependence] already… of our exports. We do not see why we should not further support and enhance the sector of the economy because it has (done) well,” he said. In addition, there is good potential on the Philippine side because “we have a workforce that is accustomed to working to foreign corporations.” And on the technological side, Marcos said the Philippines has undertaken a very comprehensive program of upskilling and reskilling its workers to be able to take advantage of the new niches in the labor demand and the labor market. The post Texas Instruments to expand sites in Clark, Baguio, eyes $1B investment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PISTON awaits PBBM’s decision on modernization; regularization of workers
As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 24 July, major transport groups like PISTON converged early in Quezon City to voice out their concerns in relation to the PUV phaseout and PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) National President Rody Floranda called for jeepney rehabilitation and not modernization. “Hindi kailangan na tayo ay bumili ng mamahaling mga minibus na kung saan hindi naman ang ating bansa yung pinapaunlad nito, kundi ang mga malalaking negosyante at dayuhan,” Floranda told Daily Tribune in an exclusive interview, stressing that jeepney modernization will burden jeepney drivers and operators. Floranda is also firm on his stance regarding proper compensation for PUV drivers, operators, and workers in general. “Ang panawagan natin ay ang pagbasura sa kontraktwalisasyon. Karapatan ng mga manggagawa na maging ganap na regular sa loob ng mga kumpanya at mga pagawaan,” Floranda said, noting that workers should not be underpaid and be taken care of by the government. “Kaya itong SONA ay bahagi ng ating panawagan, hindi lamang sa hanay ng sektor ng transportasyon. Floranda added, “Syempre, ang pinakamahalaga diyan ay itigil ang mga malawakang demolisyon [sa aming hanapbuhay].” Major transport groups held a nationwide transport strike in March to protest against the PUVMP. However, the week-long nationwide strike concluded early when the palace held a private meeting with transport groups to air their grievances: review the Department Order No. 2017-11, known as Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which was issued by the DOTr, to bring back a five-year franchise to public vehicles nationwide, and jeepneys would no longer be phased out. Afterward, Marcos Jr. vowed that he will review the jeepney modernization program. Transport and labor groups are waiting for the President to address this concern in his SONA. PISTON and MANIBELA are a few of the several labor groups that will hold their protests around Quezon City as they continue to heed their call to alleviate the transportation crisis in the country. The post PISTON awaits PBBM’s decision on modernization; regularization of workers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Labor group backs review of Philippines-China ties
The labor group Federation of Free Workers is backing calls for a thorough examination of the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with China......»»
Kuwait ‘temporarily’ bans OFWs
A local business magazine published in Dubai reported that overseas Filipino workers are temporarily not welcome in Kuwait after the Kuwaiti government reportedly suspended the granting of entry and work visas to Filipinos. The Arabian Business reported on Wednesday that the temporary suspension came from Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, saying that the Philippines is not compliant with some parts of the labor pact between the two countries. Filipinos in Kuwait are reportedly around 268,000, according to a previous statement by Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, 88 percent of which are household service workers. Arabian Business also reported that groups such as the Kuwait Progressive Movement viewed the decision as ‘discriminatory,’ adding that foreign workers have been receiving unfair treatment from local employers. However, the labor ties between the Philippines and Kuwait have soured this year with the gruesome death of 35-year-old Jullebee Ranara, whose body was discovered burned in a desert last January. Another notable case was the abuse experienced by Myla Bagbag who jumped off from a building unit to escape her employer. Such cases caused outrage leading to calls for a deployment ban and the eventual instatement of a deployment ban for first-time household service workers. Previously, DMW Secretary Susan Ople expressed her disapproval over a deployment ban, arguing that it should be addressed through a diplomatic review of the two countries’ labor agreement. Daily Tribune sought comment from the DMW but has not yet responded. Arabian Business also reported that groups such as the Kuwait Progressive Movement viewed the decision as ‘discriminatory,’ adding that foreign workers have been receiving unfair treatment from local employers. The post Kuwait ‘temporarily’ bans OFWs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LIVE: Senate hearing on death of OFW Jullebee Ranara
Senate migrant workers panel chairperson Raffy Tulfo previously said he wants the upper chamber to review the labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait, with the aim of ensuring that Filipino migrant workers sent to the Gulf state are better protected......»»
Jullebee laid to rest tomorrow in Las Piñas
Slain overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara will be laid to rest tomorrow even as a group of women workers expressed support for the call to review the current bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait......»»
DMW might review labor agreement with Kuwait after killing of OFW
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople floated a possible review of the Philippines’ labor agreement with Kuwait to better secure overseas Filipino workers there following the brutal killing of yet another Filipino domestic worker......»»
PhilHealth premium hike still under review — Palace
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to greenlight any increase in PhilHealth’s premium rates to ensure the fairness of any additional cost for its members......»»
Advocates call for climate emergency in Mindanao
PMCJ urged the local governments in Mindanao to strengthen the capacity of localities to deal with the impacts of climate change, provide adequate shelter to displaced communities, and review current disaster prevention and response programs......»»
Labor group backs hike in Pag-IBIG contributions
A labor group is backing the long-delayed contribution hike of the Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, to ensure increased benefits among members......»»
DOLE backs jeepney drivers’ regular employment
The Department of Labor and Employment is pushing for the regular employment status of jeepney drivers who will continue working under the jeepney modernization program......»»
MPIC remains interested in Axelum
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. has reaffirmed its interest in coconut products manufacturer and exporter Axelum Resources Corp., with aspirations to finalize a deal by end of the year, contingent on the results of an ongoing due diligence review......»»
Wynn Resorts Successfully Reaches Agreement with Las Vegas Unions, Preventing Strike
Las Vegas Hospitality Workers Reach Tentative Labor Deal with Wynn Resorts, Avoiding Strike In a major development for the Las Vegas hospitality industry, workers at.....»»
House to boost defense budget, backs Palace’s stance on West Philippine Sea
House Speaker Martin Romualdez confirmed on Friday that Congress will increase the defense budget in the 2024 national budget to strengthen efforts in securing Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea......»»
From ‘Nanny’ to negotiator, Fran Drescher rallied actors to new labor deal
The former 'Nanny' star emerges a modern-day hero for thousands of rank-and-file Hollywood actors after securing a hard-fought deal.....»»
Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties
Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, went the extra mile to iron out the diplomatic irritants between his country and the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday. Marcos said the Kuwaiti royal approached him on the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh for a brief meeting. “He said,” Marcos told reporters, quoting the Crown Prince, “‘Can we have a quick chat for just three to five minutes?’ He assured me it wouldn’t take long, and we readily agreed” to discuss the labor-related discord between our two countries.” The President said that following the Kuwaiti side’s initiative, he was all-in for resolving the problem. In their discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction over the actions taken by his own people, and said he disapproved of the strained relations between his country and the Philippines. “The words that he used were, ‘Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing,’” the Crown Prince told him Marcos said. Marcos said Crown Prince Mishal also “absolved” the Philippines of any need to apologize for trying to protect its citizens working in Kuwait who had been abused. “There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you,” Marcos quoted the Crown Prince, who cited the enduring support for Kuwait by the President’s late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines,” the Crown Prince said, according to Marcos. In 2018, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of new workers to Kuwait after the body of a Filipino domestic worker, Joanna Demafelis, was found in a freezer in her employer’s home. The ban was lifted in 2020 after the two countries signed a bilateral labor agreement that included provisions for increased protection for Filipino workers. However, tensions between the two countries flared up again in 2023 after the body of another Filipino domestic worker, Jullebee Ranara, was found in the Kuwaiti desert. The Philippine government accused the Kuwaiti government of failing to protect its workers and suspended the deployment of new workers to Kuwait. Kuwait responded by suspending the issuance of all visas to Filipinos, including tourist visas. The post Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuwait crown prince apologized over labor issues with Philippines, says Marcos
President Marcos quotes Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-sabah as telling him, 'We will fix it,' referring to the labor issues between their countries.....»»
PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to successfully resolve the diplomatic tensions between Kuwait and the Philippines following a brief meeting with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In a roundtable interview with the reporters on Saturday morning (Manila time), Marcos said Kuwait's Crown Prince approached him at the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh. According to Marcos, Kuwait's Crown Prince requested a brief meeting to address the ongoing discord between the two nations. "He said, 'Can we have a quick chat for just 3 to 5 minutes?' He assured me it wouldn't take long, and we readily agreed," Marcos told the reporters, describing how the impromptu meeting started. In the discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of his people and disapproved of the strained relations between Kuwait and the Philippines. "The words that he used are 'Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing'," Marcos said. He added that the Crown Prince absolved the Philippines of any need to apologize. According to the Chief Executive, the Crown Prince told him: "There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you." He cited the enduring support of President Marcos's father for Kuwait, emphasizing the historical ties between the nations. "We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines," the Crown Prince affirmed, promising resolution and reconciliation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Kuwait told the Philippines to honor the Gulf state's sovereignty after the Middle Eastern country halted issuing new entry visas to citizens of the Southeast Asian country due to a labor agreement dispute. Kuwait has announced that it will extend the temporary prohibition on all types of visas for Filipino workers. However, they have also confirmed that they will renew visas for those who hold valid residence permits and wish to continue their employment in Kuwait. In 2018, the Philippines and Kuwait entered into a labor agreement aimed at regulating domestic workers. This agreement came about following a dispute between the two nations, which resulted in a ban on Filipino workers after a domestic worker was tragically murdered. This year, another distressing incident occurred when a 35-year-old Filipina maid was killed by a Kuwaiti teenager, prompting the Philippines to reevaluate its labor agreement with Kuwait. This incident occurred nearly five years after the murder of Joanna Daniela Demafelis, a Filipina domestic worker whose body was discovered in a freezer after being killed by her employers. These events caused a diplomatic strain and led the then-president, Rodrigo Duterte, to temporarily ban Filipinos seeking employment in the Gulf country. The post PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Christiane Benner, first woman to lead Germany’s biggest union
Christiane Benner will become the first woman to lead Germany's biggest union when she takes the helm at IG Metall next week. But the milestone comes as the once mighty industrial sector battles a series of crises. Soaring energy costs due to Russia's war in Ukraine, high inflation, and weaker demand from key trade partner China have culminated in a manufacturing slump that has raised fears about Germany's future as an industrial powerhouse and export champion. Benner's appointment is set to be confirmed at an IG Metall congress on Monday. As she prepares to go to bat for IG Metall's more than two million members in sectors including the automotive, machine tool, and electrical industries, Benner is clear about her priorities. "The most important thing is keeping industry in Germany and Europe," she told AFP in an interview in her Frankfurt office. Asked why it took so long for IG Metall, founded in 1949, to install a woman at the top, Benner chuckled. "Ask the men!" smiled the bespectacled 55-year-old. Benner has been a member of IG Metall since her early 20s after starting work as a foreign-language secretary at a mechanical engineering firm. After taking time out to study sociology, she rose through the ranks at IG Metall and became the union's vice president in 2015. Eighty percent of IG Metall's members are men. Deindustrialization fears A work and study stint in the United States in the 1990s opened her eyes to the "weakness" of American unions, Benner recalled. The contrast with Germany was stark, where the model of co-determination gives labor representatives a significant say in workplace decisions. As Germany's most powerful trade union and the largest in Europe, Benner is well aware of IG Metall's influence. "We're strong," she said. IG Metall flexed its muscles last year and won an 8.5-percent wage increase over two years to help compensate for inflation, a benchmark deal covering around four million workers across several sectors. Even more daunting challenges lie ahead, as Germany's long-vaunted economic model is called into question and an end-of-year recession looms. Companies in Germany's energy-intensive industries are already weighing whether to shift production to cheaper shores, a problem compounded by the lure of US green subsidies through Washington's Inflation Reduction Act, Benner said. "We're seeing a creeping dismantling of industry and jobs," she warned. To prevent a dreaded "deindustrialization" of Europe's biggest economy, Benner is in favor of discounted electricity prices for industrial firms. The proposed subsidy has been a topic of fierce debate within Germany's coalition government in recent months. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who like Benner is a member of the center-left Social Democrats, has yet to back the idea, fearing it could slow the transition towards renewable energies. Retaining talent Adding to Germany's woes are long-running structural problems such as a shortage of skilled workers in an aging country, and foot-dragging on digitization. More than 2.6 million young adults in Germany under the age of 35 have no vocational qualification, despite a growing need for highly qualified employees as new technologies transform businesses. IG Metall was working hard to increase the number of apprenticeships and make on-the-job training more attractive, Benner said. Hoping to make heavy industry a more appealing career choice, Benner also advocates a better work-life balance and supports a four-day workweek for those who want it. She also wants to narrow the gender pay gap in a country where men still earn seven percent more than women doing the same job. But first up on her to-do list will be next month's wage negotiations with steel bosses. Benner will be pushing for a similar 8.5-percent salary bump for the sector and a reduction in working hours from 35 to 32 hours a week, without loss of pay. The post Christiane Benner, first woman to lead Germany’s biggest union appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»