Readers' Comments

Out of Turn

I agree with Mr. Bob Gabuna that the Labor Attache spoke out of turn here.

Although as a matter of principle as well as practice, the attache correctly described the role of his office when he stated, "ang kunsulado hindi po magsusumbong ng mga kababayan".


However, his message undeniably went awry when he added, "ayaw natin mangyayari yan-na madeport kayo sa Pilipinas" if he did not qualify that with the circumstances that merit deportation like commission of serious crimes.


Moreover, his emphasis to his audience in the Newcomers Orientation Conference to be "assertive in their workplaces and in dealing with their employers" if again not qualified with obedience to existing laws of their host country is another blunder on his part.


Consulates like (U.S.) Bureau of Census and I.R.S.(tax collectors) do not volunteer information about immigration status to encourage participation from undocumented individuals.


Maria Elizabeth Embry
 
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'Distasteful' Advice

I think it is oxymoron to advice Filipino Caregivers who entered illegally in Canada to "be assertive" vis a vis their Canadian employers; but, offers false sense of assurance that they won't be reported to the proper authorities for committing infraction of Canadian Law.

I vehemently resent the suggestion.

I am a Filipino. I am a Canadian resident. I used to work for Immigration Board of Canada as Interpreter/Translator.

If we want to earn the respect of our adopted country, we must by all means be upfront and transparent in our dealings. It does not help to cheat.

There is no need to exhort our illegal Caregivers to be assertive vis a vis Canadian employers. The Canadian Government have laws in place that looks after the welfare of contract workers.

The best thing that a diplomatic officer could do is to encourage expatriate Filipinos to be law abiding, honest, and straightorward in their application.

What an advice from an embassy official. Extremely distasteful. Shame!

Bob Gabuna,
writing from Manila

P.S.
I cc the Publisher of the Filipino Journal to correct the iniquitous and erroneous call of the Labor Attache. If indeed the report is true as indicated in the posting below, I am afraid the official concerned is due to be declared persona non grata.
-ditto-

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Target 'Unscrupulous' Recruiters!

Good story. How's Parungao going to help these so-called undocumented workers? Does he have the power or the authority to make them "legal"? Is this guy to be trusted to "confess" to as an illegal in Canada? Just asking. I've heard stories that it's often our "kababayan" themselves who "tip-off" authorities on TNT's in our midst.

It's those "unscrupulous" recruiters that Parungao and company should be concentrating on and going after. Because as long as these unscrupulous third party reps exist, there would be plenty of "illegals" here in America and in Canada.

Jesse Jose
Seattle, WA