Cayman waits to hear from Philippines

Worker controversy not resolved

The Cayman Islands government said Friday it was expecting to hear something from the Philippines Embassy in Washington, DC regarding a recent controversy where Filipino workers were “banned” from the Cayman Islands and 40 other countries.

According to officials with Cayman’s Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs, the British government has been in contact with Manila over the issue in recent days and the ball is now firmly in the court of the Philippines government.

“We would expect their embassy in Washington, DC would contact us directly,” said Portfolio Deputy Chief Officer Eric Bush. “We just don’t know what the issues are.”

The announcement of the 41-country labour export ban last week by the Philippines government caught the Cayman Islands government and also the unofficial local consul for the Philippines here completely off guard.

A clarifying statement was later issued, indicating Manila would defer any action on such a ban. However, Mr. Bush said, in the Caymanian government’s view, the issue has not yet been resolved.

“The Philippine government gives the highest importance to the safety and welfare of the overseas Filipinos and we continue to reinforce our partnership with congress and other stakeholders on this crucial issue,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario in a statement last week. “However, the Department of Foreign Affairs believes that there are compelling reasons to defer further action on the list.”

The 41 jurisdictions listed by the Philippines include Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and Zimbabwe. The list included countries and territories that, in the view of the Philippines government, did not have adequate labour and human rights protections in place for migrant Filipino workers.

“[According to the] Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, which took effect on 8 March, 2010, the deployment of overseas Filipino workers will only be made to countries which protect [those workers],” Mr. Del Rosario said.

“This list does not seek to pass any value judgment on any country.

It serves as a crucial benchmark for all government agencies concerned to work for the betterment of the safety, welfare and working conditions of our nationals.”

Honorary [unofficial] consul for the Philippines in Cayman, Arturo Ursua said the Philippines resolution, which led to the labour export ban against the 41 countries, stated that existing labour and social laws must protect the rights of all workers, including migrant workers.

“While the Cayman Islands Labour Law may not be specific about migrant workers, the law is protecting the workers, as well as the employers,” he said.

If such a ban was to be implemented, it is unclear what effect, if any it would have on the Cayman Islands. Roughly 2,400 Filipino workers are employed on permits in the Cayman Islands.

Mr. Del Rosario said further discussions on the worker ban issue would be needed.

“Such a dialogue would be to the benefit of Filipino workers already there and those planning to seek gainful employment in those countries,” he said. “We will do all that is necessary to protect our nationals overseas,” he said. “Ultimately, good and friendly relations with all nations allow us the ability to work on behalf of our nationals overseas.”