The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Philippines, through the Department of Labor and Employment rejected the request of Saudi Arabia to reduce Filipino maids’ salaries by half, from $400 to $200 a month.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the $400 minimum salary will be maintained based on the decision of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) amid Saudi diplomats’ requests to lower the minimum salary.

Baldoz, as quoted by NYTimes.com, said that abuse of overseas workers in Arab countries is rampant and that the Philippine government will not compromise on its demand for higher wages.

This resulted in a temporary suspension of maid deployment to Saudi Arabia which led to an 80% decrease in Filipino household service workers sent to the said country. The Philippines used to send 13,000 household workers to Saudi annually.

POEA head Carlos Cao said the temporary freeze will affect both countries with Saudi not having enough workers and the Philippines not being able to send out employable citizens.

Baldoz is planning to speak with the Saudi labor minister during an international labor conference in Geneva, Switzerland this coming June.

PH to reaffirm climate change efforts at Geneva

Meanwhile, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) head Nathaniel Servando reaffirmed the country’s support for climate change efforts during an ongoing 16^th World Meteorological Congress in Geneva.

Servando presented the Philippine statement in behalf of Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. last May 17.

The country supports “in principle” the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) which will help strengthen networks for climate observation, research and services.

Servando said the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable nations to the adverse effects of climate change, especially being an archipelago. The country is prone to sea level rise, flooding and inundation with a projected increase in frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones.

PAGASA is currently trying to push for national policies that address disaster risk reduction.

China wants mutual trust following jet encounters over Spratlys

China’s Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie upon his arrival in Manila said he is hoping for mutual trust between China and the Philippines. This is amid recent tension over Spratlys including sightings of two unidentified aircrafts in the area.

They were believed to be fighter jets based on reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Philippine Air Force said there is no conclusive evidence to say that the aircrafts were Chinese.

Meanwhile, Malacanang was mum about the incident. When asked if President Benigno Aquino III will raise the matter with Liang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is premature to say at the moment.

Liang said, “The purpose of my visit is to enhance understanding, build mutual trust, expand common ground, promote cooperation, and push for the continued advancement of our state-to-state and military-to-military relations.”

Liang will be having a closed-door meeting with defense and military officers next week as part of his five-day visit in the country. He came upon the invitation of Defense Secretary Volaire Gazmin.