Roque said he would flying to Australia this month to sign the agreement for the hiring of thousands of Filipino professionals.

He said the agreement that will be inked with Southern Australia and would open up high-paying good quality jobs to Filipino workers.

“Those who would qualify for the jobs would get at least $4,000 monthly salary and there would be no placement fee,” Roque said.

The Philippine government had earlier reported that Australia is expected to hire about 300,000 Filipino workers in the next three to five years.

Besides Australia, Roque said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is also exploring possible new markets for Filipino professional workers.

He said Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East are expected to hire the most number of skilled Filipino workers, including engineers, construction and hotel workers.

But local recruitment agencies said the expected passage of the amended ‘Migrant Workers Act’ may lead to downtrend in hiring of OFWs in 2010.

Lito Soriano, a recruitment consultant, said the proposed law, approved by the bicameral committee, mandates that the country would deploy workers only to countries with existing bilateral agreements with the Philippines. Only 14 out of 194 nations have bilateral relations with the Philippines.

Likewise, recruitment leaders reported that the recent decision of Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to postpone the implementation of the agreement on the establishment of a US military facility in Okinawa may also imperil the hiring of more OFWs in the coming year.

The Philippine government was hoping to capture at least 20,000 jobs for Filipino construction workers in Japan with the start of the construction of the US facility there. Source GMA News.

Under populated countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada still need thousands of skilled workers to help grow their economies.

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The deployment of Filipino workers was up 11.7% in 2009 on the previous year, with Saudi Arabia again topping the list of land-based OFW destination, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) still topped the list of land-based OFW destinations, up 8.2% in terms of the number of OFWs deployed as of October 2009.

The POEA said 900,127 OFWs were deployed in the oil-rich Middle Eastern country as of October 2009 compared to the 831,968 deployed last year.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) which includes crisis-stricken Dubai, still came in second with 160,242 OFWs deployed down 1.4% on last year. The Middle East is also a leading destination for Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers.

Hong Kong was the third top OFW destination with 75,742 OFWs deployed; followed by Qatar (72,176); Kuwait (38,729); Singapore (34,914); Taiwan (26,991); Italy (20,944); Canada (15,131); and Bahrain (12,800). Other countries, including the UK, shared for the 190,575 land-based OFWs deployed as of October this year.

The UK was not featured in the major destinations unlike previous years when many thousands of nurses and senior carers were employed by British hospitals and care homes.

Deployments to Taiwan were down 22.1% as a result of last year’s global economic crisis.

Earlier this year, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Taiwan recorded the highest number of Filipino workers displaced by the global financial crisis.

Roque said at least 4,197 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were laid-off in Taiwan from October 2008 to February 2009.

But the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office had assured that Taiwan’s economy would pick up in 2010 as well as its need for foreign workers for its manufacturing and computer parts industries.

$14 billion in OFW remittances

OFWs, particularly skilled and higher-paid workers, sent home US$14.3 billion in remittances during the first 10 months of the year, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.5%.

Land-based OFWs contributed $11.5 billion while the sea-based sector remitted $2.8 billion, giving a huge boost to the Philippine economy which benefited from a rise in consumer spending in 2009.

The POEA reported that as of November this year, 1, 284,133 OFWs were been deployed – 134,704 more than the total of 1, 149, 429 OFWs deployed for the same time last year.

The number of land-based OFWs deployed, grew from 906,680 during the same period last year to 986,666 this year.

The number of new hires for land-based OFWs dipped by 7.6 percent – 346,871 last year to 320,508 this year.

However, the number of re-hires for land-based workers improved by 19 percent – from 559,809 last year to 666,158 this year.

The number of sea-based OFWs also improved this year 297,467 compared to the 242, 749 deployed last year. Source: Manila Bulletin

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Border Agency staff claim they have little power to challenge suspected cases of abuse under the new rules.

Mr Woolas told the BBC the system was a “huge improvement on the past.”

The UK refused alleged bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab a student visa earlier this year. He has been charged with attempting to bomb a US airliner.

The government began rolling out its points-based system for prospective migrants from outside the EU in February 2008.

To qualify for a visa, non-EU students have to show a letter of acceptance from sponsors (either an accredited college or university) earning 30 points.

The remaining 10 points needed are earned by their proving they have the means to pay course fees and expenses.

Border Agency staff have told the BBC this largely paper-based process is open to abuse.

However Mr Woolas rejected the claims.

“There will always be examples of people who try to play the system,” he told The Report on BBC Radio 4.

But he added: “I’m not denying that there aren’t problems but what I would say is that this system is a huge improvement on the past.”

Around a dozen Border Agency staff have contacted the BBC in the past two months to complain about the new rules for student visas.

The alleged air bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab applied for a visa to return to the UK following the completion of his three year degree in 2008.

But the Nigerian student was refused entry to the UK earlier this year after applying to study on a bogus course.

He has been charged with attempting to bomb a plane as it came in to land at the American city of Detroit on 25 December.

Nevertheless the whistle-blowers who contacted the BBC claim they are virtually powerless to challenge suspected cases of immigration abuse once a non-EU national arrives at a UK port because all checks are carried out overseas.

One entry clearance officer (who did not wish to be named) told the BBC that in his last posting in India he never met an applicant face to face in six months.

“I never spoke to anybody and the important thing was to make a decision.

“Most of the colleagues I was working with, I know they never did because they have similar misgivings to myself.”

He claimed a culture of targets meant there was pressure to grant visas and he alleged the new visa rules had led to an increase in applications.

The officer said he had seen lots of students who were refused under the previous rules gain entrance to the UK.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the think tank Migration Watch, himself a former diplomat and a critic of the changes, said previously applicants had to satisfy an immigration officer they were genuine.

“Now it just goes through a system because it’s paper based, tick the boxes, produce the documents in you go,” he added.

But Mr Woolas told the BBC, “The number of people who say that migration controls are too tough, far outweighs the opposite accusation.”

The Report is on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 31 December 2009, at 2000 GMT. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer after broadcast or download the podcast. Source: BBC.

Related articles:

Terror plot bomber was a former UK student visa holder

Immigration Matters 2009 round up

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Immigration news in 2009 was largely dominated by the introduction of Tier 4 of the points based system in March, which saw a rush of pre-Tier 4 student visa applications creating a backlog which took several months to clear. 

Around two thousand educational providers were registered as Tier 4 Sponsors for the first time, after spending most of 2008 going through the strict application and vetting process. 

Thousands of colleges failed to make the grade, and were refused licences, or missed the deadline at the start of Tier 4. Other colleges later had licences withdrawn by the UK Border Agency, leaving hundreds of students unable to come to the UK having paid fees in advance. 

Despite the teething problems a record number of student visas are reported to have been issued under Tier 4, largely due to the simplification of the requirements resulting in a reduction in the number of refusals. 

In came decisions based on the facts, out went refusals based on subjective things like ‘intention’ to return or study.

As a result of this radical shift, the right of a full appeal against student visa refusals was abolished in favour of a new Administrative Review system.

Universities and colleges have for years been calling for a student entry clearance system which relies on factual information to qualify for a visa, which the government have duly delivered. 

Despite this, the government continue to come under fire over foreign student following revelations that suspected terrorists were in the UK on student visas. They are now being accused of making it too easy to obtain a student visa! 

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas announced that overseas students are worth a staggering £8 billion to the UK economy, which the country has welcomed during a worldwide recession in 2009. 

Employers were also busy getting to grips with Tier 2, for skilled workers, introduced at the end of 2008. Meanwhile enforcement teams have been busy dishing out £10000 fines to employers who flout the immigration rules on employing overseas nationals. 

Even the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, could not escape a fine after being found guilty of illegally employing her foreign Nanny. 

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 received Royal Assent (became law) on 21 July 2009, signalling major changes in the way the UK grants permanent residency and citizenship to migrants. 

The concept of ‘earned citizenship’ or ‘earning the right to stay’ was born, meaning that migrants will no longer be automatically granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or UK citizenship. 

The government introduced a large number of immigration rule changes this year, including automatic bans of up to 10 years for making a false statement or fraudulent immigration application, which can be found on the UK Border Agency website. 

Looking ahead to 2010 we can expect to see the start of the phasing in of the Citizenship Act. 

Educational provider visa letters will go electronic in February, which will save a few trees and cut down on FEDEX and DHL costs. 

The government are currently reviewing student visas and are expected to make an announcement in early in the New Year. 

The AIT (Asylum and Immigration Tribunal) upper chambers should be hearing some Judicial Review cases following a reshuffle. 

Related Articles: 

Earning the right to stay under new UK citizenship rules

Finally we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year!

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In a recent report, the Care Quality Commission has criticized eight local authorities for the standard of social care they provide, but little was mentioned of the shortage of experience qualified Social Care Workers needed to staff public and private care homes and agencies.

Local authority care needs urgent improvement say CQC

Local authorities across eight regions of England have been told they must urgently improve their social care services for adults, the BBC reports.

UK Border controls upgraded at Manchester Airport

The UK Border Agency have announced that passengers returning to the UK via Manchester International Airport are being encouraged to save time at the border by using our facial recognition gates.

UKBA continue crackdown on rogue employers

The Home Office has reported that seventeen illegal workers have been caught in Lincolnshire by the UK Border Agency as part of an ongoing campaign to crack down on rogue employers.

Studying in the UK – UK Border Agency Video

Immigration Minister Phil Wollas say’s overseas students, which number over 375,000 in under graduates alone, are worth almost £9 billion to the UK economy.

UK Border Agency response to ‘bogus asylum seekers’ report in The Sun

The UK Border Agency has responded to a story published in the Sun newspaper today about bogus claims made by asylum seekers to enter Britain.

“See you in court” says Baroness Scotland’s maid facing immigration trial

The Mail on Sunday reports that Attorney General Baroness Scotland could be summoned to appear in court if her former housekeeper stands trial on fraud and immigration offences next month.

Baroness Scotland’s former maid charged

The Sun reports that Baroness Scotland’s former housekeeper was charged on Friday with a string of immigration offences.

Lord Pearson plays the race card to win leadership of UKIP

The Independent reports that the millionaire Lord Pearson was elected leader of the UK Independence Party last week after putting “the growing threat of Islamism” and curbing immigration at the heart of his campaign.

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The Sunday Times reports that colleges are rigging English tests for indefinite leave to remain applications.

‘Net migration falling’ says Phil Woolas as Home Office release immigration figures

Immigration statistics covering quarter three of 2009 have been released by the Home Office this week. ‘Net-migration is falling’, says Phil Woolas.

Migrants to be fingerprinted at UK border

Migrants coming to Britain will undergo fingerprint checks at the Border from 30 November 2009, the UK Border Agency has announced today.

UKBA announce changes give British workers more job opportunities

UK Government publish to Tier 2 of the points-based system.

Student visa numbers rise

The BBC reports that the number of students entering the UK from India and Bangladesh has risen since the new Tier 4 visa system started.

Shortage Occupations list to be cut

Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged to create thousands more jobs for British workers by reducing the number of skilled occupations that are open to foreign workers on the official shortage list.

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Student visa system to be reviewed.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a review of the student visa process, to clamp down on people applying to study in the UK with the intention of working illegally when they get here. 

The review, reporting in December, will consider whether visas should be granted only to foreign students on degree and postgraduate courses and stopped for those seeking to take shorter courses leading to lower-level qualifications. 

The review, which comes just eight months after the launch of Tier 4 for student visas, would ”look at the case for raising the minimum level of course for which foreign students can get a visa,” Brown said.

Migrants worry over new immigration rules

A group representing professionals from India and other non-European Union countries has said that Britain’s efforts to tighten immigration should not result in the retrospective application of new laws.

Councils lose 145 child asylum seekers

145 children and young people went missing without trace from local authority care homes last year, according to returns from local councils. Most were juvenile asylum seekers who had arrived in the UK alone.

UK bound migrants applying for visas should take ‘English language test’, say MPs

The Daily Mail reports that immigrants applying for UK visas should undergo an English test, said two senior MPs this week.

Government-approved Tier 2 shortage occupation list published

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its proposals for a revised shortage occupation list on 21 October.

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The Home Office has announced proposed new rules for migrants following Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s ‘immigration speech’ on Thursday.

Migrants entering the United Kingdom will require ‘permission’ to stay under new draft proposals published in Parliament this week.

Under measures in the draft Immigration Bill, the five current application categories available to migrants will be replaced by one clear concept – ‘permission’ to be in the United Kingdom.

With this new approach, migrants will either be granted permission or refused, making the rules easier for applicants and staff. Any migrant in the UK must gain permission or face removal for breaking the law.

The proposals are the next step in the Government efforts to tighten up Britain’s border controls following the introduction of the points based system. Full story… 

Tier 4 students’ tied to sponsors if they made application on or after 5 October

From 5 October 2009, all new Tier 4 students’ visas, or “permission to stay”, are ‘tied’ to the education provider that is sponsoring them. This brings Tier 4 in line with other tiers of the points-based system.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s speech on immigration

The Prime Minister’s immigration speech actually contained very little that has not already been published by the Home Office.

Maintenance concession for Tier 4 applicants already in the UK extended

The UK Border Agency were aware that students already in the United Kingdom would not have needed to show maintenance funds before, so are allowing a longer transitional period for all Tier 4 applications made within the United Kingdom until February 2010.

Scotland lobbies Phil Woolas to provide a Points-Based Immigration System to Support Scotland’s Population Growth Target

UK Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas and the Scottish Government’s External Affairs Minister Michael Russell met in London this week to discuss how the points-based immigration system can be used to support Scotland’s population growth target.

Filipino faces deportation after UK Border Agency raid in Watford

The Watford Observer reports that two illegal immigrants, including a Filipino woman, face deportation from Britain following their arrest during a UK Border Agency raid in Watford, Hertfordshire.

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The meeting was organised as a result of a discussion at the May meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (Domestic).

Scottish Ministers have consistently stated the case for Scotland-specific flexibilities which recognise Scotland’s unique demographic challenge.

Mr Russell said:

“I raised recent cases which have worked against Scottish interests and the long-running sore that is the unacceptable detention of children at Dungavel.

“However, on the broader policy issues we did make good progress. For example, we added that a Tier 5 Government authorised ‘Exchange’ scheme should be established for Scotland.

“The UK Border Agency’s website should help to promote Scotland as a place to work, live and study – this is typically a potential migrant’s first interaction with the UK immigration system.”

Mr Russell wants the UK Border Agency and Scottish Government to work together to encourage Scottish businesses to make representations to the Migration Advisory Committee on where they are experiencing skills shortages from within the domestic workforce.

“We also agreed that the UK Government would discuss with the Migration Advisory Committee issues in the points-based system including the difficulties caused by the inclusion of London weighting in salaries which affect points under Tiers 1 and 2.

“I also raised this issue with the Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, Professor David Metcalf, when I met him today.

“The Scottish Government’s position is clear. Scotland has an ageing population and an increasing dependency ratio. We need the flexibility within the system to attract more people of working age to contribute to our economy, fill skills gaps and help us prosper over the longer term.

“There is of course precedent for such flexibilities. The hugely successful Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme allowed international students the opportunity to remain in Scotland to work for up to two years following graduation from a Scottish university or college. Over 8,400 graduates benefited from the scheme and such was its success in attracting the brightest and best students from around the world, that it was replicated across the rest of the UK.

“Today’s discussion was useful and I hope it can be built upon.”

Immigration Matters Comment

Like many other parts of the UK, Scotland needs immigration to provide more people to keep the local economy moving and staff services.

Last month Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland criticised United Kingdom immigration laws which he said do not reflect the “values” of Scotland.

During an address to more than 300 delegates from ethnic minority organisations, he described his anger at “crazy” decisions made in Westminster.

See also:

Scottish Leader Alex Salmond criticises UK immigration laws

Home Office defends immigration policy

Home Secretary Alan Johnson admits immigration mistakes

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The press based their stories on a Freedom of Information request. 

A Home Office spokesperson said:

‘This article is seriously misleading in relation to the events and figures, the facts of which are a matter of public record in the Sutton report of 25 March 2004. We have never had an ‘open door’ policy on immigration. Our border is now one of the toughest in the world and we are determined to strengthen it. We have rigorous controls in place, including fingerprint checks, to ensure that individuals who are of concern on security grounds will not be granted visas to come to the UK or be granted asylum.’

The applications were the subject of a full inquiry by Ken Sutton in 2004.The Home Office accepted that report in full and implemented all of the recommendations made. The report can be accessed online and has been there since 2004.

See also:

Home Secretary Alan Johnson admits immigration mistakes

The UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson has admitted for the first time that the government has made mistakes in handling immigration, the BBC reported yesterday.

UK Border Agency response on bogus students article

The UK Border Agency has responded to allegations that the points-based system is failing to stop migrants from entering the UK illegally under the pretence of being students.

Student checks ‘don’t work’ reports BBC

UK Immigration officers have told bosses that new rules designed to stop bogus students entering the UK are not working, the BBC reports. However, claims by Immigration Officers that they are “powerless” to challenge suspect students will come as a surprise to the many students who are detained on a daily basis, as well as the Immigration Advisers and Lawyers employed to get them released.

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