Annual Report 2009

Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tokyo, Japan

Introduction
In the midst of the economic turmoil and declines in
the global markets caused by the worldwide financial
crisis, Japan has managed to limit its exposure in 2009.
But according to the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), Japan’s
export-dependent economy has fallen into its “deepest
recession of the post-war era.” This has led to
immediate actions to stabilize market conditions, such
as implementing a huge fiscal stimulus package and
cutting down interest rates, which would achieve more
positive growth during the second semester of 2009. But Japan’s exports and industrial output
fell by about a third in volume terms between September 2008 and February 2009, and has led to
a decline in wages and to an increase in unemployment to unparalleled levels by mid-2009. By
March 2009, business confidence of large manufacturing firms had gone down to its lowest level
since 1975 that led to a major setback in their investment plans. Meanwhile, inflation has turned
negative and by mid-2009, prices were down by about 2% year-on-year.

Glimpses of economic recovery were seen in the second quarter of 2009 with modest gains in
exports and industrial production. Output was projected to continue increasing in the second

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 half of 2009, due mainly to the government’s fiscal stimulus package. But Japan’s road to recovery
was restrained in large part by low export growth and reduced world market share, brought about
by meager improvements in the global economy and the continued appreciation of the yen over
the past year. The yen's appreciation, which on November 27th reached its strongest level against
the dollar in 14 years, also contributed to declining price levels in Japan. This has put on the
government to turn its attention to deflation and falling consumer prices.

All told, these constitute the economic challenges confronting the new government of Prime
Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his economic team. Expectations have been growing in Japan that
this government will promptly put into operation a new growth strategy through the year 2020
to create demand, turn around falling prices and deal with the negative effects of a stronger yen.
But according to business lobbyists, Japan is unlikely to emerge from deflation in the immediate
future and expressed caution about the prospects for an economic recovery in 2010.

Against this backdrop, POLO-Tokyo pursued its objectives of employment facilitation, OFW
protection, and policy advocacy for the period ended December 2009. The following are the
highlights of POLO-Tokyo’s accomplishments during the period covered.

Employment Facilitation

Post continued to support the opening of high-end and/or highly skilled jobs market in Japan for
Filipinos. Principals and prospective employers interested in hiring Filipino engineers and IT
professionals were immediately given orientation on procedures for hiring OFWs, and their
requests for verification and/or review promptly attended to.

Moreover, Post sustained its campaign to reform the deployment to, and employment of Filipino
entertainers in Japan. Policy recommendations were forwarded to the DOLE Head Office to
streamline, among other things, documentary requirements for the employment of Filipino
professionals in Japan.

On-site Verification of Employment Contracts and Other Documents

Recognizing that contract verification and/or review has served OFWs in good stead, Post
carried on with its function of determining the acceptability of model employment contracts of
employers. The verification/review of these documents basically ensures that the contract
(between the Filipino worker and his employer in Japan) is in compliance with POEA rules and
regulations and its terms and conditions are at par with what is prescribed under Japanese laws
and standards.

The number of individual employment contracts recommended to POEA expanded by about 77

percent (+742) in 2009. This figure can be attributed to the resumption of the authentication and/
or verification of documents for Filipino performing artists in Japan since September 2008. As a
consequence, the Post referred to POEA a total of 1,704 contracts in 2009 from 962 contracts
recorded last year (Table 1).

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 This involved employment contracts of overseas performing artists (1,601), household service
workers (66) and engineers and other skilled workers/professionals (37). Looking more closely at
these figures, the number of skilled workers involved increased by 28 percent from 29 workers to
37 workers despite the lingering effects of the global financial crisis wherein recruitment of
skilled personnel by some Japanese companies was severely affected.

Surprisingly, the number of overseas performing artists involved was not as greatly affected but
instead grew by 87 percent from 858 in 2008 to 1,601 requests for overseas performing artists in
2009.

Overall, the total number of workers involved as per job orders registered reached 3,788 in 2009.

On-site Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC)

From January to December 2009, the number of OECs issued on-site totaled 1,864 (increase of
1.64 percent) OECs issued benefiting the same number of OFWs compared to 1,834 OECs issued
on the same period of 2008 (Table 2). This figure translated to about ¥471,200 collected for the
payment of the OEC fee which is 66 percent lower than the amount collected last year. This is
due mainly to a decrease in the collection fee amount from ¥750 per OEC last year to just ¥200
per OEC in February 2009 and ¥250 starting May 2009.

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 On-site Issuance of Escrow Clearance Certificates (ECC)
Escrow clearance certificates (ECCs) were also issued at Post to assist principals who were
withdrawing escrow bond deposits because of cessation of their business operations. From
January to December 2009, Post issued 85 ECCs which is 42 percent lower compared to the 146
escrow clearances issued in 2008.

Social Protection and Welfare Services for OFWs

OWWA Membership Promotion Program
OWWA Membership Promotion Program in 2009 resulted in the enrolment or renewal of
membership of 921 OFWs in OWWA – an increase of about 41 percent (+270) from the year ago
OWWA membership. Total revenue collection reached USD 22,263.55 which increased by 35
percent compared to the amount collected in 2008 (Table 3).

Workers Assistance Program

In 2009, Post handled a total of 103 welfare cases, which is 6.4 percent lower than the 110 cases
recorded by Post in 2008 (Table 4). Of this number, Post managed 84 new cases. Most of the
cases handled by Post involved 125 workers who mostly complained about unpaid wages and
termination of contracts, report of status of detention and whereabouts, maltreatment, and
contract violations. A total of 33 cases remained pending for resolution by the end of 2009.

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 Policy Advocacy
In 2009, Post participated in the seminar organized by ILO-Japan and the ILO Association of
Japan entitled, “Employment and Labour Trends in China under the Global Economic Crisis,”
held last 29 January 2009. The theme of the seminar centered on the effects of the current crisis
on China’s labour and employment aspects.

Post updated its Report to Congress on the

working conditions of and problems encountered
by OFWs in Japan, recommending policy
interventions designed to minimize if not
eliminate unfavorable working conditions for
skilled Filipino professionals about to work in
Japan.

A Memorandum of Cooperation on the

Development of Asian Seafarers was agreed upon
between DOLE and the Japan Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) last
12 March 2009.

On that same day, Post actively participated in the

policy forum, “Japan-Philippines Seafarer Policy
Forum” held at the Mita Kaigisho Special Meeting
Room. The purpose of the forum was to deepen
the understanding of participants about the
International Cooperative Training Project for
Asian Seafarers particularly between the
Philippines and Japan.

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 On 05 and 29 October 2009, Post met with representatives from the Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU)
and the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA), respectively, to discuss policy developments in
the maritime industry in general and about the welfare and economic well-being of Filipino
seafarers in particular.

On 24 September 2009, Post participated in the Tokyo Conference on Japanese-Filipino

Children organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Tokyo
conference is a follow-up activity to the first National Conference in Manila in June this year.
The Tokyo conference will build upon the objectives and results of the Manila Conference.

On 27 October 2009, Post participated in a briefing session conducted by the Japanese Ministry
of Justice on the amendments to the Immigration Control Act.

On 03 November 2009, Post spearheaded a dialogue between Senator Allan Peter Cayetano,
together with Congresswoman Ma. Laarni Lopez-Cayetano, and representatives of the Filipino
community in Japan. The session covered discussions on current issues in the area of Philippine
politics and social welfare, with particular focus on legislative affairs, which concern Filipino
overseas workers.

On-site Networking, Linkages and Other Key Activities

Creation of networks and linkages are an essential component of the development program at
the Post. The aim is to explore and sustain cooperation with both local and international
institutions for purposes of resources sharing by way of conferences and seminars, professional or
worksite and welfare-related visits, publication exchanges and donations.

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 On 22 February 2009, the PML or the Philippine
Men’s League (Tokyo, Japan) held its Induction of
Officers and New Members at the Meguro-Satsuki
Kaikan. Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz led the
induction of the new members of the PML.

Post also participated in the Annual General

Meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
and Industry in Japan (PCCIJ) which was held at
the Philippine Embassy last 25 February 2009.

Post teamed up with the Love and Acceptance

Hands-on Integrity (LAHI) Association, a Filipino
community organization based in Ibaraki and
Tochige prefectures, to conduct a One-day
Computer Training Program at the Ibaraki Ken
Kensei Learning Center on 28 February 2009.

On 29 March 2009, IPS, Inc. launched a job fair in

Tokyo where members of the Filipino community
were able to gain access to productive and
remunerative employment in the metropolis. The
event was billed, “Pinoy Life Fair 2009” and Post
actively participated in said event. Labor Attaché
Danilo P. Cruz gave a special message during the
opening ceremonies.

On 31 March 2009, LAHI Association President

Maria Wena Inoue informed the Post that sixteen
(16) Japanese elementary schools made a pledge of
support to the "Classroom, Galing sa
Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad" (CGMA) project
of the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE). Together with the donation from the
LAHI Association, a total of ¥400,000 was
acknowledged by Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz for
the donate-a-classroom project of DOLE. The
donors identified the Gandara Central Elementary
School in Samar, Leyte as their beneficiaries.

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 On 19 July 2009, Post participated in the Filipino-Japanese Friendship Ceremony and Induction
of the 2009 United Filipinos for Peace and Advancement (UFPA) Officers Ceremony in
Kawasaki City. Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz was the guest of honor and induction officer during
the event.

The labor office spearheaded an outdoor get-together held last 09 August 2009 for the Filipino
community representatives in Tokyo. The gathering was in appreciation for the participation and
efforts made by them in relation to the recent visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to
Japan.

On 06 September 2009, Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz was the guest of honor and induction
officer at the Japan Association of Novo Ecijanos (JANE) Induction of Officers Ceremony in
Tokyo.

On 29 September 2009, Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO)

commenced the opening ceremony of its Support Program for Japanese Language Education
Prior to Dispatch (JLEPD). Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz delivered a speech during the
ceremony. In the afternoon, Filipino participants to the JLEPD program visited the Philippine
Embassy. Consul General Sulpicio M. Confiado and Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz welcomed the
participants and shared afternoon snacks with them.

On 08 November 2009, the Philippine Assistance Group (PAG) organized a children’s day for a
Japanese orphanage institution. It was an opportunity for some fifty (50) children of different
ages to experience Filipino care and hospitality that brought a lot of memorable moments to
those children. Post was a major supporter to this special event.

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 On 14 November 2009, Post conducted a consular mission in province of Ibaraki, which
is about 2 hours drive from Tokyo. Passport services and welfare-related consultation
and assistance were afforded to more than 500 Filipinos living in the area.

On 24 November 2009, Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz was interviewed by

representatives from the Japanese Language Education Journal and Japanese Language
Center on the topic, “Filipino health professional working in Japan.” Excerpts from the
interview will be published as part of the maiden issue in January 2010.

On 01 December 2009, Post participated in a Legal Symposium organized by the

Kapisanan ng Migranteng Pilipino-Japan. A panel from the UP Law School headed by
Dean Merlin Magallona discussed about the legal problems besetting both the legal
workers and illegal and overstaying Filipinos in Japan. Counterpart Japanese lawyers
were also invited in the forum as resource persons for the Japanese legal system. The
Synposium was held at the Meguro Catholic Church.

On 06 December 2009, Solid Filipino Migrant Association (SOFILMA) celebrated its

6th year anniversary and labor office
representatives led by WELOF Luz
Talento were present to give its
support to SOFILMA officials and
members.

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 Arrival of JPEPA Filipino Nurses and Caregivers
Under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), the first batch of nurses
and nursing caregivers from the Philippines arrived in Japan in two (2) separate flights last 10 May
2009. A total of 273 health professionals were on-board Japan Airlines (JAL) flight 746 which
arrived at Narita Airport around 1430 JST and JAL 742 which arrived at around 1930 JST. 

The contingent were met at the airport by Consul General Sulpicio M. Confiado, Labor Attache
Danilo P. Cruz, and Messrs. Emmanuel Austria and Dennis Cabato from the Consular and Labor
Sections respectively. Japanese media including representatives from three (3) major television
networks (NHK, TBS and TV Tokyo) were present to cover the arrival of the Filipino health
workers.

After their arrival, the first batch of Filipino nurses and caregivers will receive six (6) months
Japanese language training and basic information related to their jobs from selected language
institutions in Tokyo (AOTS and Arai Gakuen), Osaka (AOTS), Nagoya (NIC), and Hiroshima
(HIC).  They will start working full-time in the latter part of this year. Welcome activities to
kick-off the training course have been scheduled during the week. In Tokyo, Arai Gakuen has
planned an opening ceremony of the Japanese language course for the 78 Filipino nursing
caregivers on 11 May 2009.

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 Labor Attaché Danilo P. Cruz was the guest of
honor at the 2nd Philippine Chamber of
Commerce in Japan (PCCIJ) seminar on Filipino
Nurses/Care-Givers under JPEPA held at the
CITI CLUB OF TOKYO last 20 May 2009.
LABATT Cruz made a brief presentation on the
seminar topic. After his presentation, participants
to the seminar were given opportunity to ask
questions and be clarified about the JPEPA
program implementation.

On June 9 2009, JICWELS organized a closing

ceremony for ten (10) candidate caregivers
(exempted from the Japanese language training)
who attended the Introductory Training of “Kaigo”
for Philippines Candidates for “Kaigofukushishi.”
The welcome address was given by Labor Attaché
Danilo P. Cruz.

JPEPA Nurses and Caregivers Observation

Mission
On 14-15 August 2009, Labor Attaché Danilo P.
Cruz and Welfare Officer Ma. Luz L. Talento
visited two (2) facilities in Okayama Prefecture,
namely Momotaro Rehabilitation Center and the
Kibikogen Synthetic Welfare Center. On the
second day, they visited the candidate caregivers
studying Japanese language at the Hiroshima
International Center.

On 9-10 September 2009, Welfare Officer Ma. Luz

L. Talento and Mr. Dennis M. Cabato of the
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-Tokyo)
were on location to carry out an observation
mission this time in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
(IC NAGOYA training facility) and in Osaka City,
Osaka Prefecture (AOTS KANSAI KENSHU
CENTER).

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 The observation mission carried out its objectives well and was an opportunity to note down
some of the concerns and issues brought up by the nurses and caregivers under the JPEPA. In
each of these locations, an open forum was held to entertain questions from the nurses and
caregivers. The questions ranged from provisions of employment contract, leave of absence from
work, the board exam, and other concerns related to their working conditions. Overall, the
nurses and caregivers were in high spirits and renewed their commitment to finish the program.

PGMA 2009 Official Working Visit to Japan

H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Japan from 17 to 21 June 2009. Her working visit
included an audience with the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the pursuit of very good
bilateral relations and cooperation in field of labor, trade, security and economy.

The Japan-Philippines Maritime Cooperation Dinner Reception in honor of H.E. President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was
successfully held on 19 June
2009 at the Hotel Mariner’s
Court in Tokyo, Japan, and
was attended by
delegations from the
Philippines and
representatives from the
host organizations led by
the Japanese Shipowners’
Association (JSA), All
Japan Seamen’s Union
(JSU), and International
Mariners Management Association of
Japan (IMMAJ).

The Dinner Reception was

preceded by a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signing
ceremony between Japanese and
Philippine representatives which
included Mr. Yoji Fujisawa of the
JSU, Mr. Koji Miyahara of IMMAJ,
Mr. Takao Manji of the Philippine-
Japan Manning Consultative Council,
Inc. (PJMCC); and Mr. Eduardo
Santos of the Associated Marine
Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), Mr. Democrito Mendoza of the
Philippine Seafarers Union (PSU) and Mr. Eduardo Manese of PJMCC. The signing of the MoU
was witnessed by Mr. Masafumi Shukuri, Vice-Minister for land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism, and Mr. Marianito D. Roque, Minister for Labor and Employment.

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 As part of the MoU, the JSU, JSA, IMMAJ and their Philippine counterparts – AMOSUP, PSU
and PJMCC – will continue to work together in creating and pursuing projects aimed at
developing the competencies and skills of Filipino seafarers and ensuring that their skills and
competencies are aligned with the changing ship technologies and global shipping industry needs.

On 19 June 2009, H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was warmly welcomed by the Filipino
community at the 4th floor of the Hotel Mariners’ Court in Tokyo where she made a speech that
delighted the Filipino audience.

To mark her last official function

during her visit in Tokyo, H.E.
President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo on 20 June 2009 visited
the AOTS language training
center where thirty-six (36)
Filipino candidates for
“Kangoshi” (nurses) are
undergoing free Nihongo
language training. The Filipino
nurses are part of the 283
Filipino health
professionals training
in Japan. The President
commented that these
nurses and caregivers are
the “first visible impact”
of the implementation of
the Japan – Philippines
Economic Partnership
Agreement or JPEPA.

Launching of the
POLO-Tokyo Website
On 23 November 2009, Post
launched its website with active members of the Filipino community gracing the event. POLO-
Tokyo can now be accessed via its website: www.polotokyo.com and its new (additional) E-mail
address: laboroffice@polotokyo.com.

Year-end Activity with FILCOM Leaders

0n 20 December 2009, Post organized a Christmas party for the Filipino community leaders in
Japan. The event was also an occasion to reminisce about the various activities during the year
and an opportunity to exchange notes about future events in the coming year. The event was
filled with music and laughter and was a memorable happening for those that attended the
occasion.

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 MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR

It’s been a busy year for all of us!

POLO-TOKYO
LABOR ATTACHE
DANILO P. CRUZ
WELFARE OFFICER
MA. LUZ L. TALENTO
DENNIS M. CABATO
IREEN C. CAMBALING
BALTAZAR CORTEZ
YURIKO SEKI
HIROO UCHIDA

! NITO ARGAMA
NU SO 14