Press Statement: The Philippine government should not close its eyes to the pl
Apologies for cross posting
18 September 2009
PRESS STATEMENT
The Philippine government should not close its eyes to the plight of undocumented Filipino migrants in the UK
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in the UK are being dishonest in saying that Filipinos are “generally not affected” by the on‑going crackdown of UK immigration authorities against undocumented migrants.
The Philippine Embassy in the UK knows very well that the UK has been tightening its immigration laws. Following the introduction of the points-based immigration system, the UK Parliament also recently passed the Citizenship, Borders and Immigration Act of 2009 which made it even more difficult for migrants to remain in the UK or gain permanent settlement in the country.
The Philippine Embassy cannot say that Filipinos are exempt from UK anti-migrant laws. Nowhere in these laws does it state that Filipinos are exempt. In fact, because of so many changes in UK immigration law in the past several years, there are many Filipinos who had originally come to the UK legally, for example as a work permit holder or on a student visa, but now find themselves as having an irregular immigration status through no fault of their own.
The plight of senior carers is a typical case in point. The Philippine Embassy is very much aware of this as it has even expressed support for the plan of the Kanlungan Alliance of Filipino Organisations (of which Migrante UK is a member) to launch a judicial review to challenge the UK Border Agency’s policy in refusing applications for permanent settlement by careworkers because of gaps in their visas and work permits. The gaps in the visas and work permits of senior carers are a direct result of retrospective changes in the immigration requirements for work permit holders.
The Embassy’s own statistics indicates that as of December 2007, there are 203,035 Filipinos in the UK. Of that number, 90,654 are permanent residents, 102,381 temporary residents, and 10,000 irregular residents.
From the government’s own statistics, these 102,381 temporary residents and 10,000 irregular residents are all threatened by the on-going anti-migrant crackdown. The Philippine Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs should not close its eyes on the plight of undocumented Filipino migrants who live in extremely difficult conditions; have difficulty in accessing services such as healthcare; have no legal protection whatsoever; are very much vulnerable to many forms of exploitation and abuse; and are always at risk of arrest and detention.
Migrante UK is doing everything possible to provide some form of assistance to undocumented migrant Filipinos in the UK, in spite of its very meagre resources, without any support from the Philippine embassy. This includes referring migrants to reputable immigration lawyers, arranging access to the UK heathcare system, and even providing advice on how to survive as undocumented migrants.
Migrante UK is doing this because we believe the issue of undocumented migrants is above all, a human rights issue. These people are our people. They have done no wrong and do no harm to anyone. They are not criminals. They are certainly not terrorists. They are here because the Philippine government actively encourages the export of labour and goes out of its way to promote overseas employment. They are here because there are no real jobs back home. They are here because they want to work hard to be able to send money to loved ones in the Philippines. They are here because they need to survive.
For reference:
BENNY CLUTARIO
Vice-Chair, Migrante UK
Chair, Kanlungan
Mobile +447946 429 481
Email migrante.uk@gmail.com
Apologies for cross posting
18 September 2009
PRESS STATEMENT
The Philippine government should not close its eyes to the plight of undocumented Filipino migrants in the UK
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in the UK are being dishonest in saying that Filipinos are “generally not affected” by the on‑going crackdown of UK immigration authorities against undocumented migrants.
The Philippine Embassy in the UK knows very well that the UK has been tightening its immigration laws. Following the introduction of the points-based immigration system, the UK Parliament also recently passed the Citizenship, Borders and Immigration Act of 2009 which made it even more difficult for migrants to remain in the UK or gain permanent settlement in the country.
The Philippine Embassy cannot say that Filipinos are exempt from UK anti-migrant laws. Nowhere in these laws does it state that Filipinos are exempt. In fact, because of so many changes in UK immigration law in the past several years, there are many Filipinos who had originally come to the UK legally, for example as a work permit holder or on a student visa, but now find themselves as having an irregular immigration status through no fault of their own.
The plight of senior carers is a typical case in point. The Philippine Embassy is very much aware of this as it has even expressed support for the plan of the Kanlungan Alliance of Filipino Organisations (of which Migrante UK is a member) to launch a judicial review to challenge the UK Border Agency’s policy in refusing applications for permanent settlement by careworkers because of gaps in their visas and work permits. The gaps in the visas and work permits of senior carers are a direct result of retrospective changes in the immigration requirements for work permit holders.
The Embassy’s own statistics indicates that as of December 2007, there are 203,035 Filipinos in the UK. Of that number, 90,654 are permanent residents, 102,381 temporary residents, and 10,000 irregular residents.
From the government’s own statistics, these 102,381 temporary residents and 10,000 irregular residents are all threatened by the on-going anti-migrant crackdown. The Philippine Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs should not close its eyes on the plight of undocumented Filipino migrants who live in extremely difficult conditions; have difficulty in accessing services such as healthcare; have no legal protection whatsoever; are very much vulnerable to many forms of exploitation and abuse; and are always at risk of arrest and detention.
Migrante UK is doing everything possible to provide some form of assistance to undocumented migrant Filipinos in the UK, in spite of its very meagre resources, without any support from the Philippine embassy. This includes referring migrants to reputable immigration lawyers, arranging access to the UK heathcare system, and even providing advice on how to survive as undocumented migrants.
Migrante UK is doing this because we believe the issue of undocumented migrants is above all, a human rights issue. These people are our people. They have done no wrong and do no harm to anyone. They are not criminals. They are certainly not terrorists. They are here because the Philippine government actively encourages the export of labour and goes out of its way to promote overseas employment. They are here because there are no real jobs back home. They are here because they want to work hard to be able to send money to loved ones in the Philippines. They are here because they need to survive.
For reference:
BENNY CLUTARIO
Vice-Chair, Migrante UK
Chair, Kanlungan
Mobile +447946 429 481
Email migrante.uk@gmail.com
