EPS EXTENSION????
There has been a lot of talk in Filipino circles about an EPS extension allegedly in the works or already implemented. The rumor is that the workers who are about to finish their contracts will be given a one-year extension. The rumor is spreading like wildfire and a lot of people are really expecting to be given an extension.
It is a given fact that around 30,000 workers will finish their visa period for this year and 60,000 for next year. According to the assessment of the Immigration Service, the number of workers who will overstay their visa could be more than one-fifth of those who are at the end of their visa periods. According to migrant groups, up to roughly fifty percent of these workers have the intention or are thinking about overstaying their visas. Clearly, this mean an increase in the undocumented worker population.
Now there is a clamor among EPS workers to find ways to get a visa extension. These workers are about to finish their contracts. Quite a number of them finished their contracts late last year. They are now working as undocumented workers.
Winning a longer working period has always been part of MTU's goal. That is the reason why we demand the EPS be changed. The policies of the EPS trap migrants in a situation where we are vulnerable to exploitation and have no guarantee of attaining economic stability. We have called for the WORK PERMIT SYSTEM, which would eliminate the restrictions on changing workplace and industry, as well implementing a flexible working period where workers would be given ample time to achieve economic sustain-ability.
Through this system, no area in the society could be exploited. It would provide an environment where workers are empowered and given the opportunity to improve their conditions and create a fair and equal opportunity for all, both migrants and native workers.
No RIGHT, no benefit can never be achieved without HARD WORK. If we do not guard, defend and fight for our rights, then how can we be assured of them?
