HK Domestics Worse Off, Says Study

A study by an immigrant rights group said foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong are in a worse situation ten years after their mandatory live-in employment arrangement was enforced, reports Inquirer.net.  Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) said the live-in employment arrangement has caused the rights of domestic workers to be violated and that the living and working condition are far from what should be accorded to them.

White House to Honor Two Filipinas

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Two Filipinas--Myrla Baldonado of Chicago, Illinois, and Catherine Eusebio of Fremont, California-- are among 15 Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) that the White House  will honor today, May 6 as “Champions of Change” for their contributions to their communities on various issues, reports GMA News. Eusebio is an undocumented youth “who has played a significant role in the movement for immigrant rights.” Baldonado is at the forefront of fighting for increased wages of caregivers.

Filipina Bride, 4 Others Die in Car Fire

SAN FRANCISCO--Five women died late Saturday when a limousine heading to a bridal shower burst into flames on the San Mateo Bridge, trapping the victims inside while the driver and four other women escaped, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The woman for whom the bridal shower was being thrown--31-year-old Neriza Fojas of Fresno--was among those killed, her sister said Sunday. She had recently married and had planned to return to the Philippines for another ceremony next month. The dead women were all in their 30s and 40s, the CHP said.

Pinoy Is New Zealand's Best Farm Manager

MANILA--Neil Molina, a farm manager at Concept Holding in Ranfurly, New Zealand won the Best Farm Manager of the Year award during the Dairy Industry Awards in Balchutha on April 6, reports the Department of Foreign Affairs.  Molina, who also received the AgITO Human Resources Management Award, is employed by Greg and Kelly Kirkwood who have 13 Filipinos out of 15 dairy workers taking care of 2,300 heads of cattle. As a farm manager, Neil "contributed immensely to maximizing operations for high production, ensuring good staff support and teamwork and upgrading farm efficiency."

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PH Lists U.S. Cargo Box Firms Under Probe

The Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry warned overseas Filipino workers that the Philippine Counterparts/Agents of the following cargo consolidators are under investigation by the DTI-Philippine Shippers’ Bureau  (PSB) regarding undelivered balikbayan boxes and other violations under PSB Administrative Order No. 6 series of 2005.  United States of America (USA):  1) Philippine Cargo Forwarder 2) AAA Cargo Express Inc.  3) ABS-CBN Star Kargo  4) Aerosend  5) Associated Consolidations Express (ACE Cargo)  6) FRS Philippine Freight Services, Inc. 7) Pentagon Cargo, Inc.  8) REN International 9) Shipping Express 10) South Atlantic Cargo 11) Star Xpress Forwarders .*list as of 15 March 2013 Consumer/consignees with complaints on undelivered, pilfered, damaged or lost balikbayan boxes may report or submit a written complaint to DTI-PSB through either fax at (02)751-3305 or email at dti_psb@yahoo.com.ph or call DTI Direct (02)751-3330. 

Domestic Workers in EU Use Art to Fight for Rights

LONDON--Over years of campaigning for rights and recognition--often battling against employer abuse and changes in immigration policies that seem to ebb and flow with the day’s politics, crises and public opinion--domestic workers are finding a stronger voice through visual arts, reports ABS-CBN News. A London collective known as Justice 4 Domestic Workers (J4DW), consisting of UK-based domestic workers from countries including Indonesia, Nigeria, Morocco and the Philippines, is leading this artistic initiative.

PH Chefs Shine in Paris Exhibition

The April 8, 2013 grand opening of the “Philippines, an Archipelago of Exchange” at Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, featured ten Manila-based Filipino chefs--led by Margarita “Gaita” Fores of Cibo/Cibo d M Signature Caterer and Victoria “Vicky” Pacheco of Chateau 1771--who wowed 500 guests including the French prime minister, reports Interaksyon.com.

Hate Graffiti Targets Fil-Ams

UNION CITY, California–A vandal or vandals defaced Filipino-American establishments over the weekend by spraying graffiti anti-Filipino messages, and police are investigating the case as a hate crime. UnionCityPatch.com, a hyperlocal news site reported that those targeted were the Toppings Too restaurant, the Filipino Advocates for Justice office and the Filipino Community of Alvarado and Vicinity building, which houses various offices including the Union City Chamber of Commerce.