21 October 2004 – Philippine Ambassador to Canada Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto reiterated the commitment of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa to promote the interest and welfare of Filipino workers under its jurisdiction as he welcomed 100 caregivers to an orientation-seminar organized by the Embassy on Saturday, 16 October 2004.  The orientation-seminar was intended for newly arrived caregivers in the areas Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal in Canada and was conducted in line with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ mandate to protect and promote the rights of overseas Filipino workers.

Dubbed Orientation-Seminar for Manggagawang Pilipino sa Abroad, the day-long session held at the Social Hall of St. Brigid’s Church in Ottawa featured presentations by Canadian labor and immigration officials, as well as Philippine government representatives.  Ms. Kris Heshka, provincial specialist on employment standards of the Ontario Ministry of Labour discussed the rights and obligations of both employees and employers, while Mr. Donald Clarke, a lawyer connected with the Labour Program of the Human Resources Development Canada, spoke on dispute resolution and prevention.  Atty. Alicia Natividad talked about legal issues affecting overseas Filipino workers in Canada and Mr. Gordon Lepage of Citizenship and Immigration Canada explained Canada’s immigration laws and gave the participants valuable insights on numerous immigration issues that have a direct bearing on Filipino caregivers.

Minister and Consul General Jerril G. Santos discussed the consular services that Filipino workers can avail themselves of at the Embassy, while Labor Representative Rolando Rico C. Olalia spoke on labor issues and concerns of Filipino caregivers in Canada, especially pertaining to the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Leaders of various Filipino community organizations, including Ms. Joan Mira Junio of the Filipino Caregivers Association of Montreal, Ms. Nena Nera of the Philippine Multicultural Society, Ms. Nena Garfit of the Filipino Canadian Association of Kingston, Ms. Virginia Levesque of the Philippine Pastoral Committee, St. Brigid’s parish priest Rev. Fr. Pedro V. Arana and Ms. Sonia del Rosario, as well as former caregiver-turned-nurse Pamela Tumbaga, all welcomed the participants to the Filipino community in Canada and briefly shared their experiences as migrants to Canada.

The seminar’s resource speakers as well as the participants shared a hearty lunch provided by the Embassy.  Certificates of participation were handed out by Ambassador Benedicto at the end of the seminar.  END.