Philippine Embassy ‘surprised’ by Saudi ban

July 4, 2011
THE Philippine Embassy in Riyadh hinted Sunday that it was never formally informed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) over the country’s decision to stop hiring household service workers (HSWs) from the Philippines.
“Before the reported decision of the Saudi Ministry of Labor to stop issuing visas for domestic helpers from the Philippines, the Embassy proposed resuming the talks to further discuss the remaining issue of the minimum salary,” said the Embassy in a statement issued Saturday night.
It said it was only able to learn of the ban, which took effect last Saturday, through the print media.
“As of July 1, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has not received any official notice on the matter from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Labor,” it stressed.
Last week, reports came out quoting the Saudi government of its decision to affirm its March 12 decision to suspend the processing, verification and authentication of employment contracts of Filipino HSWs.
Reports said the decision was supposedly spurred by the steep minimum wage insisted by the Philippine government, which was a $400 a month salary for HSWs. This after several efforts by the two countries to resolve the disputed issue on the minimum salary, to which the Saudi officials believe, should be set at only $240.
And because of the suddenness of the decision of Saudi authorities, the Philippine embassy said it is now looking at meeting officials of the host country.
“The Embassy has sought a meeting with Saudi officials to confirm the parameters of this pronounced policy by the Ministry of Labor Spokesperson Mr. Hattab Al Anzi… The Philippine Embassy shall seek proper clarification on this issue from the Ministry of Labor,” assured the Embassy.
Local recruitment leaders, meanwhile, questioned the alternative job sites set to be offered by the Philippine government upon the imposition of the ban on hiring Filipino domestic helpers and the “Saudization” program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said in a statement that claims of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and Malacanang that there are alternative countries where displaced workers from Saudi can be redeployed are “way off the beaten track.”
“Malacanang and Dole should stop misleading the public about alternative job sites for displaced OFWs from Saudi Arabia… Job sites mentioned are way off the beaten track for OFWs,” said Geslani.
He noted that while Canada and Australia indeed have a high demand for workers, these simply do not match with what OFWs can offer.
“Canada and Australia may need workers but these are highly-skilled personnel in the oil and gas industry, which is sorely lacking with the present manpower resources the country has failed to produce in the last decade,” said Geslani.
To recall, Dole Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz had mentioned Canada and Australia as among the countries that could accommodate the OFWs that would be displaced by the program.
Tens of thousands of OFWs, mostly cleaners, guards and watchmen, construction workers, and other low-skilled types of laborers, are estimated to be affected by the Saudization program of the KSA government. The program refers to the restrictions in the hiring of migrant workers in certain companies.
On the other hand, Geslani said it will also be unfeasible to look into the Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar market to absorb the affected household service workers (HSWs) from Saudi.
“Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar have also opposed the $400 salary required by the government and have proposed a $300 minimum wage for domestic workers,” noted Geslani.
The three Middle East countries are just among the alternative job sites being eyed by Dole for HSWs that would be affected by the Saudi ban.
The Saudi government, last week, also decided to ban the hiring of Filipino and Indonesian HSWs due to the former’s opposition to the strict rules of HSW hiring such as the steep minimum wage of $400 per month.
Dole records show that there are some 1.2 million Filipino workers in Saudi.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/03/philippine-embassy-surprised-saudi-ban-164762

Best place to unwind in Angeles City Pampanga Philippines is to do a little wine shopping at the Clark Wine Center which is also considered as the best place in Clark for private wine tasting, small parties and social functions outside of Manila. Guests of this wine shop in Clark enjoy the cozy ambience as well as the privacy and exclusivity of the roof deck lawn. Some guests that wine and dine at the famous restaurants near Angeles City Pampanga often drop by this wine shop to pick up a few good bottles for diner. Residents and guests staying in Pampanga Angeles City and Subic frequently visit this wine shop in Clark to buy some bottles from its fine selection of vintage wines that are offered at attractive prices. Some guests, business executives especially, select this wine shop for their business entertainment.

This wine shop in Manila Philippines makes wine shopping a really rewarding and exciting exercise. Wine shops in Pampanga should always have an element of surprise so that customers and wine lovers can enjoy a little bit of thrill when they go to a wine shop in Manila to look for a good bottle of wine in Clark Pampanga.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

Family outings, picnics, company outings and other events for up to 300 can be held in the picnic grounds of this wine shop. Events that have been successfully organized here include family fun days and BBQ picnics. These are some of the things that visitors to Clark Philippines particular look forward. Residents and tourists in Angeles City and Subic also come to Clark Freeport to partake in the fun at this Clark wine shop.

This wine shop’s vast selection of vintage wines makes it possible for Yats Wine Cellars to offer a unique line-up of wines for every private wine party, wine tasting or wine dinners. Guests of these private wine parties are treated to a rare experience of vintage wine not seen in wine shops in major cities in Philippines or even in Asia.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com