Domestic Workers take center stage in fight for decent work
(POSTED NOVEMBER 8, 2011)
Domestic workers from all over the Philippines will take a leave from work to join government officials and leaders from trade unions, employers’ associations, business groups, and non-government organization in brainstorming for ways to improve the conditions of work and lives of Filipino domestic workers. Read more
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“IBP Action Team” formed to prosecute human trafficking cases
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. launched a program that is expected to increase the number of successful prosecution of human trafficking cases in the Philippines.
The IBP Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Team (ATIPAT) was formally instituted during a 3-day training last July 29-31 at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay, which was designed to enhance the capacity of private lawyers in prosecuting human trafficking cases. Read more
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PNOY embraces domestic workers in SONA
(POSTED JULY 26, 2011)
Domestic workers and advocates celebrate another first in Philippine History as President Benigno Aquino III called on Congress to prioritize the enactment of a law that will provide fair wages and benefits for domestic workers during his second State of the Nation Address. Read more
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British and Pinoy Volunteers Help Fight Human Trafficking and Preventable Diseases
(POSTED JULY 6, 2011)
Twenty young volunteers from the UK, Quezon City and Hagonoy, Bulacan are working with Visayan Forum and the Local Government of Hagonoy in projects aimed at curbing human trafficking and promoting health awareness. Read more
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Visayan Forum hails PH gains against trafficking in person
(POSTED JUNE 28, 2011)
Freedom-fighter Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, Founding President and Executive Director of the Visayan Forum Foundation (VF), commends the significant progress of the Philippine government in combatting human trafficking that led to the removal of the country from the United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Watch List. Read more
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ILO Convention a sweet victory, a shame if solons will still delay passage of Batas Kasambahay
(POSTED JUNE 20, 2011)
“Now that domestic workers victoriously fought for their own convention, it will be an embarrassment for the Philippines if Congressmen will allow the Batas Kasambahay – initially proposed 12 years ago - to rot amid a growing wave of public clamor,” says Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, president of Visayan Forum (VF). Read more
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Panawagan ng mga Batang Kasambahay ngayong World Day Against Child Labor
(POSTED JUNE 14, 2011)
Kaming mga miyembro ng Samahan at Ugnayang Pantahanan sa Pilipinas (SUMAPI), isang pambansang asosasyon ng mga kasambahay o domestic worker, ay patuloy na nananawagan sa ating gobyerno na kilalanin at pangalagaan ang mga karapatan ng mga batang kasambahay. Read more
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Araw ng Kasambahay 2011 (Grand Day Off: Respeto at Pantay na Karapatan para sa mga Kasambahay)
(POSTED MAY 29, 2011)
Magsama sama ang mga domestic workers mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng National Capital Region upang ipagdiwang ang Araw ng Kasambahay at paigtingin ang panawagan para sa agarang pagpasa ng nakabinbin na Batas Kasambahay. Read more
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Visayan Forum's Cecilia Flores-Oebanda to join 'South Africa's moral conscience' on Skoll World Forum stage
(POSTED MARCH 30, 2011)
Visayan Forum’s Cecilia Flores-Oebanda will be the first-ever Filipina speaker to be joined by a world renowned leader in a session during this year’s Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship in Oxford. Read more
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VF and IACAT held Commitment Week for Partners
(POSTED MARCH 27, 2011)
Social entrepreneurs, heads of corporations, socio-civic groups, industry associations, faith-based organizations, media and other concerned groups gathered together at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila for the proclamation of their commitments towards the anti-trafficking cause at Visayan Forum and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)’s Commitment Day. Read more
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Visayan Forum and Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking intensify fight against human trafficking with Commitment Week
(POSTED MARCH 12, 2011)
A six-day event lasting from March 13 to 18, the Commitment Week will generate concrete commitments from more than two hundred (200) private companies, faith-based organizations, and civil society groups on practical measures against human trafficking. Read more
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VF turns 20, launches new website
(POSTED FEB 16, 2011)
Founded in 1991, Visayan Forum started with a backpack filled with papers roaming around Metro Manila, looking for an unoccupied typewriter. The organization drew its initial impetus from the large number of Visayan-speaking people who migrated to Manila hoping for a brighter future. They believed that Manila offers a greener pasture. Some found a better life but many of them became victims of modern-day forms of slavery. Read more
