Labor Forum Held at Philippine Consulate in Sydney

Labor Attaché Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao (standing left) fields questions at the Labor Forum held in the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney

06 March 2018 SYDNEY — Over 70 leaders and members of the Filipino community joined a forum on Labor and other Overseas Filipino issues held at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.

The forum was initiated by Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao, the Philippine Labor Attaché based in Canberra, in coordination with the Consulate to apprise the Filipino Community in New South Wales (NSW) of the latest developments in work-related rules and regulations in Australia.     

Atty. Sabulao highlighted the new Australian Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa meant to replace the existing Temporary Work Skilled or 457 visa.  According to Atty. Sabulao, the Australian Government is implementing initiatives to streamline TSS visa processing, including a new standard five-year sponsorship approval period, automatic approval of lower-risk nomination applications by accredited sponsors, a faster renewal process for existing sponsors, and new online forms for the TSS visa.

He added that the Office of the Labor Attaché is in close coordination and consultation with Australian authorities on the implementation of the visa options, eligibility criteria and other changes associated with the new TSS visa.

Atty. Sabulao also provided comprehensive briefings on Illegal Recruitment laws and on the online renewal process for securing an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). He encouraged the Filipino community to get in touch with his office in Canberra should they have any work concerns or wish to report any labor violations in the country.

Earlier in the forum, the different Attached Agencies of the Philippines with offices in Australia provided updates on Consular, Tourism and Trade matters, particularly those that related to strengthening Philippine employment and business opportunities.

The Philippine Ambassador to Australia Minda Calaguian-Cruz, was also in attendance at the Forum, and took the opportunity to underscore the significance of the information provided at the event.  “Filipino community leaders should be empowered to be able to extend assistance to other Filipinos”, she said. “We should familiarize ourselves with the laws and understand all the assistance that can be accessed and provided.”

Ambassador Cruz likewise cited the importance of the Philippine Embassy, the Consulate General in Sydney, the Office of the Labor Attaché and all the Attached Agencies working together to serve the Filipino community in Australia.

“I am a believer in the One-Country Team approach, and how this can result in a more responsive, progressive and resilient Philippines.” END

For more information, visit www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/ https://www.facebook.com/PHinSydney

Ambassador Minda Calaguian-Cruz (second from left) talks to Filipino Community leaders immediately after the Labor Forum held at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.