10 December 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General and the Philippines Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Toronto partnered with the Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC) and Western Union and held a Newcomers’ Orientation Seminar on November 22 at the Bathurst-Finch Community Hub (BFCH). The Kababayan Multicultural Centre, a non-profit agency providing settlement services, receives funding from the Canadian government while some funds are also raised from the public to support other activities not covered by government funding.
The orientation seminar focused on financial literacy and local laws affecting migrant workers. Approximately 50 people, mostly women working as caregivers, were in attendance. The seminar started with welcome remarks and a brief lecture on KMC by its Executive Director, Ms. Flor Dandal. Philippine Consul General Junever M. Mahilum-West gave a brief message and, cognizant of the importance of empowering women, highlighted the seminar as part of the Consulate General’s Gender and Development projects for 2014.
Philippine Deputy Consul General J. Susana Paez and Labor Attaché Leonida V. Romulo gave presentations on the services offered by the Consulate General and POLO, respectively. Mr. Larry Colle of the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) gave a presentation on how OFC is “Helping Internationally Trained Professionals.” The office was set up under the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act with the goal to make sure that a qualified person who wants to practice a profession in Ontario can get a license to do so.
Western Union Country Development Manager Chito Gonzales discussed “Securities, Compliance and Remittances” as well as basic money management. Mr. Ceferino Guzman of Anderson College, which focuses on healthcare professionals, discussed career options that are available to the newcomers. Another well-received speaker was Mr. Andrew Thompson of the Ministry of Labor who gave a presentation on “Employment Standards.” Mr. Albert Quirante, Program Director of Maxwell Meighan Centre discussed “Managing Change and Transition,” especially by those who have difficulty adjusting to life in a new country which is a sentiment and experience all newcomers seem to share.
Immigration Lawyer Maria Deanna Santos discussed the process, updates and changes in the live-in caregiver program, policies on the issuance of Temporary Permits, and the acquisition of Permanent Residence Status.
A very lively exchange permeated the seminar and ended with a proposal to homl similar seminars in the future. END