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FILIPINO NURSES TRAPPED BY THELIVE-IN CAREGIVER PROGRAMCielo’s story

December 2001, Vol.2, No.3

I was made to believe that Canada is a land ofboundless opportunties...

September 30, 2000, was the red-letter day I set foothere in Canada. My brother sponsored me to be his live-incaregiver. I am the nanny of my nephew who is 5 years oldand my 2 year old niece. The first 2 months that I was herewere ecstasy. This wonderful country, an entirely diverseworld, astonished me. But during the succeeding months,when the fire in me turned to embers, reality awakened mefrom this dream – I will be a caregiver for 2 years! It’s onlybeen a few months now and I miss my work terribly...

I graduated in 1995. From then on, I was able to workin a government hospital in Quezon City. I was assigned tothe OB-Gyne/Delivery Room for 2 years and was a neonatalintensive care nurse for 3 years until I left for Canada. Itpains me to remember that I opted to leave my work andschool just to come here. I was so close to finishingmy masters in nursing administration. (I was alreadyinto thesis writing.) But choices had to be made,and it was never like me to cry over spilt milk.

After three months of my stay here, news ofthe nursing shortage became the media’s top story.This has driven me further to pursue my profession.I called the Registered Nurses Association of BCand asked them if I could undergo the registrationprocess though I was still under the LCP. They toldme that my problem is an immigration matter, so Ihad to call them. Immigration allowed me to undergonursing registration. After about three months, Itook and passed the International English LanguageTesting System (IELTS). During this time, a friendof mine handed me a flyer with information aboutthe Filipino Nurses Support Group (FNSG). That’swhen I started to be involved with the organization

who has been helping nurses under the LCP, like me, to beallowed to work as RNs. FNSG has given me tremendoussupport by giving me factual information about theaccreditation process, the condition of nurses here in Canada,and most specifically the review classes they are giving forthose who are going to take the nursing board for FREE!

Now I am starting to believe otherwise...My blissfulness at passing the October 10, 2001, RN

board exam was but ephemeral. I called immigration andasked them if they will allow me to get out of the LCP andwork as an RN, considering that I am already licensed andthe country is in crisis because of the nurse shortage. “Wecannot put one employer over the other,” was the mind-boggling reason they gave me. Who do they need most afterall, nannies or nurses? Anybody can be a nanny, but noteveryone can be a nurse. They also told me that if I leave

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Continued on page 2

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TRAPPED BY LCP, cont. from p 1

Contributors to Kapit Bisig:Susan Brinas, Ana Cagas, Rowena Dalinoc, Leah Diana,

Cecilia Diocson, Cielo Ebio, Sheila Farrales, Joyce Lovitos,Adelfa Parinas, Britt Permien, Rachel Rosen

Kapit Bisig is produced by theFilipino Nurses Support Group:

451 Powell St., Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1G7,P: (604) 255-6870, F: (604) 215-1103,

E: fnsg1995@yahoo.ca

Thank you!

“Who do they need most after all,“Who do they need most after all,“Who do they need most after all,“Who do they need most after all,“Who do they need most after all,nannies or nurses? ”nannies or nurses? ”nannies or nurses? ”nannies or nurses? ”nannies or nurses? ”

the LCP, I will imperil my chances of being granted landedimmigrant status. So what am I to do but accept my fate?

Right now I am just hoping against hope that nurseslike me will eventually be allowed to practise our profession.I pray the government of BC will consider my situation. Mayit be the start of something good, for as they say, a drop ofwater causes ripple on the sea...”

Cielo’s story is similar to that many Philippine-trainedregistered nurses who are trapped by the LCP. FNSG hascontact with many nurses who have completed the entireaccreditation process and are recognized as RegisteredNurses in British Columbia, yet they are still denied the rightto practice their profession. Like Cielo, they have beeninformed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) thatif they leave the LCP to practice as a nurse, they will be

denied landed immigrant status when they apply with CIC.Even the much touted Provincial Nominee Program

(PNP) – which allows foreign-trained nurses and otherspecified professionals to come to Canada under workingvisas and have their application for landed immigrant statussupported and fast tracked by the provincial government –bars Filipino nurses under the LCP. FNSG has been activelylobbying the provincial government to assert the right ofFilipino nurses to practice their profession and enter the PNPprogram. At a meeting with FNSG members, George Abbott(Provincial Minister of Community, Aboriginal, and Women’sService) promised to address this issue. “Minister Abbott’spromise was only lip service though,” explains Sheila Farralesof the FNSG. “We have attempted numerous times to bring

to Minister Abbott’s attention the presence of RegisteredNurses trapped under the LCP, but he did not even respondto our communication until a care facility also wrote toexpress their disatisfaction with the barriers to foreign trainednurses practicing here.”

While the provincial government claims that the PNPis non-discriminatory, the fact is, Registered Nurses underthe LCP are still effectively denied access to the programand to practicing their recognized profession because ofimmigration barriers. Their basic human right “to free choiceof employment” as protected by the Universal Declarationof Human Rights is violated. Under the LCP, Filipino nursesare denied their fundamental rights to livelihood, education,and just remuneration. The roots of these violations of humanrights lie in the forces that cause Filipino nurses to leave the

Philippines, as well asCanada’s demand forcheap, but highlyskilled labour,particularly in areasmost Canadians would

not work. Instead of ensuring these rights are protected,CIC and the provincial government have expressed concernover the interest of employers, instead of upholding theinterests of workers and the general public who desperatelyneed the nursing shortage resolved in order to access qualityhealth care. The government is reluctant to jepordize the“lucrativeness” of the LCP.

“Why does Canada continue to deny occupation pointsto nurses?” questions Leah Diana, a member of FNSG. “Itwould not be difficult to change the immigration regulations.It would not even involve parliamentary debate. Not grantingpoints has more to do with privatizing public services suchas health care and childcare.” Filipino nurses are being usedas private health care workers for wealthy Canadian families.Many Filipino nurses in the LCP wind up being on call 24-hours a day doing nursing or other health care duties. TheCanadian government uses the LCP to defer protest againstthe state of health care in Canada and to isolate and marginalizehighly skilled workers in order to gain a source of cheaplabour for segregated occupations, such as live-in work.

FNSG continues to organize, educate, and mobilizefor the right of Filipino nurses to practice their professionand achieve human rights and equality rights here in Canada.“One by one we can be turned away,” explains JoyceLovitos, a non-practicing Filipino nurse. “But together, weare strong.”

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RNABC BARRIERS LEAD TOFEWER REGISTERED NURSESApplications from foreign-trained nurses on the rise

In a time of a severe nursing shortage, where 1200 nursingpositions remain unfilled, it is clear that the crisis will onlyintensify as the Registered Nurses Association of BC(RNABC) registered 1.6% fewer new nurses this year thanlast (The Province, November 9, 2001). While there is adrop in new Registered Nursesoverall, RNABC reports adramatic 123.6 % rise in the numberof foreign-trained nurse applicants.

“If there is such a flood offoreign-trained applicants, whythen are there fewer new RegisteredNurses overall?” questions RachelRosen, advocate with the FilipinoNurses Support Group. “Non-practicing foreign-trained nurses,the majority being from thePhilippines, face incrediblegovernmental and institutionalbarriers that bar them frombecoming accredited.”

Because Citizenship andImmigration Canada does notrecognize nursing as a neededoccupation, hundreds of Filipinonurses have come to BC under theLive-in Caregiver Program (LCP)as 24-hour nannies and homesupport workers, not as nurses.Under the LCP, they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,as they have only temporary status in Canada and are forcedto work and live in their employer’s home for at least 2years. Even though they hold nursing degrees and haveyears of nursing experience in the Philippines and in othercountries, Filipino nurses face discriminatory, costly, andlengthy barriers to become accredited as nurses in BC.

Nurses from the Philippines make up the highestnumber of foreign-trained nurses registering with RNABC.

(97 new registrants were from the Philippines followed by23 nurses from the British Isles and Ireland, for a total of230 foriegn-trained nurses.) Yet the numbers of accreditedforeign-trained nurses could be higher, if it were not for thebarriers. The statistics make it clear that RNABC is doing

nothing to remove the bureaucraticred tape of the accreditation processin order to assure quality health care.

The Filipino Nurses SupportGroup (FNSG) has contact withover 300 Filipino nurses, the vastmajority of whom entered throughthe LCP. Many of these nurses arecurrently struggling throughRNABC’s accreditation process,particularly the costly and irrelevantEnglish exam. A number of themhave overcome the barriers and wereable to become accredited, yet theyare still unable to work and contributeto the health care system.

“I was told by an Immigrationofficial that if I leave the LCP, andpractice nursing, I will be deniedlanded immigrant status,” explainsJosie, a member of the FNSG whois an accredited nurse with RNABCbut remains tied to the LCP. “I amangered that for another year,

Canada Immigration forces me into modern-day slaveryinstead of allowing me to contribute my skills and expertiseto the health care system”

“The segregation of Filipino nurses into domestic andother low-wage jobs is outrageous, especially in this time ofa shortage,” asserts Rosen. “Utilizing and valuing the skillsand education of foreign-trained nurses already in BC is partof a cost-effective and long-term solution to the health crisis.”

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PLAYING HARDBALL DESPITECRISISSuzette’s story

My name is Suzette. I came to Canada with myhusband and children last year under Citizenship andImmigration Canada’s (CIC) new Temporary Workers’Programme. A health facility sponsored me to work as anurse. But when I arrived for my first orientation, I wasrefused employment because CIC and the health facility did

not ensure that I was registered as a nurse in BC. I believedthat my registration in the Philippines was recognized here,as it was for Filipino nurses who came to Canada in the1960s and 1970s.

Because of the misinformation that led me to migrateto Canada with my family, I had no choice but to proceedwith the accreditation process. But because of red tape andirrelevant requirements, I’m still completing my accreditationas a nurse with the Registered Nurses Association of BC(RNABC). I took the International English Language TestingSystem (IELTS) last June 23, 2001. I did not meet therequired score of 6.5 for total band and 7 for spoken Englishthat RNABC requires of all applicants whose first languageis not English. I received an overall band score of 6.0 and aspoken band score of 7.0. In light of how close my IELTStotal band score was to the required score, I tried to waivemy English requirement with RNABC. I sent a letter andsubmitted two reference letters with convincing evidence ofmy fluency to the Registration Committee at RNABC. Ittook three months before I heard the result of my request.

I received a letter from RNABC’s Director ofRegulatory Services, regarding the decision of theMembership Review Committee. She wrote, “Yourapplication for initial registration and your request to havethe requirement for TSE English test waived was reviewedby the Registration Committee. I regret to inform you theCommittee decided that your request to waive the TSEEnglish test requirement is denied.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:1. Your test scores in reading and writing fall below

the requirements as set out in the policies.2. The references submitted are positive but do not

sufficiently support your fluency in English considering yourlow scores.”

With the help of the Filipino Nurses Support Group(FNSG), we set up a meeting with members of the RNABCon October 26. My family and members of FNSG attendedto support me.

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At the meeting, without any greetings,RNABC administrators immediatelyquestioned the presence of four Filipino nurseswho attended the meeting to support me. Wewere shocked by what we felt as harassment.

One of the issues we raised in themeeting was the discrepancy between myrequest for waiver of my IELTS score, and theresponse that I received from RNABCregarding a TSE score (an exam I never took).But the RNABC adminstrators washed theirhands clean of responsibility and blamed asecretary’s typing error. RNABC claimed thatI was denied a waiver of English because I receivedinsufficient reading and writing scores on the IELTS, despitesuccessfully meeting the required score for the speakingcomponent of the exam. But this decision is biased andarbitrary since there is currently no formal written policyregarding the waiving of the IELTS.

Despite my 15 years of specialty nursing experiencein the Cancer Unit in Dubai and the comprehensive lettersof reference from previous employers whose first language

is English, my right to practice nursing cotinues to be denied.I have years of experience working with other foreign-trainednurses in Dubai, including Canadian nurses. I believe myscore is just a number and does not speak to my skills andexperience.

Given the unsatisfactory responses of RNABC tothe issues raised, FNSG members asserted the irrelevancy

“““““Despite my 15 years of specialtynursing experience in the CancerUnit in Dubai...my right to practicenursing continues to be denied”””””

of the English test requirement as a significant barrier,especially for Philippine-trained nurses with years ofeducation and nursing practice in English both in thePhilippines and numerous countries world-wide. Asexplained in the meeting, it is the English test requirementthat holds many Filipino nurses back from becomingaccredited as nurses in BC. English fluency is just one aspectof a nurse’s competency. It is a shame that RNABC policiesof accreditation do not consider and value the years of

nursing experienceforeign-trained nurses,like me, have to offer tothe BC health caresystem in the time of acritical nursing shortagethat affects all BritishColumbians.

The legitimateissues raised by FNSG members however were taken aspersonal attacks against RNABC representatives, leadingthem to walk out of the meeting without further discussionor resolution. We believe this action was both insulting andunprofessional. We belieive the way these RNABCadministrators behaved was racist and devalued the issuesbrought forth by nurses of colour.”

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HISTORIC CONSULTATIONLAUNCHEDAdvancing the rights and welfare of non-practicing Filipino and other foreign-trained nurses

This December 7-9, fifty Filipino and other foreign-trainednurses and advocates from Vancouver to Halifax will gatherin Burnaby, B.C. to share experiences and strategize abouttheir struggles. This groundbreaking national consultation isbeing organized by the Filipino Nurses Support Group(FNSG). Carrying the theme, “Advancing the rights and

welfare of non-practicing Filipino and other foreign-trainednurses”, organizers hope a deeper understanding about thenational situation of Filipino and other foreign-trained nurseswill emerge. This will allow us to forge a comprehensive andconcrete action plan to address the various barriers we face.Also, the level of our efforts to influence public policies andtackle social, political and economic issues will be effectivelyraised from the local to the national level.

The consultation theme is a reflection of the currentsituation of both the Filipino community and the state of thehealth care system in Canada. This consultation recognizesthat although Filipino nurses have already made significantcontributions to Canada as professionals, we still have muchground to gain to achieve comprehensive human rights forFilipino nurses in Canada. In the midst of the worst nursingshortage Canada has ever experienced, thousands of Filipinoand other foreign-trained nurses here in Canada are beingdenied the right to practice as nurses. Instead, they aretrapped and de-skilled in the Live-in Caregiver Program(LCP) and face systemic barriers to accreditation.

Canada has not always had such restrictive policies; inthe 1960s and 1970s, Filipino and other foreign-trainednurses were able to practice their profession in Canada byreciprocity agreements. Currently, over 15% of nursesworking in B.C. are foreign-trained. The immigration andaccreditation policies of today are created as part of thescheme to privatize health care, as Filipino and other foreign-trained nurses are de-skilled and relegated to caregiving andhousehold work in private homes under the LCP and for-profit home support companies.

This consultation will bring together a broad range ofindividuals and organizations under the spirit of exchangingexperiences and forging links at a national level. The panelspeakers and resource people represent various cities acrossCanada from both within and outside our Filipino community.Also, each panel will highlight testimonials of struggle andresistance by FNSG members in their fight to rightfullypractice their profession. Recognizing that the situation of

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Filipino and other foreign-trained nurses in Canada is notisolated from global events, keynote speaker, Dr. JosephCarabeo–from the Health Alliance for Democracy in thePhilippines–will speak about the international situation ofhealth under globalization.

The issues that will be discussed during the panels andworkshops reveal the context of our current situation as amarginalized community and our struggle for health for all inthe midst of intensifying globalization. The panel issues willrevolve around Migration and Human Rights; Racism andEquality Rights; Migration, Labour, and Globalization; andHealth and Globalization.

Through the participatory workshops, organizers aimto develop strategies that will enhance the level of theorganizing and advocacy work many of the delegates arealready doing. For example, since 1995, FNSG has beenadvocating for the full recognition, use, and valuing of theskills and education qualified Filipino and other foreign-trained nurses have to offer. By establishing viable links

with other organizations andindividuals doing similaradvocacy work acrossthe country, thelobbying forfederal policychanges weundertakew i l l b estrengthened.

As ag r a s s r o o t sorganizat ion,FNSG has always reliedon community support to carryout its numerous activities and programs. This consultationis no different. The consultation has recieved no corporateor government support.

As FNSG hosts the opening of the Consultation onDecember 7 at the Hospital Employees’Union Conference Centre to celebrateInternational Human Rights Day, we extendour warmest greetings and appreciation to themany volunteers and supporters who believein FNSG’s objectives of educating,organizing, and mobilizing non-practicingFilipino nurses. As we undertake thechallenges of increasing marginalization of ourFilipino community and intensifying attackson our health care system, we look forwardto your continued support for our struggle forour rights and welfare and our genuineequality.

For more information about theconsultation or to register, contact Leah at(604) 255-6870 or fnsg1995@yahoo.ca.Proceedings from the consultation will alsobe published.

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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTSFNSG members speak

Q. I have been away from nursing practice for quiteawhile, so I’m planning to take a refresher course. But,I don’t have financial resources to support myself. AmI eligible for a bursary? How much will I be granted?

The Ministry of Advanced Education offers bursaries(grants) for $3,500 towards nursing refresher courses. Thesedo not need to be re-paid. Applications are due November15, March 15, and July 15. A few health regions, such asSimon Fraser, have introduced free refresher programs. But,the Filipino Nurses Support Group (FNSG) has not heardif these will continue.

There is a new educational grant from the provincialgovernment that can be applied to tuition, books, andeducational fees for costs related to the refresher course.You can receive up to $3,500. The application deadline forthis grant is February 15, 2002.

Student loans are also available from the Ministry ofAdvanced Education, but they have to be re-paid uponfinishing your courses. In its Nursing Strategy, the provincialgovernment announced that student loans for certain criticalareas in nursing will not need to be re-paid.

FNSG has application forms for the grants andbursaries and can help you tocomplete them. Student loanapplication forms are availablefrom the school you will beattending.Q. I have completed all theRNABC requirements toqualify for an Interim Permit(IP) and work as a GraduateNurse (GN). Why am I havinga hard time getting one? Whatis the process of applying for anIP? How long am I allowed tohave it? And, how much will itcost me?

RNABC offers IPs to

British Columbia nursing graduates right after they finish thenursing program and before they have passed the RN exam.Yet, for foreign-trained nurses the issuing of IPs is employerdriven. In order for you to apply for an IP you have to findan employer who is willing to hire and supervise you underthe IP. Have the employer fill out an RNABC form, submityour application to RNABC, and after few weeks they willissue your IP. There is a fee to get the IP. It will cost youapproximately $23 / month. IPs are issued for a minimum ofthree months, and usally last for one month after you arescheduled to take your RN exam.Q. I took the International English Language TestingSystem (IELTS), but I didn’t pass it. RNABC is tellingme to take an English as a Second Language course. Ialready speak English–do I really need to take acourse?

Despite the fact nursing education in the Philippines isconducted in English, in the Philippines nurses practice inEnglish, and many FNSG members have also worked inEnglish settings in Canada, any nurse with English as asecond language is required by RNABC to take an Englishexam. RNABC requires a score of 213 on the TOEFL and

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50 on the TSE or a spoken band of 7.0 and an overall bandof 6.5 on the IELTS. If you do not meet these scores, youmay be able to waive the results. FNSG can help you waiveyour English. We also have a free, biweekly English SupportClass based on the IELTS exam.

The RNABC has started pushing foreign-trained nurseswho do not meet the English requirements to take a six monthESL class. The course is approximately $450; although, thelast class was subsidized.Q. I came to Canada under the Live-in CaregiverProgram (LCP). Since it can take some time to processmy application for an open visa, can I send in myapplication when I have completed 22 months underthe LCP?

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, youcannot send in your application for an open visa until youhave completed the full 24 months working for a recognizedemployer(s) under the LCP. This is one reason why mostpeople end up working more than 24 months under the LCP.If you send in your application before you have completedthe 24 months, your request will be denied. When you havecompleted the 24 months you will have to re-apply and re-pay the processing fee. At the Kalayaan Centre, where theFilipino Nurses Support Group is located, there is a Filipinocommunity settlement worker who can help with yourimmigration questions and file your immigration papers.

F N S G

It was 8 degrees Celsius outside on a sunnySaturday afternoon when I first set foot on Canadian soil.It was January 10, 1998. For me, my dream was about tocome true (at least I thought) starting that day. A Filipinocouple sponsored me to work for them under the Live-inCaregiver Program. My female employer was nice at first.Little did I know that she read my letters: both the onessent to me by my family and the ones I wrote to them. Sheeven went through all my things while I was outsomewhere. Not only that, she made up stories to get mein trouble with other members of the family.

Life was already tough for me; I mean being awayfrom my family was not a joke at all. And to be living in acountry that is totally different from where you grew up isanother challenge, not only for myself, but also for otherFilipinos who have migrated to Canada to search forgreener pastures.

I hope to develop my abilities further. Yet, here I amwith nowhere to go and struggling to process myaccreditation as a Registered Nurse. With theencouragement and support of the FNSG members andthe Philippine Women Centre, I am now preparing for thenursing board exam.”

When I came to Canada, it was so difficult for meto start the accreditation process. It was very confusing. Ilearned of a group called the Filipino Nurses SupportGroup (FNSG) through a friend. I called them and inquiredabout their support services. I was lucky I found them.FNSG provides bi-weekly, free nursing review classes.FNSG also conducts English Support Classes that areopen for everyone. And most of all, they give informationon the accreditation process. They helped waive myEnglish and provided a list of facilities willing to hire andsupervise nurses under the interim permit.”

For a while, I was working as a care aide in anursing home facility. But, I would like to practice myprofessionas a nurse. I opened a file at RNABC,completed all the requirements, and took the CNAT twice;unfortunately, I did not make it. Intensively, I put all myeffort in preparing for my third and last chance to get mylicense. Without passing the exam I would have to take arefresher course. But getting approval from RNABC totake the exam for a third time was hard. I had to submit aletter to prove that I was constantly preparing for the exam.FNSG gave me a supporting letter showing that I attendedthe FNSG nursing review classes.

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BUILDING UNITY AMONG OURKABABAIHANNorth American Consultation for Women of Philippine Ancestry

The Philippine Women Centre of British Columbia washappy to be a co-organizer of the first ever “North AmericanConsultation for Women of Philippine Ancestry” which washeld on October 5-7, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, USA.It has been over a decade since overseas Filipinos in NorthAmerica have gathered together to address issues ofimportance to them. Such a meeting is truly a breakthroughevent for women of Philippine ancestry.

In 1999, the Filipino-Canadian Women’s NationalConsultative Forum “Towards Filipino Women’s Equality”was held in Vancouver. At this time, the need to coordinateand act on a national level on issues pressing to women ofPhilippine ancestry in Canada was identified. Key issuesincluded that of forced migration, labour export, and trafficin women. Given that these issues bear the same degree ofimportance to women of Philippine ancestry in the UnitedStates, the need to coordinate and act on a North Americanlevel was seen as a major priority.

Two hundred women of Philippine ancestry from theUnited States, Canada, Europe, and the Philippines gatheredfor this historic event. The Consultation’s theme of “Migration,Labor Export, and Traffic of Women” strikes at the verycore of the experiences of women of Philippine ancestry inthe United States, Canada, and worldwide. The

overwhelming majority of the participants were youngwomen who came from eleven American states and fivemajor Canadian cities. These young women identified theconsultation as a unique opportunity to learn from otheroverseas women of Philippine ancestry.

The Honourable, Liza Maza, Bayan Muna Party ListRepresentative of the Philippine Congress and SecretaryGeneral of GABRIELA-Philippines, opened the gatheringby commending the plenary for pushing through with theConsultation, despite the recent tragedy in the United Statesand the current US-led war on terrorism: “The holding ofthis Consultation is very propitious especially in the light ofincreasing violations of the rights of migrants and immigrantsin the US and other parts of the world such as Europe andCanada.” In addition to addressing the issues of migration,labor export and traffic in women, Liza Maza challengedthe Consultation to also address “the emerging forms ofrestrictions and violations of the rights of not only ourcompatriots but immigrants and migrants of other nationalitiesas well, in the pretext of the so-called crusade againstterrorism.”

Panel sessions provided a unique opportunity to deepenour understanding in the areas of labor migration and domesticwork, generational perspectives, trafficking of women, and

the role of the women’smovement in socialtransformation. Thespeakers weredescribed by oneparticipant asproviding “valuableinsight” and “depth ofknowledge into theissues that concernus.” To address thethreat of an all-outworldwide war, apanel session was

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NATIONAL QUESTIONNAIREfor Filipino nurses

Contact FNSG for a copy of the questionnaireat fnsg1995@yahoo.ca or (604) 255-6870.

incorporated to provide a venue to discuss the issues ofwar, its impact on women, and the continuing struggle for ajust and lasting peace. As one participant shared, “Thecontent was very good—relevant and timely.”

The participants forged a statement of unity that reflectstheir consolidated position against forced migration, laborexport, and the traffic of women. Solidarity between womenof Philippine ancestry in Canada, the United States, andworldwide, including women in the Philippines, was affirmedon key issues identified by the participants and the panels.The participants committed themselves to the struggle againstclass, gender, race, and all other forms of oppression. Theyformed a position to stand in solidarity with women in thePhilippines in their continuing struggle for women’s andnational liberation. Also, the need to stand in solidarity withwomen of Philippine ancestry worldwide in their strugglefor their rights and welfare was affirmed. A strong positionagainst imperialist globalization was taken, with Canadianand US political, economic, and military interventionsoverseas cited as particular examples. The participants alsoasserted their commitment to study, learn, and rootthemselves in both Philippine history and culture, and migranthistory and culture.

Plans of action for step-by-step educating, organizing,and mobilizing stemmed from the statement of unity. AsLuningning Alcuitas-Imperial, from the Philippine WomenCentre of British Columbia, urged: “The only way totransform society is to firmly grasp the historical and globalcontext of forced migration. Armed with this knowledge,

we must also commit ourselves to the long and arduousprocess of step-by-step educating, organizing and mobilizingof our community. Most importantly, a strong andempowered community of Filipinas, who are working

collectively to asserttheir rights towardstheir socialemancipation andliberation, mustundertake thisprocess.”

Five membersof the Filipino Nurses

Support Group attended the consultation and contributedthe collective stories and experiences of FNSG members tothe discussion. They spoke of forced migration, systemicbarriers to practicing their nursing profession, and being usedas cheap, but highly skilled, labour.

The consultation was an important opportunity forFSNG to raise its profile in North America, make contactwith other women of Philippine ancestry–particularly othernurses– and to affirm the commitment of FNSG to thebroader struggles facing Filipino people both in thePhilippines and in 186 countries overseas.

“The only way to transform society“The only way to transform society“The only way to transform society“The only way to transform society“The only way to transform societyis to firmly grasp the historicalis to firmly grasp the historicalis to firmly grasp the historicalis to firmly grasp the historicalis to firmly grasp the historicaland global context of forcedand global context of forcedand global context of forcedand global context of forcedand global context of forcedmigration.”migration.”migration.”migration.”migration.”

FNSG is currently distributing a questionnaireto all practicing and non-practicing Filipinonurses across Canada. Through theresponses, FNSG hopes to identify the barriersto Filipino nurses achieving their human andequality rights and develop effective ways toensure these rights.

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Upcoming eUpcoming eUpcoming eUpcoming eUpcoming evvvvvents:ents:ents:ents:ents:December7-9, 2001

Friday,Dec. 15

Sunday,Dec. 16,Jan. 6, 20

Sunday,Dec. 16,Jan. 6, 20

Monday,Dec. 24

Monday,Dec. 31

Wednesday,January 2

National Consultation:Advancing the rights andwelfare of non-practicingFilipino and other foreign-trained nursesorganized by FNSG for Filipinonurses, other foreign-trained nursesand advocates

for information call 604.255.6870

Children’s Christmas Party:organized by the Kalayaan Centre2-5pm at the Kalayaan Centrefor more information call Ana at604.215.1103

Review Classes:Canadian NursesAssociation Test (CNAT)organized by FNSG2-5 pm at the Kalayaan Centrefor information call Sheila or Leah at604.255.6870

English Support Classesorganized by FNSG

6-7 pm at the Kalayaan Centre

for information call Sheila or Leah at604.255.6870

Kalayaan Centre ChristmasEve Partyat the Kalayaan Centrefor information call 604.215.1103

Kalayaan Centre NewYear’s Eve Partyat the Kalayaan Centre

for information call 604.215.1103

Tinig ng Masa:the people’s views onPhilippine newsmonthly community radio program,

every first Wednesday of the month,6-7pmVancouver Co-op Radio, 102.7 fmfor info call Ethel at 604.215.1103

FNSG members who passed the Canadian NursesAssociation Test in October 2001:Beverly Simon, Cielo Ebio, Genevive Coloma,Gerald Tangi, Jennie Macalalad, Nanette Suarez,Narcelita Ison

qualify for / have received an Interim Permit:Charina Caprio, Leo Vergara, Remelinda Pumares,Thess Coronel

starting / enrolled in a nursing refresher course:

Gina Dulay, Josie Carpio, Josie Pamarang, NyletteIllustre

Enclosed is my donation of $ _____I would like to become a member _____(enclose $10 for one year membership fee)Name: _____________________________Address: __________________________Phone number: ______________________

HELP SUPPORT FNSG!

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Filipino Nurses Support Group:

RRRRReeeeevievievievieview Classes:w Classes:w Classes:w Classes:w Classes:Canadian NurCanadian NurCanadian NurCanadian NurCanadian NursessessessessesAssociaAssociaAssociaAssociaAssociation tion tion tion tion TTTTTestestestestest(CN(CN(CN(CN(CNAAAAAT)T)T)T)T)Classes are every other Sunday, by donation.Call Leah or Ana at (604) 255-6870 for information.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

- Attend free workshops - Review application for Landed

Status- Employment Standards Branch &

WCB issues- Fill out your family class

sponsorsorship application - Help on Immigration & EI questions

- ReferralsMEET OTHER FILIPINOS!

SIKLABan overseasFilipino workers’organization

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