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Showing posts from November, 2007

Remembering Jocelyn and Mariannet

November is a month of mourning for the dead, praying for souls, remembering and thanking those who fought to regain the freedom we are enjoying today.   On these occasions, it is most fitting to recall at least two recent deaths of Filipinas which were especially poignant owing to the systemic injustices that led to their fate.   The first was the recent death of Jocelyn Dulnuan, a live-in caregiver found dead at her employer’s house in Mississauga.   The second is the suicide of Mariannet Amper in Davao City, a 12-year old girl who decided to end her life because of poverty. Ms. Dulnuan came to Canada to work under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).   This program requires that the caregiver work full time within the employer’s home for two years within three years of arrival in Canada, to become eligible for permanent resident status.    This sounds simple enough that many who wish to migrate to Canada take this option instead of waiting for five or so years to receive a