 |
| More Filipino domestic workers are coming to HK despite the uncertainty over the protests |
Fears that the extradition bill protests could result to
many migrant domestic workers losing their jobs appear to be unfounded – at
least for now.
Latest figures from Hong Kong Immigration show that the
number of foreign domestic helpers has risen steadily, even after the first
outbreak of clashes between protesters and the police in early June this year.
At the end of July, a total of 394,869 FDHs were recorded to
be in Hong Kong , up by more than 1,500 from
the previous month.
Filipinos made up more than half of the total figure, at
216,373. That’s about a third more than the Indonesians, the second most
dominant ethnic minority group of FDHs, who numbered 169,134
in the same period.
The latest data also show that the number of Filipino DHs has
risen steadily each month, with more than 6,000 new arrivals since December
last year.
The steady increase appears to indicate that while many Hong Kong residents have voiced skepticism about their
future because of the continuing protests that have at times turned violent,
they are still staying put, and keeping their helpers.
The upward trend is also reflected in the number of
contracts submitted for processing at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
According to Polo’s Officer-in-Charge, Antonio Villafuerte,
his office is still processing about 700 contracts per day, but this nearly
doubles whenever they close for a holiday, like on Monday, Aug 26.
 |
| Around 100 newcomers pack Polo's post-arrival orientation seminar each day |
Another way for them to monitor newcomers is through the
post-arrival orientations seminars that they conduct on a daily basis for some
100 newly-arrived FDHs each time. Again, this number doubles after each
holiday.
But Villafuerte says the Consulate remains vigilant in case
the continuing unrest causes a knock-down effect on Filipinos, especially the
migrant workers. Many say it is too early to see the effect of the prolonged unrest.
He himself is paying particular attention to the financial
sector, thinking that any economic fallout from the tense situation could lead
to many people leaving Hong Kong , and as a consequence,
cost Filipinos their jobs.
Meantime, Polo has implemented measures to ensure the safety
of newly arrived Filipino workers, like requiring their recruitment agencies to
provide them with phone SIM cards even before they fly out of the Philippines
This, plus the requirement for agencies to supply Polo with 24-hour
hotlines, are meant to ensure that there are people on standby in case a worker
runs into trouble, especially now that strict security measures are enforced at
HK Airport.
Villafuerte says all the more than 500 agencies accredited
with Polo have become fully compliant with these new requirements. The ones who
did not comply initially, and were warned with a two-day suspension for failing
to meet the Aug 15 deadline, reportedly did not see Polo’s advisory immediately
as it landed in their “spam” mail.
Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs)
Population in Hong Kong
As at the end of Month/Year
|
Other nationalities
|
Total number for all nationalities
|
Dec 2018
|
210,897
|
165,907
|
4,502
|
4,769
|
386,075
|
Jan 2019
|
213,110
|
167,480
|
4,515
|
4,766
|
389,871
|
Feb 2019
|
214,018
|
167,623
|
4,570
|
4,758
|
390,969
|
Mar 2019
|
214,211
|
168,060
|
4,557
|
4,758
|
391,586
|
Apr 2019
|
214,358
|
168,377
|
4,564
|
4,737
|
392,036
|
May 2019
|
215,586
|
168,644
|
4,625
|
4,732
|
393,587
|
Jun 2019
|
216,052
|
167,937
|
4,621
|
4,734
|
393,344
|
Jul 2019
|
216,375
|
169,134
|
4,652
|
4,708
|
394,869
|
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