By Vir B. Lumicao
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| The border crossing at Lowu in Shenzhen used by many OFWs who go to China |
Welfare officer Marivic Clarin of the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration said the termination of the worker’s contract was a
mutual agreement between the parties, but the helper would be duly compensated.
It happened after both the Consulate and the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office issued advisories on Jan 28, reminding employers not to
bring their domestic workers across the border amid the health scare.
The worker, who was not identified, went to Clarin on Jan 30
to seek help in computing money due from her employer for her premature
dismissal. She was in the third year of her work contract.
Clarin said the employer threatened to fire the Filipina the
previous day if she didn’t agree to go to the mainland, but the maid cited the
Polo and Consulate advisories.
The Polo advisory reminded employment agencies that it was
their duty to explain to employers that the practice was illegal.
As a result, the employer backed down and both parties
talked amicably about ending the helper’s employment.
“It’s a mutual agreement naman nila. Di naman sad ang worker,”
Clarin said.
The employer wanted to pay the worker only until Feb 11 in
lieu of one month’s notice. But when they got to OWWA, Clarin advised the helper
to demand payment until the end of February and the employer agreed.
Clarin also advised the worker to inform the Immigration
Department that her dismissal was due to her refusal to go to China so she
would be allowed to sign up with a new employer without having to leave Hong
Kong.
The OWWA officer said she had received several messages or
calls from workers who are concerned that they might catch the Wuhan novel
coronavirus because they are still in China and not being allowed by their
employers to return to Hong Kong.
She said that given the situation in China now, it might be
best for the workers to stay put in their employer’s house to avoid exposing
themselves to the contagion.
“Best na nandun lang sila, kung nasa loob lang. Baka mamaya,
mas delikado pa kung pauwiin pa sila nang sabay-sabay,” Clarin said.
Another worry by the helpers was whether they or their
employers would be sanctioned by the Consulate or POLO for going to China.
“Maraming natakot kasi nasa China pa sila,” Clarin said. “Concerned
yung mga nandoon kasi iyon daw ang nakalagay sa advisory.”
What the Polo advisory signed by Officer-in-Charge Antonio
Villafuerte said, in fact, was that employment agencies could be subject to
suspension or administrative sanctions if they failed to help workers return to
Hong Kong as the need arises.
There was no mention of sanctions on the worker the
employer, although Polo keeps a blacklist of employers who violate laws or
commit abuse against a helper.
Another OFW who called Clarin had a different fear, that she
would be quarantined when she goes home for a vacation.
This followed an announcement by Philippine officials that
Filipinos who are in Wuhan would be evacuated
and placed in quarantine for 14 days as soon as they land in Manila.
“Ang sabi ko lang, ‘Mag-ingat mula ngayon para sa pag-uwi mo
wala kang sintomas, fever or anything na makita pagdating doon sa
airport…magdala ka ng alcohol …yung usual na paalala para makaiwas sa infection’,”
Clarin said.
