12 arrested for illegal work

 

Immigration officers escort one of those arrested

The Immigration Department (ImmD) arrested 12 persons in raids on multiple target locations -- including restaurants, massage parlors and flats under renovation -- during anti-illegal worker operations last week.

The raids were part of Immigration’s territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight", "Contribute" and "Lightshadow"; a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed "Fastrack"; a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Windsand"; and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Customs, from July 31 to August 6.

Of the 12 suspected illegal workers arrested, 10 were men and two women, aged 35 to 62.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

Among the men one was holding a recognisance form which prohibits him from taking any employment.

An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out, ImmD said.

Charges of breach of condition of stay are exected to be filed against them.

Domestic helpers and visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment.

Basahin ang detalye!

“Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," ImmD said.

The prohibition from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business also applies to an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission.

 “Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment,” it added.

“Under section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years," The ImmD said.

2 more Filipina DHs cleared of illegal dentistry charges

 

The acquitted defendants, friends and lawyers leave Shatin court after the verdict

Patent irregularities in the way immigration officers conducted a raid and arrested six Filipina domestic helpers on charges of engaging in illegal dentistry work on August 17 last year today (Friday) led to the acquittal of the last two remaining defendants in the case.

Carles Lie Ramos, 34; and Cherrie Mel Patiga, 37, looked relieved but not surprised at the verdict as there had been several instances during their seven-day trial that Deputy Magistrate Pang Leung-ting had expressed frustration at the prosecution’s failure to present hard evidence against them.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

But their victory was bittersweet as both lost their jobs after their arrest, and should be homeward soon as they were only on extended visa during their trial.

Magistrate Pang announced his decision after ruling that there was no “prima facie” evidence against Ramos and Patiga, as the supposed confessions they made at the Sham Shui Po flat where they were arrested was inadmissible due to a number of glaring irregularities.

Basahin ang detalye!

These included the failure of the arresting Immigration officers to secure a search warrant before raiding the place, ensuring that the continued detention of the suspects was lawful, and not providing a Tagalog translator during the alleged confessions.

Pang decided the two had no case to answer even before hearing their defence, and ordered their acquittal.

The 4 defendants acquitted of illegal dentistry work walk out of court Tuesday

On Tuesday, Pang acquitted two other defendants in the case, Rowena M. Cerdina, 46, and Jucen L. Naong, 40, after the prosecution offered no additional evidence against them.

The two did not make any statements during their arrest, and the supposed cautioned statements they made at the Immigration Department’s head office were withdrawn by the prosecution after glaring irregularities in the way they were obtained surfaced in court.

Two other defendants in the case had earlier pleaded guilty to running the illicit dental clinic, and have returned to the Philippines after serving their sentence.

Marites Guiang Bohol, 48, pleaded guilty to practicing dentistry without registration, and establishing a business in breach of her condition of stay.

Her sister, Marissa Guiang Necesito, 60, admitted breaching her condition of stay, practicing dentistry without registration, and three counts of employing persons not legally employable.

Immigration released this photo of the arrests on Aug 17 last year

In resolving the case against Ramos and Patiga, Magistrate Pang said he had to decide on whether the entry of the immigration officers in the premises was legal or lawful, as it was made without a search warrant being obtained beforehand.

“Number 110 Apliu Street is a private property, and accordingly, it is protected by the Basic Law against unlawful entry,” he said.

He noted that the immigration officers said they decided to raid the premises after seeing a Southeast Asian-looking woman with braces walking towards the flat on Apliu Street.

He dismissed the officers’ claim that the raid on the flat was lawful, arguing that it complied with the legal requirement that a warrantless search and arrest may be made when there is reasonable belief that a person inside the target premises may be arrested.

Pang said that seeing a passerby with braces cannot be used as an assumption that someone inside the flat had committed an immigration offence. “This is wrong and a dangerous prospect that is not far from making an arbitrary arrest,” he said.

He further noted that while there were 19 people inside the flat at the time, the officers failed to explain why they only arrested six and released the others.

“They never stated any factual basis for the arrests. There was no reference as to the date, time location, and the acts made by the defendants which amounted to them committing an offence.”

Pang also criticized the arresting officers for putting handcuffs on the six women they arrested when not one of them resisted or attempted to flee.

According to information elicited by the defence from the immigration officers who testified during the trial, the handcuffed women were made to pose for pictures with their captors who by then had put on their official vests after conducting the raid in plainclothes.

Pang also raised doubts about how all four immigration officers who testified during the trial recalled minute details of the arrest which happened nearly a year ago.

“There is a possibility that they discussed the details of their story before they came to court,” said the magistrate.

He also questioned why the defendants were detained by an unauthorized officer, as the law clearly provides that only a chief immigration officer could sign a notice of detention.

But the time stamp on the record kept by the arresting officers indicated that even if a notice of detention was duly served, this was done only during or after the interview with the defendants.

Thus, a number of doubts were raised as to the culpability of the defendants. These included the legality of the arrest and detention of the two, whether they were properly informed of their rights when no Tagalog interpreter was around during the interview, and the accuracy of the notes presented by the arresting officers.

Defense lawyer Yasmine Zahir asked for costs, but this was immediately opposed by the prosecution, who said the defendants’ written admission of their alleged offenses, though cast aside during the trial, created reasonable doubts or brought suspicion upon themselves.

Magistrate Pang asked the opposing sides to make submissions on this point, and promised to hand down his decision in four to six weeks.

He earlier granted costs to the two defendants who were acquitted earlier, as they made no similar statements during the arrests.

 

 

Free movie tickets to FDHs snapped up in minutes

 

Li Ka Shing is behind the 24,000 free tickets to this movie given to FDHs

Free tickets to the film “Toy Story 5” offered to foreign domestic helpers starting 9pm on Wednesday were all snapped up within minutes.

This was according to a big number of FDHs who lamented that they failed to get any of the 24,000 movie tickets that were given away by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, despite going online way ahead of the 9pm start.

The film will be screened on the next four Sundays of August, at various times, in six different movie houses across Hong Kong. Applicants are entitled to two free e-tickets each, and could choose which cinema and screening time they prefer.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

A link to the online site was made public about two hours earlier by the Mission for Migrant Workers, which served as the information arm for the promotion. Earlier, a poster published  by the Mission also contained a QR code that could be scanned to get onto the registration site.

But shortly after the link was provided, many who went on standby to register said they could not get in, were left hanging after giving initial information, or saw the sign “sold out” without ever getting the chance to register any information.

A chat group among a dozen clients and volunteers of the Mission showed that not a single one of them managed to get the much-coveted tickets.

Basahin ang detalye!

One of them, Jacky, said she did not realize she had to download the Klook app first before she could get onto the site for registration. But she did get in within a few minutes, but found the button where the movie houses were listed to be unresponsive.

Another frustrated applicant, Cerina, said that she managed to get onto the site twice within 20 minutes of the start time for registration, but could not get the “select” button to respond.

“Ang daya naman. At exactly 9pm nag wait ako mag 100 percent (loading time) hindi naman makapasok (I feel cheated. At exactly 9pm I waited for the loading time to reach 100 percent but I still could not get in),”she said.

Still, they did not lose hope. Until just before going to bed at midnight, they kept trying but were all greeted with the “sold out” sign on the enrolment page.

However, at least three of them said they have a friend who managed to get the e-tickets.

Marie's confirmation notification that many other FDHs did not get to see

Jacky said her friend managed to get onto the site at 9:30pm and spent five minutes completing each section she was made to answer. But after completing the registration, she received her e-ticket by email in just five minutes.

Another lucky registrant, Marie, said that before 9pm she had already registered on the Klook site and was already on the standby list by the time the actual registration started. It was smooth sailing for her after.

The free movie tickets with popcorn and drink on the side is the latest treat given to FDHs by the Li Ka Shing Foundation in partnership with the Walt Disney Company.

In the past three years, the two prestigious and generous benefactors have provided free tickets, meals and fare to Hong Kong Disneyland to some 13,000 FDHs in Hong Kong, many of them first-timers to “the happiest place on earth.”

 

 

Cordillera culture highlighted in Inabel Showcase

 

Samples of Cordillera fashion from Gan ay ya Abel by Cristina Cayat, one of the featured designers

The Inabel Showcase, which had been cancelled recently due to heavy rains, has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 9, at 1 p.m. at Narra Hall, Filipino Workers Development and Social Centre, 18^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty,

The fashion show, organized by the Consulate General in collaboration with Mabika Society Hong Kong, highlight the artistry of fashion designers and artisans from the Cordillera Administrative Region, featuring traditional weaves, clothing, and creative works that celebrate the richness of the Philippines’ cultural heritage.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

Mabika Society Hong Kong is a collective of Igorot groups from the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region based in Hong Kong.

The group promotes Cordillera heritage through traditional textiles, crafts, and cultural performances, while fostering unity and pride among the Filipino diaspora.

Basahin ang detalye!

The  Inabel Showcase aims to honor the craftsmanship of Cordillera artisans while presenting their creations in a contemporary manner. It will be an afternoon of culture, creativity, and pride, bringing together the Filipino community in Hong Kong to appreciate and support the artistry of our kababayan. 

Beware of ‘trial loan’ scam

 

The supposed loan agreement is littered with grammatical errors with fake guarantee seals

Never engage with people who offer you instant loans through text or social media messaging.

This was the painful lesson learned by a Filipina domestic helper recently, when she was forced to send HK$1,200 to someone who contacted her using a Singapore number (+65 81915022) and offered her a quick loan at low interest.

But the offer came with a twist: instead of her receiving the promised loan of HK$10,000 she was supposed to pay HK$1,200 upfront, to cover a supposed trial loan of HK$280, plus her first monthly installment of HK$920.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

Anne (not her real name) said she was forced to send the money to the Alipay account given (+852 92431867 ) as she had by then given all her personal details to the unknown person, including her employer’s name and contact number.

When she tried to get the loan cancelled, Anne was told it was not possible, as the terms of the loan agreement were clearly stated in the loan agreement sent her.

“You should be read properly yourself your approval letter (sic),” said the loan recruiter.

A close look at the supposed loan agreement sent her showed it was obviously fake. The logo of I-Credit (Singapore) was used on top but underneath, the Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Active Finance, a licensed money lender in the Philippines, supposedly gave it a seal of approval.

Basahin ang detalye!

There were other telltale signs of forgery, including a smattering of wrong grammar and misspellings in the document. But Anne’s name, phone number, Alipay account and home address were typed in clearly, an ominous sign that she could be tracked anytime.

Still, the other person on the line said in broken English that Anne would not find a money lender that would allow a loan agreement to be cancelled once the approval letter is sent.

“We are not doing a free job for you, here is not playground for fun with u (sic),” the text said.

Screenshot of text messages from the loan broker

Time and again, various authorities have warned the public never to engage anyone who makes a random phone call, or sends a text or email offering a pre-approved loan that was not applied for.

The alarm bells should sound even louder if the supposed loan recipient is asked to pay money upfront for “processing” or whatever excuse might be given.

There are other red flags: if a lender does not check on the borrower’s income, credit history and capacity to pay; if the terms of the loan agreement including the exact interest rate, fees and monthly payments are not stated clearly; if the money lender is not authorized to operate legally in the place or country where the borrower resides.

Anne’s case was unfortunately, not a rare one. In a chat group formed by other victims of the loan scam syndicate, another Filipina helper said she had become so unnerved by the threats coming from the loan broker that she decided to just terminate her contract and go back home.

For Anne, the scare is not yet over. She has tried to ask for help at the Wong Tai Sin police station, but was told that since the fraud was committed online by a person or group operating from Singapore it would be difficult to go after them at this stage.

As the group she has lost money to already knows how to reach her employer, she is afraid her harassment could escalate.

 

Gov’t secures vaccine supplies for seasonal influenza

 

Photo from Department of Health

The Hong Kong government has been gearing up for the coming Flu season, buying 1.3 million doses of vaccines for its Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programs, the Department of Health (DH) announced today.

Receiving vaccines is the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risks of hospitalisation and mortality during the winter influenza season which typically occurs from January to March or April, the DH said.

“To enhance the stability of vaccine supplies, the Government has enhanced the procurement procedures this year to introduce different brands and technology platforms of seasonal influenza vaccines that are supplied by different vaccine suppliers,” the DH said.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

“The enhancement aims to diversify supply chain risks, ensure the reliability and sustainability of vaccine supplies, and enhance the flexibility of vaccine use in order to increase the vaccination rate,” it added.

To improve the efficiency of logistics management, the Government will continue to adopt the "first-in, first-out" principle to flexibly allocate the delivery of the vaccines according to the delivery schedules of the successful bidders.

All these vaccines are registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, and manufacturers must comply with the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Medicinal Products.

Basahin ang detalye!

Two licensed wholesale dealers of pharmaceutical products were awarded the contracts for the vaccines, all of which are trivalent vaccinesrecommended by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.

In addition, the Government launched the Pilot Scheme on Vaccine Procurement for Family Doctors (Pilot Scheme) in 2025/26. “With the experience gained from the Pilot Scheme, the Government will continue to implement the Pilot Scheme in the 2026/27 and strengthen the related arrangements, including increasing the number of influenza vaccine doses available for procurement by eligible doctors from 100 000 to 300 000, expanding the eligibility groups to include doctors who participate in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) and at least one other Government-subsidised primary healthcare program and streamlining the overall workflow arrangements and simplifying the process for consenting to participate in the VSS.

“The above measures will help further enhance the stability of the vaccine supply in the private market and encourage eligible members of the public to receive vaccinations,” the DH said.

2 Filipina DHs acquitted of illegal dental practice

 

Naong, Cerdina, Ramos and Patiga leave court during the lunch break

Two Filipina domestic helpers were acquitted Tuesday at Shatin Magistrates Court on charges of breaching their visa conditions by practising dentistry without a licence, in a case that brought to light questionable practices employed by law enforcers in arresting people suspected of engaging in illegal work.

Rowena M. Cerdina, 46, and Jucen L. Naong, 40, were both teary-eyed but relieved when Deputy Magistrate Pang Leung-ting ruled that there was not enough evidence against them, mid-way through their scheduled seven-day trial.

Outside court, both Cerdina and Naong said they were lucky that their respective employers have stuck with them throughout their ordeal, and have kept them in their employ.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

The Migrant Workers Office at the Philippine Consulate have also supported them by hiring two teams of lawyers to handle their defense.

Naong said she has worked in Hong Kong for 15 years and has never had any brush with the law. She was grateful for the support of her employer, who even accompanied her to almost all her court hearings.

But the nightmare of being arrested and questioned by immigration officers for three days before they were released on bail would stay with her for a long time. Naong called the detention center “the worst place” she has stayed in.

Basahin ang detalye!

Before they were discharged, the magistrate expressed frustration that four days after the trial began, he had yet to see any evidence related to the supposed illicit dental practice, and instructed the prosecution to seek advice from the Department of Justice to clarify the basis for the prosecution.

On questioning by defense lawyers, immigration officers who conducted the raid on the suspected dental clinic in Sham Shui Po on Aug 17, 2025 admitted that they did so without a search warrant, and that they were not in uniform.

They also admitted questioning the six Filipinas they arrested in the premises without any Filipino interpreter around, and held them for questioning for three days, not giving them the chance to talk to anyone, including their employers.

It also emerged that when the lead immigration officer took the defendants out of the unit he arranged for them to be filmed as they were led to a waiting vehicle in three neat rows. The scene was filmed again after the officer said the first video did not come out well.

By this time, the immigration officers were already wearing their official vests.

Defense said this photo of the arrest was posed

When the trial resumed Tuesday, the prosecution said it would not offer any more evidence against Cerdina and Naong, but would continue the case against their two co-defendants, Carles Lie Ramos, 34; and Cherrie Mel Patiga, 37.

Magistrate Pang again asked for a clarification of the basis for proceeding with the case, saying that no dental tools were presented as evidence and that “except for some defendants who were accused of making verbal admissions, we know nothing about the prosecution.”

Prosecution replied that it would still rely on the evidence by the immigration officers who conducted the operation on the flat where the alleged illegal dental services were conducted, the defendants’ verbal admission of guilt, and photos taken of the tools used in the illicit practice.

The bail of $2,000 each posted by Ramos and Patiga were extended until the continuation of their trial today, Wednesday.

The four were among six Filipinas arrested during the immigration raid. They said a total of 19 people were inside the flat at the time as someone was celebrating a birthday, but it was not clear how they were singled out.

The two others arrested with them were sisters who had admitted to operating the unlicensed dental clinic: Marites Guiang Bohol, 48; and Marissa Guiang Necesito, 60, both FDHs.

Bohol pleaded guilty to practicing dentistry without registration, and establishing a business in breach of her condition of stay.

Necesito admitted breaching her condition of stay, practicing dentistry without registration, and three counts of employing persons not legally employable.

The trial of the two remaining defendants continues.

Tourist jailed 15 months for overstaying, ignoring deportation order

 

File photo from Gemini

A Filipina tourist who did not leave Hong Kong when she was supposed to two years ago, and then ignored a deportation order until she was arrested last April, was jailed for 15 months today after pleading guilty at Tuen Mun Court.

Patricia Tawagon, 59 years years old, was sentenced by Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang to two months in prison for breach of condition of stay (overstay) and 15 months for breach of deportation order.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

Magistrate Tang ordered that the two sentences run at the same time, leaving a total term of 15 months.

The asylum seeker was arrested on April 12, 2026, near lamppost BD2120 on Kung Um Road, Yuen Long, New Territories.

The Yuen Long Police subsequently filed a complaint for breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, after she was found to have contravened her condition of stay. She was supposed to have left Hong Kong 14 days after arriving on December 15, 2024.

Basahin ang detalye!

The breach of deportation order, contrary to section 43(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, arose after she violated her “deportation order to leave Hong Kong and prohibiting her from being in Hong Kong at anytime,” the police said.

The Ordinance penalizes such offense with imprisonment for three years on summary conviction, and seven years when convicted on indictment.

Labour Relations HK West office to move to Sheung Wan

 

The HK West Labour Relations Office will move to Infinitus Plaza on Des Voeux Road

The Hong Kong West Office of Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department will be moved to a new office in Infinitus Plaza on Des Voeux Road in Sheung Wan from Monday, Aug. 10.

This is the office where workers, including foreign domestic workers, may go for in-person consultation on matters relating to conditions of employment and their rights and obligations under the Employment Ordinance.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

The address of the new office is Units 904-906, 9/F, Infinitus Plaza, 199 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan. To get there, use Exit E5 of Sheung Wan MTR Station.

The office will be open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6.15pm, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

The telephone number of the office, 2922 6003, will remain unchanged.

Basahin ang detalye!

FDHs with labour-related inquiries may also call a dedicated, multi-lingual hotline that is available 24 hours a day: 2517 9537 or the general 24-hour Labour Department hotline: 2717 1771 (both handled by 1823). They may also send an email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk

To prepare for the move, the current office on the 3^rd floor of Western Magistracy Building 2A Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, will be closed after the service hours on August 

Pinay DH working as sidewalk vendor gets off with bind-over

 

The pavement in front of the Jardine House

A domestic helper facing four charges as a result of her arrest in Central while cooking food for sale, got off lightly today when the charges were withdrawn after she entered into a bind-over agreement at Eastern Court.

But L.Gollayan, 46 years old, will have to behave and not reoffend for 12 months, otherwise she will have to pay $1,000 fine for each of the four offenses, according to the terms of the bind-over set by Principal Magistrate David Cheung.

Gollayan was arrested while cooking inside a tent on a roadside of Jardine House on 1 Connaught Place, Central, across the road from the Hong Kong General Post Office at 9:38am on November 9 last year.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

The first charge filed by the Central Police was obstruction of a public place, contrary to Section 4A of Summary Offenses Ordinance, by occupying an area of about 1.96 meter by 1.78 meter.

Gollayan caused obstruction of pedestrians after she left the following on the pavement: 4.78 kilos of fried spring rolls, eight packs of spring roll wrapper, 4.94 kilos of banana, 0.66 kilo of quail egg, 4.24 kgs. of vegetable, 0.34 kilo of minced meat, 1.64 kilos of oil, 1 pack of flour, 2 packs of sugar, one butter, one can of chicken powder, one pack of baking powder, one pack of yeast, two bottles of seasoning sauce, two plastic boxes, one plastic sieve, five gas cylinders, two portable stoves, one wooden chopping board, two metal. pots, one metal sieve, three metal tongs, one metal net, three metal trays, one plastic ladle, one  pair of chopsticks, one plastic knife, one scissors, one trolley, one tent, two peelers, two metal spoons, one bundle of bamboo sticks, one bundle of plastic wrap, one pack of plastic cups, one pack of tissue, 1 pack of wet tissue, one funnel, one nylon bag.

The second charge is hawking without a license, contrary to Sections 83B(1) & (3) and 150 of the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance, for selling food items such as friend spring rolls, quail eggs, minced meat ang other ingredients for lumpia and banana cue.

Basahin ang detalye!

The third charges cooking or heating food for the purpose of hawking otherwise than under and in accordance with a license, contrary to Sections 5(3) and 56(1) of the Hawker Regulation made under Section 83A of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.

Finally she was charged with breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Laws of Hong Kong and by virtue of Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations.

Gollayan was charged with violating a condition of stay imposed by an Immigration Assistant on July 14, 2025, in that, while she was permitted to remain in Hong Kong for employment, she was allowed to work as a domestic helper for Tsui Yee Wa.

“But you did establish a business of selling food at Central, other than approved by the Director of Immigration,” the police charge said.

1.2M obtain OFW Pass; DMW works on airlines to accept it

 

More than 1.2million oversea Filipino workers have obtained the OFW Pass, a free digital exit clearance and identification document created by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to replace the paper Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), the DMW has reported.

The OFW can be obtained through the eGovPH app or the DMW Mobile App. It remains valid until the expiration of an OFW’s existing employment contract, unlike the old OEC which expired after 60 days or 90 days depending on issuance.

The OFW Pass is issued free of charge for verified overseas workers to serve as official proof at Philippine airports and immigration that one is a documented OFW authorized to return abroad, confirming their employment status.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

This is separate from the mandatory eTravel online form, which tracks people’s flight and travel details.

DMW Undersecretary Dominique Tutay said DMW is working on more airlines to honor the OFW Pass in lieu of the OEC.

She said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac will issue an advisory to officially announce the full implementation of the travel pass. “We are calling on our colleagues in the airline industry that our OFWs can now simply show their travel pass through eGovPH,” she said.

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

She said the digital platform allows OFWs to register, verify employment contracts and process travel clearances online, integrating data from recruitment agencies, foreign employers, Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) and Bureau of Immigration.

The DMW said the platform is operational nationwide and abroad, with support desks in MWOs and partner offices to assist OFWs during the transition.

Hong Kong is among the 10 pilot test countries in the OFW Pass implementation.

Basahin ang detalye!

The other countries are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, and the United Kingdom

No more referees as new money lending regulations take effect

 

New rules on referees explained to FilCom by HK government officials last April

Starting from yesterday, Aug. 1, all licensed money lenders are no longer allowed to require borrowers to provide a referee (or “reference” as it is commonly known among migrant workers), who end up being harassed by collectors if the loan is in default, or the borrower can no longer be found.

In addition, the “debt servicing ratio”caps which limit the amount of loan that can be extended to borrowers also took effect.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Under this mechanism, those earning HK$6,000 or less per month can only be granted loans for which the monthly repayment does not exceed 35% of their salary. For those earning between HK$6,001 to HK$12,000 the repayment cap is set at 40% of their monthly income.

The debt servicing cap explained

The new measures which would impact greatly on migrant domestic workers whose salaries generally fall within the regulated amount, are part of the government’s effort to regulate the activities of licensed money lenders.

According to a statement issued by the government yesterday, Saturday, the debt caps “will not only protect the public, but also encourage money lenders to grant loans more responsibly, thereby helping to address the issue of excessive borrowing and foster a more healthy market development.”

PINDUTIN PARA
SA DETALYE

The stricter regulations were previously opposed by some sectors during a three-month public consultation last year, saying limiting the amount that borrowers, particularly MDWs, would prevent them obtaining loans that should be significant enough to fund projects like building a home or investing in business. 

How to determine the loan cap for affected borrowers

But others supported the restrictions, saying excessive borrowing by low-income workers has spawned many problems, including relentless harassment by collectors, and borrowers resorting to crime like theft, or becoming depressed or suicidal.

Employers’ groups also lobbied heavily for the restrictions, saying they have been harassed and threatened by collectors after their debt-saddled helpers left their employ.

Basahin ang detalye!

The second phase of the new regulations will take effect on June1 next year. This phase will require all money lenders engaged in providing unsecured loans to regularly submit personal credit information of their relevant borrowers to the Credit Data Smart (CDS) under government supervision.

Money lenders will also need to meet specific requirements to join the CDS to obtain personal credit information on their loan applicants.

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) which is the prime movers of the new regulations called on the community to support their implementation so as to curb problems associated with excessive borrowing.