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| Labatt Chavez addressing OFWs who took part in OWWA Cup |
Filipino migrant workers who are already in Hong Kong and want to train as live-in caregivers for the elderly may obtain the required training without having to go back home to the Philippines.
This was according to Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr., who spoke on the side lines of the awarding ceremonies for the first OWWA Cup in Hong Kong, held at the OFW Global Center in Admiralty on Sunday, Sept. 27.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Labatt Chavez said this has been made clear by the Philippine side during several talks held with Hong Kong officials on the new live-in caregiver scheme that will be rolled out at the start of next year.
He said they
specifically made this request when the technical working committee made up by
officials from both sides held a meeting on June 8, which focused on a possible
collaboration on upskilling, re-skilling and certification of OFWs in Hong
Kong.
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| Philippine and HK officials meet on upskilling program for OFWs |
During the
meeting, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief PY Caunan told Hong Kong
government representatives of the Philippine government’s plan of providing
training on site for Filipino domestic workers.
Officials of TESDA
(Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) who also took part in
the talks briefed the Hong Kong delegation on its training programs and
accreditation schemes which OWWA plans to implement in Hong Kong and other
overseas posts.
Chavez said that while
Filipino domestic workers may be allowed to train for caregiver jobs while in
Hong Kong, they will still have to finish their contracts before moving on to
the more specialized post that pays more.
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| Secretary Sun says foreign caregivers will be allowed in from next year |
In an interview
with reporters last week, Hong Kong Labour Minister Chris Sun said that live-in
caregivers who will be hired from overseas will be paid a salary that is higher
by 10 to 20% than the minimum wage given to foreign domestic helpers.
But he said they
will be required to have at least three years of experience looking after an
elderly, and must complete relevant training in their home country before
flying in to assume their post.
The part to bring in foreign caregivers is part of the government's renewed effort to keep up with Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population. It is projected that in 20 years' time, about a third of the city's population will be aged 60 and above.
