Coins for Bethune participants asked to turn over all cans

Nearly 80 cans distributed to Filipino community organizations that asked to join the annual Coins for Bethune House project have yet to be turned over.

This was according to Edwina Antonio, executive director of the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, who also appealed for all filled-up cans to be submitted no later than Oct 15.

The counting for the donations was supposed to end on Sept. 30, but due to a schedule mix-up, the activity was moved from the KUC Space to the Bethune shelter in Jordan.

This, according to Antonio, could have accounted for some of the donations not being turned over on time.

So far, more than $38,000 in coin donations from 183 groups and individuals has been tallied by volunteers, she said. At least 260 stickered cans have been distributed to various donors, meaning 77 have yet to be turned over.

Despite the big number of missing cans, Antonio reckons it would be hard to equal, much less surpass the $57,000 total collection from last year’s fund campaign.

Her team plans to end the counting so the shelter can work on other upcoming projects, including several benefit shows being held on its behalf by Pintura Circle and other non-profit groups.

Bethune House, which operates two shelters in Kowloon and Hong Kong island, is a charity organization that provides free legal help and accommodation to distressed migrant workers. It survives solely on private donations. - DCLM

Risks faced by FDWs in online business

By Cynthia Tellez

You will notice on Facebook or other social media the engagement of some migrant domestic workers in business ventures. They offer different items and sometimes even with prices and information on how to contact them. We understand the necessity of having extra income to augment the low salary. We also understand how prices have soared because of the high inflation rate in our country so much so that our previous remittance to our family is no longer sufficient. Even in Hong Kong where we spend part of our income, prices of basic commodities are also getting higher.

But there are things that foreign domestic workers must bear in mind to stay away from any untoward incidents that might affect their stay in Hong Kong.

First of all, all foreign workers in Hong Kong who are on employment visa are subject to conditions of stay. The “conditions of stay” provide that foreign workers are only allowed to work with a specific employer or a specific company. But such conditions are more restrictive in the cases of foreign domestic workers who are governed by the “New Conditions of Stay” which took effect in 1987. These restrictions include what is commonly known as the “two-week rule”, which mandates that a migrant worker can remain in Hong Kong for only 14 days upon termination of the employment contract. The visas issued to foreign domestic workers also bear the name of their employers as specified in the employment contract. They are only allowed to work with that employer in the specific address stated in the contract and must live in that same address.

In addition, all workers subjected to conditions of stay can only do the work stated when they applied for a visa or permit to work in Hong Kong. For example, foreign domestic worker can only do domestic work, in the same way that architects or engineers are bound to only do what they applied for at the Immigration Department. You cannot engage in other types of work, otherwise, it will be a violation of your conditions of stay. Prior permission must be sought from the Immigration Department for any work-related changes.

Our compatriots working as domestic workers are thus advised to avoid violating their conditions of stay as in the following examples:
• Doing part-time domestic work outside of the employer’s address. These include the houses/flats of your employer’s relatives or other houses owned by the employer that are not stated in the employment contract;
• Working in business premises, even if it’s owned by your employer;
• Selling phone cards or other items; and,
• All other kinds of work outside of what’s stated in the employment contract filed with the Immigration Department.

Now, let us discuss the internet or online business that many migrant domestic workers are now engaged in.

There are times when we see online advertisements for business opportunities offered by companies. These are very enticing advertisements as they promise you an income in the thousands of dollars in a short period of time. All that the interested parties are supposed to do is to get the items, maybe on consignment basis, and sell or market them to friends and fellow migrants.

Many are lured to apply because it would seem your household duties will not be affected because you could sell the items on social media only during your spare time. The advertisements say all you need to do is to multiply your followers on social media so you gain a captive market. You don’t have to pay for advertising your product because it’s free on social media, especially on Facebook.

Unless there is a complaint against the item or product you sold, you will not encounter problems. All you need to sort out is the manner of payment. Once you get this out of the way, all should be smooth sailing. You’re not out there physically selling items, anyway, so you could not be accused of doing illegal work. At least, that’s what you are made to believe.

But you should remember that social media is open to most people, even if you’re selling in a “closed” or “secret” group because practically anyone who applies as a member is accepted. These are virtual marketplaces so keeping the site secret will defeat the purpose of people joining it for their online businesses.

Here is where your vulnerability lies.  So, you might want to seriously consider the following:
1 For any foreign worker in Hong Kong who is subject to conditions of stay, it is close to impossible to apply for any business permit for it will violate the conditions of stay. Prior consent of the Immigration Department to engage in business outside of the current permit of work is needed. So, in case a business permit is needed before you can operate your online business, it will be difficult to secure one. If it is not needed, then you passed the first step.
2) In case no business permit is needed, you should be very sure that the items or products you are selling are not banned or restricted in Hong Kong, like cosmetic items that are not approved for sale by relevant government agencies;
3) Even if you pass the two above-mentioned matters, there is a third condition that could be the most difficult. Permit or no permit, the Immigration Department is very strict on the matter of workers breaching the very specific and restrictive conditions attached to their visas. Foremost of these is the restriction against engaging in any other kind of work, be it fulltime or part-time, paid or unpaid, other than that what is mentioned in the contract or the application submitted to the Immigration Department.

Migrant domestic workers who do online businesses, once detected by the proper authorities, especially by the Immigration Department, could be prosecuted accordingly. It does not matter if the employer gave permission to the worker to engage in such a business because it is the Immigration Department which has the sole power to determine whether you are in breach of the conditions of stay. If the authorities find that you breached these conditions, they will decide whether to initiate prosecution, or removal proceedings, meaning you will be asked to leave Hong Kong. In addition, you could be banned from returning to Hong Kong for a period of time.

As we said at the beginning, we understand why our migrant workers engage in extra work to earn more money. But you might want to consider the possible outcomes for this contract violation as enumerated above, then weigh if he additional income is worth the risk of being prosecuted or barred from Hong Kong.

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This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. 2522 8264.

Sapilitang SSS at insurance, dagdag pahirap sa OFW

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Nahaharap ang mga OFW sa karagdagang bayarin sa darating na taon kapag pinirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang bagong panukalang batas ukol sa pagpapatupad ng mandatory coverage ng Social Security System sa lahat ng mga OFW.

Ipinasa noong Okt 8 ng dalawang sangay ng Kongreso ang Senate Bill 1753 o Social Security Act of 2018, o SSA 2018, na nagtatakda ng sapilitang pagsali ng mga OFW sa SSS, ang tagapamahala ng pensiyon ng mga pribadong manggagawa.

Ang bagong batas ay itinulak sa Kongreso ni Emmanuel Dooc, pangulo at punong ehekutibo ng SSS.

Ang pangunahing target ng SSA 2018 ay ang bawat isa sa tinatayang 10 milyong Pilipinong nagtatrabaho sa labas ng bansa upang magsilbing mekanismo ng pag-iimpok nila para sa kinabukasan nila, ayon kay Dooc.

Sa kasalukuyang sistema, ang isang OFW na nagbabayad ng PhP1,760 bawat buwan nang di kukulangin sa 10 taon ay magkakaroon ng PhP6,400 na buwanang pensiyon; ika-13 buwang pensiyon; pampalibing na PhP20,000; salary loan na hanggang PhP32,000, at utang sa pabahay na aabot ng PhP2 milyon, sabi pa ni Dooc.

Gayunman, nagngingitngit ang mga OFW sa pagkakapasa sa Kamara ng nasabing panukalang-batas, dahil itinatadhana din nito na itaas ng 1 porsiyento ang dating 11% kontribusyon ng bawat miyembro, tuwing ikalawang taon. Ibig sabihin simula sa 2019 ay tataas ito sa 12%, hanggang umabot ng 15% sa 2025.

Ang masaklap, simula sa 2019, papasanin ng OFW pati ang ambag ng amo sa 12% kontribusyon, kaya magiging PhP2,400 ang babayaran niya ng sapilitan sa SSS buwan-buwan.

Nagbubunyi si Dooc tiyak na tatabo ng labis-labis na pondo ang gobyernong Duterte mula sa sapilitang pagsali ng mga OFW sa SSS, na siyang mangangasiwa sa pagpapalago ng perang ambag nila.

Tinatataya ng Migrante, ang pandaigdigang organisasyon ng mga manggagawang Pilipino sa labas ng bansa, na mula sa PhP4.64 bilyon na boluntaryong ambag ng mga OFWs noong 2016 ay lolobo nang 3,000% patungo sa PhP144 bilyon sa unang taon pa lang ng pagpapatupad ng batas na ito.

Limpak-limpak na pera ng OFW iyan na iglap na makakamal ng gobyerno. Wala sanang problema kung may sapat na garantiya ang gobyerno na ang perang sapilitang pipigain sa mga mangggagawa ay iingatan at palalaguin ng SSS.

May dahilang makaaamoy ng baho ang  marami sa bagong maniubrang ito ng pamahalaan dahil noong panunungkulan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, nabunyag ang tangkang pagwaldas ng administrasyon sa perang nakalaan para sa pensiyon ng mga manggagawa.

Ang napipintong paniningil sa kanila ng sapilitang SSS contribution ay iba pa sa mandatory insurance na US$144 sa sisingilin naman ng Philippine Overseas Employment Administration sa mga OFW tuwing pipirma sila ng kontrata tuwing ikalawang taon.

Sa kabila ng mga dagdag-singil na ito, hindi nakikitaan ng madla ng aktibong kampanya ang gobyerno laban sa mga gahamang employment agency na patuloy na pumipiga sa mga manggagawang papunta sa ibang bansa.

Talamak ang paniningil ng mga ahensiya ng illegal na placement fee na itinatago nila sa iba’t ibang bayarin, tulad ng sapilitang pagti-training ng mga manggagawang malaon nang namamasukan at natututo ng mahahalagang kaalaman sa ibang bansa.

Garapalan na ang pagpiga ng gobyerno sa dugo ng mga OFW na dapat lang ilantad at tutulan ng mga manggagawa at ng kanilang mga pamilyang tuwirang naaapektuhan ng mga mapagsamantalang patakaran.   

Bicolanos hold tourism festival on Chater Rd

By Ellen Asis

Members of the Bicol Migrants Association held the first ever Bicol tourism festival in Hong on Sept 30 at Chater Road, Central.

Six provinces comprising Bicol region each had a booth that exhibited their native products, from food delicacies to handicraft to costumes, and displayed pictures of famous tourist attractions in each place.

According to BMA president Art Buban, the initiative is meant to promote the Bicol region as a tourist destination, not only for tourists, but also for Filipinos, including foreign domestic workers.

The group is confident their region has more than enough attractions to capture anyone visiting it for the first time, and for former visitors to want to go back for more.

The top draws include the perfectly-formed Mayon Volcano in Albay province, and the world-class surfing facilities in Camarines Sur.

The other provinces that make up the Bicol region are Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

One of the booths set up to showcase Bicol’s tourism and cultural resources.

Consul Paulo Saret who was the guest speaker at the event, praised BMA for taking the initiative to get more people to visit their region and discover its many beautiful attractions.

Consul Saret said that tourism helps the economy, and uplift the lives of many Filipinos so it’s important for everyone to promote our country and encourage more tourists to come and visit the Philippines.

One of the attractions at the day-long event was a booth occupied by guests from the famous Filipino radio program, “Isumbong mo kay Tulfo”, including the host, Ramon Tulfo. The veteran journalist posed for pictures with many OFWs who dropped by the booth, and promised help to those who needed it.

BMA was founded by Buban only last year, but has already 230 members.

Adventurers mark 2 years of happy hiking

By Vir B. Lumicao 

An all-OFW hiking group, The Adventurers, marked its second founding anniversary on Oct 1 with a barbecue party attended by more than 50 members and supporters at Butterfly Beach in
Tuen Mun, New Territories.

The group was founded two years ago by Analyn Soriba, a jolly 34-year-old domestic worker from Rosario, Batangas.

The energetic and joke-cracking Batangueña says her mission is to provide a healthy and worthwhile activity for Filipino helpers in Hong Kong to relieve themselves of the stress of working abnormally long hours in their employers’ homes.

Fun activities, including parlor games and photo-taking, highlighted the celebration.

The Adventurers organizes a hike on one of Hong Kong’s numerous trails every Sunday and statutory holiday, weather permitting.

More than 50 members and supporters at Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun, New Territories.Its Facebook page already has 697 members, many of whom belong to other OFW groups, and like The Adventurers’ friendly trekking activity.

Most members are workers who prefer to explore Hong Kong’s natural beauty on their days off instead congregating at parks and city streets.

For the homesick worker, especially newcomers seeking new friends, a lunchbox, a bottle or two of water and enough Octopus load to get them to and from the hike site, are enough to spend a fun day with the group.

Once in a while, Soriba invites her followers and supporters to charity hikes to raise funds for worthwhile causes. Whatever the purpose of a hike, whether for charity or plain leisure, Soriba makes sure that they all enjoy the outing.

Just a few days after the Tuen Mun get-together, she led The Adventurers to another excursion, a walk to Tai Po Park on Oct 7 which she called “Wagwag Stress Day.”

Soriba promises members that The Adventurers would be a suitable home for the lonely OFW, describing it as: “Tahanan kung saan puro #HapiLangNaWalangEnding!”

OFWs learn first aid in 1-day Red Cross seminar

By Ellen Asis

Twelve Filipino domestic workers completed a one-day first aid course held at the Hong Kong Red Cross head office in Kowloon on Oct 7.

The course is aimed at giving pointers to domestic workers on how they should respond if someone in their employer’s household was injured or was involved in an accident, especially those they are taking care of.

The participants learned about the principles of first aid, bandaging, treating burns and scalds, choking, muscles cramps, home safety measures and precautions, giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and how to handle a patient.

One of the participants, Louie Licop, said she felt lucky and happy that she was able to avail of the free training because she learned so much about giving first aid.  She particularly liked the lecture on bandaging and choking because she learned how to administer help properly.

She also said she was glad to have learned so many useful things, though admitted she had a hard time absorbing so much information in just one day.

All the participants will receive a certificate from the Red Cross for completing the intensive training.

Trainees work on dummies to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation .

Pista sa St Teresa idinaos

Ni George Manalansan

Nagdaos ng pistahan sa St Teresa Church sa Prince Edward Road noong ika-30 ng Setyembre and Filipino Catholic Community ng simbahan.

Matapos ang dasal at pasasalamat ay nag-awitan at nagkasayahan ang mga dumalo sa pamamagitan ng mga laro, katulad ng caterpillar game, paper relay, ice candy eating, shooting
coin in a class, bring me game, tongue twister contest at balloon relay.

Lalong pinagtibay ang samahan ng mahigit 10 grupo na kasama sa STFCC ng kasiyahan at sabay-sabay na panalangin.

Sa tampok na raffle draw, sinuwerte si Eden Anoyo dahil siya ang nagkamit ng grand prize na $700 na nasa red packet. First prize naman si Gemma Egam na nanalo ng $500, samantalang isang mini oven ang napunta sa nanalo ng second prize na si Gege Tamparong, at third prize naman si Lorna Padecio na nagkamit ng isang set ng baking tray.

Marami ang nanalo ng consolation prize na pera sa red packet.

Bago naghiwa-hiwalay ay nagsalo-salo ang lahat sa hapunan.

Ayon sa lider ng grupo na si Amalia Elefante, ang St Teresa ang pangalawa sa pinakamalaking Catholic community sa buong Hong Kong.

Sugod na, mga kapatid, sa hapag.

PRC grants LET proctors, watchers credit units for renewal of their license

Domestic worker-teachers who served as proctors and watchers in the Special Board Licensing Examination for Teachers held in Hong Kong on Sept 30 are entitled to as many as 10 credit units needed for renewing their professional licenses.

A new Professional Regulation Commission resolution gives 7 credit units to those who help out in the elementary-level exam and 10 for those in the secondary-level exam, said Gemma Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers-Hong Kong.

“We are happy because all the proctors and watchers in the BEED exam earned 7 units of CPD and those in the BSED exam earned 10 units, which we can add to the units earned so we can renew our licenses,” Lauraya told The SUN.  “This is the first time that the PRC gave us this opportunity.”

Labor Attache Nida Romulo and PRC officials oversee the LET.

PRC Chairman Teofilo Pilando Jr. along with two commissioners, signed Resolution 1118 on Sept 25, giving CPD credit units to those who help out in the professional licensure exams. One credit unit is given for each hour of service rendered.

Of the 60 who served as watchers and proctors in the licensure exam held at Delia Memorial School-Hip Wo in Kwun Tong, 58 were NOPT HK members,

Lauraya said. Those assigned to the elementary-level exam stayed until 2pm while those in the secondary-level finished at 6pm. 

On Sunday, Oct 7, Consul General Antonio Morales and Labor Attaché Nida Romulo handed certificates and licenses to 15 passers of the 2017 LET in ceremonies at the Consulate’s Sentro Rizal.

The documents were brought personally to Hong Kong by Dr Reynaldo Cristobal, head of the five-man PRC team that administered the exam.

Lauraya explained that the PRC requires professional teachers to renew their licenses every three years to be able to teach in Philippine schools. 

Those who renew their licenses until Dec 31 this year must earn 30 credit units while 45 credit units will be required from January next year.

 Thousands of Filipino teachers who have chosen to work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong and other places abroad can earn the required credits only by attending CPD seminars and training programs offered by accredited CPD providers.

But on Feb 15 this year, PRC Commissioner Yolanda Reyes directed the CPD secretariats to accept certificates of attendance in seminars and trainings offered even by unaccredited providers for crediting under the self-directed learning modality.    - VBL                                                        

Phil-Indo Consulates ask HK for lower loan interest

ConGen Morales at the CORP-Gear-Up Launch

By Daisy CL Mandap

The consulates of the Philippines and Indonesia are set to announce their joint effort to get the Hong Kong government to ease interest rates on loans, seen as one of the reasons why many migrant domestic workers get enmeshed in debt.

The joint campaign is expected to be unveiled at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 22.

Earlier, Philippine Consul General Antonio A. Morales spoke about the initiative in a speech at the launching of a new reintegration campaign for returning Filipino workers on Oct. 14 at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai.

“Last week, I and the consul general of Indonesia met with the Chief Secretary (Matthew Cheung) on the possibility of reducing interest rates and of course, the possibility of prosecuting those who get their (migrant workers) passports, Morales said.

He cited the most recent case of about 400 Philippine passports being seized from the house of a suspected loan shark in North Point. Last year, more than 800 passports, mostly belonging to Indonesians, were seized in a separate operation.

Morales sees the high interest rates on loans as one of the reasons why migrant workers end up saddled in debt.

“Alam ba ninyo na ang interest rate na legal maximum is 60%?,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program (CORP). “So kung mangungutang kayo ng $1,000, $1,600 ang babayaran ninyo. Yan ang legal.”

In the case of the loan sharks, police have revealed that the interest rate charged to migrant workers who are asked to pawn their passports and employment contracts as security, is 125%.

It’s not known what, if any, steps will be taken by the Hong Kong government in response to the appeal by the two consulates. However, someone privy to the talks said the two consuls general were told during their meeting with the Chief Secretary to step up their education campaign to discourage heavy borrowing among their workers.

Morales said it is part of his advocacy to get more Filipino migrant workers to save and plan for their future so they can avoid the debt trap.

He revealed encounters with some migrants who have been working in Hong Kong for 20 or more years, including those who volunteer at the Consulate, who have not saved for their eventual return to the Philippines.

“It is really tragic,” he said.

But he added, it is unavoidable for some to resort to borrowing due to unforeseen events. “Hindi rin natin mapipigilan ang ating mga kababayan na mangutang.”

So apart from asking the Hong Kong government to lower the legal rate of interest for loans and crack down on illicit loans, Morales said the Consulate has been spearheading effort to provide financial education to Filipino migrant workers.

Helping OFWs prepare for their eventual return home, as the CORP program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration plans to do, is another way to help them focus on their goal, and avoid unnecessary and burdensome borrowing.

CORP has partnered with Atikha's "Go,Earn, Accelerate, Return Uplift Philippines" (Gear-Up) program in providing comprehensive reintegration for OFWs in Hong Kong.  

Filipina fined $1,000 for stealing employer’s $350

By Vir B. Lumicao

A 37-year-old Filipina helper has lost her job, paid a $1,000 fine and faces immediate deportation – all because she stole $350 from her employer.

Joyce Atonen, who is in Hong Kong for just over three months, pleaded guilty in Kowloon City Court on Oct 16 to two charges of stealing a total of $350 in cash from her employer around mid-September.

Kowloon City Court

Atonen, who arrived in Hong Kong only in July, could not stop sobbing when she appeared before Magistrate Vivian Wong for committal to the court after police had completed their investigation.

The mother of five faced two charges of theft for allegedly stealing $200 and $150 on separate occasions from a drawer inside her employer’s bedroom in a unit at Bright View Court, Argyle St., Kowloon City.

The employer, a Chinese female surnamed Chan, reportedly put $1,000 in the drawer in mid-September. When she checked the money later, she noticed that $200 was missing.

Suspecting that the defendant took the money, Chan marked the remaining cash with a small tag. The employer checked the money again on Oct 2 and noticed that the tag had moved and another $150 was missing.

Chan dismissed Atonen on Oct 3 and reported the theft to the police on Oct 8. The defendant was arrested and investigated at the Hung Hom Police Station on Sunday, Oct 14, and was charged with theft the next day.

The prosecution said Atonen had admitted taking the money because she needed it for her expenses.

In mitigation, the duty lawyer assigned to the Filipina said the defendant is the sole breadwinner in the family and her three younger children are still going to school.

Magistrate Wong told the helper that theft was a breach of trust, a serious offense. But she noted that the amount stolen was small and a fine was appropriate.

Wong fined Atonen $1,000.

The Filipina said she had to take back her cell phone from the police so she could call a friend and seek help to raise money for the fine. But the magistrate said the helper must pay the fine before 5pm on Oct 16.

After Wong had left the courtroom, Danny Baldon, an officer of the assistance to nationals unit of the Consulate, consoled Atonen by assuring her the Consulate would pay the fine so she could be released that day.