OFWs swamp POLO for free check-ups

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre  supervises volunteers and POLO staff in giving edical check-ups to OFWs.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre is considering imposing an appointment system or cutting down on activities in the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the wake of a heavy turnout of OFWs on the second Sunday of his free health check project.

The labor official reported an overflow crowd of 219 workers seeking the free service on Nov. 11 in POLO’s 18th floor office at Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai.

“We need to assess and see whether we should impose an appointment system, or abandon the other training sessions crowding the area,” Labatt Dela Torre said in a post on his Facebook page later that day.

He said POLO was “filled to the rafters” with OFWs lining up for medical tests under Project Health Wise.  The deluge resulted in the weighing scale conking out and glucose test strips running out, and dela Torre sending out an urgent request for donors.

The first Saturday edition of the project on Nov. 10 also received an enthusiastic response from OFWs, who numbered close to 200 by the end of the day.

Dela Torre said his staff has to do overtime work to provide this service because POLO is normally closed on Saturdays.

Project Health Wise is conducted by POLO-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Hong Kong in collaboration with Filipino Nurses Association, Balikatan sa Kaunlaran Hong Kong Council and Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines.

Assistant Labor Attaché Angelica Suñga and OWWA Hong Kong staff Joszoa Villa, both registered nurses, lead the volunteers in administering the service, which includes taking vital signs, blood glucose, urine, uric acid, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis checks.

FNA holds lectures on breast self-examination while a group of physical therapists led by Bona Cresencia provides free massage.

In a Facebook post, Dela Torre said, “The aim is to enable our OFWs to recognize vital signs that could potentially lead to serious health issues in the future, “ as he encouraged workers to avail themselves of the free health service. 

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Mandatory insurance, SSS loom for OFWs

Consul General Antonio Morales opens the forum. With him are, from left: Pag-IBIG Fund representative Raymond Francis Ramos, SSS representative John Mata, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, Consul Roderic Atienza, Vice Consul Fatima Quintin and Welfare Officers Marivic Clarin and Virsie Tamayao .

By Daisy CL Mandap

For the first time, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office has confirmed a government resolution mandating all Filipino migrant workers to be covered by insurance, but said there are no rules for implementing it yet.

“I have received a copy of Resolution No 3 of the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) but not the implementing rules and regulations,” said Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre at a Filipino community meeting held on Nov 11 at the Consulate.

Sought for further information after the forum, Labatt dela Torre said Philippine labor officials might still be mulling the resolution because of possible backlash.

The plan to require insurance (which currently costs US$44 per two-year contract for land-based workers), and forced contributions to the Social Security System of up to Php2,400 monthly, were the focus of the first community-wide forum called by Consul General Antonio Morales.

The forum is the biggest gathering of Filipino community leaders this year.

ConGen Morales asserted his adherence to a policy of consultation when he opened the meeting, held at the request of United Filipinos –Migrante Hong Kong, which has been protesting the planned government impositions.

Morales said that although the Consulate’s main task is to implement the law, they are also duty-bound to listen to the sentiments of Filipinos, especially migrant workers. Thus, he said “ipaparating naming ang mga hinaing ninyo.”

SSS representative John Mata said he had yet to receive information on when the proposed Social Security Act of 2018 would be implemented. The bill mandates a three-month initial contribution for those about to leave the Philippines, while those already on site are enjoined to pay monthly contributions, but it is not clear how this can be enforced.

The bill has already been passed by both houses of Congress with no known input from OFWs, and is just awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Mata suggested those leading the protest against mandatory contributions could write to the SSS president to express their views. “May pagkakataon pang mag-dialogue,” he said.

But Unifil chairperson Dolores Balladares-Pelaez said the dialogue should have come when the bill was still being discussed in Congress, not now when it is almost as good as done.

Pelaez also dismissed suggestions employers could be made to pay for SSS and worker’s insurance in the Philippines. “So kung ayaw ng aming employer, baka kami mawalan ng trabaho,” she said.

She also said her group is not against paying for SSS, but there should be no compulsion, or sanction for those who do not, or cannot, pay for it. “Huwag naman kaming alisan ng karapatan na mamili,” she said.

ConGen Morales suggested that migrant workers who get to talk to Philippine lawmakers – senators as well as members of the House of Representatives – should take the chance to make their views known. “Sulatan ninyo sila at ipahatid ang inyong saloobin,” he urged.

Another topic discussed was the overseas employment certificate, which Labatt dela Torre noted wryly, was supposed to have been replaced by an OFW card called iDole more than a year ago.

While the OEC remains a requirement for those intending to go for a vacation in the Philippines, the OFW ID is reportedly about to be issued, after the task of getting it done was passed on to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Welfare officer Virsie Tamayao said the OFW ID had its “grand launch” only the other week, and migrant workers could already apply for it without paying anything. However, the card can only be claimed in the Philippines, so OFWs who want someone to get it for them should execute a special power of attorney naming the representative, which should then be notarized at the Consulate.

When forum participants protested at the high cost of getting a document notarized ($200 or Php1,400) Labatt dela Torre asked the OWWA officers if they could recommend a simpler and less costly way for OFWs to get their ID cards.

The wide-ranging topics taken up at the meeting included Unifil-Migrante’s call for better working conditions for all migrant workers in Hong Kong. These include stipulating in the work contract a continuous rest period of at least 11 hours, and providing a list of “unsuitable” accommodations.

Bayan HK and Macau chairman Eman Villanueva also said migrant workers should be paid a “living” wage, and not one that is decided upon arbitrarily by Hong Kong government officials.

The other issues raised included the perennial problem over loans and the use of passports to secure them; the longstanding cases of Emry’s and Peya Travel, in which hundreds of OFWs were victimized; the promised rebates for longtime OWWA members, and the offloading of minors traveling from the Philippines without either parent.

Consul Paul Saret, who heads the assistance to nationals section, confirmed the policy of requiring those who used passports as collateral for loans, to apply directly with the Department of Foreign Affairs if they want their document replaced.

Saret also said he and Labatt dela Torre would soon meet with Hong Kong police to discuss how to speed up the investigation into Emry’s and Peya.

Welfare officer Marivic Clarin said the OWWA rebates could be expected soon, while social welfare attaché Beth Dy said OFWs who want their children to visit them here should first check the requirements to prevent offloading.

All officers of the Consulate and its attached agencies were present at the meeting, including the new Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan who promised to look more closely into the concerns of migrant workers.

“Bawat post ay unique, so hindi ko masasabi na alam ko na lahat ng mga hinaing ninyo,” she said. But she said migrant workers need more attention than others in the community because they are the “most vulnerable.”

The meeting ended with calls from Filcom leaders for regular consultations. Consulate officers said they’d consider the suggestion. 

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HK takes flak from intl community over human rights

In an unprecedented move, 12 countries have used a United Nations’ review of human rights in China to express concern over deteriorating rights in Hong Kong, including those of migrant workers.

It was the first time any country had addressed concerns over Hong Kong at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) hearing on China, held this year on Nov 6. At the last UPR hearing on China held in 2013, not one recommendation was made on Hong Kong.

At the hearing in Geneva this year, seven countries made recommendations, while five sent questions ahead to raise concerns.

Among those that made recommendations were the Philippines and Indonesia, which both expressed alarm over the treatment and inadequate protection of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The Philippines suggested an enhancement of the monitoring of the standard employment contract for migrant domestic workers, while Indonesia called on China to consider ratifying the International Covenant on the Protection of Migrant Workers Rights.

Annie Li of Justice Centre Hong Kong said the stance taken by the two biggest sources of migrant workers in Hong Kong was significant.

“That the two major sending countries of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia, make recommendations for Hong Kong is unprecedented. It shows Hong Kong has to strengthen the protection of migrant worker rights in the region’s competition for workers to care for the ageing population,” she said.

Five other countries submitted recommendations on Hong Kong, ranging from freedom of speech and assembly, universal suffrage, and LGBT rights. They included Australia, Canada, France, Croatia and Ireland.

Simon Henderson, spokesperson for the Hong Kong UPR Coalition and senior policy adviser at Justice Centre, said the outcome of the UPR hearing marked a substantial shift in foreign policy towards Hong Kong.

“The declining human rights environment has clearly harmed Hong Kong’s international reputation, despite persistent denials of senior government officials,” he said.

“This sends a strong signal to the Hong Kong government that it needs to change course. Failure to do so will only further undermine the core values which have made Hong Kong successful and threaten future prosperity.”

Henderson urged the Hong Kong government to accept the recommendations and work with civil society to get them implemented.

The recommendations by Australia, Canada and France on the freedoms of speech, assembly and self-governance were particularly welcomed by Hong Kong UPR Coalition members.

One, Wong Yik Mo of Civil Human Rights Front, said “China’s plan to marginalise Hong Kong is in vain.”

“Given Hong Kong’s special status, the international community will not overlook the increasing encroachment on human rights in Hong Kong, even with the severe situation in the mainland. Unlike China, the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) applies to Hong Kong and the government has more obligations to protect and improve the human rights environment here.”

Hong Kong Watch’s Benedict Rogers said the message to Hong Kong is that it is time to prove its commitment to the core values enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

“The recommendations are a sign that governments around the world recognise that Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms in the last five years. Draconian legislation has been used to prosecute political protestors, freedom of expression has been undermined, and the rule of law is under pressure,” he said.

The Coalition also said it was disappointed that Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung had failed to identify steps the government will take to counter growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the press in his speech to the UN.

Cheung, who was in Geneva as part of the China delegation, had earlier deflected concerns raised by other countries.

"Recent concerns over some aspects of our human rights situation are unwarranted, unfounded and unsubstantiated. They arise from misconception and a lack of understanding of our real situation," Cheung said.

But Shirley Yam of the Hong Kong Journalists Association disagreed, saying the denial of visa to Financial Times correspondent Victor Mallet was a clear sign of Beijing’s “interference in our press and expression freedom.”

The members of the Coalition are Civil Human Rights Front, Disabilities CV, The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees, Hong Kong Watch, Justice Centre Hong Kong, Les Corner Empowerment Association, PEN Hong Kong, Pink Alliance and Planet Ally.

The Universal Periodic Review process is a peer-review mechanism where UN member states can highlight concerns and make recommendations to fellow states. The hearings provide countries with just 45 seconds to put their points across to the nation under review.

 HK takes flak from intl community over human rights

In an unprecedented move, 12 countries have used a United Nations’ review of human rights in China to express concern over deteriorating rights in Hong Kong, including those of migrant workers.

It was the first time any country had addressed concerns over Hong Kong at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) hearing on China, held this year on Nov 6. At the last UPR hearing on China held in 2013, not one recommendation was made on Hong Kong.

At the hearing in Geneva this year, seven countries made recommendations, while five sent questions ahead to raise concerns.

Among those that made recommendations were the Philippines and Indonesia, which both expressed alarm over the treatment and inadequate protection of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The Philippines suggested an enhancement of the monitoring of the standard employment contract for migrant domestic workers, while Indonesia called on China to consider ratifying the International Covenant on the Protection of Migrant Workers Rights.

Annie Li of Justice Centre Hong Kong said the stance taken by the two biggest sources of migrant workers in Hong Kong was significant.

“That the two major sending countries of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia, make recommendations for Hong Kong is unprecedented. It shows Hong Kong has to strengthen the protection of migrant worker rights in the region’s competition for workers to care for the ageing population,” she said.

Five other countries submitted recommendations on Hong Kong, ranging from freedom of speech and assembly, universal suffrage, and LGBT rights. They included Australia, Canada, France, Croatia and Ireland.

Simon Henderson, spokesperson for the Hong Kong UPR Coalition and senior policy adviser at Justice Centre, said the outcome of the UPR hearing marked a substantial shift in foreign policy towards Hong Kong.

“The declining human rights environment has clearly harmed Hong Kong’s international reputation, despite persistent denials of senior government officials,” he said.

“This sends a strong signal to the Hong Kong government that it needs to change course. Failure to do so will only further undermine the core values which have made Hong Kong successful and threaten future prosperity.”

Henderson urged the Hong Kong government to accept the recommendations and work with civil society to get them implemented.

The recommendations by Australia, Canada and France on the freedoms of speech, assembly and self-governance were particularly welcomed by Hong Kong UPR Coalition members.

One, Wong Yik Mo of Civil Human Rights Front, said “China’s plan to marginalise Hong Kong is in vain.”

“Given Hong Kong’s special status, the international community will not overlook the increasing encroachment on human rights in Hong Kong, even with the severe situation in the mainland. Unlike China, the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) applies to Hong Kong and the government has more obligations to protect and improve the human rights environment here.”

Hong Kong Watch’s Benedict Rogers said the message to Hong Kong is that it is time to prove its commitment to the core values enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

“The recommendations are a sign that governments around the world recognise that Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms in the last five years. Draconian legislation has been used to prosecute political protestors, freedom of expression has been undermined, and the rule of law is under pressure,” he said.

The Coalition also said it was disappointed that Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung had failed to identify steps the government will take to counter growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the press in his speech to the UN.

Cheung, who was in Geneva as part of the China delegation, had earlier deflected concerns raised by other countries.

"Recent concerns over some aspects of our human rights situation are unwarranted, unfounded and unsubstantiated. They arise from misconception and a lack of understanding of our real situation," Cheung said.

But Shirley Yam of the Hong Kong Journalists Association disagreed, saying the denial of visa to Financial Times correspondent Victor Mallet was a clear sign of Beijing’s “interference in our press and expression freedom.”

The members of the Coalition are Civil Human Rights Front, Disabilities CV, The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees, Hong Kong Watch, Justice Centre Hong Kong, Les Corner Empowerment Association, PEN Hong Kong, Pink Alliance and Planet Ally.

The Universal Periodic Review process is a peer-review mechanism where UN member states can highlight concerns and make recommendations to fellow states. The hearings provide countries with just 45 seconds to put their points across to the nation under review.

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DWC stages charity hike for man who has lost a leg

Members of the Domestic Workers Corner "conquer" Cape D’Aguilar for charity.

Hikers from the Domestic Workers Corner held its second hike for a cause on Sunday, Oct 29, a 9-kilometer hike to Cape D’Aguilar, to raise money to help a 38-year-old man in Quezon who has lost a leg to an infection that has festered for the last five months.

The hike to Cape D’Aguilar, a rocky peninsula called Hok Tsui at the southeast end of Hong Kong Island, attracted 67 administrators and members of DWC, a group that offers helpful activities to fellow OFWs in Hong Kong.

Cape D’Aguilar offers Instagram-worthy scenery.

This time around, the objective of the DWC fundraising was to help the family of 38-year-old Joey Cuarez, from San Francisco, Quezon, whose leg was injured when he fell off a coconut tree in his village.

For the past five months, he has been unable to walk as his injured leg got infected, causing him extreme pain with every step he took. His wound also bled each time he walked, his relatives said.

The infected leg had to be amputated to stop the infection from spreading.

Relatives and friends of Cuarez called the attention of DWC to his plight and the group responded by organizing last Sunday’s hike to Cape D’Aguilar.

The hikers met at 9am at the Shau Kei Wan MTR Station and at 9:15am they took Bus No. 9 to Cape D’Aguilar Road, which serves the Shaw Kei Wan-Shek O route.

The breezy and moderately cool weather was good for the normally three-hour hike.



The hikers got off at the Cape D’Aguilar roundabout overlooking Shek O and from there they made the trek down to the rocky outcrop that is the site of a hilltop lighthouse and the Institute of Marine Science.

The hike provided time for members and admins of DWC to grow their friendship and have much fun taking pictures as they enjoyed the beauty of nature in that place.

They reached the end of the hike at 12 noon, shared lunch at the wave-lashed crags, explored the Crab Cave and went up the lighthouse ground for more picture-taking before taking the bus around 1pm back to MTR station where they parted and went home.

Donations collected during the second hike for a cause amounted $601.00 (P4,000.00)  will be given to Cuarez. The group decided to extend help in a simple way for Cuarez’s medical check-up while his family is trying to apply for medical assistance from government offices.

DWC organizes hikes for a cause for people who approach the group for help - a simple act that gives hope to the beneficiary while energizing the group. - Rodelia Villar

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Fil-Am jailed 30 months for trying to deposit fake US$2B check

A Filipina-American woman who tried to deposit a fake US$2 billion cashier’s check at a Hang Seng Bank branch in October last year has been sentenced in District Court to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

                                                                                               

Elena S. Orosa, 57, who her lawyer said was a dual Filipino and American citizen, showed no emotion as Judge Charles Chan meted out the sentence before noon Nov 12.

Wanchai Tower, where the District Court is located.

Her lawyer, John Massie of Massie and Clements Solicitors, told The SUN he had yet to get advice from his client whether to appeal the case.

The gravity of the offense lies with the amount of the check and Orosa’s attempt to deposit it, the judge said. He said he was not convinced that other people were involved in the case as the defendant had alleged.

Chan said he did not believe the fake check was brought to Hong Kong by Orosa’s friend Veronica Yambao, who accompanied her to the Hang Seng Bank branch on Hankow Road in Tsimshatsui to make the deposit on Oct 18 last year.

The two were arrested when the bank staff receiving the check noticed it was a forgery. But the charge against Yambao was dropped, while Orosa was allowed to post bail after being held in custody for about three weeks.

The judge said the offense of “using a false instrument’ carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.

Citing the sum of money involved and the international element in Orosa’s case, Chan said the appropriate sentence was 2 years and 6 months.

Chan rejected the defense claim that Orosa was not aware that the check was forged, and that she had no intention to cash it. He said the offense had been committed even if the transaction was unsuccessful.

Chan said he did not believe a US university-educated person like Orosa would not question why a friend would entrust to her such a check with a big amount.

Orosa tried to deposit the fake check in the account of a certain Manish, alleged owner of Great Billion Hong Kong Ltd in the Hankow Road, Tsimshatsui, branch of Hang Seng Bank on Oct 18, 2017. 

She said she did so at the request of a Filipino friend, Randy Songadan, who had no money to come to Hong Kong and deposit the instrument personally.

But on cross examination by prosecutor John Hemmings she admitted that Randy was not the owner of the check but a friend of a certain Ed Frondoso, who had contacts in Central Bank and had made the check to take money allegedly kept by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Hang Seng.

The judge, however, did not believe the defendant’s story.

Yambao, who flew to Hong Kong at the weekend for the sentencing of her friend, told The Sun she believed the Marcos angle of the story was true and regretted that the court did not give weight to Orosa’s testimony.

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