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HK OFW released from 14-day quarantine

Posted on 07 February 2020 No comments

By The SUN

The Ma On Shan estate where the Filipina stayed with her employer's parents visiting from Wuhan

A Filipina domestic worker has been released from a 14-day quarantine in Hong Kong after she showed no signs of having acquired the highly contagious novel coronavirus.

Consul General Raly Tejada made the announcement of the Filipina’s release in a message: “Pleased to inform that the 1^st Filipino domestic worker quarantined has been given a clean bill of health and therefore has been released by the Health Department.

ConGen Tejada said the worker is already resting in her employer’s home which has been thoroughly sanitized by health authorities.

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“She has the Consulate’s number and has been asked to call us if she needs any assistance. So far she has not called and we will respect her privacy if that’s what she wishes,” he said.

The unnamed Filipina was put under quarantine at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Camp on Jan. 24 after her employer’s parents who were visiting from Wuhan City in China, the epicenter of the contagion, tested positive for coronavirus.

Her female employer who lives in Lake Silver residential block in Ma On Shan, was found with a slight fever, and was initially placed under hospital quarantine. However, she was moved to the quarantine center after being declared free of the coronavirus.

ConGen Tejada says the Consulate has offered help to the two quarantined Filipina workers

A second Filipina domestic worker who has also been placed under quarantine is said to be likewise healthy and asymptomatic, said Tejada, adding “we hope that she will released after 14 days.

The second helper was isolated after her 39-year-old male employer who had traveled to Wuhan, was found infected with the disease, and eventually died of heart failure. He was the first to die of the infection in Hong Kong, and the second outside of China.

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The patient took the high-speed railway link from Wuhan to Hong Kong, and arrived at the West Rail station on Jan. 21. He fell ill on Jan 31 and was initially admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yaumatei, before being moved to an isolation ward in Princess Margaret Hospital.

The Filipina lived with her employer and his 72-year-old mother in a flat in Whampoa Gardens in Hung Hom.

His mother was later found to have acquired the disease, although she did not go abroad during the 14-day incubation period for the virus. The infection alarmed experts as it was the first verified human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus in Hong Kong.

It is now feared the coronavirus has started spreading within the community

However, in at least three subsequent confirmed cases, the source of the infection could no longer be traced, leading to fears the coronavirus has begun spreading in the community.

Hong Kong now has 25 (updated) confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. Overall, more than 31,400 cases have been confirmed, mostly in China. The death toll stands at 638, nearly the same number of people who died from Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) 17 years ago, with Hong Kong as the epicenter.

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In a further tightening of controls to combat the coronavirus contagion, the Hong Kong government has announced the forced quarantine of all people coming from the Mainland, including residents, from midnight tonight, Friday.

Senior medical students at Hong Kong’s universities have been asked to volunteer their services to help monitor the quarantined people.

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HK gov’t allays food shortage fears amid days of panic-buying

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By The SUN

One of the long queues for surgical masks seen almost daily across Hong Kong

Hong Kong has reassured the public that food supplies remain normal amid rumors of shortages. This follows the expansion of the border shutdown with mainland China, as a further preventive measure against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A government spokesman condemned the rumor mongers on Thursday, Feb 6, and stressed that the government’s measures in disease prevention and control would not affect freight services carrying food and goods between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

“There are sufficient stocks of staple food including rice and pastas. There is no need for the public to worry,” he said, as he urged the public to be vigilant against rumors and pay attention to information released by the government to avoid being misled.

Fears sparked by the supposed shortage have sent many people rushing to buy bags of rice, noodles and canned goods since Monday, leaving many supermarket shelves empty within hours of store opening.

Even toilet tissues were not spared in the wake of another rumor that a company that was making these products was going to shift to making face masks instead, as these have been in dire supply for weeks.

Rice has disappeared from most supermarket shelves since the buying frenzy began

But the longest queues were still for surgical masks, which many people consider as their best safeguard against the dreaded virus. Up to 10,000 people lined up overnight on Wednesday outside a factory in Kowloon Bay for the chance to buy face masks sourced from Dubai.

The company eventually sold all of its stock of about 500,000 pieces of masks, priced at $80 for a box of 50 pieces, which is a third of its going price in pharmacies - if it's available at all.

Even rubbing alcohol, sanitizing gels and bleach are disappearing fast in stores, as people continued to hoard everything that they thought would help protect them from the highly contagious disease.

This 500 ml alcohol rub from the Philippines now sells for $100, more than double its former price

For the past few days, long lines of residents have formed outside pharmacies such as Manning’s early in the morning for a limited supply of masks and sanitizers.

At the Manning’s shop along King’s Road in Quarry Bay, people queued as early as 5am on Tuesday to wait for the store to open at 8:30am after local media reported supplies were available at the store. Shortly after store opening, the supply of hand sanitizers was gone.

The next day, the queue had stretched to more than 200 people by 6:30am, but most left disappointed when salesladies announced there were only 17 packs of sanitizing fluid and gels for sale.

The scene was repeated on Thursday morning, but only 38 lucky customers managed to walk away with a box each of masks.

As the line grew longer at the pharmacy on Wednesday, consumers also milled in front of Wellcome Supermarket nearby to buy rice and toilet rolls but found the shelves stocked with only boxes of tissue paper.

At a nearby Park N Shop outlet located in the basement of the so-called “monster building” there was Thai rice for sale, but an 8 kg bag was priced a hefty $128.50.

Push employers to provide masks, workers urge HK gov’t

Posted on 06 February 2020 No comments

By Vir B. Lumicao

Migrant leaders call for better health protection and an end to discrimination amid the contagion

Leaders of migrant workers groups are asking the Hong Kong government to require employers to provide their helpers with surgical masks, alcohol and other sanitizers to help stanch the spread of the Wuhan novel coronavirus in the city.

In a press conference held on Feb 5 by International Migrants Alliance Hong Kong and Macau chapter, the leaders called on Hong Kong to include helpers in the fight against the contagion by giving them masks, alcohol and antiseptics.

The migrant leaders also urged the government to withdraw its appeal to Hong Kong’s 350,000 foreign domestic helpers to stay at home on their rest day to contain the spread of the disease, calling the move discriminatory and a magnet for workers’ exploitation.

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Eni Lestari, IMA chairperson, asked the Hong Kong government to make it mandatory for employers to provide masks, vitamins, alcohol and antiseptics to their helpers to arm them for the fight.

Her call was echoed by Johanie Tong, representing Mission for Migrants Workers, who urged the government to ensure masks for everyone in Hong Kong. The Mission spokeswoman said no one should be left behind in the fight against the contagion.

“The salary of the workers is very low and the price of masks is very expensive, so it’s not fair for them to buy their own masks. The government should make it mandatory for employers to provide their helpers masks,” Lestari said.

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Prices of these items in Hong Kong have skyrocketed amid the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus that has already claimed nearly 500 lives around the world, and caused close to 25,000 people to fall ill, mostly in China.

Lestari said IMA is trying to provide these protective items to workers but donations of the stuff they had collected from other migrant workers is not enough.

She said IMA has been appealing to the Macau community and other places for mask and sanitizer donations, but they themselves are relying on donations from people overseas.

Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love.

Lestari said many people in Indonesia, the US and Canada want to give masks, vitamin C and antiseptics, but the problem is how to bring them to Hong Kong.

She suggested that governments, including Hong Kong, should open up their embassies and even airlines to receive donations and bring them here as one way to help the people.

Tong said the Hong Kong government must also assist migrant workers who experience difficulties in returning to the city due to cancellation of flights.

Likewise, she said the government should ensure the workers won’t be discriminated against, and isolated and excluded in the fight against the new virus.

Tong appealed for donations of masks, alcohol and other protective stuff for migrant workers through the Bethune House.

Lestari said the alliance has received complaints from workers about employers using the Hong Kong government’s appeal to let them perform house chores on their rest day or threatening them with termination if they insist on going out.

Lestari said the “stay home” policy is a “double burden” for helpers who have no rooms, as they have no rest and they are forced to work because they need to stay in the house the whole day.

The lucky ones with their own rooms can rest, but still do cooking and cleaning, she said.

She said if the workers without rooms say they have to go out because they have no room to stay in, the employers tell them “Don’t come back, I will terminate your contract.”

Villanueva says Labour's advice that FDWs stay at home on their day off is discriminatory

Eman Villanueva, Unifil-Migrante HK secretary-general, estimated 30% to 40% of domestic workers were unable to take their day off due to the “stay home” advice issued by the Labour Department in late January.

He said he based his numbers on “informal complaints” by affected members of his 2,000-strong group who don’t want to file formal complaints for fear of losing their jobs.

Villanueva said the reality is that despite the government threatening sanctions against employers who force their helpers to work on their rest day, those are meaningless.

“Because of the power relations inside the household, (the threat is) meaningless; because of the absence of job security, it’s actually meaningless,” he said.

Villanueva also said it was irresponsible for the Labour Department to suggest that the employer pay the worker in place of her rest day.

“The only thing an employer can do is offer an alternative day to replace that Sunday but they cannot offer monetary compensation, that is prohibited by the law. So, I think it is very irresponsible of the Labour Department to make such an advisory,” he said.

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HK to extend expiring FDH contracts until May 31

Posted on 05 February 2020 No comments

By The SUN

Stranded Filipino migrant workers checking flight information in Manila airport

Hong Kong has announced that it will allow foreign domestic worker contracts that are expiring to be extended by up to more than three months, or until May 31 this year.

The move was taken in response to the failure of hundreds of Filipino domestic workers to return to Hong Kong as a result of travel restrictions imposed by the Philippines starting Feb. 2 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Starting Feb. 4, all FDH contracts expiring on or before Mar 31 will be extended up to May 31 based on mutual agreement by the employer and the helper, a government statement said.

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The flexibility arrangement is aimed at helping employers whose contracts with their FDHs are due to expire soon, but the replacement helper cannot fly in because of the Philippines’ temporary ban.

The statement said employers in need may apply directly to the Immigration Department for their helpers’ extension of stay on or before Mar 31. Upon receiving the applications, Immigration will process them in accordance with established procedures and policies.

Under current practice the standard employment contract may be extended by not more than one month by mutual agreement between the employer and the helper, with approval from the Director of Immigration. Longer periods need the consent of the Commissioner for Labour.

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“We hope that the flexibility arrangement can help the families affected by the situation so that they can continue to retain their current FDHs temporarily while waiting for the new FDHs that they hired or intend to hire to report for duty upon the lifting of the ban by the Philippine government,” a government spokesman said.

Applications may be submitted directly during office hours or by post to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai, along with the following required documents:

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· Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A) completed and signed by the FDH;

· The current SEC, or ID 407 (copy only if applying by post), kept by the employer and the helper with an amendment clause on extending the period of employment duly signed by both parties at the end of page 4;

· A supporting letter signed by the employer stating the reasons for extending the period of employment;

· The helper’s travel document (copy only if applying by post); and

· A visa fee of $230.

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Misery grips OFWs hit by China travel ban

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By Daisy CL Mandap

If you're flying to Cebu but are not from the province, be ready for forced quarantine

There appears to be no end to the tales of woe from Filipinos, especially migrant workers, who have been affected by the travel restrictions to China imposed by the Philippine government on Feb. 2.

From being turned away from their flights to being threatened with termination, to seeing their hopes of witnessing their child’s upcoming graduation crushed, the stories are endless.

Yesterday resulted in an even sadder story, that of a Filipina mother rushing home to look after her daughter who has dengue, but was unexpectedly put under quarantine in Cebu, where her Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong landed.

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Under guidelines issued by the Department of Health, all Filipinos arriving from China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau, need only to undergo self-quarantine in their own homes on arrival in the Philippines.

But in the case of Cora O., she and three other non-Cebu residents on the flight were told to proceed to the Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Mandaue City, where they were to be quarantined for 14 days.

Cora is not alone in her grief, for two others being held with her had flown home only to bury family members who had passed on. Now they aren't allowed to go anywhere for two weeks, nor receive visitors from outside.

Most other passengers on the plane were hoping to stay for only a week to be with their loved ones.

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Cora’s friend, Rea Ottara of the Filipina Migrant Workers Union, said only a routine temperature and blood pressure check was carried on each passenger aboard the aircraft, but nothing significant was apparently found.

But on arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International airport, all 10 passengers were put in a separate queue. They were all taken to the Sanitarium but the 6 Cebu residents were released. The four others were told they were being quarantined in line with existing health protocols.

In a Facebook post which she subsequently deleted, Cora said, “Quarantine is real but sad to say that it’s unfair. We’re 10 passengers on board Cathay Pacific but only 4 passengers including me have to be quarantined. The other six passengers are free to go home because they live in Cebu…so sad on our side.

Cora with her luggage beside the Sanitarium

She added, “I need to go home coz my daughter is confined in the hospital with dengue.”

Cora’s family lives in nearby Tubigon in Bohol province.

Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love.

She was among only 10 passengers on board the 8:40am flight to Cebu on Feb. 4, and all of them were Filipinos. Under the ban imposed by the Manila government, all foreign nationals flying from China, Hong Kong and Macau, are not allowed to enter the Philippines.

Despite the tense situation in Hong Kong brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, Cora was initially upbeat. In a Facebook post she made at 8:06am, just before boarding her flight, she said: “Boarding time…Go home for good…To God be the glory.”

It didn’t take long for her joy to turn to sadness because of the forced quarantine, and then concern when told by a doctor that word had gotten around town that one of those held in the sanitarium had coronavirus.

Ottara, said: “Di niya alam kung paano kumalat ang ganung balita dahil vital signs lang naman ang kinukuha sa kanila every now and then.”

She added that other than being forced to remain in quarantine, the OFWs are being treated well, with each being put in a clean isolation room and fed well, although they are not allowed visitors.

The number of people quarantined in the Sanitarium has reportedly grown since the four were taken there early yesterday, but it is not clear where the new arrivals had come from.

Meantime, an appeal for humanitarian consideration on their behalf was sent to the administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Hans Cacdac.

The isolated OFWs are hoping that with his help, they could be released, even for self-quarantine at home, just so they could see their loved ones again soon.