Muntik nang nasisante si Reyna sa kanyang trabaho dahil sa pag-upload niya ng kuhang larawan ng kanyang alaga.
Bago pa lamang siya noon nang sabihan siya ng amo na huwag ilagay sa Facebook ang sino man sa kanilang pamilya, at maging ang kanilang tirahan ay bawal ilagay ang kinaroroonan para sa kanilang seguridad. Ngunit nang halos isang taon na si Reyna sa kanila ay nakalimutan niya ang kabilin-bilinan ng kanyang mga amo.
Dahil dito ay tinawag pa ng amo ang unang nanilbihan sa kanila para pakiusapan na paliwanagan at pangaralan si Reyna. Ganito ang mensahe na ipinarating ng amo:
''Don't share the photos of the family to others. Teach children to respect the privacy of others. Parents and teachers should also encourage children to respect privacy of others in the way they would like to be respected. For example, children should be encouraged to have regard to the personal consent of their friends and families when they plan to share or tag their photographs."
Matapos ito ay nagpaalala si Reyna sa mga kapwa kasambahay na sundin ang kagustuhan ng amo para hindi sila mapagalitan o mawalan ng trabaho. Karapatan naman talaga nila na hindi magamit sa social media ang sarili nilang litrato at pamamahay, at dapat respetuhin ng mga kasambahay na nakikitira lang ang patakarang ito. Walang kinalaman dito ang kung “friends” man sila ng kanilang amo o hindi, dahil basta lumabas na sa social media ang litratong pinagbabawal ay kahit sino ay maari itong magamit o maipamahagi. Ihiwalay ang personal na buhay sa trabaho para walang mangyaring aberya. Si Reyna ay tubong Iloilot, kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik sa Kowlon Tong. – Marites Palma
Different flans
Posted on 27 August 2016 No comments
Food Trip with JC The Foodie
There are many ways of cooking one of the Filipinos’ favorite desserts, leche flan or caramel custard. Some do it all-creamy and soft, while others prefer the firmer kind, with lots of caramelized sugar on top.
Still others try to vary the recipe a bit to come up with something altogether different, like the yummy-looking flan pictured below, which was sent to us by a reader, MCLeeBenjamin. This recipe is similar to the traditional leche flan. The only difference is the addition of cream cheese in this version. Thus, while the method of cooking is the same as with leche flan or caramel custard, the texture of this is similar to a cheese cake.
Below that is my own recipe for a classic leche flan, which I call JC’s Creamy Leche Flan-tastic! Try and compare!
Cream Cheese Flan with twist of lemon
Ingredients:
(For a 2-layered flan)
6 eggs
1 block Philadelphia cream cheese
1 big can condensed milk
1 big can evaporated milk
1 cup fresh milk
lemon rind
1 ½ cup sugar
Procedure:
1) Separate the yolk from egg whites, reserve only 3 of egg whites.
2) Using a hand mixer, put 6 yolks in a large bowl, add 1 cup of fresh milk, condensed and evaporated milk. Mix for about 10 seconds.
3) In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and ½ cup of fresh milk with the 3 egg whites.
4) Blend in cream cheese mixture with egg yolk and milk prepared and whisk gently, add lemon rind. Set aside.
5) For the caramel sauce: prepare 2 tin flan moulds, put half the amount of sugar on each mould. Melt the sugar till bubbly and caramelized on low fire. Make sure that the caramel is not burnt. Let the caramel set in.
6) Gently pour custard mixture into the flan moulds equally.
7) Cover with aluminum foil and steam on medium heat for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8) Remove from heat. When the flan is completely cool, refrigerate.
9) To serve, run a knife around the edge of the flan and invert on a serving plate, then stack the second flan on top.
Ingredients:
12 fresh egg yolks
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
250 ml. fresh milk
1 pkg. all purpose cream
1 tsp. vanilla essence
Finely grated lime (dayap) rind
For the caramel sauce:
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
Procedure:
1) In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the custard mixture. (except lime rind).
2) Whisk gently to incorporate all ingredients into a smooth creamy consistency. Set aside to let any bubbles subside.
3) Prepare caramel. In a heavy pan, cook sugar slowly till caramelized into golden brown, making sure that it does not burn or caramel will have a bitter taste. Alternatively, you may do this procedure in individual metal moulds or llanera. If you are making small individual portions, you may use ramekins.
4) When the caramel sauce is ready, pour enough amount into the ramekins or moulds. Leave to cool and the caramel to harden.
5) Carefully pour custard mixture into the prepared moulds or ramekins. Sprinkle some lime rind on top.
6) Cover each mould with aluminum foil, making sure they are covered tightly to avoid water from seeping through the custard while steaming.
7) Steam for about 45 minutes. Custard should be fully cooked when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8) Remove from the steamer.
9) Remove aluminum foil cover and leave to cool. Refrigerate before serving.
There are many ways of cooking one of the Filipinos’ favorite desserts, leche flan or caramel custard. Some do it all-creamy and soft, while others prefer the firmer kind, with lots of caramelized sugar on top.
Still others try to vary the recipe a bit to come up with something altogether different, like the yummy-looking flan pictured below, which was sent to us by a reader, MCLeeBenjamin. This recipe is similar to the traditional leche flan. The only difference is the addition of cream cheese in this version. Thus, while the method of cooking is the same as with leche flan or caramel custard, the texture of this is similar to a cheese cake.
Below that is my own recipe for a classic leche flan, which I call JC’s Creamy Leche Flan-tastic! Try and compare!
Cream Cheese Flan with twist of lemon
Ingredients:(For a 2-layered flan)
6 eggs
1 block Philadelphia cream cheese
1 big can condensed milk
1 big can evaporated milk
1 cup fresh milk
lemon rind
1 ½ cup sugar
Procedure:
1) Separate the yolk from egg whites, reserve only 3 of egg whites.
2) Using a hand mixer, put 6 yolks in a large bowl, add 1 cup of fresh milk, condensed and evaporated milk. Mix for about 10 seconds.
3) In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and ½ cup of fresh milk with the 3 egg whites.
4) Blend in cream cheese mixture with egg yolk and milk prepared and whisk gently, add lemon rind. Set aside.
5) For the caramel sauce: prepare 2 tin flan moulds, put half the amount of sugar on each mould. Melt the sugar till bubbly and caramelized on low fire. Make sure that the caramel is not burnt. Let the caramel set in.
6) Gently pour custard mixture into the flan moulds equally.
7) Cover with aluminum foil and steam on medium heat for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8) Remove from heat. When the flan is completely cool, refrigerate.
9) To serve, run a knife around the edge of the flan and invert on a serving plate, then stack the second flan on top.
JC’s Creamy Leche Flan-tastic
Ingredients:12 fresh egg yolks
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
250 ml. fresh milk
1 pkg. all purpose cream
1 tsp. vanilla essence
Finely grated lime (dayap) rind
For the caramel sauce:
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
Procedure:
1) In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the custard mixture. (except lime rind).
2) Whisk gently to incorporate all ingredients into a smooth creamy consistency. Set aside to let any bubbles subside.
3) Prepare caramel. In a heavy pan, cook sugar slowly till caramelized into golden brown, making sure that it does not burn or caramel will have a bitter taste. Alternatively, you may do this procedure in individual metal moulds or llanera. If you are making small individual portions, you may use ramekins.
4) When the caramel sauce is ready, pour enough amount into the ramekins or moulds. Leave to cool and the caramel to harden.
5) Carefully pour custard mixture into the prepared moulds or ramekins. Sprinkle some lime rind on top.
6) Cover each mould with aluminum foil, making sure they are covered tightly to avoid water from seeping through the custard while steaming.
7) Steam for about 45 minutes. Custard should be fully cooked when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8) Remove from the steamer.
9) Remove aluminum foil cover and leave to cool. Refrigerate before serving.
Kwentong droga
Posted on No comments
Ni Vir B. Lumicao
Noong umpisa ng Agosto ay isang kapwa-OFW natin dumulog sa Konsulado upang magtanong doon kung maaari siyang sumaglit sa Pilipinas bago magtungo sa Canada para magtrabaho roon. Ang dahilan: nais niyang masilayan sa huling pagkakataon ang kanyang kapatid na lalaki bago siya lumayo.
Noon ay ikalawang araw pa lang ng pagkakapatay sa kapatid ng OFW. Binaril diumano ng mga lalaking nakamotorsiklo ang biktima nang lumabas ito sa lansangan.
Nagkataon din na noong Agosto 1 ay iniharap sa hukuman ng Tsuen Wan ang isang turistang Pilipina na nasabat ng mga tauhan ng Customs habang may dalang mahigit 700 gramo ng cocaine sa Hong Kong. Ang droga ay nagkakahalaga umano ng $750,000.
Ang cocaine ay isang uri ng bawal na gamot na gawa sa Latin America mula sa puno ng coca. Idinaraan ito ng sindikatong Colombian sa Pilipinas at sa iba pang mga bansa bago dalhin sa huling destinasyon tulad ng Hong Kong.
Nakababahala ang pagkamatay ng kapatid ng OFW dahil kusang sumuko diumano ito sa mga awtoridad, at nabigyan ng katibayang dati siyang gumagamit ng droga at gusto nang magbagong-buhay.
Gayundin, nakaliligalig ang balitang muling nakalusot sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport ang ganoon karaming cocaine sa kabila ng ibayong kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa droga. Iyon ay nangangahulugang mayroon pa ring mga galamay ng sindikato na nagpapalusot sa NAIA ng mga tagadala ng droga.
Kung susuriing mabuti ang mga balita ukol sa mga napapatay at pinapatay sa kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa droga ay nakakatakang ang karamihan sa mga napapatay ay tila maliliit na tagatulak lamang ng bawal na gamot, at iilan lang sa mga ito ang supplier ng droga.
Pati na ang mga durugista, yaong mga sugapa sa bawal na gamot na kung tutuusi’y mga biktima, ay napapasama sa mga itinutumba at sinasabitan ng kartong may nakasulat na babalang sila ay mga tulak o kaya ay adik sa droga.
Natatandaan pa namin na noong kumakandidato pa lamang si Pangulong Duterte ay nangako siyang uubusin niya ang mga nagsu-supply at nagtutulak ng mga bawal na gamot dahil sila ang sumisira sa mga kabataang Pilipino.
At noong nanalo na siya sa eleksiyon nang malaki ang kalamangan sa mga nakalaban ay agad-agad nang sinimulan ng pulisya ang “paglilinis” sa mga itinuturing na nasa likuran ng industriya ng bawal na gamot sa bansa – iyon nga lang at puro maliliit ang mga bumubulagta sa kalsada.
Naisip tuloy naming baka ginagamit ng mga bulok na elemento sa kapulisan, yaong mga mayhawak diumano sa maliliit na pusher, ang pinag-ibayong kampanya upang itumba ang mga taong posibleng magturo sa kanila bilang mga supplier ng droga.
Ito ay isang malaking posibilidad dahil hindi lingid sa sambayanan na sa bawat barangay, bayan at lungsod sa Pilipinas ay may masasamang elemento ng kapulisan na siyang kumukuntrol sa lahat ng bisyo sa mga pook na iyon, at kadalasan ay sila rin ang nakakasagupa ng mga kapwa alagad ng batas na pumupuksa sa mga bisyo.
Isang sapantaha lang namin na ang kasalukuyang pamamaslang sa mga diumano’y tagatulak at sugapa sa bawal na gamot ay isang malawakang pagliligpit sa mga “asset” ng pulisya na posibleng kakanta.
Ngunit kung totoo ang aming suspetsa, higit na nakababahala ang nangyayari dahil lalabas na ginagamit lamang ng mga maykapangyarihan ang kasalukuyang pagpapadanak ng dugo upang pagtakpan ang kanilang masamang aktibidad.
At sa pagpapatuloy ng pamamaslang sa maliliit na tagatulak, mga adik na mga biktima ng bisyo, at mga inosenteng tao, kasabay ng pagpapatuloy ng pagpapalusot ng mga sindikato ng kilu-kilong droga sa NAIA, malinaw na hindi natutumbok ng kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte ang ugat ng suliranin sa droga.
Lalo lamang lalaganap ang inhustisya at mawawalan ng saysay ang kanyang kampanya.
Noong umpisa ng Agosto ay isang kapwa-OFW natin dumulog sa Konsulado upang magtanong doon kung maaari siyang sumaglit sa Pilipinas bago magtungo sa Canada para magtrabaho roon. Ang dahilan: nais niyang masilayan sa huling pagkakataon ang kanyang kapatid na lalaki bago siya lumayo.
Noon ay ikalawang araw pa lang ng pagkakapatay sa kapatid ng OFW. Binaril diumano ng mga lalaking nakamotorsiklo ang biktima nang lumabas ito sa lansangan.
Nagkataon din na noong Agosto 1 ay iniharap sa hukuman ng Tsuen Wan ang isang turistang Pilipina na nasabat ng mga tauhan ng Customs habang may dalang mahigit 700 gramo ng cocaine sa Hong Kong. Ang droga ay nagkakahalaga umano ng $750,000.
Ang cocaine ay isang uri ng bawal na gamot na gawa sa Latin America mula sa puno ng coca. Idinaraan ito ng sindikatong Colombian sa Pilipinas at sa iba pang mga bansa bago dalhin sa huling destinasyon tulad ng Hong Kong.
Nakababahala ang pagkamatay ng kapatid ng OFW dahil kusang sumuko diumano ito sa mga awtoridad, at nabigyan ng katibayang dati siyang gumagamit ng droga at gusto nang magbagong-buhay.
Gayundin, nakaliligalig ang balitang muling nakalusot sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport ang ganoon karaming cocaine sa kabila ng ibayong kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa droga. Iyon ay nangangahulugang mayroon pa ring mga galamay ng sindikato na nagpapalusot sa NAIA ng mga tagadala ng droga.
Kung susuriing mabuti ang mga balita ukol sa mga napapatay at pinapatay sa kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa droga ay nakakatakang ang karamihan sa mga napapatay ay tila maliliit na tagatulak lamang ng bawal na gamot, at iilan lang sa mga ito ang supplier ng droga.
Pati na ang mga durugista, yaong mga sugapa sa bawal na gamot na kung tutuusi’y mga biktima, ay napapasama sa mga itinutumba at sinasabitan ng kartong may nakasulat na babalang sila ay mga tulak o kaya ay adik sa droga.
Natatandaan pa namin na noong kumakandidato pa lamang si Pangulong Duterte ay nangako siyang uubusin niya ang mga nagsu-supply at nagtutulak ng mga bawal na gamot dahil sila ang sumisira sa mga kabataang Pilipino.
At noong nanalo na siya sa eleksiyon nang malaki ang kalamangan sa mga nakalaban ay agad-agad nang sinimulan ng pulisya ang “paglilinis” sa mga itinuturing na nasa likuran ng industriya ng bawal na gamot sa bansa – iyon nga lang at puro maliliit ang mga bumubulagta sa kalsada.
Naisip tuloy naming baka ginagamit ng mga bulok na elemento sa kapulisan, yaong mga mayhawak diumano sa maliliit na pusher, ang pinag-ibayong kampanya upang itumba ang mga taong posibleng magturo sa kanila bilang mga supplier ng droga.
Ito ay isang malaking posibilidad dahil hindi lingid sa sambayanan na sa bawat barangay, bayan at lungsod sa Pilipinas ay may masasamang elemento ng kapulisan na siyang kumukuntrol sa lahat ng bisyo sa mga pook na iyon, at kadalasan ay sila rin ang nakakasagupa ng mga kapwa alagad ng batas na pumupuksa sa mga bisyo.
Isang sapantaha lang namin na ang kasalukuyang pamamaslang sa mga diumano’y tagatulak at sugapa sa bawal na gamot ay isang malawakang pagliligpit sa mga “asset” ng pulisya na posibleng kakanta.
Ngunit kung totoo ang aming suspetsa, higit na nakababahala ang nangyayari dahil lalabas na ginagamit lamang ng mga maykapangyarihan ang kasalukuyang pagpapadanak ng dugo upang pagtakpan ang kanilang masamang aktibidad.
At sa pagpapatuloy ng pamamaslang sa maliliit na tagatulak, mga adik na mga biktima ng bisyo, at mga inosenteng tao, kasabay ng pagpapatuloy ng pagpapalusot ng mga sindikato ng kilu-kilong droga sa NAIA, malinaw na hindi natutumbok ng kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte ang ugat ng suliranin sa droga.
Lalo lamang lalaganap ang inhustisya at mawawalan ng saysay ang kanyang kampanya.
Correcting (Mis)information
Posted on No comments
By Cynthia Tellez
This article aims to clarify a couple of things that domestic workers are usually misinformed of, or about which they don’t get complete information.
The Mission for Migrant Workers usually gets inquiries on: the date on which the contract takes effect, the probationary period, statutory holidays, and computation of daily wage.
Most of the complainants we receive in our office are new arrivals in Hong Kong or are in their first six months of the contract. Thus, they do not know other persons in Hong Kong other than the placement agency representatives so we hope to reach those in similar condition through this article.
The usual (mis)understanding or what the agency representatives (AR) make you believe if you are the worker, is that your contract starts when you arrive in your employer’s house or the address in your contract as your workplace and abode. In many cases, the AR takes you to the Immigration Department to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card first; or sometimes takes you to undergo medical examination if the employer requires it, and unfortunately, in some other cases, you are also made to sign a loan agreement for agency fees.
The days you spend doing all these should neither be reckoned as your day-off nor removed from your working days in the contract because “you haven’t started”. These or any other official activities imposed on you by the agency are already part of your working days in the contract. Even if the employer happens to be away for holiday or for whatever reasons, those days are already part of the employer’s responsibility to you. It is not the day when you enter the employer’s house that the contract starts, it is when you took the plane that brought you to Hong Kong. That is precisely why the “travelling allowance” covers that travel from your place of origin to Hong Kong in the shortest manner.
You are a foreign worker, treated as an alien, with no permanent domicile in Hong Kong and with a visa that allows you to work at a specific household address during a specific period of time. You cannot be left uncertain upon arrival.
This goes, too, for the misconception that many placement agencies make you and your employer believe: that you are not qualified for statutory holidays in the first three months of the contract. They confuse the provision in the Employment Ordinance of Hong Kong that says that a worker can only avail of a paid holiday after three months of continuous work. This provision only refers to the unspent holiday that cannot be paid with money, but it does not mean you are not allowed to go out on a statutory holiday. You can go out , even when your first day at work or your day of arrival, happens to be a statutory holiday.
The ordinance says that if the employer cannot give you the holiday on the specified statutory date, alternative day or another day should be assigned within the next 60 days. What you cannot do is to exchange that holiday for cash. Neither can your employer deduct your salary for the days that you took the day off because they were statutory holidays, within the first three months of your contract.
Those who were forced to not take statutory holidays that fell in the first three months of the contract can claim these when the contract ends prematurely or upon completion.
Upon completion or premature termination of contracts, annual Leave pay can also be claimed as these are earned while you work continuously with the same employer. A domestic worker who works continuously for three months qualifies for the statutory annual leave of seven days for the first two years. If the contract is prematurely terminated after three months, one can get what you call a pro-rata pay for the annual leave earned.
For example, if you are in your sixth month and your contract was terminated: you can get the equivalent number of days with this formula: 6/12 months = .5 which means you finished only “.5” of the year. Multiply this by seven days (.5 x 7 days). The annual leave for that year equals 3.5 days. This means you have 3.5 days earned as your annual leave.
Please be aware that when annual leaves are taken before the end of the contract, the days off that are included in the inclusive period should be computed separately. The same is true if some statutory holidays were used during the vacation period.
If these computations still look confusing, you may contact the Mission for Migrant Workers at 2522-8264.
But lest you forget, these are your rights and to be able to decide wisely, you should know your rights.
---
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. no. 2522 8264.
This article aims to clarify a couple of things that domestic workers are usually misinformed of, or about which they don’t get complete information.
The Mission for Migrant Workers usually gets inquiries on: the date on which the contract takes effect, the probationary period, statutory holidays, and computation of daily wage.
Most of the complainants we receive in our office are new arrivals in Hong Kong or are in their first six months of the contract. Thus, they do not know other persons in Hong Kong other than the placement agency representatives so we hope to reach those in similar condition through this article.
Start of contract
The contract depends on your visa. The contract says that it takes effect upon your arrival. It is in Clause 2. a. which says “The Helper shall be employed by the Employer as a domestic helper for a period of two years commencing on the date on which the helper arrives in Hong Kong”.The usual (mis)understanding or what the agency representatives (AR) make you believe if you are the worker, is that your contract starts when you arrive in your employer’s house or the address in your contract as your workplace and abode. In many cases, the AR takes you to the Immigration Department to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card first; or sometimes takes you to undergo medical examination if the employer requires it, and unfortunately, in some other cases, you are also made to sign a loan agreement for agency fees.
The days you spend doing all these should neither be reckoned as your day-off nor removed from your working days in the contract because “you haven’t started”. These or any other official activities imposed on you by the agency are already part of your working days in the contract. Even if the employer happens to be away for holiday or for whatever reasons, those days are already part of the employer’s responsibility to you. It is not the day when you enter the employer’s house that the contract starts, it is when you took the plane that brought you to Hong Kong. That is precisely why the “travelling allowance” covers that travel from your place of origin to Hong Kong in the shortest manner.
“Probationary period” and statutory holidays
There is no such thing as probationary period.You are a foreign worker, treated as an alien, with no permanent domicile in Hong Kong and with a visa that allows you to work at a specific household address during a specific period of time. You cannot be left uncertain upon arrival.
This goes, too, for the misconception that many placement agencies make you and your employer believe: that you are not qualified for statutory holidays in the first three months of the contract. They confuse the provision in the Employment Ordinance of Hong Kong that says that a worker can only avail of a paid holiday after three months of continuous work. This provision only refers to the unspent holiday that cannot be paid with money, but it does not mean you are not allowed to go out on a statutory holiday. You can go out , even when your first day at work or your day of arrival, happens to be a statutory holiday.
The ordinance says that if the employer cannot give you the holiday on the specified statutory date, alternative day or another day should be assigned within the next 60 days. What you cannot do is to exchange that holiday for cash. Neither can your employer deduct your salary for the days that you took the day off because they were statutory holidays, within the first three months of your contract.
Those who were forced to not take statutory holidays that fell in the first three months of the contract can claim these when the contract ends prematurely or upon completion.
Upon completion or premature termination of contracts, annual Leave pay can also be claimed as these are earned while you work continuously with the same employer. A domestic worker who works continuously for three months qualifies for the statutory annual leave of seven days for the first two years. If the contract is prematurely terminated after three months, one can get what you call a pro-rata pay for the annual leave earned.
For example, if you are in your sixth month and your contract was terminated: you can get the equivalent number of days with this formula: 6/12 months = .5 which means you finished only “.5” of the year. Multiply this by seven days (.5 x 7 days). The annual leave for that year equals 3.5 days. This means you have 3.5 days earned as your annual leave.
Please be aware that when annual leaves are taken before the end of the contract, the days off that are included in the inclusive period should be computed separately. The same is true if some statutory holidays were used during the vacation period.
Daily wage
We are aware that computing the daily wage is another point of argument. In many cases, the days when the statutory holiday (or any holidays, leaves, days-off for that matter) is computed, the monthly salary is simply divided into the number of days in that particular month. If you do that, if the salary is divided into 30 or 28 days, you win and your employer loses. But if it falls on a month with 31 days, you lose. So being a monthly wage earner, the computation should be to take the average daily wage by getting the whole year’s salary. For example: HK$4,210 x 12 months = HK$50,520 for the whole year. Then divide the total by 365 days which is the number of days in a year: HK$50,520 / 365days = HK$138.40. This is your average daily salary.If these computations still look confusing, you may contact the Mission for Migrant Workers at 2522-8264.
But lest you forget, these are your rights and to be able to decide wisely, you should know your rights.
---
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. no. 2522 8264.
‘World’s largest pearl’ found in Palawan
Posted on 26 August 2016 No comments
A fisherman in Palawan hid a giant pearl under
his bed as a ‘good luck charm’ for 10 years, unaware that he had already struck
gold when he found it.
The
37-kg pearl, now believed to be the largest, is possibly worth millions of
dollars, and could change the course of his life forever.
The 30 by 60 centimeter
pearl is currently displayed at the Puerto Princesa city hall. Local officials
are hoping to have gemologists assess its value soon.
It was said to be
discovered by the fisherman in a giant clam while waiting out a storm at sea.
His aunt, Puerto Princesa tourism officer Cynthia Amurao, only told him of its
potential value when he asked her to hide it for him when he moved to a new
address.
Before the discovery of
this 34-kilogram pearl, the largest known pearl was the ‘The Pearl of Lao
Tzu’ also known as ‘The Pearl of Allah’. It weighed 14 kilograms, and was
appraised by experts to be worth tens of millions of dollars.
According to Puerto
Princesa information officer Richard Ligad, the fisherman still owns the pearl
as he has not signed any deed of donation to the city.
The ‘good luck’ that he
had hoped for in keeping the pearl for a decade may soon finally pay off.
Judge calls out unequal treatment in illegal jobs case
Posted on 25 August 2016 No comments![]() |
The High Court houses the Court of First Instance |
At a hearing on Aug. 25,
Justice Michael Stuart-Moore asked why in Hong Kong
law “you’ve got the employer on bail and the employee in custody.”
He then allowed Adora Regodon to post bail after accepting
an offer by a merchant-friend of the employer to put up surety of $10,000 for
the helper.
“Today I will decide. I’m going to give you bail today when
the $10,000 surety is paid in court. He’s very kind to put up surety for you,”
Stuart-Moore told the Filipina.
The court heard that Regodon arrived in Hong
Kong on Aug 8 to take up employment as domestic helper of a
certain Rani Ramchandran, who operates a hotel on Nathan Road .
Regodon was caught several days later by immigration
officers while allegedly working in the hotel. She and her employer were
arrested.
The prosecutor said she feared Regodon would go back to work
for the employer if she was given bail. A friend of the maid had previously
offered to take her in but the friend’s husband reportedly objected.
The judge told Regodon to reside in the address given by the
merchant who posted bail for her and attend the hearing set for Sept. 6. – Vir B. Lumicao
Bethune House appeals for more donations
Posted on No comments
Bethune House, which cares for up to 30 migrant women in
its two shelters in Sheung Wan and Jordan, needs $150,000 each month to pay for
rent, food and other essentials.
Its funding comes mainly from donations, and in line with
this, the annual Coins for Bethune House fund-raising drive was started five
years ago with help from various Filcom organizations and The SUN.
Apart from helping raise much-needed funds for Bethune
House, the project aims to raise awareness among the organizations about what
the shelter does to help migrant women who not only need a roof over their
heads, but also support with their cases and other needs.
The current Coins for Bethune project was launched at The
SUN’s 20th anniversary celebration in Chater Garden
last year, and is slated to end on Sept. 11. Previous campaigns helped raise
between $20,000-$50,000 for Bethune House.
Bethune’s executive director Edwina Antonio is urging all
participating individuals and groups to submit their coin donations to the Mission for Migrant Workers office at Garden Road next to the St John’s Cathedral in Central before the
deadline.
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Coins for Bethune 2016 launch at The SUN's anniversary in Dec |
Cash donations for Bethune House are used to run the two
shelters that have provided temporary refuge since 1986 to distressed migrant
women workers who mostly have pending labor and criminal cases against their
employers.
Others are cared for at the shelter while undergoing
treatment for cancer and some other serious medical condition.
Its clients are mainly Filipino
and Indonesian domestic workers who were often banished by their employers in
the middle of the night penniless and with nowhere to go.
Many of them claim to be victims of collusions between their
employers and their employment agencies. The agencies allegedly force the
helpers to take out loans to pay for illegal placement fees, and when they
protest, their employers are asked to fire them.
The employer is then given a new maid without having to pay
for the agency fee again.
In its Annual Case
Work Report 2015 released in March, the Mission said 97% of foreign helpers with
agency-related problems were charged by recruiters more than the legally mandated
fees equivalent to 10% of the first monthly salary of workers.
Last year, cases related to fee collection by recruitment
agencies made up 41% of total cases handled by the Mission . - The SUN
Sick Sluggers player opts to go home
Posted on 24 August 2016 No comments![]() |
Myla (left) and Cecil at HKIA |
On Sunday, Sept 18, women’s team Philippine Sluggers will
return to the pitch savoring the glory of playing again in A bracket of Hong Kong ’s annual baseball league season.
But the team will be missing one buddy, Myla Someros, a
founding member who went home for good on April 13, ending 14 years of working
in the SAR and eight years of playing for the side.
One of her friends said she had myeloma, or cancer of the blood caused by a shortage of red blood cells. Other sources said she had pneumonia
One of her friends said she had myeloma, or cancer of the blood caused by a shortage of red blood cells. Other sources said she had pneumonia
The 47-year-old Someros, a single mother to an 11-year-old
daughter, left Hong Kong quietly that Wednesday night escorted by her best
friend, team founder and president Cecil Calsas, who turned over the ailing OFW
to her family in San Enrique, Iloilo .
“I miss her because I consider her my family. Nakakalungkot na umuwi siya dahil sa
karamdaman,” Calsas told The SUN in an online interview, reminiscing the
night they flew home. They were seen off by Assistant Labor Attache Henry
Tianero for their early morning flight to Iloilo City .
Calsas recalled how Someros was almost barred from boarding
the plane by health screeners at HKIA because she was running a fever, but the
Sluggers leader said she was able to talk their way through. Then they went
through the hurdle at NAIA and passed.
Calsas said the former player was too weak to walk about in
the Hong Kong International Airport
terminal and had to use a wheelchair. She did so, too, when she changed plane
in Manila and when she disembarked in Iloilo .
A staff from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
office was at Iloilo
Airport to assist Someros
through the airport processes upon her arrival with Calsas
Back home, there’s a more serious hurdle that Someros must
surmount: the reality of being penniless, as she has not received any financial
help from the government, including OWWA.
“Nakakalungkot kapag
naiisip ko po siya. Walang pinansiyal na tulong ang OWWA sa pagkakaalam ko.
Parang pormalidad lang ang OWWA, dapat alisin na lang at i-refund ang
contribution ng mga tao,” Calsas said.
OWWA is an insurance system that grants financial aid to
OFWs who suffer permanent disability or dismemberment in work-related accidents
or die of natural and accidental causes, but gives no cash benefits to
seriously sick members.
A ray of hope is offered by a memorandum of agreement between
OWWA and PhilHealth that offers a new medical aid to OFW members who are
diagnosed with ailments that require hospitalization and long-term care.
MEDplus, which will be implemented starting this September, will
match the benefit that PhilHealth grants to its members under its case rate
system up to a maximum of Php50,000.
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Myla with fellow Sluggers during happier times |
According to welfare officer Lorna Obedoza, Someros will be
eligible for the new medical aid, as she is an affiliate member until Nov 2016.
Someros belonged to a team of intrepid and talented domestic
helpers who have opted to go to the diamond on Sundays to run, swing bats, catch
balls, and dive on the pitch in practice or real play.
In the early days of Sluggers, she was a mainstay of the
team along with Calsas and other original players who have since left Pinay na nahulog sa Lohas Park, iuuwi na
Posted on No comments![]() |
Ang yumao na si Rinalyn |
Nakatakdang iuwi ngayong alas-10 ng gabi, Agosto 24, ang mga
labi ni Rinalyn Idmilao Dulluog, ang kasambahay nga Pilipina na nasawi sa
pagkakahulog sa Lohas Park sa Tseung Kwan O noong Agosto 9.
Dadalhin ang bangkay ni Dulluog sa Hong Kong International
Airport pagkaraan ng
public viewing mga alas-3 ng hapon sa Fu Shan Public Mortuary sa Tai Wai.
Sinamahan ng The SUN noong Linggo, Agosto 21, si Annabelle
Pilien, ang tiyahin ng biktima, na humarap sa amo ng biktima para saksihan ang
pag-abot ng kanyang sahod na umabot sa mahigit na $3,000 sa tanggapan ng Philippine
Overseas Labor Office.
Si Pilien ang inatasan ng pamilya ni Dulluog sa Pilipinas
upang makipag-unayan sa mga kinauukulan tungkol sa pagsasaayos ng mga dokumento
ng biktima at ng pagpapadala ng kanyang mga labi sa kanilang bahay sa Santiago
City sa Isabela.
Ibinigay na rin ng mga amo ang mga gamit ni Dulluog kay
Pillien na nagpadala ng mga ito sa Santiago City sa pamamagitan ng door-to-door
freight service noong Linggo. Bagamant nangako ang amo na ibibigay ang pambayad
sa door-to-door, nagdalawang isip ito pagkatapos maipadala sa kanya ang larawan
ng resibo na umaabot sa $680, at nagpilit na makita ang kopya ng resibo.
Nainis nang husto si Pilen nang sabihin ng amo na “it cost
me a lot” para maipadala ang mga gamit ng namatay.
Sumagot naman ang kasama ni Pilien ng: “You only lose money,
but us we lost our friend’s life”.
Ayon pa sa kasama ni Pillien, narinig nila ang amo na
nagsabi ng “the devil is around” noong nakiusap sila na tulungan silang ibaba
ang mga gamit ni Dulluog sa taxi stand. Dalawang kahon at dalawang striped bag
ang iniabot na mga gamit kasama ang mobile phone ng biktima.
Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makausap ng The SUN ang kapatid
ng biktima na si Reginaldo Dulluog na nagpasabi na pinoproblema nila ang
malaking singil ng pagpapadala ng bangkay mula sa airport hanggang sa kanilang
bayan.
Nang ipaalam ito ng The SUN kay Labor Attache Jalilo de la
Torre ay pinatawagan agad nito si Reginaldo sa Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration officers para matulungan.
Sa bandang huli, naliwanagan ng pamilya na hindi na
kailangang gumastos pa para sa kabaong na nagkakahalaga ng Php69,000 dahil may
kasama nang kabaong ang kahon na naglalaman ng mga labi pauwi ng Pilipinas.
Ang singil naman
na Php30,000 para sa pagdadala ng mga labi ni Dulluog mula sa Ninoy Aquino
International Airport pauwi sa Santiago ay sasagutin pansamantala ng pamilya
ngunit nangako ang OWWA na sisingilin ito mula sa amo.
Samantala, sasagutin ng insurance ang $20,058 na gastos ng
pagpapauwi ng bangkay mula Hong Kong hanggang Maynila, at ang sobra sa singil
na humigit kumulang sa $8,000 ay sisingilin din ng punerarya sa amo.
Kasalukuyang nakikipagtalastasan pa ang pamilya ni Dulluog
sa POLO at sa isang solicitor tungkol sa mga dapat pang masingil sa amo dahil
ang pagkamatay ng Pilipina ay nangyari habang siya ay nagtatrabaho. Ang sabi
kasi ng solicitor ay maari silang magsampa para sa employment compensation, at
hiwalay na kaso para sa personal injuries.
Ayon kay Reginaldo, wala pang nakatakdang petsa ng
paglilibing kay Dulluog. Pag-uusapan pa raw nilang mag-anak kung kailan ililibing
kapag dumating na sa kanilang tahanan ang mga labi ng biktikma. – Marites Palma/Vir B. Lumicao
Another try at legislation for divorce advocates
Posted on No comments
Two bills seeking to legalize absolute divorce are pending at the House of Representatives.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman authored House Bill No. 116 which, he said, is a means for the “merciful liberation of the hapless wife from a long-dead marriage.”
Lagman, who also fought for the controversial reproductive health bill in his previous terms, said it is a “pro-woman” measure, noting that in marriages it is the woman “who is usually brutalized and it is the man who philanders and gets away with it.”
For activist women’s party list group Gabriela, it is the fifth time since 2005 that it is pushing for the legislation of divorce in the country.
Gabriela was accompanied by other divorce advocates and lobby groups as they filed the bill in Congress Wednesday.
Under Gabriela’s bill, the following conditions must be met before divorce can be granted:
• the petitioner has been separated de facto from his or her spouse for at least five years at the time of the filing of the petition and reconciliation is highly improbable;
• the petitioner has been legally separated from the spouse for at least two years at the time of the filing and reconciliation is highly improbable;
• when any of the grounds for legal separation has caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage;
• when one or both spouses are psychologically incapable to comply with the essential marital obligations; and
• when the spouses suffer from irreconcilable differences that have caused the irreparable breakdown of marriage.
In the bill of Lagman, the following are considered grounds for absolute divorce:
• psychological incapacity as defined under Article 36 of the Family Code;
• irreconcilable differences or conflicts between the married couple which are beyond redemption, or
• when either of the spouses secures a valid foreign divorce, canonical divorce, and gender reassignment surgery.
The bill likewise adopts as grounds for absolute divorce the grounds for legal separation and annulment of marriage provided for in the Family Code of the Philippines, which include: marital abuse, sexual infidelity, attempt against the life of the other, abandonment, de facto separation, conviction for a crime when the sentence is more than six years, contracting a subsequent bigamous marriage, drug addiction or habitual alcoholism, and lesbianism or homosexuality.
For annulment of marriage, the current grounds are lack of parental consent, vitiated consent, impotency, insanity and affliction of sexually transmissible disease.
Lagman said that while “most marriages are supposed to be solemnized in heaven, the reality is many marriages plummet into hell – in irremediable breakdown, spousal abuse, marital infidelity and psychological incapacity, among others, which bedevil marriages.”
According to him, the bill gives an opportunity to spouses in “irremediably failed marriages” to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined procedures to avoid abuse, save the children from the pain and stress of their parents’ marital clashes, and grant the divorced spouses the right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.
The Philippines is one of only two countries in the world today which has no law on absolute divorce, after voters in Malta recommended by referendum the approval of its own divorce law in 2011. The other country with no divorce law is the Vatican City.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman authored House Bill No. 116 which, he said, is a means for the “merciful liberation of the hapless wife from a long-dead marriage.”
Lagman, who also fought for the controversial reproductive health bill in his previous terms, said it is a “pro-woman” measure, noting that in marriages it is the woman “who is usually brutalized and it is the man who philanders and gets away with it.”
For activist women’s party list group Gabriela, it is the fifth time since 2005 that it is pushing for the legislation of divorce in the country.
Gabriela was accompanied by other divorce advocates and lobby groups as they filed the bill in Congress Wednesday.
Under Gabriela’s bill, the following conditions must be met before divorce can be granted:
• the petitioner has been separated de facto from his or her spouse for at least five years at the time of the filing of the petition and reconciliation is highly improbable;
• the petitioner has been legally separated from the spouse for at least two years at the time of the filing and reconciliation is highly improbable;
• when any of the grounds for legal separation has caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage;
• when one or both spouses are psychologically incapable to comply with the essential marital obligations; and
• when the spouses suffer from irreconcilable differences that have caused the irreparable breakdown of marriage.
In the bill of Lagman, the following are considered grounds for absolute divorce:
• psychological incapacity as defined under Article 36 of the Family Code;
• irreconcilable differences or conflicts between the married couple which are beyond redemption, or
• when either of the spouses secures a valid foreign divorce, canonical divorce, and gender reassignment surgery.
The bill likewise adopts as grounds for absolute divorce the grounds for legal separation and annulment of marriage provided for in the Family Code of the Philippines, which include: marital abuse, sexual infidelity, attempt against the life of the other, abandonment, de facto separation, conviction for a crime when the sentence is more than six years, contracting a subsequent bigamous marriage, drug addiction or habitual alcoholism, and lesbianism or homosexuality.
For annulment of marriage, the current grounds are lack of parental consent, vitiated consent, impotency, insanity and affliction of sexually transmissible disease.
Lagman said that while “most marriages are supposed to be solemnized in heaven, the reality is many marriages plummet into hell – in irremediable breakdown, spousal abuse, marital infidelity and psychological incapacity, among others, which bedevil marriages.”
According to him, the bill gives an opportunity to spouses in “irremediably failed marriages” to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined procedures to avoid abuse, save the children from the pain and stress of their parents’ marital clashes, and grant the divorced spouses the right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.
The Philippines is one of only two countries in the world today which has no law on absolute divorce, after voters in Malta recommended by referendum the approval of its own divorce law in 2011. The other country with no divorce law is the Vatican City.
Cancer patient goes home after failing to get treatment
Posted on No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
Cancer-stricken domestic worker Dolores Laganes made her final exit from Hong Kong on July 29 after failing to receive the free chemotherapy treatment she had badly needed.
The 50-year-old Laganes, who is suffering from stage 4 cancer, is now confined at the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City due to inflammation in her brain caused by a tumor, her sister Merly told the SUN.
The sister accompanied Laganes on her trip home because she was too weak to walk.
She had earlier been granted a recognizance paper by the Immigration Department so she could stay in Hong Kong longer to get treatment. But when she returned to Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin, she was refused further free chemotherapy treatment.
Completing her treatment at a government hospital here was her only hope of surviving the disease, which started in her left breast and spread to her lungs and onto her brain, causing her partial blindness and inability to move her eyeballs.
On July 7, a day after Laganes was sentenced in court, she went to the hospital where she was confined for a day. But the next day doctors told her the hospital could no longer provide her free chemotherapy treatment because it was very expensive and many local cancer patients also needed it.
“They told me I better return home and seek treatment there,” Laganes said.
Consulate staff who handled Laganes’ case were earlier upbeat after learning she had been granted recognizance on the day she was handed a suspended seven-day sentence by the Shatin Court for overstaying here more than a month ago.
They told the patient that she could stay to get free treatment.
“Just report to the CIC (Castle Peak Immigration Centre) and go through their clearance process then go back to the hospital for the continuation of your treatment,” said the officers.
It turned out that the advice was not valid at all times.
Failing to avail of the much-needed treatment, Laganes told Immigration that she wanted to leave soon. But “soon” meant another month-long wait because, aside from the clearances, Laganes had no fare money.
“I went to the Consulate to beg for money to buy my plane ticket, even just for one way, but I was told a request for that would take time as it still had to be cleared with the Manila office (of the Department of Foreign Affairs),” the patient said.
Told about her predicament, Immigration booked a serat for her on a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila on Aug 5 with an onward connection to Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur, the next day.
Laganes said she had been an OFW since 1995 when she was 27 years old, first as caregiver in Taiwan. She went home after two years and spent some time with her mother and children. Then she returned to Taiwan to work another two years.
After this, she went back home, but when her savings were depleted she decided to apply for domestic work in Hong Kong in 2002. In 2012, she went home again, spent time with her family and returned to this city in 2014.
“Now here I am, unable to finish my two-year contract because I got sick. When my employer found out I had cancer, she advised me to go home, but I told her I could still work,” Laganes said.
Then in April while doing her daily chores she suddenly fell dizzy and went blind. The employer had to call 999 for assistance and took her to the hospital. Doctors told her the cancer had spread and she had a brain tumor. On May 2 she terminated her employment.
Laganes was to have left Hong Kong after her 14-day visa extension, but she chose to overstay for medical reasons. On June 2, she was arrested during an ID check by police and was detained in hospital.
Laganes had no regrets leaving Hong Kong in such a condition. “Mabuti na rin at makakauwi na ako, Kuya,” she said. She sounded tired and resigned to her fate.
The 50-year-old Laganes, who is suffering from stage 4 cancer, is now confined at the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City due to inflammation in her brain caused by a tumor, her sister Merly told the SUN.
The sister accompanied Laganes on her trip home because she was too weak to walk.
She had earlier been granted a recognizance paper by the Immigration Department so she could stay in Hong Kong longer to get treatment. But when she returned to Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin, she was refused further free chemotherapy treatment.
Completing her treatment at a government hospital here was her only hope of surviving the disease, which started in her left breast and spread to her lungs and onto her brain, causing her partial blindness and inability to move her eyeballs.
On July 7, a day after Laganes was sentenced in court, she went to the hospital where she was confined for a day. But the next day doctors told her the hospital could no longer provide her free chemotherapy treatment because it was very expensive and many local cancer patients also needed it.
“They told me I better return home and seek treatment there,” Laganes said.
Consulate staff who handled Laganes’ case were earlier upbeat after learning she had been granted recognizance on the day she was handed a suspended seven-day sentence by the Shatin Court for overstaying here more than a month ago.
They told the patient that she could stay to get free treatment.
“Just report to the CIC (Castle Peak Immigration Centre) and go through their clearance process then go back to the hospital for the continuation of your treatment,” said the officers.
It turned out that the advice was not valid at all times.
Failing to avail of the much-needed treatment, Laganes told Immigration that she wanted to leave soon. But “soon” meant another month-long wait because, aside from the clearances, Laganes had no fare money.
“I went to the Consulate to beg for money to buy my plane ticket, even just for one way, but I was told a request for that would take time as it still had to be cleared with the Manila office (of the Department of Foreign Affairs),” the patient said.
Told about her predicament, Immigration booked a serat for her on a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila on Aug 5 with an onward connection to Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur, the next day.
Laganes said she had been an OFW since 1995 when she was 27 years old, first as caregiver in Taiwan. She went home after two years and spent some time with her mother and children. Then she returned to Taiwan to work another two years.
After this, she went back home, but when her savings were depleted she decided to apply for domestic work in Hong Kong in 2002. In 2012, she went home again, spent time with her family and returned to this city in 2014.
“Now here I am, unable to finish my two-year contract because I got sick. When my employer found out I had cancer, she advised me to go home, but I told her I could still work,” Laganes said.
Then in April while doing her daily chores she suddenly fell dizzy and went blind. The employer had to call 999 for assistance and took her to the hospital. Doctors told her the cancer had spread and she had a brain tumor. On May 2 she terminated her employment.
Laganes was to have left Hong Kong after her 14-day visa extension, but she chose to overstay for medical reasons. On June 2, she was arrested during an ID check by police and was detained in hospital.
Laganes had no regrets leaving Hong Kong in such a condition. “Mabuti na rin at makakauwi na ako, Kuya,” she said. She sounded tired and resigned to her fate.
Hone skills and set up birthing clinics, midwives urged
Posted on 23 August 2016 No commentsMidwives belonging to the IMAP and LOFM Hong Kong chapters pose with Dr Michael Manio, Labatt Jolly de la Torre, and guest speaker Cecilia Santos after the general assembly at the POLO. |
By Vir B. Lumicao
Delivering a baby in a country like the Philippines where 45,000 infants are born each day and private healthcare is beyond the reach of the majority is a huge concern for expectant mothers.
But for overseas Filipino workers who are licensed midwives the dire situation has opened up opportunities.
Cecilia B Santos, former health assistant secretary and now president emeritus of the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives Inc., says returning OFW midwives could consider setting up their own birthing clinics.
“Sa mga midwives ay napakagandang opportunity ang naghihintay sa kanila sapagkat magkakaroon sila ng pagkakataong magpatayo ng birthing centers,” Santos told The SUN at the general assembly of Hong Kong-based Filipino midwives on Aug. 7.
Santos said the government can help the OFW-midwives reintegrate back home by providing them training and financing to set up their own birthing centers.
The Department of Health provides the professional training that the returning midwives need, and also assists them in complying with the requirements for putting up their birthing centers, Santos said.
Addressing the assembly as guest speaker, Santos emphasized the need for the group to hone their knowledge and skills through continuing professional education so they won’t have problems re-joining the profession later.
She cited the refresher seminars being organized by the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines-Hong Kong and the League of Filipino Midwives-Hong Kong as platforms for enhancing their knowledge.
Another seminar of this kind is being planned for September by POLO and the midwives’ associations, Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre announced before the more than 100 people who took part in the assembly.
It was Labatt De la Torre, Tetchie Blanco, IMAP-HK president Brenda Atrero and LOFM-HK president Juanita Sola who brought the midwives together.
The other speaker at the event was Dr Michael Manio, Hong Kong University professor and founder of the Domestic Workers Empowerment Project, who spoke on mental health, depression and suicide.
Manio urged the midwives-helpers to help identify, through their training, compatriots who show symptoms of mental problems, depression and suicidal tendencies and take preventive measures.
The setting up of privately-run birthing centers is being pushed by the DOH as a solution to the overcrowding in public maternity hospitals, as the country grapples with a 1.61% annual population growth,
Santos said previous owners of birthing centers among the OFWs were given the opportunity to take out loans whose sizes depended on their capacity to repay.
“Tinutulungan po sila na makapagpatayo talaga ng mga inprastruktura,” she said.
She said returning midwives who are interested in putting up birthing centers should secure a permit to operate from the DOH, and comply with space requirements for the facility.
Santos said hundreds of birthing centers are now operating across the country, but with the continuing population boom, the demand for these facilities remains high.
Nurses receive free training on dementia
Posted on No commentsPerticipants complete the Elderly Care Training, at the POLO office with Labatt Jalilo dela Torre. |
A total of 17 Hong Kong-based Filipina nurses were given a free seminar on dementia care on Jul 31 at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Admiralty.
The seminar, which tackled the loss of memory and other mental abilities which is often associated with old age, was offered by the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing.
It was in line with Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre’s efforts to find alternative work for Filipino professionals working as domestics in Hong Kong.
The Centre’s Mariam Lee who is the service manager of the seniors’ training program, led the seminar, along with the core group of Philippine nurses in Hong Kong.
Lee praised Filipino workers for being loving and caring, as can be seen from the way they take care of families in Hong Kong.
One of the participants, Kristine May Yu, reacted by saying she was shocked by how badly the local staff at a nursing home were treating the senior clients there. She said she even argued with one employee because she witnessed the rude treatment given to a resident.
Lee replied that what Yu said could be true, largely because there are not enough staff to look after the elderly in such facilities. She encouraged those who witness any maltreatment to bring the matter immediately to the attention of authorities.
According to Lee, the training was designed to help ease the burden of Filipino workers looking after elderly wards.
She said the elderly has special needs, from physical, psychological and emotional, to social, spiritual and even intellectual. They also need to have a safe environment, and to be made to feel that they are safe and secured, loved and cared for.
Despite their age, they still need to feel recognized and appreciated for their ideas, abilities and talents. Thus, it is important that their choices are followed, and that they are given the chance to make their own decision, like what clothes they must wear.
To help seniors better, a caregiver should have the ability to identify problems and solve them. The carer should also make an effort to understand the elderly, and avoid judging or overreacting toward them.
The seminar was given the thumbs up by the participants, especially those who have elderly wards to look after.
One of them was Jojo Cosme who arrived only two months ago to look after an elderly couple. He said he found the training beneficial as it helped him upgrade his skills.
According to Sarahjean P. Ababao, a core nursing group member, another seminar targeting nurses will be held on Aug. 28. Those who would like to join the seminar should check out their Facebook page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong and like it to get updates on their acitivities.
Yu said she is among those looking at the reintegration schemes being worked on by Labatt de la Torre so she can go home and look after her son during his growing-up years.
In HK, civil service exam in, OEC out
Posted on 22 August 2016 No commentsLabor Attache Jalilo de la Torre |
The Philippine civil service examination is to be held in Hong Kong for the first time in November.
This was according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, who
said in a speech on Chater Road
yesterday, Aug. 21, that the date for the test is still being finalized by the
Professional Regulation Commission.
Labatt de la Torre also confirmed what was earlier reported
by The SUN: that the overseas employment certificate that thousands Filipino
workers had lined up for during peak seasons has been scrapped.
“Gusto ninyo ng
magandang balita, yung may kinalaman sa OEC? Wala na,” De la Torre said, to
the applause of the crowd at the Aliwan Festival organized by the Global
Alliance on Chater Road ,
Central.
“Simula sa Sept 15, wala na pong pila sa Konsulado para sa
pagkuha ng OEC,” he said.
But he said all OFWs going on vacation must register with
BMOnline to ensure their safe return to their worksites. Those who have already
done so and are returning to the same employers need not register again.
But those who have changed employers since registering, or those
whose employers have transferred to another place must again register with
BMOnline to update their personal information.
He urged those who have not yet registered online to do so
at the Consulate from Saturday to Thursday. He said those who do not register
would be barred from leaving by the Bureau of Immigration in Manila .
Global Alliance leaders say beauty pageant is their last |
De la Torre then turned to the event organizers, who were
visibly anticipating what he had to say after censuring them two months ago for
inviting him to an event which was spiced up with a beauty pageant with
gyrating contestants.
“Perhaps you are wondering why I’m here, because two months
ago I put a stop to beauty contests. But I don’t see anything indecent here,”
De la Torre said.
He said the reason he put a stop to beauty contests was his
belief that such pageants “degrade the dignity of Filipino women and lead to
serious indebtedness and my mind hasn’t changed. It is still what I believe
in.”
De la Torre said he graced the event because Global Alliance
chairman Leo Solomenio promised that the culture-inspired beauty contest that
highlighted Aliwan Festival was the last such pageant that the alliance
organized.
The labor attaché, however, praised the pageant for its creativeness
and for presenting Philippine culture. The 12 contestants wore costumes that
represented various ethnic groups and their colorful cultural festivals.
VC Bob Quintin |
Interestingly, their costumes were made of matted bamboo
slivers, dried tiger grass flowers, rambutan rind, chicken feather, and other
native materials.
“Kino-congratulate ko rin ang Global Alliance sa kanilang
Aliwan Festival at sana
ito na ang katapusan ng beauty contests na kanilang gagawin.” He said festivals such as this were all right
as longs as there are no women in bikinis.
Another guest, Vice Consul Bob Quintin of the Consulate’s
cultural section, praised the festival participants for the preparations that
each group made to depict the richness of various Philippine cultural fiestas.
“Kitang-kita naman. Wow! Wala akong masabi,” he said.
He thanked the organizers and the groups in Global Alliance
for highlighting the cultural wealth of the regions.
“I hope you also continue to support the Consulate and we
all also continue to support you, especially in your promotion of our country’s
culture,” Quintin said. -
Vir B. Lumicao
MUSIC FEATURE: 'But I Love No One But You' ng William Elvin and the Circus Tour
Posted on No comments
PANOORIN at PAKINGGAN:
Marami sa ating mga OFW ang nakaranas na ng panloloko mula sa ating mga asawa o karelasyon. Masakit sa damdamin ang malamang may ibang kinakasama ang ating mga minamahal habang tayo ay malayo sa kanila.
Ito ang kwento ng orihinal na awiting 'But I Love No One But You' ng William Elvin and the Circus Tour, isang bandang Pilipino dito sa Hong Kong.
Para sa mas marami pang impormasyon tungkol sa kanila, i-like ang kanilang Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/williamelvinmusic/
Pumunta rin sa kanilang official website para sa FREE download ng kanta: www.williamelvinmusic.com
Ang banda ay binubuo nina William Elvin, Satur Tiamson, Matt Mateo, at Rico Cristobal Jr.
Suportahan natin ang ating mga kababayang manlilikha dito sa Hong Kong!
LYRICS:
BUT I LOVE NO ONE BUT YOU
music and lyrics by William Elvin
She came along one lonely
night
When I had no one here to
feed my need of love
She said hello, gazed at me,
and smiled
So I took your picture from
my head
And dropped it to my hand,
instead
Then put it in my pocket for
a while
Then I took her home and we
made love
And in that moment, I was
free from you
Or at least, from your memory
As far as I can ever be
All that I wanted she had
And she gave it all to me:
Strength and security,
All that you were to me
Now she’s the one by my side
She spoke of love like you
did before
And I swear she sounded like
she’s true
She sang it in that tune I
heard from you
She’s all I have while you’re
far away
I hope that you would
understand,
It’s cold here in this
foreign land
Believe me that I love no one
but you
Small Claims Tribunal sets hearing of jobs ‘scam’ applicants
Posted on 21 August 2016 No commentsThe Small Claims Tribunal is in this building |
The hearings are slated to begin on Aug. 29 and will last until the third week of September.
Consul General Bernardita Catalla has assured the claimants of help since most of them are unable to attend the weekday hearings.
Officials from both the Consulate and the Hong Kong Labour Department have encouraged the workers to file claims with the tribunal for faster disposition.
The claimants are among the more than 200 Filipinos who have sought help from Philippine and Hong Kong authorities, claiming to have been duped into paying for the fictitious jobs.
All the complainants named Ylagan, using her solely-owned company, Mike’s Secretarial Services, which used to have a shop on the third floor of World WidePlaza in Central, as the one who briefed them about the jobs supposedly on offer.
During the briefing, Ylagan reportedly introduced herself as the “boss” of Mike’s and Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency, which had an adjacent office. She reportedly told the applicants she would not risk the solid reputation built by Emry’s in its 30 years of experience in the recruitment business, by offering them spurious jobs.
Latest records obtained from the Inland Revenue Department, however, show that Ylagan has been replaced as co-owner of Emry’s by her son, Ridge Michael Ylagan, as of July 15 this year, two days after its Central office was shut. Ricardo Ylagan is the other co-owner.
Mike’s records show on the other hand, that “international recruitment” was added to its nature of business as of June 17 this year. Before this, its business activities were limited to “typing, xeroxing and internet surfing”.
Both companies appear in the latest list of employment agencies licensed by the Employment Agencies Administration of the HK Labour Department.
Ylagan allegedly collected $10,000 from those applying for the jobs in Britain, and $15,000 for those bound for Canada. Most paid the total amount in cash, while a few asked to pay by installment. At least two of the claimants said they paid for themselves and another person, thus the claim for $20,000 each.
No receipts were issued to the applicants by Ylagan, who allegedly said she did not want to be taxed by the Hong Kong government. She said the money she collected would be sent to her partner in London for their FICC or foreign immigrant clearance certificate. However, Ylagan reportedly made them fill up “bio-data” sheets and recorded their payments on slips of paper. Some of these documents have apparently been retrieved by EAA officers, who have given copies to the concerned applicants.
The applicants started asking for their money back when the “job order” reportedly promised by Ylagan did not come as expected in June.
About a dozen applicants reportedly managed to get a refund from Ylagan in early June, after complaining to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the Mission for Migrant Workers.
In an interview with The SUN, Ylagan said she would return the applicants’ money, although she had already sent them all to her London partner she named as William Clinton James or William Clinton Erich. She said she had never met the man, and had communicated with him only via email.
But a few weeks later, she filed a complaint with the Central Police station, claiming a business partner had duped her out of $4.2 million. The police say they are still investigating the case.
Meanwhile, both the Consulate and the EAA have continued their separate investigations into the allegations.
EAA officers have called about a dozen applicants for interviews on various dates, and have reportedly asked them to act as witnesses in the case that would be filed against Ylagan and Emry’s.
Ylagan was also reportedly asked to appear for an interview, but she sent a solicitor in her stead.
The Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, on the other hand, says it continues to receive signed complaints from Ylagan’s recruits, some of whom have decided to return to the Philippines after being reportedly told they could return to Hong Kong as tourists and fly out to their destination with the others.
The developments came as solicitors acting for Emry’s and its “co-owners” Rick Ylagan and Ester Ylagan sent a “cease and desist” letter to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, The SUN publisher Leo Deocadiz and this author, in relation to the jobs scandal.
In the letter dated August 8, 2016, Wong & Co. Solicitors demanded that all three “cease and desist all defamation of character and reputation of Emry’s, Rick and Ester”.
The demand stemmed from Labatt de la Torre’s act of suspending the processing of work contracts by Emry’s due to Ester’s alleged violation of Philippine laws against third-country deployment by recruiting Filipinos for jobs in Britain and Canada.
The SUN, its editor and publisher were accused of acting with malice in reporting about the complaints against Ylagan and of conspiring with Labatt de la Torre in making defamatory statements against her, Rick and Emry’s.
Asked for a reaction to the solicitors’ letter, Labatt de la Torre told The SUN: “I will not be deterred by a letter from a solicitor in pursuing what I think is necessary to advance and protect the interests of OFWs in Hong Kong”.
The SUN’s own stance is clearly reflected in this article.
What you need to know
Posted on No comments
The Philippine Consulate General will be CLOSED on the following date:
Aug 29, Monday – National Heroes’ Day
*There will be no official transactions, including OEC issuance, at both the PCG and POLO on both dates. In case of emergency, call: 9155 4023 (consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO) or 6345 9324 (OWWA)
Attention: Filipina Registered Nurses
Are you a Registered Nurse working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong who cares for elderly and/or patients with dementia?
If so, please send a private message to the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong, giving the following details: Complete Name, E-mail Address, Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia), Mobile Number
LET in September
The Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT, formerly LET) will be held in Hong Kong on Sept, 25, Sunday. The deadline for the application for both repeaters (July 22) and new applicants (July 29) has not passed.
For more information on the Teachers Board, please visit the FB page of the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT) – HK Chapter, like it and send a private message.
Caritas Lessons
For queries, call Sisca on 2147-5988.
Sunday Basic Cantonese
(Sponsored by Home Affairs Department of the Goverment of the HKSAR). Sept 4-Dec 18, 2016 (total: 16 Sundays)
10:00am – 1pm (total: 50 hours). Target : ethnic minorities with HKID. Fee: $100 each, including materials, half fee for CSSA recipients. Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Saturday Beads Making Class
Sept 3- Oct 15 (6 Saturdays), 2:00pm – 5:00 pm (18 hours total)
Target : foreign domestic helpers.Fee: $100/ head including materials.Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
Aug 29, Monday – National Heroes’ Day
*There will be no official transactions, including OEC issuance, at both the PCG and POLO on both dates. In case of emergency, call: 9155 4023 (consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO) or 6345 9324 (OWWA)
Attention: Filipina Registered Nurses
Are you a Registered Nurse working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong who cares for elderly and/or patients with dementia?
If so, please send a private message to the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong, giving the following details: Complete Name, E-mail Address, Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia), Mobile Number
LET in September
The Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT, formerly LET) will be held in Hong Kong on Sept, 25, Sunday. The deadline for the application for both repeaters (July 22) and new applicants (July 29) has not passed.
For more information on the Teachers Board, please visit the FB page of the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT) – HK Chapter, like it and send a private message.
Caritas Lessons
For queries, call Sisca on 2147-5988.
Sunday Basic Cantonese
(Sponsored by Home Affairs Department of the Goverment of the HKSAR). Sept 4-Dec 18, 2016 (total: 16 Sundays)
10:00am – 1pm (total: 50 hours). Target : ethnic minorities with HKID. Fee: $100 each, including materials, half fee for CSSA recipients. Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Saturday Beads Making Class
Sept 3- Oct 15 (6 Saturdays), 2:00pm – 5:00 pm (18 hours total)
Target : foreign domestic helpers.Fee: $100/ head including materials.Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
What's on where
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Magtanong kay DoK: 'Bangungot'
Aug 21, 2 pm onwards, Consulate Public Area
Guest Speaker: Dr Romeo V Orteza, MD. Admission is free but registration is required as slots are limited. Call: 2823 8537
3rd Tapuey Festival
Aug 21, pm, Ice House St. Central . For inquiry pls call Nica Tabao-Ican at mobile # 67746487.
Free Financial Literacy Seminar
Aug 21, pm, Bayanihan Centre. Organized by CARD MRI OFW HK Foundation. For inquiries, call 54238195/95296392
Aliwan Festival
Aug. 21, whole day, Chater Road, Central
Organized by: Global Alliance. Features: Street dance and singing contests and search for Miss Aliwan 2016
Making Wrongs Right Seminar
(Know your rights in HK). Aug. 28, 2pm-5pm, Resurrection Church Sai Kung.1 Pak Sha Wan Centre, HK. Target audience: migrant workers, NGOs, clergy. Co-organizers: Resurrection Church and Global Alliance
Learn to drive information seminar
Sept. 11, 1:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room, PCG
14/F United Centre, Admiralty.Organized by: ROAD HK. For details, please visit ROAD-HK's Facebook page or call Tek Barro 67788167/ Mar 93850546
Free Forum for Nurses
Oct. 9, Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town. Speakers from Australia and New Zealand, and agencies deploying to Germany and Qatar are coming to orient registered nurses about the working conditions in those markets. For full details, visit the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong. Like it, and message your full name and mobile number.
Aug 21, 2 pm onwards, Consulate Public Area
Guest Speaker: Dr Romeo V Orteza, MD. Admission is free but registration is required as slots are limited. Call: 2823 8537
3rd Tapuey Festival
Aug 21, pm, Ice House St. Central . For inquiry pls call Nica Tabao-Ican at mobile # 67746487.
Free Financial Literacy Seminar
Aug 21, pm, Bayanihan Centre. Organized by CARD MRI OFW HK Foundation. For inquiries, call 54238195/95296392
Aliwan Festival
Aug. 21, whole day, Chater Road, Central
Organized by: Global Alliance. Features: Street dance and singing contests and search for Miss Aliwan 2016
Making Wrongs Right Seminar
(Know your rights in HK). Aug. 28, 2pm-5pm, Resurrection Church Sai Kung.1 Pak Sha Wan Centre, HK. Target audience: migrant workers, NGOs, clergy. Co-organizers: Resurrection Church and Global Alliance
Learn to drive information seminar
Sept. 11, 1:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room, PCG
14/F United Centre, Admiralty.Organized by: ROAD HK. For details, please visit ROAD-HK's Facebook page or call Tek Barro 67788167/ Mar 93850546
Free Forum for Nurses
Oct. 9, Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town. Speakers from Australia and New Zealand, and agencies deploying to Germany and Qatar are coming to orient registered nurses about the working conditions in those markets. For full details, visit the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong. Like it, and message your full name and mobile number.
Another job ‘scam’ emerges as victims seek POLO help
Posted on No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
Five Filipina maids have sought the Consulate’s help in recovering huge sums they claim to have paid for purported jobs in Canada, in what appears to be another scam targeting Hong Kong-based overseas Filipino workers.
Three of them, who requested anonymity, went to the office of Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre on July 10 and 17 and filed affidavits to support their claims for a refund against Charisse Cruz and/or Judith Ga.
They all told de la Torre that Cruz and Ga appeared to be the same person.
Two of them disclosed a link between the Ontario-based recruiter and Joyce Agency, an employment agency in Tsuen Wan that was padlocked last year by the Labour Department for overcharging an applicant.
Claimant “A” said she paid Cruz a total of $30,000 in two remittances through WEstern Union. She said she addressed the payments to Ga, allegedly the designated recipient of all payments.
Claimant “B” paid a total of $34,434 to Cruz via Ga in tranches that carried over from a $20,000 she had originally paid Joyce Agency for a supposed Canadian job that never materialized. The payments were made between Nov 6, 2014 and April 25, 2015.
Claimant “C”, who said she was also contacted by Cruz after being referred by Joyce owner Fe Cheung, was claiming $40,000 that the Ontario-based recruiter charged her on various dates between November 2014 and May 2015.
Labatt De la Torre, who personally took the statements and prepared the affidavits of each of the claimants, said he would send a copy of the affidavits to the POLO in Ontario and ask for the post’s help in locating Cruz/Ga.
The last two of the group were set to go to the POLO on Aug 7 to execute their affidavits. One of them told The SUN she had received an initial refund of CA$1,000 from Cruz which, per instruction of the recruiter, she would have to split with the other applicant.
“Cherisse promised to make weekly partial refunds of CA$1,000, but that was just once and since then she has not responded to SMS messages,” the claimant said.
The claimants came to know Cruz separately through different connections, but one said it was Fe Cheung who referred her to Cruz after failing to refund the $20,000 paid by the job applicant for a promised employer in Canada.
The claimant said she made the payment to Cheung in November 2014, and two weeks later, was told that she already had an employer.
But despite repeated follow-ups, the promised job never materialized. In December 2014 Cheung told the applicant that Cruz would contact her about her application.
A month afterwards, Cheung sent Cruz’s telephone number and the applicant and the recruiter talked for the first time.
Cruz allegedly told the claimant that of the $20,000 she had paid Joyce, only $13,000 was remitted by Cheung and that the applicant needed to pay a total of $40,000.
That’s when the money flow to Canada started, with Cruz making excuses for the delay in obtaining a Labour Market Opinion for the claimant, and appeasing her with “konting tiis” and “be positive”.
On June 9, 2015, the news from Cruz was Canada was tightening up on job sponsorships and that she was “trying to get all applications to be approved before they close any sponsorship.”
After that, Cruz stopped replying to the claimants’ inquiries.
Five Filipina maids have sought the Consulate’s help in recovering huge sums they claim to have paid for purported jobs in Canada, in what appears to be another scam targeting Hong Kong-based overseas Filipino workers.
Three of them, who requested anonymity, went to the office of Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre on July 10 and 17 and filed affidavits to support their claims for a refund against Charisse Cruz and/or Judith Ga.
They all told de la Torre that Cruz and Ga appeared to be the same person.
Two of them disclosed a link between the Ontario-based recruiter and Joyce Agency, an employment agency in Tsuen Wan that was padlocked last year by the Labour Department for overcharging an applicant.
Claimant “A” said she paid Cruz a total of $30,000 in two remittances through WEstern Union. She said she addressed the payments to Ga, allegedly the designated recipient of all payments.
Claimant “B” paid a total of $34,434 to Cruz via Ga in tranches that carried over from a $20,000 she had originally paid Joyce Agency for a supposed Canadian job that never materialized. The payments were made between Nov 6, 2014 and April 25, 2015.
Claimant “C”, who said she was also contacted by Cruz after being referred by Joyce owner Fe Cheung, was claiming $40,000 that the Ontario-based recruiter charged her on various dates between November 2014 and May 2015.
Labatt De la Torre, who personally took the statements and prepared the affidavits of each of the claimants, said he would send a copy of the affidavits to the POLO in Ontario and ask for the post’s help in locating Cruz/Ga.
The last two of the group were set to go to the POLO on Aug 7 to execute their affidavits. One of them told The SUN she had received an initial refund of CA$1,000 from Cruz which, per instruction of the recruiter, she would have to split with the other applicant.
“Cherisse promised to make weekly partial refunds of CA$1,000, but that was just once and since then she has not responded to SMS messages,” the claimant said.
The claimants came to know Cruz separately through different connections, but one said it was Fe Cheung who referred her to Cruz after failing to refund the $20,000 paid by the job applicant for a promised employer in Canada.
The claimant said she made the payment to Cheung in November 2014, and two weeks later, was told that she already had an employer.
But despite repeated follow-ups, the promised job never materialized. In December 2014 Cheung told the applicant that Cruz would contact her about her application.
A month afterwards, Cheung sent Cruz’s telephone number and the applicant and the recruiter talked for the first time.
Cruz allegedly told the claimant that of the $20,000 she had paid Joyce, only $13,000 was remitted by Cheung and that the applicant needed to pay a total of $40,000.
That’s when the money flow to Canada started, with Cruz making excuses for the delay in obtaining a Labour Market Opinion for the claimant, and appeasing her with “konting tiis” and “be positive”.
On June 9, 2015, the news from Cruz was Canada was tightening up on job sponsorships and that she was “trying to get all applications to be approved before they close any sponsorship.”
After that, Cruz stopped replying to the claimants’ inquiries.
Migrants to rally for $5k monthly wage, ban on window cleaning
Posted on 18 August 2016 No comments![]() |
Two Pinays pictured while cleaning windows |
Migrant workers are planning a big rally next month to push
their demand for a $5,000 monthly pay. They also want their food allowance
raised to $1,600 and to have the same number of working hours as other Hong Kong employees.
In addition, they are urging the Hong
Kong government to stop employers from ordering their helpers
to clean windows from the outside.
The new call follows last week’s fatal fall of a Filipino helper in Tseung Kwan O while reportedly cleaning windows.
The new call follows last week’s fatal fall of a Filipino helper in Tseung Kwan O while reportedly cleaning windows.
The demands were among those submitted by migrant support
organizations to Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung when he conferred
with them in his Sheung Wan office in the run-up to the government’s annual
wage review,
“We presented our
$5,000 proposal and also discussed the safety of workers because of the
succession of work-related deaths of domestic helpers,” Dolores Balladares, Unifil-Migrante
Hong Kong chairwoman, said in an interview with The SUN on Aug 17.
But she said Labour officials who invited workers’
representatives to the meeting hinted they shouldn’t expect much because of
uncertainties in the local economy.
“We are planning to stage a big rally around the second week
of September to press the government on our wage petition, but we will hold
daily pickets at the Labour Department to step up the pressure before the big
one,” Balladares said.
On the window cleaning ban, Balladares cited the risks faced
by helpers forced to do such a task. This was graphically shown when 35-year-old Rinalyn
Dulluog fell to her death on Aug 9 reportedly while cleaning the exterior of
the window of her employers’ flat in Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O.
Another incident was the one reported by The SUN in which two
Filipinas in Taiwai were ordered by their boss to climb out and wipe the
exterior of a window. Luckily, they were rescued by Consulate officials before
they could get hurt.
“Cleaning window exteriors is a task that should not be assigned
to domestic workers, because that work should be the responsibility of building
management,” said Balladares.
Joining her at the meeting with Cheung were Unifil secretary-general Eman Villanueva and Mission
for Migrant Workers general manager Cynthia Tellez.
The three also prodded Cheung on the inclusion of domestic
workers in the legislation on the maximum working hours.
“We discussed with him the need for domestic workers to have
at least 11 hours of rest, including their meal time and sleep, so that they
can do their work better. For how can they perform well if, having little food,
they also get very little rest?” Balladares said. – Vir B. Lumicao
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