Filipino DHs will no longer clean window exteriors from Oct 15

No more cleaning of windows
from outside from Oct 15

From Oct. 15, employers of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong will be prohibited from ordering their maid to clean the exterior part of windows.

This is in line with a new memorandum issued by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on Oct. 1, and directed to all accredited employment agencies.

The move came in the wake of calls for the said exclusion from domestic work, following a rash of cases of maids falling from height while cleaning windows, including Rinalyn Dulluog who fell from a Lohas Park high rise on Aug. 9. Her death has led to the coining of the so-called  “Rinalyn Exception”.

Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello tried during his visit to Hong Kong from Sept 23-25 to get his local counterpart Matthew Cheung to agree to the exclusion, but failed to get a definite response. 

Following that visit, Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre issued the memorandum which in part said:

“Pursuant to POLO's mandate to protect the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers, and by virtue of a directive from the Office of the Secretary of Labor and Employment, effective Oct 15, 2016, all contracts of employment submitted individually and by agencies should contain a Rinalyn Exception in the Schedule of Accommodation and Duties, No. 5, which our online filing system, EmployEasy, will automatically print on all contracts as:

"For safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not part of the domestic helper's duties." 

Please ensure that employers read this part and understand it before they sign the contract you will submit to us for verification and authentication”.

AMCB's Eman Villanueva

POLO’s order was immediately applauded by the Association of Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB), a coalition of migrant support groups, and the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies.

Unifil-Migrante spokesperson Eman Villanueva said, “We welcome POLO’s initiative. It’s a positive move because even with limited capacity and jurisdiction, Labatt de la Torre found a way to respond to our call for improved safety for our workers”.

Thomas Chan, head of the agencies’ group said, “My association supports this idea”. However, he expressed reservations about De la Torre’s plan to print the exclusion directly on the contract, saying this might invalidate the document.

“What we told Labatt is that the exclusion should just be included in a separate document outlining the agencies’ undertaking,” said Chan.

HKUEA's Thomas Chan

He also admitted that some agencies had reservations about the ban, as they anticipate most employers to express resistance.

“They might be thinking, ‘who would clean the windows then?’, but we plan to educate the employers so hopefully, they would come to accept it”.

Villanueva said that a ban on window cleaning is not unusual as it has been in force in Singapore since 2012, also as a result of accidents involving domestic workers.

But Hong Kong has reportedly balked at the idea because it does not want to open the floodgates to other concern groups demanding changes in the standard employment contract, including an employers’ organization that is pushing for a trial period for newly hired maids.

“Ni-raise na naming iyan noon pang August, pero ang mabilis nilang sagot e, mahihirapan silang i-amend yung standard contract kasi yung mga employers at agencies ay may gusto ding ipabago”, said Villanueva.

Still, he said his group will keep on pressing the government to include the prohibition in the contract to enhance workers’ safety.

In the meantime, he said his group plans to lobby the Indonesian consulate to also include the prohibition in the contracts for their newly hired domestic workers.

If both the Philippine and Indonesian governments would add the safety provision, Villanueva said more than 90% of all foreign domestic workers would already be covered, and Hong Kong would not have much reason not to extend the protection to others.- The SUN-HK

Pagsubok ng magkakaibigan

Sa kanilang magkakaibigan, unang nakakaranas ng pagbabago sa trabaho at sa bagong pamilyang pinagsisilbihan si Aida. Nang umalis ng Hong Kong ang pamilyang pinagsilibihan niya ng apat na taon, nakakuha naman ng bagong amo si Aida sa Mid-levels.

Bukod sa nahihirapan siyang mag-adjust, ika nga, iba ang ugali ng bagong among Eurasian kesa sa dating amo niya na mga Australian. Ang akala ni Aida ay mas madali ang trabaho dito dahil wala siyang batang aalagaan, ngunit tila nagkamali siya dahil bukod sa napaka demanding ng bagong amo ay parang hindi sila magkakasundo.

Isang araw ay nadatnan ni Aida isang araw pag-uwi niya galing sa day off na may bagong tuta at kuting na sa bahay nila. May bago na siyang aalagaan. Wala namang problema sa kanya dahil mahilig naman si Aida sa hayop; yun  nga lang, napakaraming kaartehan ang kanyang among babae pagdating sa pag-aalaga ng mga ito. Hindi na lang kumikibo si Aida at sinusunod na lang ang lahat ng utos dahil ayaw niyang magkaroon pa sila ng sagutan ng kanyang mataray na amo.

Si Nene naman ang kung tutuusin ay pinakamasuwerte sa amo, bukod sa malaki ang kanyang sahod sa mga Amerikanong amo, halos nalibot na niya ang mundo dahil kasama siya sa lahat ng holiday ng pamilyang kanyang pinagsisilbihan.

Nakatakda nang mag for good ang pamilya sa UK sa susunod na taon at gusto siyang isama ng mga ito, kaya lang, kung  hindi siya makakuha ng working visa doon, malamang na maiwan siya dito sa Hong Kong. Ito ang pangamba ni Nene dahil alam niyang makahanap man siya ng bagong amo dito ay imposibleng makuha niya ang dating sahod niya.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit nag-aral siya ng pagmamaneho ng sasakyan. Sakaling pumasa siya at makuha bilang lady driver ay malaki ang pag-asa na makakuha siya ng sweldo na malaki.

Ang kaibigan naman nilang si Mary ay may pangamba din sa nalalapit na pagreretiro ng kanyang amo dahil balaki nitong lumipat ng ibang bansa. Sampung taon din siyang nagtrabaho sa mag-asawang Australian at nakasanayan na niya ang mga ito na tinuring na rin siyang pamilya.

Nangangamba si Mary na maninibago siya sakaling lumipat siya ng ibang amo. Ang sabi naman sa kanya ng kanyang mga kaibigan, hindi siya mahihirapang maghanap ng bagong amo dahil napakasipag niya at magaling magluto.

Sa apat na magkakaibigan, si Jay naman ang may among walang balak mag for good dahil kahit retirado na ito ay hindi aalis ng Hong Kong. Ang matandang Briton ay 20 taon na niyang amo. Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang ika sampung kontrata, uuwi na si Jay sa Pilipinas.

May mga pangamba din siya na maninibago tiyak siya sa pamumuhay sa Pilipinas ngunit nakahanda siya dito dahil na rin sa matagal na siyang pinauuwi ng kanyang mga kapatid. Mahigit 30 taon na rin siya dito sa Hong Kong at gusto na rin niyang makasama ang kanyang pamilya.

Maraming mga pagbabago ang nakaamba sa kanilang magkakaibigan ngunit alam nilang makakaya nila ang mga ito dahil lahat sila ay may mga pangarap at magkakaiba man ito, alam nilang matutupad din nila ang mga ito. –Jo Campos

Ipinaglaban niya ang ipinagbuntis na baby

Pinayuhan ng doktor si Bella na ilaglag ang kanyang ipinagbubuntis pitong taon na ang nakakaraan dahil may diperemsiya daw ang sanggol, at maaaring pati ang buhay niya mismo ay malagay sa alanganin dahil sa kanyang karamdaman  Masyadong mababa ang bilang ng red blood cells niya dahil sa nilalabanan niyang sakit  at ayon sa doktor hindi kakayanin ng katawan niya ang magbuntis.

Ngunit hundi pumayag si Bella sa gusto ng doktor, at ang sabi ay Diyos lamang daw ang may karapatang bumawi sa kanyang ipinagbubuntis.  Naniniwala daw siya na dahil sa kanyang pananampalataya ay magiging maayos ang kalagayan nilang mag-ina.

Medyo may edad na din kasi si Bella noong ikinasal siya dahil inunang tinulungan ang mga kapatid sa kanilang pag-aaral.

Laking pasasalamat niya sa Panginoon dahil lumabas na normal at malusog ang kanyang anak, na ngayon ay nasa Grade 7 na.  Napakaganda at matalinong bata ang kanyang naging anak, at lagi niyang naiisip  ngayon na kung hindi lamang daw malakas ang paniniwala niya sa Panginoon ay wala sana siyang anghel  ngayon.

Regular pa rin ang check-up niya para makontrol ang sakit niya sa dugo, habang patuloy na naninilbihan sa kanyang mga mababait na among Chinese sa New Territories. Ang anak niya ay nasa pangangalaga ng kanyang butihing asawa sa Pilipinas. - Marites Palma

Bello to seek legal status for 200K Pinoys in China

By Vir B. Lumicao

President Rodrigo Duterte may visit Beijing before the end of October, ostensibly in a bid to improve frayed relations between the Philippines and China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

This was disclosed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a press conference in Hong Kong on Sept 25, who also said that he was himself  planning to visit Beijing this month to seek legal status for as many as 200,000 Filipinos working illegally in China.

Bello, answering a question from Gloria Cheung of the Financial Times about Filipino illegal workers on the mainland, said he wanted to visit China soon, but he would have to go to Oslo, Norway first for the resumption of peace negotiations talks with Communist rebels.

“After my visit to Oslo, I may join our President who earlier intimated to me his intention to visit China. So it would be before the end of October, unless he decides first to go to Saudi Arabia to thank the King for having been very generous and very protective of our overseas workers. If the President goes, then I go,” the labor secretary said.

He said he intended to pursue his earlier plan to visit China, maybe Beijing, “and talk to the authorities on how to legitimize the stay of our workers and at the same time look at the possibility of bringing in more workers under legitimate circumstances.”

The secretary said that two weeks before flying to Hong Kong on Sept 23, he was informed by Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre that there are 100,000 to 200,000 Filipino overseas workers in China.
“Of course, the news was alarming, so, my immediate reaction was to go to China and make representation with the Chinese government on how to legitimize the stay of our overseas workers there,” Bello said.

Asked by Cheung why he thought Beijing would allow Filipinos to work on the mainland despite an oversupply of domestic workers there, Bello said he believed the market was big enough to absorb the OFWs already there.

He also said the Filipino workers would not necessarily compete with locals.

"Our intention is premised on the fact that your country will always need the services of our people, otherwise we won’t be bringing in anymore new workers to your country except to look into the problems of our almost 200,000 workers there now whose stay must be legitimized,” Bello said.

Bello, tumugon sa hinaing ng migrante

Ni Gina N. Ordona  

Positibong tinugunan ni Labor Secretary  Silvestre Bello III ang karamihan sa mga panawan ng mga migranteng manggagawsa Hong Kong sa isang pagpupulong na ginanap sa University of HK noong ika-25 ng Set.

Kasama ni Sec. Bello na humarap sa mahigit 200 lider ng iba't-ibang organisasyon gaya ng dating pinuno ng Philippine Overseas Employment Administration na si Hans J. Cacdac at si Rebecca J. Calzado,  dating administrator ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Karamihan sa mga isyu ay agarang binigyan ni Bello ng kasagutan pero ang ilan ay sinabi niyang pag-aaralan muna nang husto. Isa dito ang usapin tungkol sa pagbabawal ng direct hiring. Hindi man lubusan niya itong sinang-ayunan pero sinabi niya na pag-aaaralan daw muna nila ng husto ang mungkahing tanggalin ang pagbabawal ng direct hiring. Sinabi niyang mahirap itong ibalik dahil ngayon nga daw na may recruitment agencies ay marami pa rin ang nagiging biktima ng mga illegal recruiter.

“Kasi maingat ako e. Kapag direct hire, meron danger na magiging biktima ng human trafficking,” sabi ni Bello.

Gayunpaman, matapos bigyang linaw nina Dolores Balladares at  Eman Villanueva na ang hinihiling lang naman ay para sa mga dati nang nandito sa HK at sila mismo ang nakahanap ng amo. Ito ay para daw maiwasan ang mga ilegal na bayarin  na sinisingil ng recruitment agencies.

"Pag-aralan kong mabuti at baka papayag ako kung ire-recommend ni Administrator Cacdac at Administrator Calzado. Basta meron yung tinatawag na proseso,” sabi ni Bello.

Kaugnay naman sa ilegal at sobra-sobrang sinisingil ng mga ahensiya, sinabi ni Bello na kung wala nang placement fee, wala na din dapat training fee.

"My idea is that, when you recruit, you select the right people for the job. You train at kapag hindi natuto huwag mong kunin,” sabi niya.

Ngunit nilinaw ni Cacdac na wala nang babayaran na placement fee sa POEA kundi training fee na lang. Ayon daw sa Tesda, dapat Php7,000 lang ang training cost pero kung kasama ang board and lodging ay aabot ito ng Php 15,000.  Ang babayaran naman sa pagsusulit para  makakuha ng sertipiko ay Php 400 lang. Sa kabila nito, lumalabas daw sa kanilang pagsisiyasat na idinadagdag ng ilang recruitment agencies ang placement fee sa training fee. Dahil dito ay  marami na daw silang kinansela na lisensya ng mga recruitment agency .

Ayon kay Cacdac mahigit 240 na ang bilang ng mga ahensiya na kinansela ang lisensiya dahil sa ilegal na pagsingil ng placement fee. Hinikayat din niya ang mga biktima na isumbong ang mga ahensyang lumalabag sa batas upang mapatawan nila ng kaukulang parusa.

Sa panig naman ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office,sinabi ni Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre na dumalo din sa pagpupulong, paparusahan din niya  din niya mga ahensiya na naniningil na sobra sa itinakdang 10% ng isang buwan na sahod.

Sa usapin naman ng OEC o overseas employment  certificate, sinabi ni Bello na may  ginawa na siyang circular tungkol dito. Sinabi niya na kapag umuwi at bumalik ang manggagawa sa parehong employer at parehong lugar ay hindi na kailangang magbayad ng OEC.

“Pero puwede siguro nating pag-usapan pa na kung puwede ay huwag na,” sabi ni Bello.  Bukas daw ang kanyang  tanggapan para pag-usapan ang tuluyan nang pag-alis sa OEC. Pero dapat daw na kunsultahin  muna ang POEA at OWWA tungkol dito.

Bilang dagdag paliwanag, sinabi ni Cacdac na maiging pumunta sa Polo para alamin kung nasa talaan ng POEA ang pangalan.

“One time only lang ang pagpunta ninyo sa POLO. Tutulungan nila kayo pala malaman kung nandun na kayo sa data base. Kung hindi naman,ipapasok ang pangalan ninyo sa talaan. After that, puwede na ninyong gawin ang update sa online,” sabi ni Cacdac.

Sinabi din niya na may dene-develop silang mobile application para lalo pang mapadali ang proseso sa pagkuha ng OEC.

Samantala, nais din ni Bello na tuluyan nang tanggalin ang pre-departure orientation seminar o PDOS dahil ginagamit daw ito ng ilan para kumita.

“Ayaw kong mangako pero basically I’m against PDOS specially  kung may babayaran,” sabi ni Bello.

Sa usapin ng OWWA, hindi pumayag si Bello na ibigay ang kahilingan na gawing voluntary ang membership at hindi gawing kundisyon sa pagproseso ng kontrata.

“Bakit ayaw ninyong maging member? Proteksiyon niyo yan,”sabi ni Bello.

Binanggit din niya ang plano ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magkaroon ng sariling bangko ang mga OFW. Baka raw bilhin ng  OWWA ang Philippine Postal Bank at tatawaging itong OFW Bank.
Sa kasalukuyan, sinabi ni Bello na umaabot na ng Php 19.2 billion ang pondo ng OWWA at ipinangako niya na para sa kapakanan ng OFWs lang gagamitin ang pera.

Nangako din si Bello na titingnan ang kasong isinampa ng Coalation of Service Providers for Ethnic Minorities laban sa dating Labor Attache na si Manuel Roldan. Sinabi ni Bello na pag-aaralan niya ang pagsampa ng kasong palsipikasyon imbes na misconduct lang laban kay Roldan.  Maging ang abogadong humahawak sa kaso ay kakausapin daw niya dahil matagal na itong nakabinbin.

Dininig din ni Bello ang kahilingan ng mga migranteng manggagawa sa Macau, kabilang ang pagbubukas ng Konsulado  doon tuwing araw ng Linggo, at ang pagkakaroon ng matutuluyan ng mga manggagawang may problema.

Nagmalaki si Pinay, pinababa tuloy

Nasisante si Joy dahil ayaw sumunod sa pakiusap ng amo na umuwi siya nang medyo maaga tuwing Linggo ng gabi dahil kinabukasan ay may pasok sila sa kanilang trabaho. Matapang pa si Joy sa pagsasabing araw ng pahinga niya iyon kaya uuwi siya kung kailan niya gusto.

Hindi niya naisip na  maaga pa lang ay pinapayagan na siyang lumabas tuwing Sabado ng gabi, at kinabukasan na ang uwi.

Kampante siya na hindi siya papalitan ng amo dahil spoiled daw siya sa kanila. Dahil likas na mababait ang mga amo ay hindi sila nagparamdaman ng kakaiba kay Joy.

Pero isang araw, nabigla na lamang si Joy at halos mapaiyak sa sama ng loob nang dumating na ang kanyang kapalit at pinapababa na siya ora mismo. Noon lamang siya natauhan ngunit huli na ang lahat. Gayunpaman, nanatili siyang mapang-mataas.

Naikuwento niya sa isang ka building na pinababa siya dahil hindi daw siya  pumayag sa gusto ng amo na isama siya sa Amerika, at mag-anak ng isa pa. Dahil daw umayaw  siya ay pinababa siya nang wala sa oras.

Tiyempo namang nagkakwentuhan sa bus ang kinuwentuhan at isang malapit kay Joy, kaya lumabas din ang katotohanan. Napatawa na lamang ang dalawang Pinay at ang sabi ng isa ay napakayabang kasi ni Joy at abusado kaya iyon ang napala niya.

Si Joy ay isang Bisaya. at kandarapa ngayon sa paghahahap ng bagong amo. - Marites Palma

Bello eyes falsification in case against Roldan

By The SUN Team

The case against former labor attaché in Hong Kong, Manuel Roldan, is not yet over
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III promised to review the case against Roldan, who was accused of allowing his driver to operate an employment agency in violation of anti-graft laws and accrediting 90 new agencies despite a long-standing freeze on the practice.

Bello said at a community forum organized by Unifil-Migrante and Bayan HK on Sept 25  that he would consider charging the former labor attaché with falsification of public documents instead of simple misconduct.

This stemmed from a finding made by an investigating panel formed by the Consulate that the employment contract of Roldan’s driver, Donald Retirado, had been tampered with to make it look like he was no longer employed by the government when his daughter formed an employment agency.

Roldan allowed the agency to be accredited with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration but denied knowing beforehand its connection to his driver.
The labor secretary said he would also speak to the lawyer handling the case of Roldan because, accordingly, it had long been pending.

The case against Roldan was filed in mid-2014 by the Coalition of Service Providers for Ethnic Minorities, a group of NGOs that is helping distressed migrant workers.

An investigative panel formed by Consul General Bernardita Catalla to look into the complaint found he had a case to answer. Congen Catalla endorsed the findings to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which in turn referred the case to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Roldan returned to the Philippines in October that year, after completing his tour of duty.

But after a hearing where only Roldan was called to testify, a. Dole panel formed by then Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz found the former labor attache guilty of simple misconduct for which he was to be suspended from work for one month, or pay the equivalent in pay as fine
Bello admitted that the case had not yet reached his desk, but invited parties with other complaints against Roldan to come forward.

“First, it (Roldan’s case) has not officially reached my desk. But I was just reading awhile ago about the case of Mr Roldan, who was convicted of an offense of grave misconduct but, upon motion for reconsideration, his conviction was reduced to simple misconduct and was given a one-month suspension or fine,” Bello said at a press conference at the Consulate.

“I understand that Mr Roldan appealed the resolution lowering his penalty to one month or fine. But, anyway, it was a fine. In other words, this case has not become final and executory, so we will have to do away with a resolution on his motion for reconsideration,” Bello said.

The labor secretary said he did not know if there were other complaints against Roldan. “If you have additional information, I would appreciate it,” Bello said.

CSPEM and migrants’ groups have long been outraged that Baldoz had practically cleared Roldan of the charges without calling them to present their evidence against him.

Dole said then that Roldan was not aware that the agency he allowed to be accredited was owned by Retirado's daughter.

It also did not deem him to have acted in bad faith when he approved the accreditation of 90 new agencies during his three-year term.

OWWA contribution now valid for two years

A long-standing demand by overseas Filipino workers has finally been addressed, though Ironically, not by the present administration, but the past.

Addressing Filipino community leaders on Sept. 25, former OWWA administrator Rebecca J. Calzado announced that a law signed on May 31 this year by former president Benigno S. Aquino III made the US$25 members' contribution valid for two years, unlike in the past when an OFW had to pay the fee for each employment contract processed.

“Which therefore means, if you are prematurely terminated, your membership is still good for two years,” sabi ni Calzado.

Under OWWA Act 108001, longtime members will also be entitled to a rebate “Those of you that have made a minimum contribution of 10 years, pero hindi pa siya naka-avail ni minsan sa benefits ng OWWA, meron kayong rebates,” Calzado said.

However, she cautioned that the new law still needs implementing guidelines, which in turn, would require a consultation among stakeholders on how the rebate program could be put into effect.
Another benefit provided under the new law is the increase in the number of OFW representatives in the OWWA Board of Trustees. OFWs, both land-based and sea-based, will now have two representatives each, instead of just one. - Gina N. Ordona

HK gov’t says Emry's will be prosecuted

Visiting Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III  meets with representatives of Emry’s victims.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Hong Kong government officials have given assurance that an employment agency said to be behind a multi-million dollar jobs scam to Britain and Canada that victimized hundreds of Filipino workers will be prosecuted.

This was according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, who said the assurance came during talks on Sept. 23 between Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello IIII and his Hong Kong counterpart Matthew Cheung.

The recruitment agency in question, Emry's Service Staff Employment Agency, along with its former owner, Ester P. Ylagan, have beenx identified by more than 200 Filipino complainants as being behind the fraud.

Bello, who visited Hong Kong between Sept 23-25, was grilled, along with key members of his delegation, on the issue of Emry’s and other agencies that offered non-existent jobs to OFWs in places like Britain, Canada, Russia, Turkey and Saipan.

“The (Emry’s) issue has been discussed with Labour Secretary Matthew Cheung and he assured us in no uncertain terms that there will be prosecution in the Labour Court by the Employment Agencies Administration and summonses will be issued,” De la Torre said.

However, a criminal prosecution is still not in the cards as the Hong Kong police are still said to be investigating.

POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac said his office is also on top of the case.

“To show our resolve to look into this matter, we have suspended Emry’s from the Philippine employment program both from the POEA and on their (Hong Kong) side. We are starting with the first significant step and we’ll dig deep into this matter,” he said.

He also hinted that a human trafficking case  could be filed as a result of investigations from the Philippine end.

"As you know there is also an Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking and … so there will also be a coordinated effort with IACAT at home. And definitely we are also coordinating with Labatt De la Torre who, in turn. coordinates with the Hong Kong side,” said Cacdac.

De la Torre added that POLO is seeking to consolidate the cases for easier monitoring, as they are currently being heard individually by the Small Claims Tribunal.

He also introduced two of around 600 claimants in the case, Ronia Benalio and Elvira Balajadia, who showed up at the press conference to appeal for help from Sec. Bello.

Bello stood and walked over to Benalio and Balajadia, both domestic workers, as they handed a letter signed by several jobseekers who claimed to have paid Ylagan between $10,000 and $15,000 for the fake jobs.

He spoke with them a few minutes about their case and endorsed their letter to his legal staff, Atty Allan Ty. At the same time, Bello assured the two women that Labatt De la Torre would look after their case

Bello and his team were put on the defensive by Filipino journalist Jun Concepcion, who implied that the Philippine government was not doing enough to prevent such scams.

“It is a case of too late the hero. People have already been victimized (and) the government is hard-pressed to help the victims,” said Concepcion, who said that there was no way for workers to verify at the Consulate if the job offers were real.

But De la Torre replied that in the case of Emry’s, his office had verified with POLO London that there were no job orders.

“Particularly with Emry’s, we did our jobs. We checked with POLO London and POLO London certified that there are no existing jobs for nannies, caregivers, whatever. So, we did our jobs as part of the data checking out,” the labor attaché said.

He received support from Consul General Bernie Catalla who said the workers were also to blame.
"The problem really is with our Filipino workers because they believe recruiters who promise them big salaries," said Catalla.

She cited the case of a Filipina who had just sent her an email saying she had been duped by another agency that offered her a job in Russia. The woman, who arrived in Hong Kong in March this year, paid the agency $6,000, before realizing that she had been tricked.

“Again it’s really information dissemination. Some people are really hard-headed. Even if they know it’s really illegal recruitment they still believe all these promises,” Catalla said. “I’m sure there are still lots of them who believe that there are jobs out there in Russia, in Turkey, in Saipan, in Canada and in the UK.”

Bello said that while cracking down on agencies engaging and recruiting OFWs based in Hong Kong is the responsibility of local authorities, “it is also incumbent upon us to educate our overseas workers here, so that they don’t (become) easy prey”.

Apart from Bello, Cacdac and de la Torre, the Philippine delegation included Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Rebecca Calzado and Vice Consul Fatima Quintin.

The Hong Kong side included Cheung, Police Commissioner Stephen Lo, and Permanent Secretary for Labour Annie Tam.

Beware of jobs offered through e-mail

Cacdac

Job applicants should take extra caution against tempting overseas employment offers through email that turn out to be non-existent.

Hans Cacdac, who was speaking as administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (he now heads the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration), cited Omegal Manpower Services Limited that offered commissions to manpower brokers or individuals that can supply workers for various job openings in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

The company, which claimed to be based in Ireland, sent electronic mails promising agency commissions to local recruiters an amount equivalent to one month salary of every worker supplied.

An Internet search, however, revealed that Omegal Manpower Services Limited does not exist, Cacdac said.

He said applicants should not fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who post supposed job vacancies in fake websites and Facebook pages, especially those that require immediate payment of fees.
“Job applicants should also ignore unsolicited emails that offer jobs in hotels and hospitals but requires applicants to pay fees for testing, interview and language seminar, or visa orientation”, Cacdac said.

Applicants should validate the authenticity of job offers through POEA’s verification system at the website poea.gov.ph, mobile phone application, or by calling its telephone hotlines 7221144 and 7221155, Cacdac advised.

Nearly 700 take board exam for teachers

Examinees wait at the holding area of the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town  for the opening of the exam rooms.

By Marites Palma

A total of 695 overseas Filipino workers took the licensure examination for teachers on Sept. 25 at the Bayanihan Centre in   Kennedy Town Centre.

The examinees, whose ages ranged between 24 to 45 years old, were all women, except one who came all the way from Macau, along with five other hopefuls.

Most managed to heed the call to be at the examination venue by 6am, although the examination was not due to start until 8am.  However, a few managed to make it only at around 10am as they could not leave their employers' houses early, or had to travel all the way from the New Territories.

Judging from the time it took them to finish the exam, some seemed to have found it a breeze, while the others either struggled, or were careful not to rush their answers.  Some finished at 2:30pm, while others took it all the way to the finish, emerging only at 6:30pm.

Among the eager-beavers was first-time examinee Myrna Vio, who arrived at Bayanihan at 5 am to ensure that she wouldn't be late for the examination for which reviewed for more than. two months. Vio said she found the exam difficult, but she was hopeful she'd make the grade. She also told The SUN that she spent all her Sundays from July 4 to Sept 18 attending review classes at Bayanihan. She also took every chance she could get to review on her own, despite being very tired from doing household chores. She brushed up on her studies every night before going to sleep, and again upon waking up the next morning.

Another early bird was Bhessie R. Atrero, 36 yrs old, who arrived at Bayanihan at 5:30am. Atrero had taken the examination in the Philippines once in 2008, and she remembered that experience as more difficult, especially the mathematics part. She said she was more confident with the way she performed in her second try in Hong Kong.

Jitters almost got the better of Brenda R. Macabolot when she arrived at Bayanihan, but her incessant prayers for divine wisdom gave her the confidence she needed to tough it out. She said she had attended the review classes but was always late because she wanted to go to church first, believing that God would make her dream turn to reality.

Those who administered the test were 70 proctors and room watchers, of whom six came from the Professional Regulation Commission,and the rest from the National Organization of Professional Teachers -Hong Kong.and other teachers' groups.

Josephine V. Liamson, a direcfor at the Department of Education, told the volunteers that Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte plans to create an office for OFWs which will coordinate government efforts in helpjng the needy, and encourage OFWs to go home and be with their family members.
Liamson said there's more reason to return home now, with the teachers' salary having risen significantly.

Anak ni Andi, si Jake ang ama

Limang taon makalipas ang mainit na usapin tungkol sa kung sino talaga ang ama ng ipinagbubuntis noon ng batang aktres na si Andi Eigenmann, ngayon ay nagkaroon na ito ng kasagutan. Kinumpirma ni Maxine Eigenmann, half sister ni Andi, na si Jake Ejercito ang tunay na ama ng anak ni Andi na si Ellie, nang banggitin niya ito sa programang Good Times With Mo Twister noong September 22.

Sa isang bahagi ng podcast, sinabi ni Max na hindi na siya naninibago sa away –bati nina Jake at Andi dahil dati na silang ganito, pero gusto pa rin niya ang dalawa bilang couple, at saka niya idinagdag na “ you know that he’s the father of my niece, right?” Sinagot ni Mo na alam niyang si Jake ang tumatayong non-biological father ni Ellie, pero iginiit ni Max na si Jake ang tunay na ama ng bata, batay daw sa test na isinagawa. Kaya nga daw co-parenting ang ginagawa ng dalawa, at kaya panay daw ang post ni Jake ng mga larawan ni Ellie sa social media. Hindi na raw nangailangan na ipaglaban pa ang visitation rights ni Jake dahil nakikita naman niya ang anak anumang oras o araw niya gusto.

Hindi in good terms ngayon ang dalawa, at kamakailan ay nagkasagutan pa sa Twitter, nang tinawag ni Jake na "fake” si Andi, na sinagot naman nito na “talentless” daw si Jake.
Ayon pa kay Max, isang taon nang may karelasyon si Andi ngayon, isang surfer, na kapatid ng kaibigan niya.

Sa ngayon ay wala pang komento o anumang reaksyon mula kina Andi at Jake, samantalang si Albie Casino, na lumabas na kontrabida dahil siya ang itinuturong ama ng ipinagbubuntis ni Andi noon, ay parang nabunutan na daw siya ng tinik sa dibdib. Nagpapasalamat daw siya dahil lumabas din ang katotohanan, at pati na sa mga taong naniwala at sumuporta sa kanya.

Naging masalimuot ang love life ni Andi noon dahil naging boyfriend niya si Albie nang mag-break sila ni Jake, at bago lumabas ang balita na buntis siya. Nagalit ang pamilya ng aktres, lalo na ang ama niyang si Mark Gil kay Albie, kaya napilitan itong mag-lie low at balikan ang pag-aaral. Pansamantala rin itong lumipat ng ibang network.

Sa ngayon ay unti-unti nang nakakabawi si Albie nang muli siyang kinuha ng Kapamilya network at at nagkakasunod-sunod na uli ang kanyang projects.

BONG, NAGDIWANG NG 50TH BIRTHDAY 

Star studded ang 50th birthday party ni Bong Revilla na ginanap sa PNP Custodial Center noong September 23. Dinaluhan ito ng kanyang pamilya, sa pangunguna ng kanyang asawang si Lani Mercado at kanilang mga anak, mga kaibigan sa pulitika, kaibigan sa showbiz na sina Philip Salvador, Lorna Tolentino, Ricky Davao, Bayani Agbayani, Edu Manzano, Tirso Cruz III, Mayor Joseph Estrada, at anak nito at cellmate ni Bong na si Jinggoy Estrada, Mother Lily, Lolit Solis at sina Marco Sison at Mark Bautista na inimbitahang umawit ni Lolit.

Kasamang dumating ni Jolo Revilla si Jodi Sta. Maria, kaya kumpirmadong nagkabalikan na ang dalawa, matapos silang mag-break ilang buwan lang ang nakalipas. Ipinakilala naman kay Edu ng dating girlfriend ng anak niyang si Adi, (at pamangkin ni Bong) na si Cheska, ang bagong boyfriend nito, ang Kapuso actor na si Juancho Trivino.

Sa kayang maikling pananalita, sinabi ni Mayor Estrada na umaasa siyang makakalaya na rin sa lalong madaling panahon sina Bong at Jinggoy, na dalawang taon nang naka-piit.

Pinangakuan nina Mother Lily at ilang executives ng GMA Network na dumalo na bibigyan nila ng project si Bong kapag nakalaya na ito. Tapos na ang termino ni Bong at Jinggoy bilang mga senador.

DO RE MI, MAY REMAKE?

Nasa Pilipinas ngayon si Rachelle Ann Go, at kamakailan ay nag-post ng mga larawan kasama ang matalik na kaibigang sina Yeng Constantino at Sarah Geronimo, sa isang party na siya ang nag-host. Nilagyan niya ito ng caption na “Y.R.S. reunited,” na tumutukoy sa Y.R.S. segment nila sa ASAP noon. “Ang saya saya lang namen. Sobrang namiss namin ang isa't isa.” Idinagdag din niya: “DoReMi remake??? What you think? Hmmm. I love these ladies so much!"

Agad namang umani ng positibong feedback ang kanyang pagbibiro, dahil marami ang nagsabi na bagay daw sa kanila na gawin ang remake ng pelikulang “Do Re Mi” na malaking hit noon, at pinagbidahan nina Regine Velasquez, Mikee Cojuangco at Donna Cruz, 20 taon na ang nakakaraan.
Nauna nang naungkat ang muling paggawa ng Do Re Mi nitong Agosto matapos magkasama sa sina Regine at Donna noong July 30 para sa “PLDT Home The Regine Series Nationwide Tour” sa Cebu. Naging excited ang kanilang fans at humiling na gawan ng sequel ang Do Re Mi.

Tila seryosong pinag-aaralan ng Viva Entertainment na muling gawin ang pelikula dahil marami ang fans na humihing nito. Ang tanong lang ay kung sino ang gaganap na bida kung sakali. Si Sarah ay na-discover nang manalo siya sa “Star for A Night” singing contest noong 2002, noong 14 yrs old lang siya. Si Rachelle Ann ay nag-kampeon din sa “Search for a Star” noong 2004, at si Yeng ay tinanghal na unang kampeon sa Pinoy Dream Academy noong 2006. Nanatili ang kanilang pagkakaibigan kahit hindi na sila gaanong nagkikita, lalo na si Rachelle na nalinya bilang isang mahusay na international theater actress, at naka-base sa London.

JENNYLYN, WALANG ENTRY SA MMFF 2016
Nanghihinayang si Jennyln Mercado sa hindi niya pagtanggap sa pelikulang pagtatambalan sana nila ni Coco Martin, na isasali sana sa Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) sa taong ito. Sa nakalipas na dalawang taong sunod ay nahirang na best actress sa MMFF si Jennylyn, kaya umasa ang kanyang fans na muli siyang mapapanood sa taong ito. Napilitang tanggihan ni Jen ang pelikula dahil may nakalinya siyang gagawing teleserye sa GMA Network pero na-delay ito. Ang project na ito na adaptation ng Korean soap na My Love from the Star na pagtatambalan sana nila ni Alden Richards ay na-shelve dahil umalma ang mga AlDub fans na ang gusto ay si Maine Mendoza lang ang maging katambal nito.

Nagkaroon naman ng oras si Jen na makapag-focus sa paggawa ng bagong album, ang “Ultimate”, na produced ng Ivory Music. Ang carrier single nitong “Hagdan” ay nanguna agad sa iTunes hit list pagka-release nito. Inawit niya ito sa reality  show na hino-host niya, ang Superstar Duets.
Dahil hindi gaanong abala, mas nagkakaroon siya ngayon ng oras sa kanyang anak na si Jazz, at sa kanyang love life sa piling ni Dennis Trillo.

FRANCINE, IKINASAL; RUFA MAE, SUSUNOD 

Ikinasal na si Francine Prieto sa American molecular biologist na si Frank Shotkoski sa Isle of Capri sa Italy noong September 21.

Kahit may asawa na ay itutuloy pa rin daw ni Francine ang kanyang showbiz career, pero priority niya ngayon ang magkaanak na sila agad dahil 34 na daw siya. Balak nilang magpakasal ulit sa susunod na taon sa Denmark, kung saan naninirahan ang kanyang ama na isang Norwegian,  upang makadalo ang mga kamag-anak niya sa father side.

Samantala, abala na rin si Rufa Mae Quinto, 38, sa nalalapit niyang kasal sa fiancé niyang si Trevor Magallanes, 29, na gaganapin sa Nobyembre 25. Isang beach wedding ang kanilang napili, at kabilang sa wedding entourage sina LJ Moreno-Alapag bilang matron of honor, at bridesmaids na sina Shalani Soledad- Romulo, Grace Lee at Camille Villar.
Si Rufa Mae ay apat na buwan nang buntis.

Ilan sa mga celebrities na ikinasal din sa taong ito ay sina Vic Sotto at Pauleen Luna, Nyoy Volante at Mikkie Bradshaw, Georgina Wilson, Solenn Heussaff, Cristalle Belo at Isabel Daza sa kani-kanilang foreigner husbands.

Sa susunod na taon ay ikakasal din sina Gwen Zamora at Jeremy Marquez, Kaye Abad at Paul Jake Castillo, at Camille Prats at VJ Yambao.

Consulate Holidays
The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on the following dates:
• Oct. 10 —The day following the Tung Chung Festival
• Nov. 30 — Bonifacio Day
• Dec. 21 — Chinese Winter Solstice Festival
• Dec. 25 — Christmas Day
• Dec. 26— The first weekday after Christmas (Boxing Day)
• Dec. 27 — The second weekday after Christmas.
In case of emergency, please call:
9155 4023 Consular Assistance
5529 1880 POLO
5345 9324 OWWA

Learn Cantonese for Daily Living
Every Sunday, Sept. 18 – Nov.13, 9am-12nn
PCG Gallery. Exclusively for OFWs.
Register with your employment contract, HKID and 3.5x4.5cm photo at PCG Sentro Rizal, 2-5pm, any day except Friday or Saturday.
For inquiries, email cultural_hk@yahoo.com
Co-organized by: The Philippine Consulate General and International Social Service Hong Kong

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:
1. Complete Name. 2. E-mail Address. 3. Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia). 4. Mobile Number

The SUN Calendar: What's on where

Gabriela-HK's 7th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 2, 2-5pm. Edinburgh Place, Central. Featuring: One Billion Rising Dance Competition. Contact: Sheila Tebia

17th anniversary and 5th graduation ceremony
Oct. 2, 11am-4pm. Fulum Palace, North Point
Organized by: Diwa't Kabayan Benlife Society
Contact person Naty Manalo at 9825-6582/9146-4178

HKMU Concert
Oct. 5, 7:30pm. Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets are on sale at $150-$320. Contact: Ella Lo 9771 3655
A benefit concert for HKMU projects

Open Call for Performers
(for the staging of the Filipino musical, "Ang Ugoy ng Duyan")
Oct. 8 (Saturday), 2pm. Sentro Rizal, PCG
Open to all Filipino youth in HK. To register, email teatrofilipino.sentrorizal@gmail.com or call Tess Polo at 9524 2378

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.

2016 Free Breast Cancer Screening and Mammogram
Oct. 9: 10am-1pm Breast cancer screening; 2:30 pm – 3:30pm forum. Venue: PCG Conference Room
Organized by: Philippine Consulate General and HK Breast Cancer Foundation. To register, call Lorna at 2823 8512 or Joel at 2823 8513. Limited slots available

FMWU's 18th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 9, whole day. Chater Road, Central
Featured Activity: Poetry Reading and Writing Contest with the theme: “Unite and Struggle for Livable Wages and Regulation of Working Hours”. Organizer: Filipino Migrant Workers Union. Contact: Feliza -9104-1411, Iyang- 5119-93643 and Nida-9107-9516

7th Philippine Festival
Opening Gala: Oct 14, 5 p.m. HK Visual Arts Centre, Mid-Levels. Featured Film: "Everything About Her". By invitation only
Oct. 16, 18 (Special Blocked Screenings)
Oct  23, 1pm & 3:30pm, PCG Gallery  (Open to public)
Featured Films: Crazy, Beautiful You & Starting Over Again
Oct. 30, 5:30 pm, HK Visual Arts Centre
Featured Film: "That Thing Called Tadhana"
Organized by: Philippine Consulate General. For tickets and other information, call PCG Cultural Sectioj, 2823 853

2016 Migrants’ Health Matters
Oct 23, 12 noon – 6 pm. Kik Yeung Football Pitch, Kik Yeung Road, Yuen Long, Hong Kong.
PathFinders is teaming up with Christian Action to host Community Health Day for Migrant Workers in Hong Kong Participating groups: Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and other migrant organizations that will set up health and community services information booths to distribute health-related materials and answer questions. Free admission.

Healthy Habits Selfie Competition
(Part of the 2016 Migrants’ Heatlh Matters)
Aim is to promote health awareness among migrant workers
To join, simply upload your healthy habit selfie on the following Facebook pages: Christian Action Centre for Domestic Migrant Workers or PathFinders.  Invite your friends to LIKE your photo and win a prize!

UAAP Rambulan 2016
Nov 26, 11am,Repulse Bay Beach
All alumni of UP, Ateneo, La Salle and UST are invited to join day-long games all in the spirit of fun and camaraderie
For details, check out the FB invite page, Rambulan

Bello fails to get HK nod on OFW pay, safety

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III visit POLO office, where he is welcomed by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre (left).

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ended his three-day visit to Hong Kong on Sept 25 after securing an affirmation of protection for Filipino domestic workers, but  no firm commitment on wage and job safety issues.

Bello met his Hong Kong counterpart, Matthew Cheung, on his arrival on Sept. 23 for talks that both sides described  as “very cordial and useful”.

But the meeting did not result in any deal being struck on key issues such as higher wages and excluding window cleaning from the list of domestic work.

“We had a very cordial meeting with Secretary Cheung and our talks centered on the welfare of our overseas workers here in Hong Kong. I extended the thanks of our department because our overseas workers are better treated here than in some other parts of the world,” Bello said at a news conference that followed the meeting.

The high point of Bello’s visit was his dialogue with more than 200 leaders of various Filipino community organizations at University of Hong Kong, where he addressed long-standing demands by migrants groups.

But ahead of this, Bello said he had not been officially informed of the OFWs’ demand for a $5,000 monthly pay, significantly above the current minimum pay of $4,200, but added the issue of salaries was being considered.

Separately, Cheung told a local reporter that he and Bello had discussed the helpers’ call for higher wages and a ban on window cleaning duties, but he did not give any firm commitment.

“Of course, we touched on the wage issue and I made the point clearly that in Hong Kong, we have got a regular exercise going on, in fact annually for the last few years, to review the minimum wage level for FDHs in Hong Kong,” Cheung said.

On window cleaning, Cheung said a ban was not easy to implement.

“I made the point that we also attach great importance to protecting the safety of all workers in Hong Kong... Cleaning windows is a dangerous thing to do if you are not careful enough, so what we would do is, as a start, we would step up promotion and education.”

At the news conference, Bello expressed reservations about allowing direct hiring, which OFWs want restored so they won't have to go through  employment agencies and pay high fees when they are the ones who find their own employers.

Bello said he was worried that "it might might bring about a situation where we have no more agencies and that all our workers would just be looking for their direct-hire employers here,and that may be quite risky in the sense that if anything happens to them, then there is no way we could address whatever problems they have."

In a separate interview during his visit to Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge, Bello said he was not aware of the practice of some recruitment agencies of forcing migrant workers to apply for loans to pay for illicit fees.

He said no such complaints had reached him yet, but if there were any, there were surely legal measures to take against the offending agencies.

He said the Duterte government was particularly concerned about OFWs’ welfare because they are the real modern-day heroes who contribute nearly Php 1 trillion to the Philippine economy annually.
“Without you OFWs, the economy will collapse,” he said.

Bello's team included former POEA administrator and now and OWWA chief  Hans Cacdac, former OWWA chief Rebecca Calzado, and lawyer Allan Ty of the International Labor Affairs Bureau. They flew back to Manila immediately after the Filcom forum.

Cacdac moved to OWWA from POEA

Cacdac

Administrator Hans Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Labor Administration (POEA) has been moved to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), replacing Rebecca Calzado as its head.

Cacdac made the announcement himself in a Facebook post today, Sept. 30. He said the unilateral transfer will take effect on Monday, Oct. 3. 

He did not give any explanation. 

All he said was that he wanted OWWA to become more accessible to overseas Filipino workers.

"Nais ko pong mas lalong maging malapit ang OWWA sa mahal nating mga OFWs," he said.

He asked for comments to be posted on his wall for any suggestions on how OWWA can better serve the OFWs.

No announcement on the move was made on the POEA or OWWA website, or that of the Department of Labor and Employment. 

It is also unclear who will take over as POEA chief.

Although POEA and OWWA are co-equal bodies under DOLE, the administrator of POEA, which acts as overseer of all recruitment agencies in the Philippines, carries more weight and clout. 

Cacdac was with the agency for years, acting as deputy  to two administrators who became labor secretaries - Pat Sto. Tomas and Rosalinda Baldoz -before he became administrator himself in 2011.

He was known to crack the whip on errant recruiters, leading to a call for his ouster by agency groups in July last year. Although the call got widespread notice, it failed to get off the ground.

Both Cacdac and Calzado accompanied Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on his trip to Hong Kong on Sept. 23-25, but no hint was made on their impending fate. - The SUN

Pinay DH nabbed in air parcel drug bust

Tsuen Wan Courts building.

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker was charged in Tsuen Wan Court  today, Sept 30, with drug trafficking after accepting an air parcel containing 650 grams of suspected cocaine from her boyfriend in Ethiopia.

Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, said Welva E. Gannaban was arrested on Monday as she received the package delivered at her employer’s home in North Point by customs and police officers posing as postmen.

The foiled attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs into Hong Kong using the postal system was the fourth of its kind this year and the second involving a Filipina, triggering concern among Consulate officials. 

Vallespin said when his office received the report on Gannaban’s arrest from the authorities, he sent an ATN officer to interview the woman. 

He expressed concern about Filipinas in Hong Kong being used by drug traffickers who befriend them online and then send them packages containing the illegal substance. 

In May, a Filipina domestic helper, Eleanor Aromin, was arrested after similarly unwittingly receiving a “present” sent by her African boyfriend via air mail.  

She is due to appear in Tsuen Wan Court on Oct 20 for the resumption of her case’s hearing. 

$100 wage increase for FDHs 'disappointing'

Unifil members' fight for HK$5,000 monthly continues.

Effective Oct. 1, the monthly minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong will increase to $4,310, a rise of $100.  The food allowance will go up by $42, to $1,037.

The increases were announced late today, Friday, by the Hong Kong government.

The United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong called the pay hike disappointing, as workers had been calling for the monthly wage to be raised to $5,000.

“We are disappointed. We’re not happy at the piecemeal increase because our demand was $5,000, as that’s what we see as livable wage in Hong Kong, where the cost of living such as food and fares is too high,” Dolores Balladares, chairwoman of Unifil-Migrante HK, said when asked for comment.

“The $100 increase will have no effect on our salaries. It will be barely enough, because we spend a large part of our pay in Hong Kong, so kulang na kulang pa rin,” Balladares said, adding that workers would continue to press for a pay hike despite the decision because the government reviews wages annually.

Under the standard employment contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to either provide helpers with free food or pay a food allowance. Most opt to give free food.

The new wage and food allowance levels apply to all contracts signed on or after Oct 1, the government said.

“The government reviews the MAW for FDHs regularly. In accordance with the established practice, we have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and labor market situations over the last year, as reflected through a basket of economic indicators, including the relevant income movement and price change in this year's review,” a government spokesman said.

“Moreover, the government has taken into account Hong Kong's near-term economic outlook, as well as the need to strike a balance between affordability for employers on one hand and the livelihood of FDHs on the other in reaching the decision on the above-mentioned adjustment.”

The spokesman added, “The government has also reviewed the food allowance in lieu of free food, and decided to increase the allowance level.”

Contracts signed before Oct 1 or earlier at the existing salary of $4,210 a month and food allowance of not less than $995 a month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided the applications reach the department on or before Oct 28. 

This arrangement will give employers sufficient time to send the signed contracts to Immigration for completion of the necessary application procedures.

Cooking up snacks in a flash

By Jo Campos

Having a play group with the kids, a kiddie birthday party or just thinking of a quick and easy snack?  These easy to prepare snacks are most ideal for that ‘grab what you have in the pantry and fridge kind of recipes’. Also great for “pika-pika” or finger food for parties and picnic.

Wicked Oreos can be served as a dessert, and made fancier with the addition of a scoop of vanilla ice cream slathered with caramel or chocolate syrup. But you can also just have it plain, dusted in icing sugar for that light, sweet and chocolatey Oreo in the middle.

Pizzas, on the other hand, are always a hit, whether as a snack or as a meal in itself. But making them could be a hassle, so here is a recipe that will allow you to have those lovely, gooey, pizza rolls in a flash. Use your gourmet creativity by adding some herbs, make it hot by adding some spicy fillings of your choice, or a bit of a dip on the side.

But if you haven’t got any of these extra ingredients, don’t fret. These little bombs are fantastic any way you make them.

Wicked Oreos
Ingredients:
1 pack Oreo cookies (refrigerate for at least 4 hours)
1 package dry pancake mix
Cooking oil for frying (vegetable oil or canola oil)
Confectioner’s sugar, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, vanilla ice cream (optional for toppings)

Procedure:
1) In a deep sauce pan or a cooking pot, preheat the oil.
2) While the oil is heating up (there should be some small bubbles on the side),  prepare the pancake batter (as per instructions on the box).
3) Dip the Oreo in the pancake batter, making sure you coat it completely.
4) Use thongs to pick it up and drop in the oil. One or two at a time. It should puff up a little and float to the top.
5) Turn Oreo over to the other side until both sides are light golden. This should not take too long, around 1-2 minutes. If it takes a while, your oil is probably not hot enough.
6) Let the Wicked Oreos rest for a few seconds on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

Pizza Rolls

Ingredients:
For the pizza rolls:
12 pcs sliced bread, without crust (brown or white bread, it’s your choice!) (also best with pandesal, sliced and flattened)
thinly sliced ham, crunchy streaky bacon rashers
grated mozzarella cheese or quick melt cheese
fresh thyme or finely chopped sweet basil (optional)
Japanese bread crumbs
egg white
oil for frying
butter

For the pizza sauce:
1 can chopped tomatoes
chopped fresh sweet basil leaves
chopped onion
minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure: 
1) Heat a deep pan with enough oil for deep frying.
2) Lay slices of bread and spread with butter, top with ham, bacon, cheese and sprinkle fresh herbs.
3) Roll each bread slices tightly and dip into the egg white, then roll on the breadcrumbs, making sure that the pizza rolls are well coated and the ends are sealed to avoid cheese from oozing when frying.
4) Carefully drop the rolls in hot oil, a few at a time for about 2- 3 minutes or until golden brown.
5) Drain cooked pizza rolls on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
6) Saute onion and garlic in olive oil till translucent and fragrant, then add chopped tomatoes and basil. Add a pinch or two of sugar to neutralize acidity of tomatoes.
7) Simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes till slightly thick, then add salt and pepper to taste.
8) Serve pizza rolls warm with the sauce on the side.

HK gov’t assures Emry’s will be prosecuted

Secretary Bello blends serious talk and jokesas he apprises POLO staff on the goals of the DOLE under the Duterte admnistration. He was formally welcomed to Hong Kong by Consul General Baernardita Catalla.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Hong Kong labour officials have assured Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III that Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency will be prosecuted over claims of scamming hundreds of Filipino applicants for purported jobs in Britain and Canada.

Labour Secretary Matthew Cheung gave the assurance during his dinner-meeting on Sept 23 with Secretary Bello and his entourage, according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre.

However, a criminal prosecution of Ester Ylagan, former co-owner of Emry’s and sole proprietor of Mike’s Secretarial Services, apparently is still being considered.

“Ang sabi ni Secretary Cheung, the police are still investigating,” he said.

Secretary Cheung reportedly met the Philippine delegation over dinner and discussed problems concerning Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong, on top of which was the life-endangering task of cleaning windows.

The Hong Kong delegation included Cheung, Police Commissioner Stephen Lo, and Permanent Secretary for Labour Annie Tam. The Philippine side was made up of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Rebecca Calzado, Labatt dela Torre and Vice Consul Fatima Quintin.

“The Secretary of Labour assured us that there will be prosecution and that they will issue summons against the erring agency,” Labatt De la Torre replied without naming the agency.

However, Secretary Bello himself deflected The SUN’s query about whether the Emry’s/Mike’s alleged jobs scam was discussed with the Hong Kong officials.

In the meantime, Emry’s/Mike’s have been suspended by both sides, Administrator Cacdac butted in.

Labatt dela Torre also said that Emry’s counterpart agency in the Philippines is also under investigation.

“Sa claims naman, we will make a representation with the (Small) Claims Tribunal na i-consolidate nila yung mga kaso para hindi sabog ang ating monitoring,” he added.

Bello said his team and the Hong Kong side discussed ways to help the 187,000 Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong.

When asked by media about whether he discussed with Cheung the workers’ clamor to ban window cleaning, Bello said the other side promised to study Polo’s recommendation to strike it out of the list of domestic workers’ duties.

“Pag-aaralan nila, although very positive sila but wala siyang (Cheung) commitment,” Bello said.

“Tinitingan pa nina Labor Attaché Dela Torre ang tungkol sa paglilinis ng mga workers ng bintana. Kasi sinasabi naman nila hindi rin maiiwasan kasi kung minsan na ang mismong may-ari kailangan din niyang maglinis,” Bello said.

“Wala tayong magagawa. Lalo na kasi ganyan talaga ang mga bahay dito. Sa Pilipinas one-story lang ang mga bahay natin, dito hindi eh,” the official added.

At this stage, the window-cleaning ban is still a recommendation and that Polo should make a representation with Hong Kong authorities to exclude it from the domestic chores stipulated in the contract, Bello said.

Asked whether he had taken up with his Hong Kong counterpart illegal fees being exacted by agencies on workers such as forced loans from lending companies, Bello said he had not yet heard of such issue.

“Hindi pa nakakarating sa akin ang reklamong iyan pero kung meron mang ganyan, meron din namang legal remedies at pwede nating habulin iyan,” he said.

Bello said the Hong Kong side is “grateful na meron tayong mga overseas workers dito dahil malaking tulong din sa kanila at they prefer Filipino migrant workers dahil masisipag at magagalang at sinisiguro nila na gagawin nilang lahat para maproteksiyonan sila.”

When asked by one reporter how Hong Kong officials regard the new government of President Rodrigo Duterte, Bello said they were cordial.

He said in fact, he told them that Duterte might visit China and that he might be able to convince him to stop over in Hong Kong.

“Baka makumbinsi natin na dumaan dito para masalubong niya naman ang mga mahal niya sa buhay. Mahal na mahal niya ang mga migrant workers, eh. Aba, mahal kayo niyon ha. Palagi niyang iniuutos sa akin na huwag kong pabababayaan ang inyong kapakanan,” Bello said.

He visited Bethune House in Sheung Wan for about an hour on Sept 24 to see for himself one of the two shelters managed by executive director Edwina Antonio. Earlier, he paid a visit to the OWWA-run Filipino Women’s Refuge Center in Kennedy Town.

Bello spoke with each of the 12 Filipina clients of Bethune about their particular problems, promising to assist them in getting jobs if they decide to go home. He endorsed to either Calzado, Cacdac or De la Torre the clients’ concerns.