Labatt urges joint action to stop trafficking

By Vir B. Lumicao

Filipino workers should have an analytical mind and ask themselves whether they are doing right by allowing themselves to be deceived by human traffickers.

At the government level, there should be “active diplomatic representations” between the Philippines and Russia and Turkey on stopping human trafficking.

These views were expressed by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre at the “International Forum on Migration in Hong Kong” organized by the Consulate to celebrate the Month of Overseas Filipinos this December. 

The event on Nov 19 at the Admiralty Convention Centre was held in cooperation with Philippine Migrants Rights Watch and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Dela Torre, responding to a media question regarding government initiatives to address the trafficking issue in Hong Kong, said active diplomatic representation between Manila and Moscow was necessary as the Russian consulate here keeps issuing commercial visa for business visits even to domestic workers.

The consulate also issues them work visas for “fantastic jobs” such as company directors, doctors, and dentists, Dela Torre said.

Either way, the Filipino domestic worker ends up working illegally in Russia because there is no visa issued for their work category, unlike in Hong Kong.

Most of those who get to Russia also find that there is no job waiting for them there, and they are left to fend for themselves, and look for their own employer.

When they do find a job, they become vulnerable to arrest, or being fleeced by recruiters and police alike, because of their illegal status

Aside from the diplomatic intervention, Dela Torre called for constant media attention so workers would be educated about the scam. He said the media frenzy sparked by The SUN’s exposure of a Pakistani-led syndicate recruiting OFWs from Hong Kong prompted recent raids by the government on recruitment agencies suspected of illegally sending domestic helpers to Russia, Turkey and other problematic destinations.

Later, in his closing speech, Labatt Dela Torre said the Filipino domestic worker population in Hong Kong is “growing by the hundreds every week” despite efforts at reintegration, with Immigration Department estimating the number at 201,000. 

“Are we seeing the last stage of this migration process? Are we in any way ending our Diaspora? I don’t know,” he said.

“In the Hong Kong context, the number is increasing by the hundreds every week… and, because of globalization increasing free trade, the movement of people around the world has also become fast-paced, and so the vulnerabilities of migrants have become more pronounced,” Labatt Dela Torre said.

He cited the case of the Filipino helpers being trafficked around the world.

“We have about 5,000 in Russia now, about 4,000 in Turkey, and 90% of those are coming from Hong Kong. These are stark numbers, stark statistics. I think our officials should really sit down and try to examine the pros and cons of it,” he said.

He said this situation where many Filipinas are being trafficked across the globe should be on top of the Philippine agenda.

Dela Torre said that part of the government’s duties is to protect them, “but how do you protect people who consent to being trafficked…who knowingly allow themselves to be lured into dangerous places like Russia and Turkey?”

He said the first frontier would be the individual’s mental/psychological frontier.

“Sa isip pa lang natin, sa loob pa lang natin dapat magkaroon na tayo ng evaluative or analytical mind na dapat suriin natin, ‘Tama ba itong ginagawa ko? Nagpapaloko ba ako sa ibang tao na dadalhin ako kung saang lugar?’” the labor official said.

But Dela Torre deflected what other labor attachés argue that trafficked workers should assume a certain level of responsibility because they agreed to be taken to other countries.

He said he belonged to the old school that believes consent should not be a consideration as it is a legal perspective, according to the UN definition of human trafficking.

He said three elements – act, means and purpose – are needed to define human trafficking. The act involves recruitment and payment; the means comprises deception, and the purpose is forced labor, slavery, sexual exploitation, or harvest of organs.

“In the case of minors, kahit walang means guilty ka pa rin ng human trafficking. In the case of adults, hindi rin importante yung consent, kasi nga may deception. So, itatapon ko sa inyo ang tanong na ito: dapat bang mag-assume kayo ng certain level of responsibility sa mangyayari sa inyo? he asked the audience, who answered “No!”

Dela Torre said what’s needed is common sense.

As for the trafficking victims in Russia, the labor attaché said they exacerbated the problem by inviting friends and relatives to work there, so the number has risen.

He said it was akin to the Stockholm Syndrome where the victim eventually sympathized with the perpetrator. To counter this, everyone should continue to make noise on media until the syndicates disappear.

Philippine migrants shine in Asian show

Four Filipino migrant groups showed off their grace and talent in dancing when they took to the stage at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza on Nov. 19 in the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2017.

The Filipino performances included “Kakawati” from La Union Federation headed by Nida Balcita; “Malagueñia” by Migrant Ilonggo Association International led by president and choreographer Johna Moncal; “B’laan”, a tribal dance from the South Cotabato Overseas Workers Association headed by Rita Barsanas, and “Tinikling” by the Tinikling Group of Migrants led by Marie Velarde.
The Philippine delegation was led by Vice Consul Robert Quintin and assistant cultural officer Merle Ordillano.

The yearly event brings together ethnic minority groups from 15 countries in Southeast Asia for a celebration of their culture through dancers and other performances. – Ellen Asis

These are among the Filipinos who gave their ethnic cultural performance.

Police gives talk on traffic rules to OFWs

By Rodelia Villar

Some of the OFW participants
with their instructors.

A total of 26 Filipino migrant workers attended the seminar given by Hong Kong Police on “Traffic Legislation of Hong Kong” which was held at the Central Police Station in Sheung Wan on Nov. 26.

Police Constable Johnson Yam, together with Sgt. Ken Cheung, informed the workers of crossing facilities like footbridges, subways, zebra crossings and the signal-controlled pedestrian crossings that they can use to keep themselves safe from road accidents.

The helpers were told that knowing where to cross safely is very important, especially when they are with their wards on their way to school or other activities.

Yam also reminded the participants to be watchful of their surroundings, especially in car parks where they could be hit by reversing vehicles. The helpers were told to be wary of vehicles’ reverse light and beeping horns.

All were warned to be extra careful when passing behind cars and lorries, where the drivers have very limited vision of what is going on behind their vehicles.

As well, the helpers were told to be on the lookout for signs that have been put up, especially in accident-prone areas.

When using pedestrian crossings, everyone should always make sure that oncoming vehicles are slowing down to prepare to fully stop before they cross the road. At signal-controlled crossings, they should ensure that oncoming vehicles have stopped before crossing the road.

The speakers also talked about penalties imposed on traffic-related offences. Jaywalking carries a maximum fine of $2,000, while not wearing a seatbelt aboard a vehicle could result in three months’ imprisonment, on top of a $5,000 fine. The more serious offence of drunk driving could cost the violator a whopping $25,000 fine plus a 3-year jail time.

The helpers were also told of the very important rule against children using the upper level of double-decker buses because of the lack of safety equipment such as proper hand-rails. Also, there is a possibility of them falling down the stairs, especially if they try to climb up while the bus is moving.

PC Yam showed some accident videos to further encourage the participants to respect traffic rules, and to be always aware of their surroundings.

The participants left the seminar feeling grateful to the two officers who gave the lecture on how they could be responsible pedestrians so they and their wards would be safe from road accidents.

19 Umela grads pass Tesda’s NCII test

The new batch of trainees and guests during Umela’s Culmination and Recognition ceremony.

By Daisy CL Mandap

All 19 candidates from the United Migrants Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Association (Umela) hurdled the NCII examination to become certified massage therapists held at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on Nov 19 and 26.

They were among about 100 basic massage therapy graduates who took the qualifying exam administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

 Those who made it from Umela were Florentina Sajulga, Teofilo Bacani JR. Emely Dilla,  Angelita Baroro, Julie Mae Chungalan, Leah Ayomen, Maria Editha Respicio, Luzviminda Baysac,  Evangeline Molina, Juanita Baloloy,  Marivic Calputura, Elizabeth Lingan, Mercidita Abad, Agnes Franco, Lydia Bayos, Rona Pelongco, Marvelissa Guerrero, Maritess Custodio and Elizabeth Tadeo.

Umela’s leader Ofelia P. Baquirin said she was overjoyed by the outstanding performance in the exam of their graduates.

“Sobrang saya ko po,” she said. “As founder/president/trainor, I am so proud of them kasi napatunayan muli na hindi nasayang ang oras at effort na ibinibigay namin sa libreng pagtuturo sa kanila.”

Baquirin said the joy is shared by all the co-founders of Umela, her fellow trainors, as well as the volunteer trainors who are all NCII passers themselves.

She said the examinees were all competent and confident because they all gave their best in preparing for the qualifying test.

Those who managed to be shortlisted from the exam came from other massage training courses given by various groups, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office in Hong Kong.

Each year, hundreds of migrant Filipino workers in Hong Kong complete the basic training course and the on-the-job training required of those who aspire to become certified massage therapists in the Philippines. But because of the limited slots, only a small percentage of the graduates are able to take the Tesda-administered test.

To qualify, one must take the basic massage therapy course, then complete 72 hours of additional lessons on basic anatomy and physiology, microbiology and pathology, then do a practicum or on-the-job training.

But once they hurdle the NCII exam, they become registered therapists and can run their own spa in the Philippines.

The 100% pass rate of its graduates gave another reason for Umela to celebrate, as it held the graduation ceremony on Nov. 26 for about 70 more migrant workers from batches 20-23 who completed its basic massage course this year.

Awarding the certificates to the graduates at Umela’s “outdoor school” opposite the High Court in Admiralty was acting head of post Derrick Atienza, who paid tribute to both Umela and the students who persisted in learning a new skill while doing domestic work.

The same message came from Umela’s other guests from the Filipino business community. But The SUN publisher Leo A. Deocadiz took the message a step further when he challenged the graduates to “monetize” their newly acquired skill, by thinking of how they can make a living out of it.

Baquirin said two new batches of students will take the basic massage therapy course starting Dec. 10, and another two on Jan. 2. Each batch is limited to just 15 students so they will be better trained.

For inquiries on how to join Umela’s free massage training, call Maellen Lupera,5535 2165; Opalyn Albidas, 61387357 and Emma Capal, 9859 5023

Sikap still going strong at 33 years

Sikap officers and members led by Rey Vital (front row, 2nd from right) are joined by guests for the annual Christmas lunch.

One of the oldest Filipino community organizations in Hong Kong held its annual  Christmas and anniversary get-together at Empire Hotel in Wanchai on Nov. 26.

Sikap (for Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Hong Kong) turned 33 this year, an event celebrated by more than 60 of its members, friends and family members.

The organization made up mostly of Filipino drivers in Hong Kong is headed by Rey Vital, who founded the group way back in 1984.

The group has built camaraderie among its members mainly through tennis, although in its earlier years it was engaged mainly in organizing basketball tournaments.

Through the years, many of Sikap’s members have raised their own families in Hong Kong that it now counts as part of its tightly knit community most of the minor children of migrant workers granted right of abode here recently.

Vital says Sikap will continue holding friendly tennis competitions and holding regular fellowships to further strengthen the friendship and unity it has built for more than three decades.

In fact, he said that right after their anniversary lunch, they would again gather at their Sunday hang out at the Wong Nai Chung court to play tennis, then continue talking over a hotpot dinner. - DCLM

Status of children born to foreign domestic workers

By Pathfinders

Becoming a mother is an exciting yet stressful life event for most women. Due to the nature of their jobs, pregnancy and child-rearing in Hong Kong are especially challenging for mothers who are Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs).

In September, we shared information about the maternity rights and obligations of FDWs. In this issue, we will move on to the next important topic - the rights of children born to FDWs in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, when a FDW pregnancy is announced or discovered, some of the women are fired unlawfully and end up overstaying in Hong Kong. In these cases, PathFinders strongly recommends that the women surrender themselves to the immigration authorities for  the safety of themselves and their unborn child.

This article will focus on the rights of children born in Hong Kong to still legally-employed FDWs and answer some commonly asked questions.

What immigration status will my baby have in Hong Kong?

The immigration status of a baby born in Hong Kong is not independent. It is linked to his/her parent’s immigration status at the time the baby is born. In other words, the more secure the parents’ immigration status, the more secure the baby’s and the more social welfare and healthcare support the baby is entitled to. For a legally-employed FDW mother, her baby born in Hong Kong typically falls into one of the following three cases:

Case 1 - baby born to a Hong Kong Permanent Resident (“HKPR”) / Chinese father and his name is on the birth certificate. In this case, the baby will be entitled to Right of Abode (“RoA”) in Hong Kong

Case 2 - baby whose father is not HKPR but does holds a valid visa and his name is on the birth certificate. The baby will be issued a visa (also called a “permit to stay”) and the visa period will normally be equivalent to the mother’s or father’s visa, whichever is more favourable

Case 3 - baby born to a father who does not have a valid visa and/or the father’s name does not appear on the birth certificate. The baby’s visa and its visa period will be tied to the mother’s FDW visa

Will my baby be eligible to social, healthcare and education benefits in Hong Kong?

Case 1:

A baby who has RoA (Case 1 above) will be able to access most of the social rights and benefits (the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA), low payment rate/free public healthcare, kindergarten vouchers or Student Financial Assistance, subsidised child care services) and will not be at risk of removal from Hong Kong. CSSA provides a safety net for those who cannot support themselves financially by meeting their basic needs.

Cases 2 and 3:

For a baby on dependant/FDW visa (Case 2 or 3 above), his/her benefits are relatively limited. If the baby’s granted visa period is not less than 180 days, he/she may qualify for the “Hong Kong Hospital Authority’s Eligible person” requirement, meaning he/she may access the subsidised services provided by local hospitals under the Hospital Authority. If for any reason, the baby’s granted visa period is less than 180 days, he/she can still use the public services provided by the local Emergency and Accident Unit at local hospitals but at a fee level close to private hospital rates.

As for Education and Childcare services, while Case 2 and 3 babies are eligible to the same education subsidies and benefits that Case 1 babies are entitled to, they are typically unable to access subsidised, low-cost childcare services.

For a FDW single mother or where her partner is unable to care for the child, the most cost-effective childcare option is to care for her child herself while working as a FDW. However, we only very rarely see this happening.

Alternatively, the FDW mother may consider private childcare services. However, this is costly and not all childcare centres accept applications from non-HKPR. Also, since childcare centres in Hong Kong do not offer overnight childcare services and the FDW mother is required to live in the employer’s residence, raising her child in Hong Kong is only practically possible if the FDW’s partner or another responsible person is available and capable of caring for her child at night. It is important to note that in Hong Kong, leaving a child under the age of 16 unattended may result in prosecution for ill-treatment or neglect of a child or young person.*1

Is my Hong Kong-born baby entitled to HKPR status?

Case 1 babies are eligible to HKPR status at birth, regardless of the nationality of the father. However, if the father is a non-Chinese national HKPR, the baby is required to ordinarily reside in Hong Kong without being away for over 36 months or he/she may risk losing his/her HKPR status.*2

In addition, the Immigration Ordinance provides that the HKPR status of people born to a non-Chinese national HKPR parent will expire when he/ she turns 21 years old.*3  He/she is then required to reapply for HKPR status under his/her own name through the standard procedure. (In most cases, this rule is not strictly enforced, with only a few HKPR children being required to reapply for HKPR status when they reach the age of 21. Those who do get a reminder from Immigration about reapplying for HKPR, however, are only asked to make a written declaration that he/she has taken Hong Kong as his/her place of permanent residence – Ed)

For Cases 2 and 3, the parent may submit a request for the Verification of Eligibility for a Permanent Identity Card (VEPIC) if the child’s father has become a HKPR after birth registration, or if the child has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for not less than 7 years and has taken Hong Kong as his/her place of permanent residence*4. The merits of the application will be assessed by Immigration Department. 

What kind of identity documentation will my baby be eligible to apply for?

All babies born in Hong Kong, including those born to FDW mothers, must register his/her birth within 42 days to avoid late charges. Registering a birth is free but requesting a copy of the birth certificate costs HK$140.

In addition, a legally-employed FDW may apply for a Philippine birth certificate and passport for her baby born in Hong Kong from the Philippine Consulate General, provided all required documents are presented. As the baby will not be able to renew his/her Hong Kong visa without a valid passport, we advise FDW mothers to apply for a passport for the baby as soon as possible.

For a FDW to raise her child in Hong Kong is exceptionally challenging both financially and emotionally. To protect themselves and their children, FDWs are advised to make careful family planning and life decisions. PathFinders provides classes and workshops about women’s health, maternity rights and protections as well as education about relationships.

For class information and to enroll, please visit our website www.pathfinders.org.hk.
For further information, assistance and advice, contact PathFinders by email: info@pathfinders.org.hk or on our hotline: 5190 4886.
Alternatively, please contact the Immigration Department  at (enquiry@immd. gov.hk) or via their general hotline on 2824 6111.
---
Footnotes:
1 Cap. 212 Offences against the Person Ordinance, s. 27(1)
2 The Immigration Depart-ment, Circumstances under which the person will lose the status of a permanent resident
3 The Immigration Ordinance has set out the eligibility and transitional arrangements for the right of Abode in the HKSAR 

Sasaklolo ka ba?

Sa mga pahinang ito ng The SUN ay mababasa mo ang iba’t ibang kuwento ng kapwa natin migranteng manggagawa. May kuwentong masaya, may malungkot; iba’t iba ang kulay.

Tatlo sa kanila ay pinagmalupitan ng mga taong maitim ang  budhi. At kung hindi sa tulong ng iba, ng mga kapwa nila migranteng manggagawa, ay hindi mapuputol ang paghihirap hanggang mapalapit sila sa kanilang wakas.

Si Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, halimbawa, ay pasakay na sana sa eroplano pauwi sa Indonesia nang mapansin ng isang kababayan ang mga sugat at pasa niya, at lupaypay niyang katawan.

Agad itong tumawag ng tulong at, ika nga, the rest is history. Nakulong ang kanyang amo na si Law Wan-tung, at naghahabol ngayon ng danyos si Erwiana sa mga hirap at sakit na dinanas niya.

Mayroon ding nagsumbong sa Facebook page ng The SUN na pinagmamalupitan ang isang OFW, si Lanie Grade Rosareal.

Tinawagan namin ang mga may kapangyarihang tumulong, at nang sinundo siya ay sumama rin ang kasama niya sa bahay na si Rowela Subiono Suete. Ngayon ay nahaharap sa kaso ang amo nila, kasama ang kasong kriminal na ihahain ng pulis.

Si Marycor Sta. Cruz naman ay tinaguriang “Spiderwoman”  ng Hong Kong, dahil kumalat sa Facebook ang larawan niyang nakasabit sa labas ng kanilang gusali habang naglilinis ng bintana noong paparating ang bagyong Hato.

Nang maging viral ang larawan sa internet at napahiya ang amo, pinapipirma siya ng termination letter. Nang hindi siya pumayag, pinalayas siya sa disoras ng gabi. Ngayon ay nakauwi na siya sa Pangasinan na may baong $30,000 — bayad ng amo bilang danyos sa ginawa nito.

Hindi man niya alam, ang kumuha ng larawan ni Marycor ay isang bayani. Kapag may nakita ka o narinig na pinagmamalabisan, magpa-pakabayani ka rin ba?

Hindi mo kailangang mang-away ng tao. Sapat na ang tumawag sa pulis (999), sa Konsulado (9155 4023), sa POLO (6080 8323), sa Mission for Migrant Workers (2522-8264) na kasama ang Bethune House, o sa The SUN (2544 6536).

Hawak natin ang sandatang puputol ng pambibiktima sa kapwa natin. Gamitin natin!

Stockholm Syndrome

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

It’s a phrase we have been hearing quite often lately, often in relation to the frustrating timidity of our migrant workers who have been abused to step forward and complain.

This is the “Stockholm syndrome”, a condition described as causing hostages to develop a psychological alliance with their captors as a survival strategy during captivity.

In many of these cases, the captives cease to realize that they are being held against their will, or are being subjected to abuse, and even end up defending their captors or the abusive situation they were forced into.

A classic example is Erwiana, the Indonesian domestic helper who was nearly killed after suffering relentless abuse from her employer for 10 months. Meeting her in court again recently, I was driven to ask why she put up with the abuse for so long. She replied that at first she tried to run away, but when her recruitment agency took no heed of her plea to take her away from her employer, terror overcame her, then resignation. It did not help that she was not allowed to take a day off, so she did not have a chance to speak to anyone at length about her situation.

More recently, we saw it happen to a Filipina who claims to have been abused, physically and mentally, for months by her employer’s live-in companion. Lanie, who said she stopped taking a day off to pay for mounting “fines” imposed on her by her alleged tormentor, could not even explain why she failed to protest the nearly daily abuse she was subjected to. She even listed down herself the various “misdeeds” she supposedly made to justify the fines that deprived her of her salary for more than six months.

Another recent phenomenon was the case of Marycor who at first, did not question her employer’s bidding for her to thoroughly clean their windows inside and out on a daily basis. When concerned neighbors posted pictures of her clinging precariously on a ledge while cleaning the windows that had been taped up because of an approaching super typhoon, Marycor told an acquaintance that she did not see anything wrong with it. But after her employer terminated their contract and she got help from seasoned rights activists, Marycor became resolute in her stance to push for compensation against her employer.

The syndrome could get hold of not just one, but an entire group of desperate migrant workers, as what happened in the case of the victims of notorious illegal recruiter Mila Ipp. About two dozen of them clung on to Ipp’s promise of deployment to Cyprus and Canada, and did not even flinch when she made them wait for an entire month at Macau’s airport for flights that never came. Worse, they sided with her in badmouthing people who tried to help them early on in the case. When Ipp told them the sob story of running low on funds needed to help them get to their destination, they pooled whatever money they had left from paying up to USD9,000 in placement fees to bail her out. To this day, these victims are hard put explaining why they allowed themselves to be scammed for so long.

What lessons could we learn from all these?

First, that migrant workers who are in an abusive situation should be rescued fast, even if they appear hesitant to leave. If their lives are in danger, the police must be informed so they could lead the rescue.

Second, lectures, forums and all forms of sharing about migrant rights should be strengthened so our workers get to understand when they need help, and how they could get it.

Third, and most importantly, we should continue our efforts to get Hong Kong authorities to enforce their laws against abuse and other contract violations, and craft new ones, especially those dealing with human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

We still recall with sadness the case of J, our first documented case of human trafficking of a Filipino in Hong Kong. J, who was brought into the city as a tourist by her Filipino-Chinese employer in the Philippines, was kept in a house in Tseung Kwan-O for nearly two years, where she looked after the elderly mother of her captives. She was not given money, and was warned she would be arrested for working illegally if she dared venture out on her own. Freed only after she threatened a hunger strike, J was prosecuted for violating her visa conditions, then jailed before being deported. The couple that held her captive was absolved of any crime by the magistrate who said there was no evidence that J was held against her will as she was not tied up or kept in a locked place.

We should not have another J, Marycor, Lanie or Erwiana in our midst.

Mahirap ang buhay OFW sa Russia

Ni Nelle J.

(Noong nakaraang buwan ay sumulat ng artikulo para dito si Nelle, 33 taong gulang at isang dating OFW sa Hong Kong na naengganyong lumipat sa Russia apat na taon na ang nakakaraan. Sa hinaba-haba ng pagtira niya doon ay nananatiling ilegal ang status ni Nelle dahil ayon na rin sa kanya, walang visa para sa mga domestic worker doon. Babala niya: huwag nang mag-ambisyon pa na magpunta sa Russia dahil walang proteksyon ang mga OFW doon, at walang katiyakan ang trabaho. Masyado pang malayo sa Pilipinas kaya mahirap umuwi, at may mga buwitre sa airport sa Pilipinas na naghihintay para sila kotongan. Si Nelle ay may dalawang anak at nagtapos ng kolehiyo sa Cebu. Balak niya na magtrabaho ng ilan pang taon sa Russia, mag-ipon, bago bumalik sa kanyang naghihintay na pamilya sa Pilipinas.-Ed)

May mahigit na 5,000 OFWs ngayon sa Russia na nagtatrabaho bilang household service, o domestic workers. Sa kasamaang palad, walang visa category para sa ganitong klaseng trabaho dahil sa ilalim ng batas ng Russia, ang ganitong trabaho ay naka reserba sa mga citizen ng CIS, (Commonwealth Independent States) member countries.

Galing ako sa Hong Kong, at para makapunta dito ay nagbayad ako sa aking recruiter ng USD3,500 noong taong 2013. Wala akong ideya na ang visa na hawak ko ay hindi akma sa papasukan kong trabaho dito. Mula sa Moscow, kinailangan pa akong magbiyahe ng tatlo’t kalahating oras sa eroplano, at isang oras sa kotse para marating ang lugar na pinagdalhan sa akin. Ibinigay lang sa akin ang plane ticket papunta doon ng agent na sumundo sa akin sa Moscow Airport.

Nalaman ko na lang na ilegal ang aking pananatili doon dahil tuwing may bisita ay itinatago ako ng amo ko. Hindi ako nakakalabas tuwing araw ng pahinga, at hindi ko rin hawak ang sahod ko. Ipinapadala lang nila sa mga magulang ko kapag sinabi kong kailangan ko nang magpadala.

Noong gusto ko nang umalis dahil nagkasakit ako at hindi ko na kaya ang sobra-sobrang trabaho ay pilit pinapabayaran ng amo ko ang binayaran daw nila sa agent. Doon ko lang nalaman na yung ibinayad ko sa Hong Kong ay napunta lang pala sa agent na naghahanap ng aplikante at nagde-deploy papunta rito. Yung agent dito sa Russia ay humingi naman ng bayad sa employer, kaya iyong sahod ko na dapat nasa USD1,300 hanggang USD1,500 ay naging 500 euro na lang dahil binabawas ng amo ang nagastos nila para makuha ako.

Noong tumakas ako sa aking amo at nagpunta ako sa Moscow ay doon ko nalaman ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga nagpupunta dito.

Karamihan ng mga nandito ay galing sa Hong Kong. May mga ahente na pumupunta sa Hong Kong at nag-iimbita sa mga OFW na pumunta dito, at nag-aalok ng package. Halimbawa, USD2,000 para sa imbitasyon, pagsundo sa airport at gastos para sa boarding and lodging. Pagdating dito ay saka lamang sila hahanapan ng trabaho. Marami ang pumipila sa mga agency para ma-interview, kaya marami ang natatambay nang matagal bago makapasok sa trabaho.

Nung magkaroon ng recession noong 2014 ay halos pumalo sa USD80 ang palit sa rubles, kaya ang dating sahod na USD1,3000 ay naging 50,000 rubles na lamang. Maraming amo ang nawalan ng trabaho, kaya damay pati ang kanilang domestic helper.

Ang visa na hawak namin ay kinukuha ng agency sa mga “quota” at “high specialist jobs” na inilalabas taon-taon para sa mga kumpanya. Pero ang mga trabahong ito ay para sa mga manager, supervisor, interpreter, o yung mga highly skilled na trabahador. Ibig sabihin, hindi angkop ang ganitong visa sa trabaho namin. Ganunpaman, binabayaran nami ito ng malaking halaga sa mga agency, mula USD3,500 pataas, depende sa ahente. May bisa ang ganitong visa sa loob ng tatlong taon.

Mayroon din namang “commercial” o “business visa” na may bisa lang ng isang taon, at kailangang i-exit tuwing ikatlong buwan. Ang halaga ng ganitong klaseng visa, na hindi rin angkop sa aming trabaho dahil pang negosyante lang dapat ito, ay mula USD1,500 pataas.

Ang full time job dito ay nasa 50,000 rubles (USD850) hanggang 70,000 rubles (USD1,200) ang sahod. Ang trabaho ay lima hanggang anim na araw sa isang linggo, at hindi lalampas sa 10 oras kada araw. Pwede kang stay out o stay in. Kung sa labas ka titira, siyempre sagot mo ang upa sa flat na hindi bababa sa 5,000 rubles, hindi pa kasama ang bayad sa tubig, kuryente at pamasahe.

May mga parttime na trabaho din, at ang bayad ay mula 250 rubles bawat oras, at meron din na kada bisita, depende sa laki ng flat na lilinisan. Puwede ding mag-alaga ng pusa, aso o baby na bawat oras din ang bayad.

Dahil nga sa di angkop sa aming trabaho ang hawak naming visa ay madalas pag na checheck ng mga police sa Metro Station ay bina bribe nila ng pera at tinatakot na ma deport pag di nag bigay.

Nitong June lang ay may mahigit 20 Pinoy na na-deport pabalik sa Pilipinas, at tinulungan sila sa kanilang kaso ng Philippine Embassy ditto. Ang balita namin ay “undocumented” sila o walang visa, samantalang ang iba ay fake na visa ang hawak.

Pero hindi naman ito nalalayo sa visa na hawak naming lahat. Kasi, kasama dun sa fake na visa yung hindi akma sa trabaho nila. Ang nakalagay kasi doon ay dapat mga manager sila o specialist pero ang talagang trabaho nila ay cleaner, nanny o tutor.

Nang patapos ang 2016 ay itinigil ang pagbibigay ng quota visa at ang pagtanggap ng mga dayuhang trabahador dahil priority daw ng Russia ang pamamahagi ng tourist visa sa mga dadalo sa FIFA Cup nitong katatapos na Hulyo. Dahil dito ay marami ang nawalan ng visa, o tuluyan na silang naging ilegal.

Idagdag pa rito na may isang Russian agent na na-raid kung saan maraming Pilipino ang nagpasok ng kanilang mga dokumento. May ilang passport na naibalik sa Embassy, at mayroon ding hawak ng pulis. Hindi malinaw kung ang mga ito ay ipinasa din nila sa Embassy kinalaunan.

Sa kabila nito, patuloy pa rin ang pagdating ng mga OFW mula sa Hong Kong, kaya napilitang maglabas ng babala o advisory ang Embahada. Naghigpit na rin kasi ang gobyerno ng Russia, at marami ang na-report na nahuli pero tinulungan ng Embahada na huwag nang mapiit at madinig agad ang kaso para makauwi na ng Pilipinas.

POEA to reshuffle top officials

In a crackdown on illegal recruitment and other anomalies in the agency, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will reshuffle its top officials to complete the reorganization process.

Undersecretary Dominador Say of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said an investigation at the POEA was looking into reports on illegal recruitment by unscrupulous individuals victimizing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including direct hire workers.

He said POEA had a reshuffle of its senior officials last January. The upcoming reorganization would be more in-depth, he said.

“We are doing this top to bottom and there will be some officials who will be removed from their posts while they undergo investigation,” Say said.

Officials and employees at the agency who are directly involved in the processing of OFWs’ documents will be temporarily removed while the probe is underway, he added.

All security guards and janitorial staff at the government’s placement agency will also be replaced as majority of them were reportedly being used in the anomalous activities, particularly in processing and issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates, a major requirement needed by OFWs for deployment.

Also, DoLE would install CCTV cameras in all offices and other areas of the POEA, except in comfort rooms, to monitor suspicious activities in the office vicinity. 

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier suspended the application and processing of OEC to all OFWs, including direct hires, from Nov. 13 until Dec. 1 to give way to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, also the OIC of the POEA, clarified the coverage of the suspension of the application and processing of OEC.

“Balik-Manggagawa and workers who already have stamped working visas are exempted from the suspension, including workers who are being hired by international organizations, members of diplomatic corps, and members of royal families, as well as sea-based OFWs,” Olalia said.

DWEP videos make it to Montreal

By Ellen Almacin

Four videos made by graduates of Hong Kong University’s Domestic Workers Empowerment Project (DWEP) will be screened at the 5th International CellPhilm Festival to be held at McGill University in Montreal, Canada on Dec. 7.

Graduates of DWEP's Videography course conducted by Voices of Women Media Hongkong. From them came four videos chosen to be screened in Cellphilm Festival 2017 in Montreal Canada.The videos were made by Daisy Abenir Valenzuela,fourth from left,Loria Sue fifth from left,Germa Montero third from right and Analyn Soriano, sixth from from right.

The chosen videos are:
1) “My Fluffy Friend” by Analyn Soriano, about her daily walk with a dog, which has helped her overcome homesickness;
2) “Peace of Mind” by Gegerma Montero, about going to church every Sunday no matter how many activities she has, because it is the only place where she finds peace;
3) “Precious Time to Rest” by Daisy Valenzuela, about getting a nap on the bus while traveling from one destination to other so she can rest in between errands;
4) “Mind So Busy” by Loria Sue about a fellow DWEP student who missed her tram stop because she got into a long conversation over the phone with a friend.

All the videos were shot using a cellphone, and are meant to show how Filipino migrant workers face their day-to-day challenges while working away from their family. Each managed to compress a meaningful message into a video lasting between 60 - 90 seconds.

Everyone who participated in the search for outstanding videos to show at the festival completed a workshop on videography conducted in February by the Voices of Women in Media of HKU’s Department of Sociology.

BSK nagdiwang ng ika-23 taon

Ni George Manalansan

Muli ay ipinagdiwang ng Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) Hong Kong Council ang anibersaryo ng kanilang pagkakatatag 23 taon na ang nakalilipas sa MV Star Pisces na nakadaong sa Ocean Terminal sa Tsim Sha Tsui noong Nob. 12.

Isinabay na rin nila ang pamamahagi ng katibayan sa mga nagtapos ng kanilang mga pagsasanay para pangkabuhayan.

Naging panauhing pandangal si Vice Consul Bob Quintin na nagbigay pugay sa 23 taong pagsisilbi ng BSK sa mga OFW sa Hong Kong, lalo na sa patuloy nilang pagbibigay ng pagsasanay para sa mga gustong magkaroon ng dagdag-kaalaman.

Pinasaya ni VC Bob ang pagtitipon sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta ng “I Will be There”.


Ang mga tumanggap ng katibayan ng pagtatapos ay nagsanay sa paggawa ng macrame bag, ribbon folding, balloon twisting, at mga pagkain katulad ng tocino, longganiza, maalat na itlog,  tinapa at embutido.

Sumayaw ng lambada ang Card and Friends, na pinabalik ng marami dahil nagustuhan ang kanilang pagtatanghal. May ilan pang grupo na nagsayaw din, kabilang ang Maddelanians Enrile HK workers Association na nagpakita ng galing sa cha-cha. 

Masayang nagsalo-salo sa masaganang handa ang grupo at kanilang mga panauhin na mula sa iba-ibang kumpanya sa Hong Kong katulad ng Metrobank, PNB, Peya Travel, at iba pa.

Hakot basura, isinagawa

Ilan sa mga sumali sa kilusang pinangunahan ng BSK.

Kapansin-pansin ang mga nagkalat na basura sa mga kalsada, tulay, lagusan, hardin at iba pang pampublikong lugar sa Central at Admiralty tuwing araw ng Linggo, na siyang karaniwang araw ng pahinga ng mga manggagawang Pilipino.

Dahil dito, ang mga miyembro ng Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) Hong Kong Council ay nagkasundong mamulot ng basura noong Nob. 5 sa paligid ng tulay sa Admiralty kung saan sila regular na tumatambay tuwing Linggo. Hangad nila na maipakita sa mga kababayan ang kahalagahan ng pag-aalaga sa kalinisan at kagandahan ng siyudad na kanilang pinaglilingkuran.

Ayon kay Edyl Ganado, isang aktibong miyembro ng BSK at isa  sa mga nagboluntaryong mamulot ng basura, labis ang kanyang pagkadismaya sa nakikitang kalat sa paligid, at pati na sa suka sa may tulay, na marahil ay gawa ng isang nalasing na OFW.

Sana daw, kung paano nila linisin ang bahay ng mga amo nila ay ganoon din ang gawin nila sa tambayan nila. Dahil sa nagkalat na basura ay nasisira diumano ang imahe ng lahat ng mga Pilipinong migrante sa Hong Kong.

Ayon naman kay Emerita Yochengco, iba talaga kung walang disiplina ang iba dahil damay ang marami. Nakakalungkot at nakakahiya daw.

May nagsabi din na sana ay matutong maglinis at magtapon ng basura ang lahat ng mga migrante dahil baka dumating ang araw na pagbawalan na silang tumambay sa mga lugar na pwede pang tambayan sa araw ng pahinga.

 Ayon sa lider ng BSK na si Ching Baltazar, madalas daw ginagawa ng kanyang grupo ang pamumulot ng basura sa tulay. Ginagawa daw nila ito para mawala ang paniniwala ng ilang Intsik na makalat at hindi marunong maglinis ang mga Pilipino sa Hong Kong.

“Hindi rin natin sila masisisi kung ganoon ang tingin nila sa atin, kasi damay ang lahat sa  mga hindi magandang ginagawa ng iba,” sabi ni Baltazar. “Sinusubukan kong ipaalala sa ibang grupo na itapon yung basura nila, at may nakakaunawa naman, pero iyong iba ay nagagalit”.

Pinapaalala din ng grupo may ordinansa na nagbabawal ng pagkakalat, pagdura, at pagpaskil ng mga poster ng walang pahintulot. May karampatang multa na $1,5000 ang sinumang mahuli na lumalabag sa batas na ito. – Cecil Eduarte

Kakaiba ang mga OFW na dumadalo sa pagsasanay

Ni George Manalansan

Ang kakaibang katangian ng mahigit 200 na nagtapos ng pagsasanay na isinagawa ng CARD Hong Kong Foundation ang naging sentro ng talumpati ni Vice Consul Robert Quintin sa pagtitipon na isinagawa noong Nob. 26 sa Duke of Windsor Social Service Building sa Wanchai.

“Graduates, ang inyong commitment sa pagaaral ng financial literary at entrepre-neurship  ay napakahalaga. Malaking bagay ang  tinapos ninyo; naiiba kayo kumpara sa mga nakaupo at nakasalampak lang maghapon sa Central at iba pang pasyalan,” ang sabi ni Vice Consul Quintin.

Sabay-sabay ang mga naroon sa pag-awit ng “If We Hold on Together”.

“Kami sa Konsulado ay naniniwala at sumusuporta sa ginagawa ng Card,” dagdag pa niya.

Umaasa daw siya na dadami pa ang makikilahok sa programa ng Card dahil lubos na mahalaga na alam ng mga migranteng manggagawa ang kahalagahan ng paggastos sa perang pinaghirapan nila.

“Gusto kong makita na makakapuno tayo ng stadium sa hinaharap,” sabi pa niya.

Gaya ng nakagawian, hiniling ng marami na bigyan sila ng awit ni VC Bob, na isang dating propesyunal na mang-aawit, at hindi naman sila nabigo. Kinanta nito ang “I’ll Be Here” ni Steven Curtis Chapman.

Samantala, ang mga bisita mula sa Card Philippines ay nag-ulat ng mga pagbabago sa teknolohiya na pinakikina-bangan na ngayon ng mga miyembro at kanilang mga  kapamilya sa Pilipinas. Kabilang dito ang konek2card remittance by phone, na lubos na nagpaalwan sa mga miyembro. Ibinalita din nila na dumami na ang mga center, at ang bilang ng gumagamit ng serbisyo ng Card mula sa sa mga nagsipagtapos ng fin-lit training.

Hindi naman pagsidlan sa kasiyahan ang mga nagtapos, na ang bawat batch ay nagkaroon ng isang kinatawan para magbigay ng testimonya sa kanilang natutunan, kung paano nila ito dapat gamitin, at gaano kalagi ang epekto ng kanilang pinag aralan.

Halos nagkakaisa ang lahat sa pagsasabi na ngayon ay mas maalam na sila sa paghawak ng kanilang kita, at tahasang sinabi ng marami na gusto nilang maging “boss” ng kanilang sariling negosyo sa balang araw.

Nasiguradong maayos ang pagtatapos sa pagtutulungan ng mga trainor, na sinubaybayan naman ng Card HK chair na si Clara Baybay at ng board of directors.

Natapos ang pagtitipon sa sabay-sabay na pag-awit ng lahat ng “If We Hold on Together” at ng walang kamatayang kuhanan ng mga litrato.

Magkakaroon na naman ng libreng financial literacy training ng Card HK sa Jan. 2, 2018. Para makasali o sa mga tanong, tumawag lang sa numero bilang  9529 6392/ 5423 8196.

LD nixes bid to excuse employers from paying DHs’ medical bills

Labour and Welfare
Secretary Law Chi-kwong

The Hong Kong government says there is no reason to change labour laws making employers liable to pay for the medical expenses of their foreign domestic helpers, either through sickness or injury, during the period of employment.

This was emphasized by Labour and Welfare Secretary Law Chi-kwong in response to a question by LegCo Member Michael Tien in the Legislative Council on Nov 15.

“In sum, we consider it reasonable to hold employers responsible for the medical expenses of FDHs under their employment and do not see any strong justifications to abolish or revise such arrangement,” Law said.

Tien suggested employers have no authority to stop helpers from going out during bad weather or interfere with their engagement in high-risk activities. 

“If FDHs fall sick or sustain injuries due to accidents… their employers bear their medical expenses as per the contracts. However, insurance policies on employees’ compensation taken out by employers for FDHs normally do not cover medical expenses incurred due to illnesses or injuries or accidents not attributable to their employment,” Tien said.

His question came in the wake of employers expressing concern on social media over their maids doing high-risk activities like cliff-jumping and insisting on going out during typhoons, saying they will have to bear the consequences in case of accidents.

Tien asked whether the Government will consider enacting law that require FDHs to take out medical insurance policies on their own, or employers must take out such insurance policies for their FDHs, to offer protection for both parties.

In his response, Law reiterated that Clause 9(a) of the employment contract for FDHs requires that when a helper is ill or suffers from personal injury, work-related or not, during her employment, the employer must provide free medical treatment including medical consultation, maintenance in hospital and emergency dental treatment. 

However, the FDH shall accept medical treatment by any registered medical practitioner as provided by the employer. 

In addition, all employers are required under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance to take out employees’ compensation insurance for their workers to cover their liabilities under the law if their workers are injured at work.

“As explained above, it is a legal requirement for all FDH employers to take out EC insurance for their FDHs,” Law said. 

He said the Labour Department does not maintain information about the detailed coverage of the insurance taken out by individual employers for their FDHs, including whether insurance products cover non-work-related injuries and illnesses.

“The requirement of Clause 9(a) of the SEC seeks to ensure that when employers hire FDHs to Hong Kong to provide household services at their residences, FDHs would not be deprived of or delayed in treatment for illnesses or personal injuries for want of means.  Even if FDHs need to use public medical services, the expenses incurred should be borne by employers rather than the public purse,” the labour secretary said. 

He said the SEC has clearly defined the responsibilities of employers, such as stipulating that employers are not responsible for medical expenses when helpers leave Hong Kong of their own volition and for their own personal purposes.

Law said there is additional coverage for workers, including expenses for hospitalization and surgery, outpatient clinic and dental care. Several comprehensive FDH insurance products offer coverage on personal accident, expenses for helpers to return to their place of origin owing to serious illness or injury, and expenses for hiring a replacement helper. 

In taking out FDH comprehensive insurance products, employers should carefully compare the products offered by different insurance companies and examine the policy terms to have a clear understanding of the coverage.

For example, Law said, employers should find out whether the policy terms have made it clear that accidents during inclement weather would not be covered. 

He said the existing arrangement has struck an appropriate balance between the requirement for employers to provide reasonable protection for their FDHs, and the affordability of such an expense.

Deployment ban on new OFWs lifted

By Daisy CL Mandap 

About 1,200 first-time OFWs bound for HK were stranded in the Philippines

The 15-day suspension of the issuance of overseas employment certificates to first-time overseas Filipino workers which effectively resulted in a deployment ban from the Philippines, ended as scheduled on Dec. 1.

But it was only yesterday, Dec. 4, that Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the end of the OEC suspension, adding “no extensions have been imposed”.

About 1,200 OFWs bound for Hong Kong were among an estimated 75,000 workers affected by the OEC suspension.

Every OFW departing from the Philippines for the first time is required to obtain the OEC, so the suspension also meant a halt in deployment.

Media reps flocked to POLO on Dec. 6
amid false reports the ban would be extended

The delay in releasing the advisory sparked off rumors of an extension, prompting reporters from various media organizations to flock to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong early yesterday.

In an apparent bid to quell the rumors, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre released the advisory within the day.

But when asked if he had to deal with irate employers in the wake of the deployment ban, he said: “I think they voiced their rage to the Labor Department and their respective agencies.”

He also said the number of OFWs arriving in Hong Kong on a daily basis from the time the suspension order was lifted “will depend on how fast POEA is crunching away at the backlog.”

Earlier he predicted there would be no extension to the ban because of the protests that came from various affected sectors.

“Ang daming nagreklamo, so malamang hindi na ma-extend,” Labatt dela Torre said.

In imposing the suspension order on Nov. 17, Bello said it was meant to crack down on a human trafficking syndicate operating out of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

His subsequent advisory said a fact-finding team “will carry on its work at the POEA to uncover the culpable parties who are responsible for the illegal recruitment activities which have victimized several of our applicants for  overseas employment.”

In response to Bello’s order, the Hong Kong government decided to grant up to two weeks’ extension to the work contracts of foreign domestic workers which are expiring on or before Dec 31.

This so-called flexibility arrangement was meant to ease the impact on local families if the new domestic workers they were hiring from the Philippines could not arrive before the expiration of their contracts with their existing helpers.

A government spokesman also said Hong Kong would ask the Philippine Government for an exemption to the suspension order so Filipino domestic workers bound for the city could arrive without delay.

Decision reserved on Erwiana’ $800k civil claim vs abusive employer

By Vir B. Lumicao

Erwiana outside court with case worker Cynthia Tellez

Indonesian former domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih was back in court on Dec 4 as she pressed for more than $800,000 civil claim for damages against her abusive erstwhile employer.

The hearing, originally set for three days, lasted only half a day after District Court Judge Winnie Tsui refused a bid by defendant Law Wan Tung, who appeared without a lawyer, for a court review of a ream of documents she presented from her trial in 2015.

Law, who was jailed for six years for the assault on Sulistyaningsih, claimed the documents would show the helper’s injuries were not as serious as she had claimed.

Sulistyaningsih is seeking damages totaling more than $809,430 for loss of income, physical and psychological injuries, as well as other losses she had suffered for about seven months of almost daily physical assaults from Law.

Law during her trial in 2015

Law said the court documents showed inconsistencies in the medical reports that could help reduce the amount of damages she would have to pay.

Tsui asked Law why she did not bring the bundle despite a letter sent to her by the court on Nov 17, informing her about the hearing and advising her to bring the court bundle.

Law said she did not speak English well and was not given a lawyer to defend herself in the civil case.

She accused the Hong Kong government of being unfair to her while favoring foreigners, implying that while her Legal Aid application was denied,  Sulistiyaningsih was given a lawyer to pursue her case.

“The Hong Kong government has been unfair to me. Why does the foreigner get a legal aid while I cannot?” she asked.

Law asked the court to consider the documents that she had brought as evidence to prove she should pay less in damages, but Judge Tsui rejected her application.

Sulistiyaningsih’s lawyer Tony Ko said Law was just trying to derail the trial.

The employer, a former beauty salon worker who married an investment banker, was convicted in February 2015 at the District Court of committing multiple assaults against Sulistyaningsih, and not paying her wages or giving her rest days.

On Ko’s application for costs for the half-day hearing, the judge ordered Law to $10,000 on or before Dec 18.

The trial began at 11:30am with Sulistyaningsih taking the witness stand to talk about the  effects of the physical abuse that she suffered from Law.

The helper said that she still consults a psychiatrist until now, and would tremble and feel nervous each time she remembered the violence committed against her.

Ko said that in calculating the damages, he looked at two streams of cases: contact injuries and psychological injuries. In the first case, damage claims ranged from $150,000 to $200,000 while in the second, it was around $250,000.

Asked if she had something to say, Law told the court Sulistiyaningsih arrived at her home with a disease in her legs which she would always scratch. Because of that, she had difficulty walking and would always fall or faint, said Law.

The jailed housewife added that Sulistiyaningsih’s posts on Facebook in 2014 even showed her looking happy while attending a wedding party of a family member.

Judge Tsui reserved her decision on the case.                                                                        

Labatt orders agency to repay $30k staff-induced loan

By Vir B. Lumicao

Emelyn Coronado

A Filipina domestic worker has succeeded in getting a local employment agency owner to pay $30,000 in unpaid loan and charges that the maid had incurred on behalf of a staff member of the agency.

The maid, 36-year-old Emelyn Coronado, managed to smile for the first time in two months after the agency, Luckyflex International Ltd, settled the unpaid loan at the main office of Public Finance in Central on Nov 15.

Coronado sought the help of a workers’ group, OFWs in Hong Kong, after debt collectors began calling her employers in September this year, badgering them about the maid’s unpaid loan.

But in an affidavit filed at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Admiralty, Coronado claimed she had taken out the $25,000 loan at the behest of Luckyflex staff Nema Tolones who allegedly said she needed money but could not borrow from the lender personally.

Coronado did as requested, but said she did not realize that she had been tricked by Tolones until she received a letter in December last year from the financing company, demanding that she repay the loan.

The diminutive single mother from Iloilo City, who has been working for her Hong Kong employer for one year and seven months, adamantly refused to pay up. Instead, she told Tolones about the demand note and asked her to pay up.

However, Tolones reportedly ignored her and even threatened to have her fired by her employer. The staff’s Filipino boyfriend then allegedly started calling Coronado or sending angry messages, especially when he learned she was seeking help from POLO.

Last September, a debt collector engaged by Public Finance began calling up Coronado’s employer frequently about the debt, causing the maid to worry and lose sleep.

“Mahigit dalawang buwan akong hindi nakakakain at nakakatulog dahil sa utang na hindi binabayaran ni Nema,” said the haggard worker, who was crying while relating her torment.

Regina de Andres, leader of OFWs in Hong Kong, helped the maid bring her case to the attention of Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre in early November, prompting the official to suspend the processing of workers’ contracts submitted by Luckyflex until it had sorted out the mess. 

Feeling the impact of the suspension, agency owner Sandie Ng reportedly agreed to settle the dispute between Tolones and Coronado by paying the loan balance.

On Nov. 13, Ng learned from Public Finance on Nov. 13 that the unpaid loan had run up to $31,600, including collector’s fees. She balked initially, but reconsidered two days later after she asked for a discount and was told to just pay $30,000.

Labatt Dela Torre let Ng and Coronado sign a settlement agreement whereby the agency owner agreed to settle the loan that Coronado had taken out for Tolones. In return, the helper acknowledged receiving the payment and agreed to waive any and all causes of action against the agency.

Only then did Labatt dela Torre lifted the suspension order on the agency.

Plan, save, learn skills for reintegration, OFWs told

Overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong should plan, save and acquire investment and livelihood skills for their eventual return home right on their first year here, according to Deputy Consul General Deric Atienza.

The officer-in-charge of the Consulate gave the advice on Nov 19 as he welcomed resource speakers and guests from Manila and the Filipino community to a day-long seminar, the “International Forum on Migration in Hong Kong,” at the Admiralty Convention Centre.

The forum is an annual activity for the Month of Overseas Filipinos in December, which is being celebrated this year in Hong Kong and Doha, Qatar, with the theme “Enhancing Reintegration, Leaving no Migrants and Their families Behind.”  The event was organized by the Consulate in cooperation with the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch and Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Participants assemble for a souvenir photo at the end of the forum.

Atienza thanked the Hong Kong-based OFWs for the impact of their monthly cash remittances to their families on the Philippine economy.

He said the Filipino community in Hong Kong is one of the biggest globally and the largest in East Asia at 220,000. It comprises about 200,000 migrant workers, 90% of whom are women domestic helpers.

“Dahil sa padala ninyo sa inyong mga pamilya ay patuloy ang pag-ikot ng ating ekonomiya,” Atienza said. “Hindi maliit ang halaga ng ipinapadala natin sa Pilipinas.”

He said no less than 10% of the country’s population of 110 million is made up of overseas workers, with all 11 million of them deployed across the globe. But he cited a dark side to the labor exportation: the so-called social costs, such as broken homes and wayward children.

“Hindi maganda na natatapos lamang siya sa merely na pagpapadala,” Atienza said, suggesting that workers do so in a smart way, not just to spend on commercial goods but rather to reinvest in their country.

He said government wants to shorten the migration of OFWs. “The government is already exerting efforts in such a way na kapag lumabas kayo ng Pilpinas, maipo-program ninyo mula sa paglabas, unang taon pa lamang matatantiya nyo kung hanggang kailan, at mai-effect yung plans ninyo.”

He said a parent’s absence from her family for 3 years, 10 years and even 20 years has a priceless social cost to her family, even if she can fix the economic cost with remittances.

“Yung absence nyo sa families ninyo affects how your children grow up, your children are not with you, your spouses are not with you, lahat po iyan ay may adverse effect. Because of this, the ideal situation is that we stay at home. And if you can shorten the time that you are overseas, then that’s even better,” Atienza said.

Carmelita Nuqui, president of Philippine Migrants Rights Watch and chair of Interagency Committee on the Month of Overseas Filipinos, said the celebration was institutionalized during the time of President Cory Aquino 10 years ago.

The line-up of activities for November and December leading up to the final celebration on Dec 18 is coordinated with provincial governments and actively involves OFWs.

Nuqui noted the reality that workers had to work abroad because there were not enough opportunities at home. Even in congressional hearings on emergency repatriation, OFWs trapped in war zones refuse to be flown home because of fear their families would starve.

Other speakers were Mark Espina of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, who discussed the Department of Labor and Employment’s reintegration program for returning migrants; Frencel Tinga of the CFO, who talked about human trafficking and government’s programs and services to combat the menace. 

Leo Selomenio spoke about her dream to be a president seemingly fulfilled by her becoming a community leader and a film star in Hong Kong, thanks to the award-winning movie, “Sunday Beauty Queen”.

Raymond Francis Ramos updated members on the Pag-IBIG Fund’s services for overseas Filipinos, while Lucille Blesilda Simbol discussed the Social Security System’s services for OFWs.
Mid-morning snacks and lunch were provided for participants, who each went home with a certificate of attendance.  – Vir B. Lumicao

OEC suspension not likely to be extended, Labatt says

The SUN
Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre says the suspension of the issuance of the overseas employment certificates to first-time overseas Filipino workers, which effectively resulted in a deployment ban, is not likely to be extended beyond the Dec. 1 deadline.

“Ang daming nagreklamo, so malamang hindi na ma-extend,” said Labatt dela Torre.

An estimated 75,000 new OFWs were affected by the 15-day OEC suspension, with about 750 of them bound for Hong Kong.

Applicants for OEC exemption queuing up on the Admiralty Centre footbridge are starting to grow in number as OFWs look to going home during the the Christmas and New Year holidays

Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III imposed the OEC suspension on Nov. 17, saying it was meant to crack down on a human trafficking syndicate operating out of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Every OFW departing from the Philippines for the first time is required to obtain the OEC, so the suspension also meant a halt in deployment.

In response to Bello’s order, the Hong Kong government has decided to grant up to two weeks’ extension to the work contracts of foreign domestic workers which are expiring on or before Dec 31.

This so-called flexibility arrangement aims to ease the potential impact on local families if the new domestic helpers they are hiring from the Philippines are not able to come before, or shortly after, the expiration of their contracts with their existing helpers

“We hope (the) flexibility arrangement can help the families affected by the situation, especially those who need help in taking care of the elderly and children, so that they can retain their current FDHs temporarily while waiting for the new FDHs … to report for duty upon the resumption of (OEC) issuance …by the Philippine government,” a government spokesman said.

Under the Standard Employment Contract, an employer may apply to extend the period of employment of their FDWs by not more than one month by mutual agreement (with) the FDH, and with approval from the Director of Immigration.

The spokesman said families likely to be affected must apply for the longer extension period for their maids directly with the Director of Immigration on or before Dec. 31 this year.

“Prior consent from the Commissioner for Labour is required for extending the period of an FDH contract beyond a month,” the spokesman said.

The application for extension of stay of FDHs may be submitted directly during office hours or by post to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai. The required documents for submitting the application are as follows:
1. Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A) completed and signed by the FDH;
2. Original copies (copies only for applications made by post) of the current SEC (ID407) kept by the employer and the FDH with an amendment clause on extending the employment period duly signed by both parties;
3. A supporting letter signed by the employer stating the reason(s) for extending the employment period;
4. The FDH’s travel document (copy only for applications made by post); and
5. A visa fee of $190.

The spokesman also said Hong Kong will continue to liaise with the Philippine Consulate General and request the Philippine Government for an exemption to the suspension order, and resume the issuance of OECs to helpers coming to Hong Kong as soon as possible.