Traidor na kamag-anak

Siniraan si Nene sa kanyang amo ng isang kamag-anak na gustong takasan ang utang sa kanya at sa isang financing company.

Dumulog siya sa Konsulado at nitong nakaraang buwan ay nagkaharap silang lahat sa opisina ng assistance to nationals section. Dala-dala ni Nene ang sulat ng kamag-anak sa kanyang amo kung saan hinimok ito na paalisin siyang bigla at huwag bigyan ng kabayaran para sa matagal niyang pagseserbisyo.

Binalaan ng opisyal sa assistance to nationals ang kanyang kamag-anak na huwag nang uulit sa mga gawaing hindi makatao. Pinapirma din ang kamag-anak sa isang kasulatan kung saan inamin niya na may utang siya kay Nene, at nangakong magbabayad.

Pero lumipas ang isang buwan na walang natatanggap si Nene ni singkong bayad mula sa kamag-anak. Ang mas masaklap, noong nakaraang linggo ay may tumawag na kolektor sa bahay ng amo kaya bigla siyang pinababa.

Ibinigay ng amo ang kabayaran para sa kanyang 10 taon na paglilingkod, pero walang sinabing dahilan kung bakit pinutol ang kanilang kontrata. – Merly Bunda

Muntik nang mahuling nagpa-parttime

Si Lenglui  ay isang Ilongga, 38 taong gulang, may asawa at isang anak. Tatlong taon na siyang nagtatrabaho sa kanyang among Intsik.

Noong Dis. 3 ng umaga ay sinundo siya sa MTR station ng isang lalaking Intsik na ibinigay ng kanyang kakilala na Pinay din dahil nagpapahanap daw ng maglilinis ng flat. Dinala siya ng lalaki sa flat niya sa Kennedy Town at sinabi lahat kung anong dapat niya gagawin.

Ayon kay Lenglui makalat at magulo ang lahat na gamit sa bahay at mukha yung lalaki lang ang nakatira doon. Pagkahatid sa kanya ay umalis ang lalaki na nagmamadali dahil daw may ka meeting sa almusal.

Pagkatapos ng mga kalahating oras ay nag text yong lalaki sa kanya at sinabing babalik ito dahil may nakalimutan. Pero bago ito nakabalik ay nakita ni Lenglui ang isang ID ng lalaki na nakasabit sa dingding, at doon niya nakita na isang Immigration officer pala iyong lalaki na may ari ng flat.

Natigilan siya sandali dahil sa pagkagulat, pero agad namang natauhan kaya biglang lumabas nang mabilis. Nag text siya sa lalaki para sabihin na alam niyang bawal sa batas ng Hong Kong ang mag sideline, pero nangako naman siya na hindi na uulit.

Pagkatapos ay agad nang binura lahat ni Lenglui ang mga mensahe sa kanyang whatsapp at pinatay ang kanyang cellphone. Sobrang kaba niya dahil baka daw may sumusunod sa kanya o nakuhan siya ng litrato sa CCTV. Halos hindi siya nakakain noong araw na iyon at umuwi na lang ng maaga sa bahay ng amo.

Hinanap niya yong kakilala niya na nagbigay ng trabaho na iyon pero  hindi na niya nakita. Wala na ito sa kanyang boarding house, at pati na rin sa dating tambayan. Noon niya naisip na sadya siyang ipinain ng kanyang kakilala sa mga pulis.

Sabi ni Lenglui, gusto niyang ibahagi ang kanyang kuwento bilang babala sa mga kapwa OFW na huwag basta magtiwala sa iba, lalo na pagdating sa ilegal na trabaho. Huwag na rin daw gumawa ng ilegal at baka mapahamak lang sila. – Merly Bunda

Lupus ang sakit

Apat na buwan pa lang sa Hong Kong si Jinky Calise Piolo, 32 taong gulang at tubong, Pototan, Iloilo, nang mag-umpisang sumama ang pakiramdam niya noong Okt. 21. Lumipat sila ng tirahan kaya masyadong abala sila ng kanyang kasama na Ilongga din sa pag empake, at pagdating sa bagong bahay, ay ibinalik naman nila ang gamit sa lagayan.

Malaki ang bagong bahay, na hindi kukulangin sa 2,000 square feet ang kabuuang sukat.

Noong gabi ng Okt 20 ay halos hatinggabi na silang kumain ng kasama dahil nagkasundo sila na tapusin na ang lahat ng trabaho. Sa sobrang pagod ay agad siyang nakatulog.

Pagdating ng madaling araw ay bigla siyang sinumpong ng sakit ng paa, na para bang tinutusok ng mga karayom ang kanyang talampakan. Masakit ang mga joints niya at nilalagnat din siya.

Alalang alala na ang kanyang kasama at sinabing tatawagan ang kanilang amo, ngunit pinigil ni Jinky na ang sabi ay malapit na ding mag alas sais ng umaga. Gayunpaman, ipinaalam ng kanyang kasama sa kanilang mga amo ang kanyang kalagayan, at agad naman siyang dinala sa Prince Of Wales Hospital sa Shaitin.

Hindi maalis-alis ang kanyang lagnat, at sobrang sakit ng kanyang mga joints. Ang mga daliri niya ay nagkulay ube at may lumabas na mga rashes sa mukha niya. Pagkatapos ng ilang pagsusuri ay sinabi ng doktor na may lupus si Jinky.

Ang maganda lang, sabi ng doktor, ay hindi naapektuhan ang kanyang kidney. Nakitaan din siya ng spot sa lungs kaya pala hirap siyang huminga. Pero pagkaraan ng ilang araw ay medyo  mahaba na yong nalalakad niya, sa tulong ng nurse. Mabuti na lang at sinabi ng amo niya na magpagaling siya at huwag alalahanin ang gastos. Tuloy pa din daw ang trabaho niya kapag nakalabas siya sa ospital.

Dinadalangin ni Jinky na sana ay tuloy-tuloy na ang kanyang paggaling. Ang inaalala na lang niya ay ang kanyang utang na iniwan sa Iloilo para ipambayad sa kanyang placement fee dahil naniningil na ang nagpautang.

Galing siya ng Singapore kung saan nagtrabaho siya ng apat na taon at kalahati, bago nagdesisyong bumalik sa Iloilo. Nagpahinga muna siya ng limang buwan bago pumunta dito sa Hong Kong. Doon sa Singapore, sabi niya, sigurado siyang wala siyang sakit dahil tuwing anim na buwan ay may medical check up sila.

Si Jinky ay may asawa at dalawang anak na edad walo at pitong taong gulang. – Merly Bunda

Parttime ang dahilan ng pagpapauwi

Nagahol na sa oras si Leny 40, Ilokana, sa paghahanap ng malilipatan nang magdesisyon ang amo niya na hindi pumirma sa bagong kontrata, isang linggo bago maubos ang kanyang visa. Hindi siya nakaimik nang ibalik ng amo ang kanyang kontrata na hindi pirmado, at ibigay ang huling suweldo niya, kasama ang tiket pauwi na naka-book na ng Nob. 30.

Sa loob ng isang linggo ay nagkumahog si Leny sa paghahanap ng bagong amo nguini’t siya ay bigo. Sising sisi siya dahil naging kampante siya sa pag-asang pipirma ulit ng kontrata ang kanyang amo.

Ayon sa kwento niya sa isang kaibigan, maaring may nakapagsumbong sa kanyang amo na nagpapa-parttime siya sa isang restoran na pag aari ng isang Briton na ang asawa ay Pinay.

Dahil sa madaliang pag-alis ay marami sa kanyang mga gamit ang naiwan, kabilang ang ilang groceries, damit, at mga samu’t sari. Pagdating sa Pilipinas ay nagpadala siya ng mensahe sa isang kaibigan kung saan sinabi niya na hindi daw pala maganda ang maghangad ng malaking kita sa parttime, kung ang magiging kapalit nito ay ang pirming trabaho na pangmatagalan.

Natatakot si Leny na baka pati ang motorsiklo na hinuhulugan ng kanyang asawa ay mailit dahil wala na silang inaasahang pera. Panay ang pakiusap niya ngayon sa kaibigan na ihanap siya ng employer at nangangako siya na hindi na siya ulit magpa parttime. - George Manalansan

Tiyaga at tiwala, nagbunga

Pangarap ni Ruth na mapagtapos ng pag aaral ang kanyang mga anak kaya nakipagsapalaran siyang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa Taong 2013 nang siya ay lumisan para magtrabaho sa Hong Kong. Nanilbihan siya sa mag-asawang Intsik na may isang anak, at kasama sa bahay ang ina ng lalaki na biyuda na.

Sanay man sa hirap ay hindi pa rin niya inakala na mas mahirap ang kanyang magiging kapalaran sa piling ng kanyang mga amo, at lalo na sa matandang babae na kasama nila sa bahay. Tutok ang mata nito habang siya ay gumagawa ng gawaing bahay at pinaglalaba siya gamit ang kamay.

Maliban pa sa mahigpit sa paglilinis ang matanda ay pinapatulog rin siya sa ilalim ng mesa na nilatagan lamang ng karton.

Kaya kung sa Pilipinas ay may sarili siyang kuwarto dito ay sa sahig siya natutulog. Hirap man ang kalooban at awa sa sarili ang nararamdaman ay idinadaan na lamang niya sa iyak at dasal ang lahat.

Ayon pa kay Ruth alam ng Diyos ang kanyang paghihirap at pagtitiis, kaya umaasa siya na gagantimpalaan din siya  balang araw. Tiniis niya ang lahat ng hirap at itinuon ang pag-iisip sa kinabukasan ng mga anak. Para makapagtipid ay nagbabaon na lamang ng siya ng pagkain kapag araw ng day off kahit mag isa siyang kumakain sa parke. Ni minsan ay hindi niya inisip na magterminate ng kontrata dahil alam niya na magiging kaw

awa ang kanyang mga anak. Sa kabila nito ay hindi pa rin niya nakalimutan ang magbigay ng ikapu (10% tithe) kaya malakas at matatag ang kanyang kalooban na gagantimpalaan siya ng Diyos. Wala rin siyang sinayang na oras kapag day off dahil nag aaral siya ng ibat ibat kasanayan bilang paghahanda sa pagbabalik niya sa pilipinas.

Dahil sa sakripisyo at tamang pagba budget ay mapapatapos na niya ang kanyang dalawang anak sa kolehiyo sa kurso para sa inhenyero at guro. Siya mismo ay nakapasa rin sa NCII test ng Tesda na ibinibigay sa mga nagtapos ng massage therapy class.

Matapos ang anim na taon na pagtitiis siya ay handa nang mag for good sa darating na taon. Balak niyang magnegosyo sa Pilipinas gamit ang long service na ipinangako ng mga amo. Ayon kay Ruth masaya siya dahil nagawa niyang mapatapos ng pag-aaral ang mga anak, at ngayon ay malapit na niyang makasama muli.

Si Ruth ay tubong Davao at nagtratrabaho sa pamilyang Intsik Tseung Kwan-o. – Ellen Asis

Employer accuses DH of theft, then goes on tour

A Filipina domestic worker is in jail, facing a charge of theft, after her nurse employer accused her of stealing an earring, then left for a holiday.

Friends of Melinda Estalonio, of Chun Mau House, Ko Chun Court, Yautong, told The SUN she was arrested on the evening of Dec 18, three days before her employers left for an overseas tour.

Estalonio, had worked for her employers for 12 years, and was reportedly looking forward to being paid for long service when she decides to go home for good. 

One of her friends contacted The SUN for help on Dec 22 after they could not contact her about their plan to cook food for a Christmas get-together.

The friends went to the flat earlier that day and knocked on the door but no one answered, so they asked the guard and learned that Estalonio was taken away by the police on the evening of Dec 18.

They went to the Kwuntong police station on Dec 22 but were told she was not there.

With the help of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, the helper’s friends were able to locate her on Dec 25 in Tai Lam Women’s Correctional, where she was taken after being charged in court.

One of her friends said Estalonio’s case is set for a hearing in Kwuntong Court on Jan 30. - Vir B. Lumicao

Police arrest Peya Travel owners

By The SUN Hong Kong

Hong Kong police have arrested husband and wife Peter Brian and Rhea Donna Bayona-Boyce, owners of Peya Travel, which was at the center of an airline booking mess over the Christmas holidays.

Police say 645 people, mostly overseas Filipino workers, were affected by the apparent booking scam.  All appear not to have been issued airline tickets, despite Peya’s assurance that they had confirmed flights after collecting the full fare from each of them.

Thirty-eight year old Rhea Donna, or Yanyan to many in the community, was the first to be arrested.  She was picked up from the couple’s flat in Wanchai at noon on Christmas day, and then taken wearing a face mask and her head covered with a pink wrap, to Peya’s office in World Wide Plaza where the police collected documents.

Yanyan, who was the travel agency’s managing director, was detained for two days at the Central Police Station before being allowed to post bail. She was told to report back to the police in early January.

Peter, 59, a retired securities consultant, was taken in shortly after Yanyan’s temporary release. He was released on police bail after being questioned for a full day. He, too, was ordered to report back to the police early next month.

The couple was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to defraud Peya’s customers out of some $2 million in paid plane fares. The travelers had paid an average of $3,000 each for the Philippines-bound flights that they were unable to take.

Police said that since mid-December, they had received complaints from several “foreign women” whose air tickets from PEYA were not honored by airlines.

A 67-year-old local man also reportedly went to the police on Dec. 21 to complain that his company, an air ticket wholesaler, had not been paid for about $3 million worth of tickets it had issued Peya since May this year.

On Dec 28, Benny Hui, a travel agency owner and also a ticket wholesaler, told The SUN he stopped giving credit to Peya at the end of August after a check issued by Yanyan had bounced.

The booking mess initially affected about 100 workers who were scheduled to depart Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 17, but Yanyan told The SUN she managed to book them on other flights at premium fare.

But the apparent scam unraveled when hundreds more Peya customers were unable to board their flights the next day because they were not issued tickets. Airline staff told the irate travelers that Peya had failed to pay for their tickets.

On Monday morning, Dec 18, Peya staff walked out on their jobs after being swamped with complaints by angry customers.

Yanyan and her sales and marketing manager Arnold Grospe were left to handle the growing number of complainants.

Yanyan eventually slipped out and Grospe, for the next two days, faced the hundreds of rowdy customers who demanded to be rebooked on other flights or be refunded their payments.

Grospe was invited to the Central Police station for questioning at the close of business hours on Dec 20, but was released after five hours without any charge being laid against him.

As the unrest mounted, the Consulate led by acting head of post Roderico Atienza began taking down the statements and contact details of the affected Peya customers. A total of 167 Filipinos responded to the call  to lodge complaints, which the Consulate then endorsed to the police for further action.

Deputy Consul General Atienza also wrote a letter to Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Police Lo Wai-chung early on Dec 21 calling for an investigation.

Three days later, Commissioner Lo reportedly visited DCG Atienza amid a growing call for police action on the case.  Yanyan was arrested the next day.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific Airlines responded to the crisis by announcing that it was sending bigger aircraft to Hong Kong to ferry some of the stranded travelers on its last flights on Dec. 22 and 23.

The airline also said it was charging a”distress fare”, (which one passenger said was only $1,300 for a return  ticket) for the extra seats as a humanitarian gesture.

The next day, Dec. 21, Philippine Airlines also said in a statement that it was sending bigger aircraft to fly out more OFW passengers on the two crucial dates.

About 200 distressed Peya customers reportedly snapped up the extra seats offered by both airlines at heavily discounted fares for the two busiest days of the flying season.

Cebu Pacific then stepped up to the plate by offering 50 free tickets to the affected travelers on a first come, first served basis. However, the slots that were opened were only for the evening flights of Dec. 25, 30 and Jan. 8.

The Philippine government, through Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, upped the ante by offering to pay for the fare of all OFWs who were unable to fly home for the holidays because of the Peya fiasco, subject to the availability of seats.

After negotiating with PAL, the flag carrier, about 50 extra seats that were paid for by the government were offered to the affected passengers.

At the close of business hours on Dec.24, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre said a total of 101 OFWs had managed to avail of the free tickets on the Cebu Pacific and PAL flights.

The processing of applications for the free seats was handled by staff at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office who put in extra hours to do the job.

On Dec. 27, the processing resumed for OFW applicants who plan to go home before the New Year.

Walang pa ring susi kahit 6 months na sa amo

Anim na buwan na si Mary sa mga amo ngunit wala pa rin siyang susi sa bahay, kaya laging malaking problema tuwing araw ng kanyang day-off. Mahigpit ang bilin ng kanyang amo na huwag siyang magpapahuli ng uwi kapag siya ay lumalabas, kaya laging on time siya sa pagbalik sa kanilang bahay, kahit na nasa Tiu Keng Leng sa New Territories pa iyon.

Ang kaso, ang mga amo ang mahilig umuwi ng gabi kaya madalas na mamuti ang mga mata ni Leni sa kakahintay sa kanila. Gaya na lang nitong nagdaang Pasko.

Bagamat gusto sana ni Mary na makasama pa ng mas matagal ang mga kaibigan sa importanteng okasyon na ito ay minabuti pa rin niyang umuwi ng maaga. Alas siyete pa lang ay nasa pintuan na siya ngunit wala ang kanyang mga amo sa bahay kaya minabuti niyang magtalungko na lang sa harap ng pintuan.

Nag message siya sa kanyang amo ngunit lumipas muna ang isang oras at 20 minuto bago ito sumagot. Sinabi nito na mag message na lang daw ito kapag pauwi na sila. Mabuti na lang at napansin siya ng kanilang kapitbahay at sinabing pumasok muna siya sa kanila dahil malamig sa labas.

Sinabi ni Mary sa amo na pinapasok siya ng kapitbahay para doon muna maghintay at umoo naman sa amo. Nahihiya man na baka nakakaabala na siya sa kapitbahay ngunit hindi sya pinayagang umalis hanggang hindi pa dumarating ang amo.

Laking pasalamat ni Mary sa kapitbahay dahil sa mabuti nitong puso, kundi ay napagod siya nang husto sa kakatayo sa labas dahil umabot sa apat na oras bago umuwi ang kanyang amo.

At kahit day off niya, alam ni Mary na papagtrabahuin pa siya ng amo pagdating nito, kaya siguradong puyat na naman siya.

Sa kabila nito ay ayaw pa rin ni Mary na mag “break contract” ng dahil lang sa susi. Ang mas mahalaga sa kanya ay nakakatanggap siya ng sahod kada buwan kaya titiisin na lang daw muna niya ang kanyang walang tiwalang amo hanggang matapos ang kanilang kontrata. Gayunpaman, gusto pa rin niyang kausapin ang kanyang amo para manghingi ng susi. —-Rodelia Villa

PCG warns vs. facial cream with excessive mercury

Filipinos are being warned by the Consulate against buying a facial cream that may contain excessive amounts of mercury, thus posing a health risk.

The Consulate accompanied the warning with a press release from the Centre for Health Protection of Hong Kong’s Department of Health that urged the public not to buy or use the cosmetic product, Zi Xin Mei Spots Removing Night Cream.

The appeal followed the CHP’s receipt of notification of a case of mercury poisoning from the Hospital Authority involving a female patient aged 30. The CHP commenced investigations immediately.

The patient, with good past health, has developed swelling of her lower limbs since November and provided a recent history of use of the above product for one to two months before symptoms appeared.

Her urine sample revealed a mercury level 14 280 times the acceptable reference level and this was clinically suspected to be related to the use of the product.

The CHP’s investigation is continuing, and the case has been referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow-up.

“Chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, deterioration of memory, difficulty in concentration, impaired hearing and vision, and change in the taste function. In severe cases, renal failure may occur,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

 ”As the mercury content of the product far exceeded the acceptable level, its use may result in serious side-effects…Members of the public are urged not to buy or use cosmetic products of unknown composition or obtained from doubtful sources,” the spokesman said.

Stranded sa HK dahil sa Peya

Isa si Perla, 56 at taga Pampanga, sa nakabili sa palpak na air ticket ng Peya Travel. Halos maiyak siya nang sabihin sa kanya sa check-in counter ng Philippine Airlines na wala ang kanyang pangalan sa listahan ng mga pasahero sa PR313 na paalis ng 7:50 ng umaga noong Dec. 18.

Galit na galit siya dahil noon lang nangyari sa kanya ang ganoon. Ilang buwang paghahanda, pag-iisip, pagba-budget at pagkundisyon sa isip ang pinagdaanan niya sa pag-asang makakauwi at makakapiling ang pamilya sa kapaskuhan. 

Kasama ang ilan pang pasahero ng Peya na ganoon din ang kinabagsakan ay agad silang tumawag sa ahensiya at pinangakuan sila na isasakay sa eroplano na paalis ng 4pm, pero hindi pa kumpirmado. Sumakit ang ulo ni Perla dahil sa dami ng alalahanin, lalo na at hindi siya nakatulog noong nagdaang gabi sa paninigurong walang aberyang mangyayari sa bakasyon niya.

Pati ang mga susundo sana sa kanya sa Maynila ay pinabalik niya sa Pampanga nang malaman na nakaalis na sila at nasa San Simon expressway na. Ayaw na niyang umasa sa pangako ng Peya kaya nagpatulong sa isang kaibigan na residente na i-book na lang siya sa Cebu Pacific papunta ng Clark airport, kahit $5,300 na ang halaga ng return air ticket, at 20 kilos lang ang pwedeng dalhin na bagahe. Nagbayad siya ng dagdag na $300 dahil may excess baggage siya.

Nagbabala siya sa ibang kapwa pasahero na kumpirmahin diretso sa airline kung talagang nakasama sila sa listahan ng pasahero para sa kanilang flight at hindi makaranas ng aberya na katulad ng sinapit niya.

At sa mga travel agency, nakiusap siya na huwag tutulad sa Peya, “maawa naman po kayo sa amin”, ang sabi niya.

Balak ni Perla ngayon na sumali sa mga nagreklamo laban sa Peya pagbalik niya sa Hong Kong, para man lang maibalik ang perang ibinayad niya sa kanila, at kung maari ay pabayad din ang perhuwisyong inabot niya ng dahil sa kanilang kapalpakan.– George Manalansan

Duterte claims success in war vs crime, drugs

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported an 8.44 percent decrease in the total crime volume nationwide from 493,912 reported crimes in October 2016 to 452,204 in October 2017.

It also noted the decrease in index crime at 20.56 percent, with robbery incidents fewer by 23.61 percent from 18,259 in October 2016 to 13,948 in October 2017.

In the war on illegal drugs, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque claimed it was “hugely successful, citing combined data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), showing that 1,308,078 drug addicts have surrendered to the government as of July 26, 2017; while authorities have arrested 118,287 individuals as of November 27, 2017 during 79,193 anti-drug operations in the same period.

“I think the communities are safer and our young people are better protected against drugs,” Roque said in a recent interview.

He said he expects fewer allegations of human rights violations tied to the illegal drugs drug clampdown. “I think it’s human experience that we should hear less complaints because we know how to do it better,” he added.

“The Duterte administration has accomplished much in its first full year in office in 2017. The President’s decisive leadership, plus the strong collaboration among various government agencies, has resulted in the attainment of many of the priorities set out by the national government in the last 12 months,” said part of a 63-page accomplishment report of the Duterte administration.

It said authorities seized illegal substances worth P18.92 billion; and that 4,747 barangays have been declared drug-free as of November 27, 2017.

However, the same report said only 3,967 drug personalities have died in the government’s war on drugs as of November 27, 2017 while 16, 355 homicide cases are still under investigation, the joint data added.

Human rights groups have been citing more than 13, 000 deaths attributed to the government’s aggressive war on drugs.  Human rights advocates classified the deaths as “extrajudicial killings” as they claim that Duterte’s rhetoric has emboldened policemen to use shortcuts in the anti-drug crackdown.

A prevailing narrative in anti-drug operations is the “nanlaban” claim of the police operatives, wherein suspects killed allegedly fought back and resisted arrest. Critics, however, decry extrajudicial killings in the process as they point out that those killed in the drug war have yet to face a court to try allegations against them.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said “crucial reforms” will be undertaken in the year ahead to achieve President Duterte’s commitment to eliminate illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government.

In a 63-page yearend report released on Tuesday, Roque said Duterte and his administration would “act in urgency” to give “the Filipino people a safe, secure, and comfortable environment through his key platforms of providing law and order, lasting peace, and prosperity for all.”

Duterte promised to rid the country of drugs and criminality in six months, but later asked for a longer deadline, insisting he was not aware of the gravity of the drug problem.

1.28M Filipinos leave for overseas jobs, 1.17M repatriated in 2017

The government recorded 1.28 million Filipinos who left the country for overseas employment in the first nine months of 2017 while 1.17 million others were brought back home for various reasons from different countries, mostly from the Middle East.

According to partial statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), 1.06 million of those who left for overseas work from January to September were land-based workers while 22, 477 were mostly seafarers.

However, only 321, 345 of those who left were new hires. The rest were re-hires.

The POEA suspended the deployment of new hires for 15 days in November purportedly to control illegal recruitment operations involving certain officials and employees of the agency.

While Filipino workers continue to seek employment abroad, more have also been receiving repatriation and reintegration benefits from the government.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said 1,170,514 OFWs received welfare and protection programs, including reintegration and repatriation services from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in 2017.

From July to October of this year, 54,470 OFWs and their families benefitted from the government’s intensified reintegration programs, including skills training and livelihood assistance, the labor chief reported.

He said 36,438 OFWs, mostly from the Middle East, were repatriated and provided with on-site assistance and P20, 000 financial aids each.

A total of 9,512 repatriated OFWs were provided additional cash grants of P6, 000 each while 13,245 OFWs were given food and hygiene kits each.

In connection with the 90-day amnesty program of Saudi Arabia for undocumented and stranded foreign nationals, OWWA also recorded a total of 15,839 Filipino migrant workers who took up the amnesty, 10,011 of whom were repatriated to the Philippines.

The DOLE released a total of P514, 412,350.21 to provide various assistance to OFWs, such as food and hygiene kits, legal counseling and stress debriefing, medical and psycho-social services and training assistance.

Bello said DOLE sought bigger budget for next year’s repatriation program because the government needs to prepare for the possible repatriation of OFWs in Qatar and other Middle East countries due to prevailing conflicts. “The situation in Qatar is still stable, but we cannot just relax our guard, we are talking of 240,000 Filipinos staying there,” he said.

PEYA co-owner arrested on suspicion of fraud

Police lead Boyce out of PEYA's shop in Central on Christmas Day

By The SUN

Hong Kong police are questioning Monday night Rhea Donna Boyce, co-owner of PEYA Travel, after arresting her at noon on Christmas Day in her Wanchai flat on suspicion of fraud in connection with her company’s airline booking mess.

The 38-year-old Boyce, a Filipina married to an Australian national listed as PEYA’s other co-owner, was seen being led by police in the afternoon to her shuttered office on the third floor of World Wide Plaza in Central where they searched for evidence.

Police said in a later report that the woman arrested whom they did not identify, would be detained overnight at the Central Police station for further investigation. They did not rule out further arrests.

The report said the “foreign woman” was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud foreign workers.’’

“A unit of the Central Police District Crime Squad who took over the investigation of cases arrested at about 12 noon today (Dec 25) in Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, a 38-year foreign female person in charge of the travel company on suspicion of conspiring to commit fraud,” the report said.

People who witnessed Boyce being escorted to PEYA’s office on Monday afternoon said the search lasted for about two hours.

Afterwards, Boyce, better known in the Filipino community by her nickname “Yanyan”, was seen being escorted out of the shop wearing a face mask and her head covered in a pink shawl, as a fellow Filipina shouted and taunted her.

  

The police said that since mid-December, they had received complaints from several foreign women whose air tickets bought from PEYA Travel were not honored by airlines.

Police initially estimated there were as many as 645 people who had complained against the agency and that the sum involved was about $2 million.

However, the police said that in addition, a 67-year-old local man reported on Dec. 21 that his company, through which PEYA sourced its air tickets, had not been paid for about $3 million worth of tickets by the travel agency since May this year.

Police invited Boyce on Saturday night for questioning. Reports say she appeared with her legal representative at the police station but declined to talk.

Boyce offered to refund the money paid by her irate customers

But in a phone conversation with The SUN later that night, Boyce said she was sorry about what happened, and that she was willing to refund the money of all of PEYA's customers who were not able to board their flights, though she couldn't do it all at once. She also said she was considering paying compensation on top of the refund.

Boyce insisted there was no fraud or malice on her company's part, but remained vague as to the real cause.

The booking mess unraveled on Dec. 17 when groups of overseas Filipino workers on their way home for the holidays were told at the check-in counters at Chek Lap Kok that PEYA had not paid for their tickets, and could not thus not board their flights.

Boyce tried to remedy the problem by buying tickets for about 100 OFWs about to leave that day, but was apparently overwhelmed by hundreds more of her customers being turned away at the airport in the succeeding days.

Boyce did not show up at her office the next day, and left her marketing director, Arnold Grospe to face the growing number of irate customers who demanded a refund. At the close of business hours on Dec. 19, Grospe was led away by police for questioning, but was released without charges after about five hours.

Acting on the OFWs’ complaints, the Consulate’s acting head of post Roderico Atienza instructed the assistance to nationals section to begin taking statements from the affected PEYA customers.

On Dec. 21, Atienza wrote a letter to Commissioner of Police Lo Wai-chung, urging an investigation, but failed to get a quick response.

But three days later, as the number of complaints mounted, the police started investigating.

As of Dec. 24, the number of complainants had reached about 600, said ATN officer Danny Baldon.

Meanwhile, the first PEYA passengers who snapped up the free air tickets offered by the Philippine government and Cebu Pacific Air left on Dec. 25, and were sent off by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre and his staff.

Cebu Pac offered 50 free tickets to the affected OFWs on a first-come, first-served basis, while about the same number were paid for by the Philippine government and booked through Philippine Airlines.

Earlier, PAL, following Cathay Pacific Airways’ example, sent bigger aircraft to Hong Kong for their last flights on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 to allow more affected passengers to fly to Manila.  

PHL govt joins scramble to bring home stranded Peya customers

Several groups have thrown a lifteline to OFWs who failed to fly home due to Peya's fault

By The SUN staff

The Philippine government has joined the last-minute dash to bring home overseas Filipino workers who were unable to board their flights a few days before Christmas because their booking agent, Peya Travel, failed to get their tickets issued, despite charging them the full fare.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told media outlets in the Philippines earlier today that the government would pay for the air fare because OFWs “have a very special place in President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s hear.”

Cayetano said the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment would split the cost of the air tickets of affected OFWs.

He was also reported as saying that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had placed the Philippine Air Force on standby in case it needed to fly the workers out of Hong Kong.

The acting head of Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong, Roderico Atienza, confirmed to The SUN that they had received instructions about the plan to get the affected OFWs home free of charge.

“There is negotiation going on to bring them home,” Atienza said. “The government is footing the bill.”

He said the talks are between the government and Philippine Airlines, which is being asked if it could fly the passengers first, then bill the government later. As of this writing, however, no commitment has yet been secured from PAL.

Atienza was, however, quick to quell reports that a military aircraft, particularly a C130, would be sent to Hong Kong to ferry the distressed passengers.

“It’s not that easy to send a military aircraft to a foreign territory,” said Atienza. “We will need Beijing’s approval for it.”

He said getting the military involved was definitely not part of the instructions given them by the head office in Manila.

Getting PAL to fly home more stranded OFWs could, however, prove to be a problem. A staff member of the airline’s Hong Kong office said all the additional seats offered by PAL for its flights to Manila for Dec. 22 and 23 have been snapped up.

A total of about 200 seats were freed up for the affected passengers on PAL’s last flights out of Hong Kong for the two days, after the airline decided to send bigger aircraft to Hong Kong. These were sold for $3,030 each, roundtrip, to people who applied for them directly with PAL. Return ticket prices for these two dates were selling for no less than $5,000 before the Peya fiasco erupted.

Cathay Pacific Airways, which earlier announced the same strategy of using bigger aircraft for its flights to Manila on these two days and offered a “distress fare” of just $1,300 return to affected passenger, appears to have filled all available slots immediately.

A latecomer in the move to get the stranded OFWs home is Cebu Pacific Airways, which offered 50 free air tickets yesterday to the affected passengers on three Hong Kong to Manila flights: On Dec 25 at 7:30pm, Dec. 30 at 3:45pm, and Jan. 8 at 3:45pm.

The airline has asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to process the applications for the free air tickets from the affected passengers. As of 3pm today, 38 of the available tickets have already been taken, said Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre.

Labatt dela Torre also said OWWA has started accepting applications for the free PAL flights that might be arranged by the government. As of the close of office hours today, only 10 OFWs had stepped forward to take advantage of the promised free tickets.

Meanwhile, Atienza clarified that the Philippine Consulate has no legal personality to file a complaint with the police against Peya Travel amid reports Secretary Cayetano had instr\ucted them to charge the agency of fraud.

He said the most that the Consulate can do is to ask those victimized in the ticketing mess to fill up a form detailing their complaints against the agency, then refer these to the police.

However, he said the Consulate did send a letter early yesterday to the Commissioner of Police, asking for an investigation into the complaints against Peya, but has yet to get a reply.

Attached to the letter was a list of the names and contact numbers of 161 Filipinos who sought the Consulate's help in pursuing Peya for the alleged fraud.

Erwiana wins over $800k in damages from ex-employer

By Vir B. Lumicao

Erwiana with the Misiion's Cynthia Tellez ar the
srtart of the hearing of her civil claim 

Indonesian former domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has been awarded her total claim of $809, 403 against her former Hong Kong employer who tortured her for more than seven months three years ago.

District Court Judge Winnie Tsui handed down the judgment on Dec. 21 with neither party present. 

In her decision, Judge Tsui called Sulistyaningsih’s maltreatment “inhumane, degrading and abhorrent.”

Sulistyaningsih is due to hold a press conference at 2:30pm today in Jordan to speak about her court victory. She will be assisted by the Mission for Migrant Workers manager Cynthia Tellez and Asian Migrants Coordinating Body chair Eni Lestari, who both helped Sulistyaningsih pursue her case.

It was the second vindication for Sulistyaningsih, whose former employer, Law Wan-tung, was jailed for six years in 2015 for her almost daily abuse of the Indonesian helper.

“The things which then defendant did to the plaintiff over those seven months were not done merely to inflict physical pain. They were meant to insult and to subdue the plaintiff to a state of total submission to the defendant’s authority,” Tsui said.

The damages awarded comprised $450,000 for pain, suffering and loss of amenities; $180,000 in aggravated damages for repeated assault and false imprisonment; $86,249 for pre-trial loss of earnings; $50,000 for loss of earning capacity; pre-trial expenses of $33,269 and future medical expenses of $9,910.

Now 25 years old and studying management and economics, Sulistyaningsih initiated the civil action against her former boss on Mar 16, 2015, about a month after Law was jailed for six years by District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock.

Tsui noted that Sulistyaningsih, represented by Tony Ko from Boase, Cohen & Collins,  had filed two statements before the hearing.

“She also gave evidence as the only witness at the hearing,” Tsui said.

Law at her court trial

Law, meanwhile, “acting in person, was not in any position to put forward a positive case to counter the amount of damages claimed by the plaintiff,” the judge said. The jailed former employer also chose not to cross examine the plaintiff.

Thus, the court said it could not consider Law’s allegations that Sulistyaningsih’s injuries were not as serious as the helper had claimed.

“Having considered (Sulistyaningsih’) evidence as a whole, I accept in full the factual account given by the plaintiff as true, including the abuses and maltreatment that she had gone through and endured…and her physical injuries and psychiatric symptoms,” Tsui said.       

PAL, Cathay extend help to stranded Peya clients

Peya's office in World Wide Plaza was shut on the third day of the ticketing scandal
(photo by Vir Lumicao)

By The SUN Staff

The two major airlines serving the Hong Kong to Manila route have stepped forward to extend help to hundreds of overseas Filipino workers who got caught in a ticketing fiasco involving Peya Travel.

Both Philippine Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways have announced plans to send bigger aircraft to Hong Kong over the Christmas holiday crunch to help Peya customers who were unable to fly home because they were issued only itineraries and not air tickets.

In addition, Cathay has started selling so-called “distress tickets” at discounted prices to an undetermined number of OFWs who got caught in the mess. The tickets, which are reportedly being sold for as low as $1,300 each, will be for seats that are still available on Cathay flights departing for Manila from between Dec. 21 to 31.

“For Filipino friends affected by the issues related to a HK travel agent not affiliated with us, we stand ready to help as much as we can,” Cathay posted on its Twitter account on Tuesday. It urged distressed passengers to explore their options by contacting its call centre at 2747 3333 or use Twitter or Facebook to send a private message.

In its own statement issued a day later, PAL said it would be using larger aircraft to flight to and from Hong Kong on Dec. 22 and 23, and on Jan 3 next year...”in order to give the stranded Filipino domestic workers an opportunity to avail of seats out of Hong Kong.”

The statement quoted PAL’s President and COO Jaime J. Bautista as saying: “Our hearts go to our stranded countrymen. We hope this gesture will serve as a means to help a number of them come home to the Philippines in time for Christmas day.”

Cebu Pacific, another airline with regular daily flights between Hong Kong and Manila or Clark, has reportedly said it was also looking at ways to help the stranded Filipinos. However, its flights to the Philippines in the remaining four days before Christmas are all full.

In the meantime, Peya’s office on the third floor of Worldwide Plaza was shut yesterday, Dec. 20, after the Travel Agents Registry reportedly revoked its license “temporarily”. The Travel Industry Council, which regulates the operation of travel agencies, also suspended Peya’s membership for the meantime.

For two days previously, Peya’s sales and marketing director Arnold Grospe single handedly braved the wrath of customers demanding a refund, or an explanation as to why the agency left them in a lurch at the busiest time of the year.

The Consulate has also begun taking action, by asking Peya customers who failed to board flights they were supposed to be on, to come forward and file a complaint.

As of the close of business hours on Wednesday, a total of  131 Peya customers had taken heed of the Consulate’s call.

However, the number of affected passengers is believed to range from 500 to a lot more, as Peya was a favorite booking agent among Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Vice Consul Bob Quintin who heads the assistance to nationals section, said he had talked to both Grospe and Peya owner and managing director Rhea Donna Boyce, but did not get much.

Quintin said he urged the two to come out and answer queries to resolve the issue. But the two Peya executives reportedly stuck to their story that a system glitch had prevented air tickets being issued to their clients.

Grospe was held for questioning at the Central Waterfront station Tuesday night, but was released without charges being laid.

Peya Travel subsequently posted an apology on its Facebook page, and said it was doing its best to help the affected customers. However, there was no mention of how or when it intends to extend help.

At the Philippine Airlines office in Tsimshatsui East, more than 100 would-be passengers had their supposed bookings checked, only to be told their bookings had been cancelled because the payment didn’t come.

A woman who said her flight was booked for Dec 19 inquired about the next available flight and staff at the PAL counter told her there was one seat available on Dec 24 but it was business class “and it’s very expensive”.

Some Filipinas who were called ahead of her bought new tickets, saying they had to dip deep into their savings, while others said their employers had given them ticket money again.

Despite the number of unwitting victims in the ticketing scandal, Hong Kong Police said they were not about to file charges against anyone.

“The cases were classified as a ‘dispute’ and we passed all of them to the Travel Industry Council,” the spokesman said.

Other companies have jumped into the fray by offering various ways to help the affected workers.

TNG, which calls itself as a “cashless remittance agency, announced it had set up a $500,000 fund for its members who got caught in the Peya fiasco.

Each TNG member who manages to prove booking their flights through the discredited agency will be given $1,000 to help them buy the pricey holiday tickets to the Philippines.

A number of Central-based travel agencies catering to Filipinos have also stepped forward, offering to help OFWs book their flights.

Among them was Filipino (HK) Travel Services, which urged affected passengers to visit its office on the third floor of Worldwide Plaza to avail of the extra seats that the airlines are offering.

Fashion ang gustong negosyo dahil sa hilig

Ni Cecil Eduarte

“Kahit may edad na ako, gusto kong matupad ang goal ko na  maging boss ng sarili kong negosyo na isang ‘fashion boutique’. I am certain na ito ang gusto kong negosyo kasi I love fashion at tumbok nito ang skills na meron ako”.

Ito ang mga katagang sinabi ni Nimfa Isidro, 63 taong gulang, tubong Antique at 33 years nang nagtatrabaho sa Hong kong, sa kanyang testimonyal sa pagtatapos ng mga huling nagsanay sa CARD HK Foundation na ginanap noong Nob. 26 sa Duke of Windsor Auditorium.

Si Nimfa Isidro kasama si Vice Consul Bob Quintin at Fr. Jim Mulroney ng Sunday Examiner. Isa si Isidro sa mahigit na 200 migrante na nagtapos ng pagsasanay na isinagawa ng CARD .

Ayon kay Isidro, marami siyang natutunan mula sa financial literacy, o pagsasanay para sa tamang paggastos at paggamit ng kita buwan-buwan. Kabilang na dito ang kahalagahan ng pagsusulat ng goal o pakay, para hindi ito malimutan, kundi ay matuon dito lagi ang atensyon, at pati na rin sa pagbaba-budget at pag-iimpok.

Mas lalo pa daw siyang ginanahan nang makasali siya sa libreng entrepreneurship seminar o pagsasanay para sa mga balak mag-negosyo, na isinagawa din ng CARD noong Sep. 3. Dito daw sya natutong gumawa ng business plan, na pwede nyang gamitin sa kanyang planong pagnenesyo.

Nagpapasalamat daw sya sa programa ng CARD dahil nadagdagan ang kanyang kaalaman at positibong pananaw sa buhay. Dahil dito ay lalo daw siyang magpupursigi na isakatuparan ang kanyang pinapangarap na negosyo.

Sa ngayon aniya, mga kaibigan ko at dati kong amo ang ginagawan ko muna ng damit at gown para sa mga espesyal na okasyon.

Kahit may mga trabaho na ang kanyang dalawang anak ay ayaw pa din niyang umasa sa kanila para sa kanyang mga gastusin dahil  may mga sariling pamilya na sila na sinusuportahan.

Payo niya sa mga kapwa migrante, dagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman sa pamamagitan ng mga libreng pagsasanay na isinasagawa ng ilang mga grupo sa Hong Kong katulad ng CARD. Sa gayon, kung sakaling bigla silang mawalan ng trabaho sa Hong Kong ay may magagamit na silang kaalaman upang makapag-umpisa ng sarili nilang negosyo sa Pilipinas.

Magkakaroon ulit ng libreng financial literacy training ang CARD HK sa Jan. 2 sa susunod na taon. Para sa mga gustong sumali, tumawag lamang sa numero bilang 54238196 o 95296392

Pagyamanin ang inyong abilidad, ani DCG Deric sa mga OFW

Ang mga nagtapos.

Ni Marites Palma

Ipinagdiwang ng Diwa’t Kabayan BenLife Society Club ang kanilang ika-18 taong anibersaryo, kasabay ang ika-anim na pagtatapos ng mga sumali sa kanilang mga kursong pangkabuhayan, noong ika-26 ng Nob. sa Dynasty Feast sa North Point.

Ang pinaka tema ng kanilang selebrasyon sa taong ito ay “Ang diwa ng edukasyon, tungo sa paghanda sa kinabukasan”.

Deputy Consul General
Roderico C. Atienza

Ang panauhing pandangal na si Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza ay humikayat sa lahat na pagyamanin ang kanilang abilidad upang hindi na mangibang bansa pang muli, lalo na ang mga kababaihang Pilipina. Kailangan din daw nila ng ibayong pagtitipid para makapagpundar ng makinang pangkabuhayan at nang sa gayon ay hindi na aalis pa ng bansa ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga kababaihan na mga anak, kapatid, asawa at ina.

Ayon pa kay Atienza, umaabot sa napakamaliit na 10% lang ng mga Pilipino ang nag-iimpok ng pera sa bangko, samantalang sa Japan ay umaabot sa 38% ang nag-iipon para sa negosyo at edukasyon, patunay kung gaano kahalaga ang pera sa kanila.

Sa mga gustong mag-umpisa ng negosyo, depende daw ito sa pangangailangan ng komunidad na kinaroroonan.

Kinumbinsi ni Atienza ang mga OFW na subukang mag-ipon para sa tinatawag na “capital machinery”, o mga makinang panggawa. Gayahin daw ang mga mayayamang bansa tulad ng Japan, Korea at Taiwan kung saan nangongontrata muna ang mga pamilya ng mga trabaho, hanggang makapagpatayo na sila ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Sa pamamagitan daw ng kooperatiba ay maaring makuha ang kaukulang makina na ayon sa iyong negosyo.

Nanawagan din si Atienza na huwag pumayag ang mga manggagawa na kaltasan ang kanilang sahod ng lampas sa itinakda sa batas, at mag-report agad sa POLO, HK Immigration at Labor Department kung may pang-aabusong nakikita laban sa kapwa.

Sa ganitong pamamaraan ay hindi mararamdaman ng naabuso na nag-iisa siyang nakikipaglaban sa amo.

Ang  huling pakiusap ni Atienza ay ang ipagbigay alam nila sa ibang mga kababayan ang paglipat ng POLO-OWWA office sa A16th & 18th Floors, MassMutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai mula sa ika-10 ng Disyembre.

Umabot sa 70 na kababaihan ang nagtapos sa meat processing ng Diwa’t Kabayan. Pinarangalan ang mga sumusunod sa husay ng kanilang paggawa:
Best in Tinapa Making: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Salted Egg Making: Rubilyn Alfonso
Best in Tocino: Adelaida Garcia
Best in Skinless Longaniza: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Longaniza with Casing: Jovita Duzon
Best in Sardine in Oil: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Sardines in Tomato Sauce: Adelaida Garcia
Best in Fruit Cocktain: Jocelyn Cuaresma and Rubilyn Alfonso

Sa pangalawang grupo ng mga nagtapos, nanguna si Vilma Ibanez. Sa Fashion Jewellery naman, sina Lourdes Duzong  at si Imelda Cariaga ang itinanghal na “outstanding”, at nakuha din ni Cariaga ang creative award.

Sampu naman ang nagtapos sa beadcrafting lesson at ang outstanding ay si Virgin May Yungco.

Sa macrame bag lesson ay 15 ang nagtapos, at si Jocelyn T. Nieva ang outstanding, at nakatanggap ng most creative award; samantalang si Karen B. Dumaguing naman ang nakatanggap ng most artistic award.

Para sa ribbon folding, ang outstanding ay si Mylene Diaz, at natanggap din niya ang best in bridal bouquet at best in motif. Si Ruby Deamboy naman ang nakatanggap ng best in flower girl bouquet award.

Sa stocking flower lesson ay may 15 na nagtapos, at ang outstanding ay si Jocelyn Nieva, na natanggap din ang best in teardrop bouquet, samatantalang si Ruth Salibomba naman para sa bridal bouquet. Ang premyo para sa best in hand tie bouquet-maid of honor bouquet ay nakuha nina Imelda Cariaga at Jocelyn Nieva; samantalang ang para sa best in pomander bouquet-bride maid bouquet ay natanggap nina Jocelyn Nieva at Ruth Saligomba. Nakuha din ni Saligomba ang most creative award.

Ang pinakamalaking grupo ay ang sumali sa basic baking, na umabot sa 103 ang bilang ng nagtapos. Nanguna sa kanila si Ruth Saligomba, na tinanghal na outsdtanding. Ang premyo para sa best in pandesal ay natanggap ni Beatriz Villanueva; ang best in spanish bread ay kay Ruth Saligomba; best in pizza, Estrella Pineda; best in donut, Ruth Saligomba; at best in brownies, Jennifer Panganiban.

Para sa 2nd batch ng bread presentation,  si Myrna Gonzales ang outstanding, at nakuha din niya ang nest in pandesal making, best in spanish bread making,  best in pizza making at best in donut; samantalang si Carmelita Ober naman ang nakakuha sa best in brownies.

Nagdagdag kasiyahan ang pagbibigay ng isang maikling sayaw nina Katherine de Guzman ng PNB, Merlinda Mercado ng Metro Bank, at Rosabelle Wolf ng Afreight, na kilala sa bansag na “Mars”.

Rules on migrant domestic workers’ accommodation

By Cynthia Tellez

Policy related to Accommodation: 
There are major portions of the Standard Employment Contract (SEC) of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) on accommodation.  It says in Clause No. 3: “The Helper should work and reside in the employer’s residence as stated in the contract.”  FDWs are bound by this mandatory live-in requirement. Unfortunately, many FDWs are made to sleep in miserable conditions.
Accommodation is covered in clauses 3 and 4(a) to 4(c), mentioning the live-in requirement and restrictions on employment. This is expounded in the attached Schedule of Accommodations in pages 3 and 4; the size, amenities, co-occupants if there are, should still ensure suitable accommodation. However, it mentions only two examples of unsuitable accommodation: In a narrow corridor and shared room with adult of opposite sex.
With limited guidelines on accommodations, violations of suitable and decent living area often happen.

Situation – Health, Safety and Privacy:
A research of Mission For Migrant Workers (MFMW) published last year (2016) revealed that unsuitable accommodation, denial of privacy, and deprivation of amenities for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) persist in Hong Kong.
It showed that:
• 3 out of 5 FDWs in Hong Kong endure alternative living arrangements;
• Or their designated bedroom serves multiple functions in the household;
• One in every 50 of sleeps in areas such as toilets, backdoor, basement, balcony, rooftop, closet, or in a room with just a divider for sleeping space. (Research copies available at MFMW centre);
• Lack of privacy makes FDWs feel vulnerable and tense, especially if they are made to sleep in common areas in employer’s home; 
• Or, in relation to the privacy issue, 47% of those who responded as having their own room, revealed that they did not have their own key to the room, while 35% said their employers enter the room even without their consent.
Alternative accommodation arrangements are unhealthy, inhumane, and violate even the already insufficient standards set by Hong Kong in its SEC.

MFMW’s Advocacy
We can see from that survey that there are a lot of FDWs who are made to accept unsuitable and inhumane living arrangements. Obviously, the current mechanism to protect FDWs is failing; neither do policies for FDWs measure up to international human and labour standards.
We always hear that “Hong Kong already has an acute space problem.” We believe that there is no justification for not providing suitable accommodation to FDWs as human beings. The current legislation and policies are not effective to protect FDWs from being exploited and should be developed. The unsuitable arrangements should be clearly spelled out in the attached Schedule of Accommodations and domestic work.
Therefore, we are advocating for the Hong Kong government to reconsider the live-in requirement and make live-out as an option for FDWs, depending on specific circumstances of the households.
While the reality of the live-out option for FDWs is not yet possible, we strongly suggest to the authorities to define “suitable accommodation” in the SEC by listing down unsuitable arrangements, such as toilets and cupboards. This is aside from Immigration Department claims that they have regulatory and monitoring mechanisms wherein submitted accommodation arrangement of the employer is followed.

What can you do if you are made to sleep in a problematic situation? 
Many only become aware of the problematic accommodation in the employer’s home on their first workday. Somehow, FDWs usually believe that what is most important is to keep a good relationship with the people they work with to be able to extend the contract.
However, if you are in a situation that is physically and emotionally taxing, first, we encourage you to try talk with your employer, if possible. As workers, we also have to understand the limitations employers are in and therefore try to negotiate a more acceptable arrangement.
We know that some of you are scared that you may risk losing your job, but it is always good if mutual understanding can be developed. Find a way in which you can honestly explain your situation and its effect/s on your health. That way, they may also be able to express their regret for being unable to provide you better living conditions. For all we know, most of the employers are also trying to find a way to tell you how they feel about their limitations. In many such cases that we handled, both employers and workers found ways to remedy the situation.
There are, however, unreasonable people who might ignore what you are presenting. Usually, such employers just say, “take it or leave it.”  They may take your approach as complaining about them, instead of listening to you in a more objective manner, understanding what you really mean (which in most cases is not the job but the accommodation). Try another time if the mood and the conversation turn sour. Approach them next time, saying that it is not about the job, but perhaps there may be some remedy to your sleeping arrangements. If you get the same results, and in some cases, treatment worsens, perhaps you can consider bringing the matter to the authorities.
When facing violation of contract, including problems with accommodation, you can complain to the Immigration Department and also the Labour Department. It is suggested to lodge a complaint to both departments when it comes to the issue of accommodation as the employer might be giving false statements to the Immigration Department as well if they conceal the actual accommodation.
If you have decided to lodge a complaint, there are steps we suggest for you to follow:
 1. Keep records or evidences on the accommodation you are made to accept and make use of it to explain the problem you are facing. (Usually photos or short videos of consecutive days showing the area that you sleep in.)
2. Relate how the accommodation arrangement caused a serious toll on your health. Describe your current condition.
3. Relate how you tried to approach the employer to be able to settle the matter among yourselves and how those attempts turned sour. (Remember the date, time, and the content of the conversation. Make a written statement or any other kind of records if possible) and that you do not want the whole matter to worsen.
4. Include your suggestions to practically settle the matter, if any. 
5. Consult MFMW if you need assistance (2522-8264).
Have a VERY Merry Christmas, everyone!

---
This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Sino ngayon ang nagsisinungaling?

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Hindi natin alam kung sino ang nagsisinungaling ukol sa kaso ng mga daan-daang OFW na nabibiktima ng “human trafficking” mula sa Hong Kong papunta sa Brazil, Russia at Turkey: ang ating Konsulado o ang gobyerno ng Hong Kong.

Sa kanyang opinyon na nalathala sa isang pahayagang dito kamakailan, sinabi ni Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, na dating labour secretary ng Hong Kong, na hindi raw ipinarating ng mga opisyal ng Konsulado sa gobyerno ang mga malawakang panlilinlang ng mga employment agency rito sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.

At iginiit din niyang protektado ng mga batas ng Hong Kong ang lahat ng mga dayuhang katulong sa lungsod na ito.

Nakakapagtaka dahil madalas naming tanungin ang mga opisyal ng Konsulado kung natatalakay nila o naipaparating sa pamunuan ng Hong Kong sa mga pagpupulong ng Technical Working Group ang malaon nang nagaganap na panlilinlang ng ilang ahensiya sa mga Pilipinong nais lumipat sa ibang bansa at ang sagot nila ay “oo”.

Ang mga bansang inilalako ng mga mapanlinlang na ahensiya ay hindi lamang Brazil, Russia at Turkey, kundi maging ang Britain at Canada. At karamihan sa kanilang mga nalinlang ay mga kasambahay na nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong at mga kamag-anak ng  mga OFW sa Pilipinas.

Natuwa ang mga OFW, mga opisyal ng Konsulado at ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas nang mapabalita ang pagsalakay at pag-imbestiga ng mga awtoridad sa tatlong employment agency sa Hong Kong na nagpapadala diumano ng mga Pinay sa ibang mga bansang.

Pagkaraan kasi ng mahabang panahon ay ngayon lang uli nagsiyasat ang mga pulis sa mga ahensiyang nambibiktima sa mga kababayan nating kasambahay at sa pagkakataong ito ay naging malaking balita dahil nalathala sa malalaking pahayagan ng Hong Kong.

Noong 2010 ay pinuntahan din ng mga pulis ang Natino Employment Service and Trading sa North Point pagkatapos dinggin ng Small Claims Tribunal ang kasong isinampa ng tatlong biktima ni Mila Ipp, ang kinatawan ng Natino na sumingil diumano ng hanggang US$2,000 sa bawat isa para sa mga hindi naibigay na trabaho sa Canada.

Ngunit walang nangyari sa kaso ni Ipp at pagkaraan ng dalawang taon ay nakapanloko na naman siya ng 15 katulong na Pilipina sa Hong Kong sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalok at paniningil sa kanila ng umaabot sa $28,000 para mga pekeng trabaho sa Cyprus. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay pinalitan lang niya ang pangalan ng kanyang ahensiya ng Limestone Overseas Services Trading Company.

Nitong mga nakaraang taon, napabalita ang JEM Employment and Trading Company, Excellent Nannies, at Emry’s Employment Agency/Mike’s Secretarial Services na sumingil din ng hindi bababa sa $10,000 sa bawat isa sa daan-daang mga aplikante sa mga trabaho sa Britain at Canada na  pawang hindi nagkatotoo.

Sa ilang pagkakataon ay marami sa mga biktima ang nagreklamo sa pulisya ngunit nabinbin lamang sa istasyon ang mga sumbong nila at ang iba ay tahasang tinanggihan ng mga imbestigador dahil paniningil lang daw ng pautang ang mga kaso nila.

Minsan ay isang tagapagsalita ng pulisya ang nagpayo sa mga bagong-dating na katulong sa isang post-arrival orientation seminar, o PAOS, sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office na huwag silang magdalawang-isip na lumapit sa Commercial Crime Bureau kapag sila ay niloko ng mga scammer at illegal recruiter.

Nang sinamahan namin ang isang pangkat ng mahigit 10 biktima sa pulisya at kinausap namin ang mismong tagapagsalita ng CCB, sinabi niyang ang mga kasong tinatanggap ng nasabing sangay ng kapulisan ay iyon lamang mga kinasasangkutan ng $1 milyon pataas.

Sa kaso ni Ester Ylagan ng Emry’s/Mike’s nag-aatubili ang mga pulis na imbestigahan o sampahan ng dimanda si Ylagan tulad din ng pag-iwas nila sa mga reklamo laban kina Au ng JEM’s, Grace Chan ng Excellent Nannies at ilan pang mga recruiter.

Tuwirang naapektuhan ang Hong Kong nang suspindihin ng Department of Labor and Employment ang overseas employment certificate, o OEC, noong Nobyembre at ito ang nagbunsod kay Chief Executive Carrie Lam na magbanta ng mariing aksiyon sa ahensiyang nanlilinlang at nangangalap ng mga katulong papunta sa ibang bansa.

Pagkaraan niyon ay saka pa lamang kumilos ang mga pulis at tauhan ng  Labour Department at sinalakay ang tatlong ahensiyang nagpapadala ng mga Pinay sa Brazil, Russia at Turkey.

Marahil ay nais ipakita ng Hong Kong ang sinasabi ni Matthew Cheung na protektado ng gobyerno ang mga dayuhang katulong dito, at upang ipakita rin sa madla na kung ipinarating lang ng Konsulado sa kanila ang problema sa human trafficking at illegal recruitment ay malaon na nilang inaksiyunan ito.