Ganoon na lang ang gulat at takot ni Rosemary nang may
tumawag sa kanya sa telepono noong ika-14 ng Agosto at nagpakilala na isang pulis
ng Huwag magsanla ng pasaporte!
Posted on 19 August 2018 No commentsGanoon na lang ang gulat at takot ni Rosemary nang may
tumawag sa kanya sa telepono noong ika-14 ng Agosto at nagpakilala na isang pulis
ng What happens when your employer dies owing you?
Posted on No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
What will happen if your employer dies?
Ordinarily, this ends your employer-employee relationship. And based on that, you can find a new employer and have your papers processed without having to leave Hong Kong.
But what it your employer owes you your salary and long-service pay.
For two Filipinas, the answer needs to come from the court, because they have failed to find a relative of their deceased employer who could help them claim more than $100,000 in unpaid wages and other money due them.
The question also goes beyond the jurisdiction of the Labour Tribunal, so their case was transferred to the District Court.
Cleofe Quintella and Amalia Tongga returned to the Labour Tribunal on Aug 7 for a hearing of their claim against the estate of the late Fung Yuk-mei, who took her own life in January.
Presiding Officer Eric Tam told the two domestic helpers that since no executor or administrator of Fung’s assets had come forward, he was transferring their case to the District Court.
Tam told the claimants they would have to find a solicitor who would represent them there in pursuing their claim against the estate of the deceased.
Quintella and Tongga’s claims were first heard at the Tribunal on Apr 6, but no representative came on behalf of the late employer, who was said to be single and childless.
Presiding officer Catherine Cheng told the claimants their case could not be heard until they found out who was Fung’s estate executor or administrator.
The two went to the Probate Registry in Admiralty to find out if anyone had applied for a probate of Fung’s assets, but their search was futile.
Quintella, who had worked for Fung since 1982, is claiming a total of $65,438 for three months of arrears in wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays, annual leave and air ticket.
Tongga, who is claiming $41,039 for one month’s unpaid wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays and air ticket, said she began working for Fung in 1985.
The two told the Tribunal the claims were computed by Labour officers who they consulted after Fung was found dead in her bedroom on Jan. 29 with a pan of burnt charcoal beside her.
Tongga said Fung had been living alone when she hired them. Fung’s only relative was a niece, who allegedly told them she knew nothing about her aunt’s assets.
The Filipina told the court that police investigators had collected cash and jewelry they found in Fung’s room, as well as a letter whose contents were not disclosed to them.
Ordinarily, this ends your employer-employee relationship. And based on that, you can find a new employer and have your papers processed without having to leave Hong Kong.
But what it your employer owes you your salary and long-service pay.
For two Filipinas, the answer needs to come from the court, because they have failed to find a relative of their deceased employer who could help them claim more than $100,000 in unpaid wages and other money due them.
The question also goes beyond the jurisdiction of the Labour Tribunal, so their case was transferred to the District Court.
Cleofe Quintella and Amalia Tongga returned to the Labour Tribunal on Aug 7 for a hearing of their claim against the estate of the late Fung Yuk-mei, who took her own life in January.
Presiding Officer Eric Tam told the two domestic helpers that since no executor or administrator of Fung’s assets had come forward, he was transferring their case to the District Court.
Tam told the claimants they would have to find a solicitor who would represent them there in pursuing their claim against the estate of the deceased.
Quintella and Tongga’s claims were first heard at the Tribunal on Apr 6, but no representative came on behalf of the late employer, who was said to be single and childless.
Presiding officer Catherine Cheng told the claimants their case could not be heard until they found out who was Fung’s estate executor or administrator.
The two went to the Probate Registry in Admiralty to find out if anyone had applied for a probate of Fung’s assets, but their search was futile.
Quintella, who had worked for Fung since 1982, is claiming a total of $65,438 for three months of arrears in wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays, annual leave and air ticket.
Tongga, who is claiming $41,039 for one month’s unpaid wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays and air ticket, said she began working for Fung in 1985.
The two told the Tribunal the claims were computed by Labour officers who they consulted after Fung was found dead in her bedroom on Jan. 29 with a pan of burnt charcoal beside her.
Tongga said Fung had been living alone when she hired them. Fung’s only relative was a niece, who allegedly told them she knew nothing about her aunt’s assets.
The Filipina told the court that police investigators had collected cash and jewelry they found in Fung’s room, as well as a letter whose contents were not disclosed to them.
Pinays in online sex case ‘ready to plead guilty’
Posted on No commentsBut Magistrate Peter Law said there was a parallel investigation still being conducted in connection with the case, but did not elaborate.
The statements were made in court as Filipinas Joan Palpal-latoc, 40, and Jeanette Gallego, 47, again appeared on charges of “living on the earnings of prostitution of others.”
Charged with them are their 69-year-old employer identified only as “Ms Wong,” her 72-year-old sister, and a local man. All three are out on bail.
The Filipinas who are detained, chose not to follow up on their application for bail, even after prosecutors lifted their opposition to their bid at a hearing on Aug. 10.
Thus, Magistrate Peter Law ordered the pair back in jail, and to return on Sept. 7 for the next hearing of their case.
The two had earlier offered to post bail of $25,000 each, but the prosecution opposed the application, citing their lack of local ties and arguing they were a flight risk.
No reason was given in court as to why the paid did not renew their bail bid.
Prosecution decided to drop its opposition to granting bail to the two when prodded by magistrate Law, who asked why the defendants were still being held while their case had been stuck in court for three months.
Palpal-latoc and Gallego who had been in Wong’s employ since 2009, were arrested during a police raid on May 15 while allegedly manning the computer terminals in a flat on the 43rd floor of Tavistock II residential block on Tregunter Path in Mid-Levels.
Their three co-defendants were arrested with them at the time.
Their defense lawyer said Palpal-latoc and Gallego only had minor roles in the operation as they were not allowed to collect money from clients, among other duties.—VBL
Research of NGOs reveals most of FDW wage spent on expenses in HK
Posted on No comments
Agency and loan payments rise, remittance takes a dive
(For this issue, we will reprint a statement issued by the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) and the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) on their joint research on where the salaries of foreign domestic workers go – Ed)
By Cynthia Tellez
A research study by the two Hong Kong-based NGOs released today (Aug 6) on how foreign domestic workers typically spend their monthly wage showed that expenses paid to HK businesses and services take three-fifths (3/5) of their salary, leaving only about HK$1700 for family remittance and savings.
The “Where Do Your Wages Go?” Research on the Expenditures of Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong was conducted by MFMW and APMM in 2017 and surveyed more than 1000 FDWs on how their monthly wage is typically allocated. The survey was a follow-up to a similar study done by the two organizations in 2013.
On the general expenditures of FDWs
Results of the research revealed that most of the wage of FDWs are spent paying for agency fees and loans related to paying charges by recruitment agencies. At 36 percent, it is higher than remittance to family, which makes up 32 percent of their total expenses.
Meanwhile, cumulative expenses for food, communications, clothing and accessories, transportation, toiletries and donations accounted for 23 percent, while savings (if there are) is at 9 percent.
There was a marked difference in the expense pattern as compared to the 2013 study where half was spent on remittance. The almost 22 percent rise in expenses on payment to recruitment and loan agencies has eaten up on the remittance that is supposed to support their families back in their home country.
Most of FDW wage go back to HK businesses and economy
Taken together, around HK$2600 of the wage of FDWs of HK$4310 (current Minimum Allowable Wage) is spent in Hong Kong.
Agency fee and loan repayment constitute the chunk of this expense, showing still the prevalence of overcharging among agencies. Since more than 50 percent of FDWs are newly-arrived – as reflected by a study of the MFMW in 2015 – it can be inferred that many FDWs are still paying the fees charged to them upon deployment to HK.
Even loans can be attributed to agency problem as, either they are forcibly made in order to get more from FDWs while circumventing the legal policy in place for agency fee, or they are made precisely because agency fee eats up most of their salary, leaving very little for their own needs in Hong Kong and remittance to family.
It should be noted that these payments are made to HK-based recruitment and financing agencies.
Meanwhile, about HK$1600 per month is spent by each FDW for services or goods in Hong Kong. This makes them major consumers and patrons of Hong Kong goods and services, as their total consumption totals HK$562 million per month, or HK$6.75 billion per year.
When the wage is not enough
The dip in the remittance from the 2013 survey showed the impact of grossly high agency fees eating up on the capacity of FDWs to support their families. Instead of enabling FDWs to increase their remittance to their families due to the surging inflation in their home countries, forced obligation to agency and loan repayment make them either barely able to maintain their support, or even cut on their remittance.
Due to HK’s stringent policy towards FDWs, there is no way for them to increase their capacity to remit to their family even as they struggle to meet their expenses in Hong Kong.
While expenses for goods and services are already high, FDWs are also forced to spend on other necessities such communication, transportation, and donations. However, the most basic items such as food, clothing and accessories have increased. It can be inferred that FDWs tend to scrimp on expenses that are more flexible (e.g. using internet communication instead of phone cards, or reducing their mobility to reduce transport expense) in order to spend on the most basic items, as their monthly wage does not allow them to spend for all these.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Contrary to some beliefs that FDWs eat up HK resources, the research revealed that they are significant consumers and patrons of the Hong Kong economy.
While they come to Hong Kong to support their families back home, their condition dictates that most of their earnings are spent in HK, and thus contribute to the economic life of the city.
There is also a need to continue looking at agency malpractices and debt bondage as the findings showed. Such result is also consistent with the nature of cases handled by the MFMW reflected in its Service Report 2017.
From this study, MFMW and the APMM recommends that:
* The Minimum Allowable Wage should be increased to HK$5,500 as called for by FDW organizations
* Make the minimum allowable wage decision process more transparent
* Include migrant domestic workers in the Statutory Minimum Wage
* Actively address illegal recruitment and agency fees and related loans
* Create and implement an anti-human trafficking law in Hong Kong based on the UN Palermo Protocol standards.
About the Mission for Migrant Workers:
The Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW Limited) of the St. John’s Cathedral is a leading
and trusted service provider and partner of Asian migrants and a committed advocate in
building a caring and inclusive Hong Kong society.
Established in 1981, the MFMW believes that migrant workers as integral to but marginalized in Hong Kong, deserve care, respect and protection of their rights. MFMW
provides crisis assistance services to FDWs in distress, empowers their communities, promotes harmony in households and works for a more multicultural and inclusive Hong Kong.
About the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
The APMM is a pioneer in migrant empowerment programs in countries in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East. Established in 1984 with the help of the MFMW, APMM is instrumental in building migrant organisations across the region.
The APMM believes that empowered migrants are central in upholding migrants’ rights, instituting policies favorable to migrants and their families, and contributing to development that serves the people’s interests. For more than three decades, we have been with grassroots migrants in APME in championing and realizing grassroots migrant movement building through organizing, advocacy and research, solidarity and networking, women empowerment, policy engagement, and welfare services.
---
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.
(For this issue, we will reprint a statement issued by the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) and the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) on their joint research on where the salaries of foreign domestic workers go – Ed)
By Cynthia Tellez
A research study by the two Hong Kong-based NGOs released today (Aug 6) on how foreign domestic workers typically spend their monthly wage showed that expenses paid to HK businesses and services take three-fifths (3/5) of their salary, leaving only about HK$1700 for family remittance and savings.The “Where Do Your Wages Go?” Research on the Expenditures of Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong was conducted by MFMW and APMM in 2017 and surveyed more than 1000 FDWs on how their monthly wage is typically allocated. The survey was a follow-up to a similar study done by the two organizations in 2013.
On the general expenditures of FDWs
Results of the research revealed that most of the wage of FDWs are spent paying for agency fees and loans related to paying charges by recruitment agencies. At 36 percent, it is higher than remittance to family, which makes up 32 percent of their total expenses.
Meanwhile, cumulative expenses for food, communications, clothing and accessories, transportation, toiletries and donations accounted for 23 percent, while savings (if there are) is at 9 percent.
There was a marked difference in the expense pattern as compared to the 2013 study where half was spent on remittance. The almost 22 percent rise in expenses on payment to recruitment and loan agencies has eaten up on the remittance that is supposed to support their families back in their home country.
Most of FDW wage go back to HK businesses and economy
Taken together, around HK$2600 of the wage of FDWs of HK$4310 (current Minimum Allowable Wage) is spent in Hong Kong.
Agency fee and loan repayment constitute the chunk of this expense, showing still the prevalence of overcharging among agencies. Since more than 50 percent of FDWs are newly-arrived – as reflected by a study of the MFMW in 2015 – it can be inferred that many FDWs are still paying the fees charged to them upon deployment to HK.
Even loans can be attributed to agency problem as, either they are forcibly made in order to get more from FDWs while circumventing the legal policy in place for agency fee, or they are made precisely because agency fee eats up most of their salary, leaving very little for their own needs in Hong Kong and remittance to family.
It should be noted that these payments are made to HK-based recruitment and financing agencies.
Meanwhile, about HK$1600 per month is spent by each FDW for services or goods in Hong Kong. This makes them major consumers and patrons of Hong Kong goods and services, as their total consumption totals HK$562 million per month, or HK$6.75 billion per year.
When the wage is not enough
The dip in the remittance from the 2013 survey showed the impact of grossly high agency fees eating up on the capacity of FDWs to support their families. Instead of enabling FDWs to increase their remittance to their families due to the surging inflation in their home countries, forced obligation to agency and loan repayment make them either barely able to maintain their support, or even cut on their remittance.
Due to HK’s stringent policy towards FDWs, there is no way for them to increase their capacity to remit to their family even as they struggle to meet their expenses in Hong Kong.
While expenses for goods and services are already high, FDWs are also forced to spend on other necessities such communication, transportation, and donations. However, the most basic items such as food, clothing and accessories have increased. It can be inferred that FDWs tend to scrimp on expenses that are more flexible (e.g. using internet communication instead of phone cards, or reducing their mobility to reduce transport expense) in order to spend on the most basic items, as their monthly wage does not allow them to spend for all these.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Contrary to some beliefs that FDWs eat up HK resources, the research revealed that they are significant consumers and patrons of the Hong Kong economy.
While they come to Hong Kong to support their families back home, their condition dictates that most of their earnings are spent in HK, and thus contribute to the economic life of the city.
There is also a need to continue looking at agency malpractices and debt bondage as the findings showed. Such result is also consistent with the nature of cases handled by the MFMW reflected in its Service Report 2017.
From this study, MFMW and the APMM recommends that:
* The Minimum Allowable Wage should be increased to HK$5,500 as called for by FDW organizations
* Make the minimum allowable wage decision process more transparent
* Include migrant domestic workers in the Statutory Minimum Wage
* Actively address illegal recruitment and agency fees and related loans
* Create and implement an anti-human trafficking law in Hong Kong based on the UN Palermo Protocol standards.
About the Mission for Migrant Workers:
The Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW Limited) of the St. John’s Cathedral is a leading
and trusted service provider and partner of Asian migrants and a committed advocate in
building a caring and inclusive Hong Kong society.
Established in 1981, the MFMW believes that migrant workers as integral to but marginalized in Hong Kong, deserve care, respect and protection of their rights. MFMW
provides crisis assistance services to FDWs in distress, empowers their communities, promotes harmony in households and works for a more multicultural and inclusive Hong Kong.
About the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
The APMM is a pioneer in migrant empowerment programs in countries in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East. Established in 1984 with the help of the MFMW, APMM is instrumental in building migrant organisations across the region.
The APMM believes that empowered migrants are central in upholding migrants’ rights, instituting policies favorable to migrants and their families, and contributing to development that serves the people’s interests. For more than three decades, we have been with grassroots migrants in APME in championing and realizing grassroots migrant movement building through organizing, advocacy and research, solidarity and networking, women empowerment, policy engagement, and welfare services.
---
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.
Laging magmatyag laban sa mapagsamantala
Posted on No comments
Ni Vir B. Lumicao
Isang paraan upang mabuhay ka sa kagubatan ay ang maging mapagmatyag ka. Sa sandaling itinigil mo ang pagbabantay ay mabibiktima ka ng mga mapagsamantala.
Nakita namin ang kahalagahan ng aral na ito noong mga nakaraang araw, nang biguin ng 18 bagong OFW ang isang may-ari ng mga ahensiya rito sa balak na huthutan sila.
Ipinakita rin ng pangyayaring ito na may ibibunga ang pagkakaisa ang mga manggagawa.
Tinutukoy ko rito ang nabigong paniningil ni Tony Chan, manager diumano ng tatlong ahensiya sa Hong Kong, ng ilegal na bayarin sa mga kasambahay na dinala rito mula sa Maynila sa pagitan ng Marso at Mayo ng taong ito.
Si Chan ang kumakatawan sa Way Tech Consultant, Sacred Heart International Consultants, at Pacific Jet Consultants, ang tatlong ahensiya sa Hong Kong na nakasaad sa mga kontrata na siyang kumuha sa mga Pilipina.
Ang mga ahensiyang katuwang niya sa Pilipinas ay ang i-Employ Manpower Services, MIP Manpower Services at Infinity Manpower Services.
Bago umalis sa Maynila ang mga tao – ilan sa kanila ay nagmula pa sa Cebu at iba pang lugar sa Kabisayaan – pinalagda sila ng mga ahensiya sa Maynila ng PhP16,000 loan mula sa Ceazar Pacific Lending Co. sa Makati. Babayaran nila iyon ng $2,938 nang dalawang hulog sa Mutual Honour (Hong Kong) Ltd, isang nagpapautang sa Taipo.
Natuwa umano ang mga OFW dahil kailangang-kailangan din nila ang perang iiwanan sa mga pamilya, ngunit sinabi ng mga ahensiya sa Maynila na hindi ito para sa kanila. Iyon ay pambayad daw sa karagdagang “on the job training” nila sa Hong Kong.
Yaong mga umangal noong nasa Maynila pa ay tinakot umano ni Chan ng “no pay, no fly,” kaya napilitang pumirma ang lahat. Dahil sa pautang na iyon, humigit sa PhP60,000 ang nagugol ng bawat kasambahay sa pag-a-apply ng trabaho rito sa Hong Kong.
Ang ilan sa kanila ay nadoble pa ang binayaran sa training dahil pinagsanay daw sila sa Cebu at nagbayad sila ng PhP25,000 hanggang PhP26,000 at pagdating sa Maynila ay pinapunta uli sa training at nagbayad ng karadagang halaga.
Pagdating sa Hong Kong ay pinapirma naman sila kaagad ni Chan ng payment account sa 7-11 convenience stores at binigyan ng mga payment card. Gayunpaman, hindi nagbayad ang ilan dahil alam nilang ilegal iyon at saka walang matitira sa sahod nila.
Nang pinadalhan sila ng Mutual Honour ng paalala para sa pagbabayad ng utang at tinawagan ang kanilang mga amo ay naghanap sila ng tutulong sa kanila. Tumulong ang isang samahan ng mga OFW na siyang nagparating sa aming pahayagan ng problema ng mga kasambahay.
Inilapit naman namin sila sa Mission for Migrant Workers para magpatulong sa paghahanda ng mga reklamo at katibayan laban kay Chan at sa mga ahensiya. Ang ilang mga biktima ay sinamahan namin kay Labor Attaché Nida Romulo upang magsumbong.
Nang nalaman ni Chan na inireklamo siya ay nataranta ito at nangako sa isang kasulatang inihanda ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office na ibabalik niya ang ibinayad ng mga tao, buburahin ang mga “OJT loan” sa lending company sa Hong Kong at sa Maynila at hindi na sisingilin ang mga tao.
Ngunit nakuha pa rin ni Chan na papirmahin ang mga tao sa isang nakasulat-kamay na waiver na sila ay kusang nag-enroll sa training program ng “Pacific Solar Enterprizes” at walang kinalaman doon ang kanyang mga ahensiya.
Nitong nakaraang Linggo, nang nakipagharap si Chan sa iba pang mga biktima sa POLO ay pinapirma naman sila ng kasulatang tumanggap sila ng tulong na perang $500 hanggang $1,200 mula sa mga Pilipina. Pumirma sila sa kasulatan, isang bagay na maaring nagpahina sa kanilang reklamo laban kay Chan.
Hindi pa malinaw ang kahihinatnan ng laban ng mga nabiktima ni Chan at maaari pa ring hindi niya malulusutan sa Labour Department ng Hong Kong at sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration sa mga ilegal na paniningil niya dito at sa Pilipinas.
Ang pag-aalsa ng mga biktima laban kay Chan ay maaaring nagbabala sa mga iba pang ahensiya rito at sa Pilipinas na may mga katulad ding binabalak para sa mga OFW.
Kailangang maging mapagmatyag dahil nandiyan lang ang masisibang ahensiya sa tabi-tabi, umaaligid, naghihintay ng pagkakataong makapambiktima.
Nakita namin ang kahalagahan ng aral na ito noong mga nakaraang araw, nang biguin ng 18 bagong OFW ang isang may-ari ng mga ahensiya rito sa balak na huthutan sila.
Ipinakita rin ng pangyayaring ito na may ibibunga ang pagkakaisa ang mga manggagawa.
Tinutukoy ko rito ang nabigong paniningil ni Tony Chan, manager diumano ng tatlong ahensiya sa Hong Kong, ng ilegal na bayarin sa mga kasambahay na dinala rito mula sa Maynila sa pagitan ng Marso at Mayo ng taong ito.
Si Chan ang kumakatawan sa Way Tech Consultant, Sacred Heart International Consultants, at Pacific Jet Consultants, ang tatlong ahensiya sa Hong Kong na nakasaad sa mga kontrata na siyang kumuha sa mga Pilipina.
Ang mga ahensiyang katuwang niya sa Pilipinas ay ang i-Employ Manpower Services, MIP Manpower Services at Infinity Manpower Services.
Bago umalis sa Maynila ang mga tao – ilan sa kanila ay nagmula pa sa Cebu at iba pang lugar sa Kabisayaan – pinalagda sila ng mga ahensiya sa Maynila ng PhP16,000 loan mula sa Ceazar Pacific Lending Co. sa Makati. Babayaran nila iyon ng $2,938 nang dalawang hulog sa Mutual Honour (Hong Kong) Ltd, isang nagpapautang sa Taipo.
Natuwa umano ang mga OFW dahil kailangang-kailangan din nila ang perang iiwanan sa mga pamilya, ngunit sinabi ng mga ahensiya sa Maynila na hindi ito para sa kanila. Iyon ay pambayad daw sa karagdagang “on the job training” nila sa Hong Kong.
Yaong mga umangal noong nasa Maynila pa ay tinakot umano ni Chan ng “no pay, no fly,” kaya napilitang pumirma ang lahat. Dahil sa pautang na iyon, humigit sa PhP60,000 ang nagugol ng bawat kasambahay sa pag-a-apply ng trabaho rito sa Hong Kong.
Ang ilan sa kanila ay nadoble pa ang binayaran sa training dahil pinagsanay daw sila sa Cebu at nagbayad sila ng PhP25,000 hanggang PhP26,000 at pagdating sa Maynila ay pinapunta uli sa training at nagbayad ng karadagang halaga.
Pagdating sa Hong Kong ay pinapirma naman sila kaagad ni Chan ng payment account sa 7-11 convenience stores at binigyan ng mga payment card. Gayunpaman, hindi nagbayad ang ilan dahil alam nilang ilegal iyon at saka walang matitira sa sahod nila.
Nang pinadalhan sila ng Mutual Honour ng paalala para sa pagbabayad ng utang at tinawagan ang kanilang mga amo ay naghanap sila ng tutulong sa kanila. Tumulong ang isang samahan ng mga OFW na siyang nagparating sa aming pahayagan ng problema ng mga kasambahay.
Inilapit naman namin sila sa Mission for Migrant Workers para magpatulong sa paghahanda ng mga reklamo at katibayan laban kay Chan at sa mga ahensiya. Ang ilang mga biktima ay sinamahan namin kay Labor Attaché Nida Romulo upang magsumbong.
Nang nalaman ni Chan na inireklamo siya ay nataranta ito at nangako sa isang kasulatang inihanda ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office na ibabalik niya ang ibinayad ng mga tao, buburahin ang mga “OJT loan” sa lending company sa Hong Kong at sa Maynila at hindi na sisingilin ang mga tao.
Ngunit nakuha pa rin ni Chan na papirmahin ang mga tao sa isang nakasulat-kamay na waiver na sila ay kusang nag-enroll sa training program ng “Pacific Solar Enterprizes” at walang kinalaman doon ang kanyang mga ahensiya.
Nitong nakaraang Linggo, nang nakipagharap si Chan sa iba pang mga biktima sa POLO ay pinapirma naman sila ng kasulatang tumanggap sila ng tulong na perang $500 hanggang $1,200 mula sa mga Pilipina. Pumirma sila sa kasulatan, isang bagay na maaring nagpahina sa kanilang reklamo laban kay Chan.
Hindi pa malinaw ang kahihinatnan ng laban ng mga nabiktima ni Chan at maaari pa ring hindi niya malulusutan sa Labour Department ng Hong Kong at sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration sa mga ilegal na paniningil niya dito at sa Pilipinas.
Ang pag-aalsa ng mga biktima laban kay Chan ay maaaring nagbabala sa mga iba pang ahensiya rito at sa Pilipinas na may mga katulad ding binabalak para sa mga OFW.
Kailangang maging mapagmatyag dahil nandiyan lang ang masisibang ahensiya sa tabi-tabi, umaaligid, naghihintay ng pagkakataong makapambiktima.
Pinay accused of ‘being lazy’ gets $5k settlement
Posted on No commentsMarichu Soriano had sought severance pay of $8,000 from Chow Chu-kuem who terminated her on Jun 24 after more than three years in her employ, saying her services were no longer needed.
The helper had been paid other financial obligations like one month’s wage in lieu of notice, money for air ticket and travel/food allowance.
On top of these, severance pay could awarded in cases of redundancy.
At the Labour Tribunal, Chow told presiding officer Eric Tam she decided to let go of Soriano after realizing she “did not need her anymore”.
Soriano had allegedly become lazy and despite working for her for more than three years, could not speak Cantonese, Chow said.
“I used to do some of the work even if I was paying her,” she told Tam, showing off her hands, then sobbing.
At Tam’s suggestion, the two tried to reach settlement but could not agree initially because Chow was insisting on paying only $3,000.
Tam suggested $5,000 and Chow, after hesitating at first, eventually relented when prodded on by her son-in-law who was with her in court. – Vir B. Lumicao
DH falsely accused of theft pursues claim vs employer
Posted on No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
An employer who falsely accused her Filipina domestic worker of theft has opted for a trial of the $10,200 claim against her by the maid at the Labour Tribunal, instead of just paying up.
Joan Sham Yi-king told the Tribunal during a hearing of the case on Jul 31 that she would contest the claim of her former maid, Jackelyn Cornejo.
The Filipina was acquitted in Tuen Mun court on Jun 21 of stealing two rings from Sham. Before this, she spent 40 days in jail until the Mission for Migrant Workers bailed her out and gave her shelter.
Cornejo, 30, came to Hong Kong on Sept 8 last year for her first overseas employment, but decided to terminate her contract after just over two months because Sham and her mother allegedly subjected her to verbal abuse and treated her badly.
She said they provided her little food, made her work from 7am to 12 midnight, delayed paying her salary, gave her just two days off a month and on returning at night, made her do all the house chores.
The helper called the police on the evening of Nov 30, saying she could no longer take the maltreatment. The officers left when Sham said the helper needed only to write a termination letter. But as soon as the police had left, the employer told Cornejo she couldn’t leave unless she paid her a month’s salary.
The two went to an ATM at Siu Hong MTR station to get cash, but even after Cornejo had paid up, Sham still refused to let go of her so the maid ran away and sought refuge in a neighbor’s flat.
Sham then called the police, and caused them to arrest Cornejo on the trumped-up charge of stealing her two rings.
At the Tribunal, Presiding Officer Jacqueline Lee rebuked Sham after noticing the employer’s attempt to delay proceedings by first, denying that she received a registered letter from Cornejo; and second, by not bringing an important document with her to court.
“I want you to make sure, Ms Sham, and I want you also to make a copy of all the documents by Aug 7,” Lee told the defendant sternly. She said the case had been stuck in for too long and she did not want any more delay.
Cornejo is claiming a month’s wage of $4,310 in lieu of notice for constructive termination, a return of the $4,310 that Sham had forced her to pay so she could be released from her employment, a one-way plane ticket and $200 travel allowance.
During a conciliation hearing at the Labour Department earlier, Sham only agreed to pay the helper $3,117.18 for arrears in wages.
Joan Sham Yi-king told the Tribunal during a hearing of the case on Jul 31 that she would contest the claim of her former maid, Jackelyn Cornejo.
The Filipina was acquitted in Tuen Mun court on Jun 21 of stealing two rings from Sham. Before this, she spent 40 days in jail until the Mission for Migrant Workers bailed her out and gave her shelter.
Cornejo, 30, came to Hong Kong on Sept 8 last year for her first overseas employment, but decided to terminate her contract after just over two months because Sham and her mother allegedly subjected her to verbal abuse and treated her badly.
She said they provided her little food, made her work from 7am to 12 midnight, delayed paying her salary, gave her just two days off a month and on returning at night, made her do all the house chores.
The helper called the police on the evening of Nov 30, saying she could no longer take the maltreatment. The officers left when Sham said the helper needed only to write a termination letter. But as soon as the police had left, the employer told Cornejo she couldn’t leave unless she paid her a month’s salary.
The two went to an ATM at Siu Hong MTR station to get cash, but even after Cornejo had paid up, Sham still refused to let go of her so the maid ran away and sought refuge in a neighbor’s flat.
Sham then called the police, and caused them to arrest Cornejo on the trumped-up charge of stealing her two rings.
At the Tribunal, Presiding Officer Jacqueline Lee rebuked Sham after noticing the employer’s attempt to delay proceedings by first, denying that she received a registered letter from Cornejo; and second, by not bringing an important document with her to court.
“I want you to make sure, Ms Sham, and I want you also to make a copy of all the documents by Aug 7,” Lee told the defendant sternly. She said the case had been stuck in for too long and she did not want any more delay.
Cornejo is claiming a month’s wage of $4,310 in lieu of notice for constructive termination, a return of the $4,310 that Sham had forced her to pay so she could be released from her employment, a one-way plane ticket and $200 travel allowance.
During a conciliation hearing at the Labour Department earlier, Sham only agreed to pay the helper $3,117.18 for arrears in wages.
The rising cost of getting a job as domestic helper
Posted on No comments
By Leo A. Deocadiz
Every Sunday, foreign domestic workers flood into Hong Kong’s parks, foot bridges and other public places to spend their day, and a growing portion of their income, on local businesses.
Of grave concern, however, is that payment for loans and agency fees is biting off 35.6 per cent of that income, according to a survey on spending habits conducted by the Mission for Migrant Workers and Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants. And since Hong Kong limits agency fees to 10 per cent of the first month’s salary (or $441 of the minimum allowable wage of $4,410), much of these fees are illegal.
It was not this way in the past, when the MAW was even lower. The share of loans and agency fees in the 2017 survey is almost triple the 13.30 per cent share that this expense registered in a similar survey conducted by the two NGOs in 2013.
These figures confirm another report by MFMW in April that showed about half of the helpers were charged HK$5,000 to HK$10,000 by employment agencies to find them employers. Some were even charged as much as HK$22,000. These amounts were set in loan agreements that were signed in the helpers’ home countries to avoid being penalized under Hong Kong’s law that limits the amount that employment agencies can charge.
“Agency fee and loan repayment constitute the chunk of this expense, showing still the prevalence of overcharging practice of agencies,” said the report which summarized the findings of the survey, conducted in the summer of 2017. “Especially that more than 50 per cent of FDWs are newly-arrived… it can be inferred that many FDWs are still paying the fees charged to them upon deployment to HK.”
It added: “Even loans can be attributed to agency problem as either they are forcibly made in order to get more from FDWs while circumventing the legal policy in place for agency fee, or they are made precisely because agency fee eats up most of their salary, leaving very little for their own needs in Hong Kong and remittance to family.”
It concluded that FDHs “continue to be exploited through debt bondage by agencies. Yet, the Hong Kong government does not actively work to alleviate this issue, allowing human trafficking and exploitation to happen.”
Despite the survey showing rampant overcharging, only three employment agencies have been prosecuted by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) and convicted of overcharging so far this year.
In the latest conviction on July 25, My Friends Service Limited (My Friend) located in Tsuen Wan was fined $8,000 at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for overcharging a foreign domestic helper (FDH). The other agencies convicted of overcharging this year were Quality Consultants Agency located in Tsim Sha Tsui and Familia Employment Agency located in Tai Po.
A government spokesman said prosecution also depends on overcharged helpers filing complaints. EAA thus invites them to call 2115 3667, or visit its office at unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.
The survey also showed that the job placement expenses have led to the share of remittances — the main reason the FDWs have left their families back home — to shrink . The 2013 survey showed that remittances accounted for 50.68 per cent of their income. By 2017, its share had shrunk to 31.7 per cent.
“Agency fees are not only a problem for migrant workers but also for the Hong Kong economy,” the report said. “When more money is spent repaying loans, workers have less to spend on goods and services as well as remittance to support their families back home.”
The survey showed that of the minimum allowable wage of $4,410 every month, $2,600 remained in Hong Kong. With an FDH population of 351,513, this translates to $914 million they spent monthly in Hong Kong, or almost $11 billion every year.
Of the other expenses tracked by the survey, 9 per cent went to savings, 6 per cent went to food, 4 per cent went to clothes and accessories, 3 per cent to communications, 2 per cent to transportation, 2 per cent to toiletries, 1 per cent to donations and 5 per cent to other expenses.
So even if they may be earning one of the lowest wages in Hong Kong, foreign domestic helpers pour billions into its economy, nourishing businesses that have sprouted to cater to their needs, according to the survey.
This is contrary to popular belief that they are a burden to the economy. “Migrant domestic workers are integral to the consumer and service-based economy that is Hong Kong,” the two non-government organizations said in their survey report.
MFMW general manager Cynthia Abdon-Tellez affirmed: “Yes, foreign domestic helpers come to Hong Kong to support their families, but they end up spending most of their wages in Hong Kong, and thus contribute to the economic life of the city.”
This is in addition to their other — and better-known – contribution: taking care of their employers’ children and homes, so that both parents can pursue their own careers and thus double their household income.
Every Sunday, foreign domestic workers flood into Hong Kong’s parks, foot bridges and other public places to spend their day, and a growing portion of their income, on local businesses.
Of grave concern, however, is that payment for loans and agency fees is biting off 35.6 per cent of that income, according to a survey on spending habits conducted by the Mission for Migrant Workers and Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants. And since Hong Kong limits agency fees to 10 per cent of the first month’s salary (or $441 of the minimum allowable wage of $4,410), much of these fees are illegal.
It was not this way in the past, when the MAW was even lower. The share of loans and agency fees in the 2017 survey is almost triple the 13.30 per cent share that this expense registered in a similar survey conducted by the two NGOs in 2013.
 |
| Spending one’s day off on a rainy day in Central. |
“Agency fee and loan repayment constitute the chunk of this expense, showing still the prevalence of overcharging practice of agencies,” said the report which summarized the findings of the survey, conducted in the summer of 2017. “Especially that more than 50 per cent of FDWs are newly-arrived… it can be inferred that many FDWs are still paying the fees charged to them upon deployment to HK.”
It added: “Even loans can be attributed to agency problem as either they are forcibly made in order to get more from FDWs while circumventing the legal policy in place for agency fee, or they are made precisely because agency fee eats up most of their salary, leaving very little for their own needs in Hong Kong and remittance to family.”
It concluded that FDHs “continue to be exploited through debt bondage by agencies. Yet, the Hong Kong government does not actively work to alleviate this issue, allowing human trafficking and exploitation to happen.”
Despite the survey showing rampant overcharging, only three employment agencies have been prosecuted by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) and convicted of overcharging so far this year.
In the latest conviction on July 25, My Friends Service Limited (My Friend) located in Tsuen Wan was fined $8,000 at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for overcharging a foreign domestic helper (FDH). The other agencies convicted of overcharging this year were Quality Consultants Agency located in Tsim Sha Tsui and Familia Employment Agency located in Tai Po.
 |
| Migrants groups’ leaders display the breakdown of FDH spending: Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hiong Kong; Cynthia Ca Abdon-Tellez, general manager iof the Mission for Migrant Workers; Ramon Bultron, managing directorof Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM); and Sringatin, chairperson of Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. |
The survey also showed that the job placement expenses have led to the share of remittances — the main reason the FDWs have left their families back home — to shrink . The 2013 survey showed that remittances accounted for 50.68 per cent of their income. By 2017, its share had shrunk to 31.7 per cent.
“Agency fees are not only a problem for migrant workers but also for the Hong Kong economy,” the report said. “When more money is spent repaying loans, workers have less to spend on goods and services as well as remittance to support their families back home.”
The survey showed that of the minimum allowable wage of $4,410 every month, $2,600 remained in Hong Kong. With an FDH population of 351,513, this translates to $914 million they spent monthly in Hong Kong, or almost $11 billion every year.
Of the other expenses tracked by the survey, 9 per cent went to savings, 6 per cent went to food, 4 per cent went to clothes and accessories, 3 per cent to communications, 2 per cent to transportation, 2 per cent to toiletries, 1 per cent to donations and 5 per cent to other expenses.
So even if they may be earning one of the lowest wages in Hong Kong, foreign domestic helpers pour billions into its economy, nourishing businesses that have sprouted to cater to their needs, according to the survey.
This is contrary to popular belief that they are a burden to the economy. “Migrant domestic workers are integral to the consumer and service-based economy that is Hong Kong,” the two non-government organizations said in their survey report.
MFMW general manager Cynthia Abdon-Tellez affirmed: “Yes, foreign domestic helpers come to Hong Kong to support their families, but they end up spending most of their wages in Hong Kong, and thus contribute to the economic life of the city.”
This is in addition to their other — and better-known – contribution: taking care of their employers’ children and homes, so that both parents can pursue their own careers and thus double their household income.
Cordilleran group holds songwriting contest
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As part of their campaign to promote their culture and cultivate their talents as Cordilleran migrants, members of the Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU HK) held a songwriting competition on Aug. 12 at Pier 10 in Central.
Taking top honors was Linlyn Andrada Subido for her original competition, “Karapatan Namin”, sung by Andrada Clan. Second prize winner was Iris Ticagan, composer of “Paglayo”, which was sung by her group, Singles and Doubles.
The contest rules specified that singers representing the contestants would first sing the Cordillerans’ unity song, “Nasa Atin ang Panahon” from the group Buklod, before presenting their original composition.
According to PSU-HK president Joseline Tanguid, her group stages a Dap-ayan cultural event every two months and the song writing competition was one of the activities held as part of this.
Tanguid said that through these cultural activities, the group hopes not only to promote unity but also to empower members so they are better equipped to find solutions to issues faced by migrants both in and out of the Philippines.
The Dap-ayan ti Umili, held alongside a Migrants Care Center where free services was given to migrant workers, was co-organized by PSU-HK and the Mission for Migrant Workers and had as theme “Palakasin ang Pagkakaisa sa proteksyon ng Kagalingan at Kultura.”
The judges for the songwriting contest were Aaron Ceradoy of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, Carmela Cawas of Benguet Federation, and Maricel Redita of Migranteng Artista ng Bayan.
Acting as adjuducators were Joelyn Hilyawan of Ifugao Association Hong Kong and Nancy Tanguid of Asipulo Organization.
—DCLM
Taking top honors was Linlyn Andrada Subido for her original competition, “Karapatan Namin”, sung by Andrada Clan. Second prize winner was Iris Ticagan, composer of “Paglayo”, which was sung by her group, Singles and Doubles.
The contest rules specified that singers representing the contestants would first sing the Cordillerans’ unity song, “Nasa Atin ang Panahon” from the group Buklod, before presenting their original composition.
According to PSU-HK president Joseline Tanguid, her group stages a Dap-ayan cultural event every two months and the song writing competition was one of the activities held as part of this.
Tanguid said that through these cultural activities, the group hopes not only to promote unity but also to empower members so they are better equipped to find solutions to issues faced by migrants both in and out of the Philippines.
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| Members and guests of Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU HK), with contest winners. |
The judges for the songwriting contest were Aaron Ceradoy of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, Carmela Cawas of Benguet Federation, and Maricel Redita of Migranteng Artista ng Bayan.
Acting as adjuducators were Joelyn Hilyawan of Ifugao Association Hong Kong and Nancy Tanguid of Asipulo Organization.
—DCLM
Labatt Jolly set to return to Hong Kong
Posted on No comments |
| Labatt Jolly could resume his post early next month |
By Daisy CL Mandap
The combined voices of Filipino migrant workers have been
heard. Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, whose unceremonious and unjustified recall
to Home Office in April sparked widespread protests within the Filipino
community in Hong Kong, is about to come back.
The only question now is, when?
“My papers are already with the DFA (Department of Foreign
Affairs)”, was all that Labatt dela
Torre said in response to a message asking when he expected to be back in Hong
Kong.
Once the DFA, through the Philippine Consulate, passes on
his papers to the Hong Kong government, it
will be only a matter of days before Dela Torre gets the go signal to reclaim
his post.
According to his temporary replacement, Labor Attache
Leonida Romulo, that could be soon, as she is herself already preparing to move
to another post. Insiders at the Department of Labor and Employment in Manila say Romulo will be posted to Malaysia
Also about to leave is Assistant Labor Attache Ma Nena
German, who had cracked down on Dela Torre’s supporters when she was made
officer-in-charge for three months after his recall. German will reportedly spend
the last four months of her extended term in Taiwan
Romulo, who took over the top labor post only last month,
said there will be a short overlap between her and Dela Torre. “I will stay
until Labatt Jolly returns because there should be an official turnover,” she
said
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III sent her here to take up
the labor attache’s post after dela Torre was recalled a full year before his
tour of duty was supposed to end.
Secretary Bello’s letter dated Mar 23 did not give any
reason for the recall, but merely said Dela Torre was to report back to the
Home Office “effective immediately”.
He was also instructed to turn over all money, properties,
equipment and accountable forms to Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German,
indicating the recall was final.
The order sparked widespread criticism within the Filipno
community in Hong Kong, and caused two big protests to be staged, calling on Bello
 |
| One of two protests held against the recall |
In response to a petition from migrant leaders, Special Assistant
to the President Christopher Go and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter
Cayetano both assured the community Dela Torre would get to keep his post.
But with Bello Manila about a month
later, during which Bello
The news that Dela Torre is on his way back to reclaim his post
was greeted with joy and relief by the Filcom leaders who joined the protests
against his recall.
Rodelia Villar, leader of the Domestic Workers Corner, said
rogue employment agencies have been on a roll since Dela Torre left. “Four
months pa lang ang dami nang nabiktima (na domestic workers),” she said.
Villar also said Dela Torre’s return showed how unity among
leaders could bring about a desired result.
Eman Villanueva of United Filipinos in Hong
Kong said his group is looking forward to meeting with Dela Torre
again.
“We are eager to meet with him upon his return. Maraming mga
dapat na mapag-usapan na mga concerns ng community na nais namin maihapag sa
kanya for POLO's intervention. One of which ay ang illegal collection ng mga
agencies. Gusto din namin syang kausapin tungkol sa mga issues addressed to the
HKSAR government. We are confident na gagawa sya ng mga concrete steps para
suportahan ang kampanya ng mga OFWs for reforms sa ating working and living
condition dito sa HK kagaya ng kanyang ginawa noon sa issue ng window cleaning,”
said Villanueva.
For Aura Ablin of Mindanao Workers Federation, the four
months that the labor attache was forced to wait it out in Manila
while Bello
“Sana
Villanueva suggested a new petition could be made to ask for
Dela Torre’s extension way beyond the seven months remaining in his
three-year-term.
To this day, the reason for Dela Torre’s recall remains
unclear. But recent reports suggest Bello might have been telling the truth when he told Manila reporters that the order to get dela Torre packing
came directly from Malacanang. Apparently, a Hong Kong agency owner whose wife
is from Davao
It did not help that a group of Hong
Kong recruiters who bring in Filipinas to work as bar girls in
Wanchai were also up in arms over Dela Torre’s rejection of their job orders,
depriving them of lucrative commissions.
Dela Torre had said that he was surprised by his recall, as
he was not aware that he was being investigated. He maintained that he didn't
have any problems getting marching orders, but didn't want to go under a cloud
of doubt.
Asked for his reaction to the protests in support of his top
Hong Kong man, Bello said, "I respect their right to air their grievance
but they (also) have to respect our mgt (management)/ procedural due
proess".
The recall attracted extensive media coverage because of the widespread support given to Dela Torre by migrant workers who often cite as reasons his uncompromising stance against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The recall attracted extensive media coverage because of the widespread support given to Dela Torre by migrant workers who often cite as reasons his uncompromising stance against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Solons fear budget reform would cut funds for districts
Posted on 17 August 2018 No comments
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said keeping the 2018 budget allocations was one of the options the executive department has if Congress fails to approve the P3.757-trillion appropriations by December.
The House of Representatives had suspended hearings on the 2019 budget as lawmakers rejected a shift from obligation to cash-based budgeting system.
In the past, the obligation-based budget allowed agencies to spend their respective allocations within a two-year period, sometimes leading to underspending.
“A cash-based budget instills greater fiscal discipline and prudent use of limited resources. The shift to a cash-based budget will increase the efficiency of government operations, resulting in a faster and improved delivery of public services,” Diokno explained.
“The one-year time horizon of budget execution will push heads of government agencies to
plan ahead, conduct early procurement, and regularly monitor implementation,” he added.
Congressmen feared that the budget reform would greatly affect budget allocations for their districts, since funding for hospitals, classrooms, and local infrastructure projects like roads might suffer budget cuts.
Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the House appropriations committee, and other House leaders – representing lawmakers who crossed party lines – have filed a House resolution asking their Senate counterparts to return the budget reform bill that they sent last March.
In view of the rejection of the budget reform, Diokno said having a reenacted 2018 budget for 2019 would sustain the Duterte administration’s infrastructure spending in the absence of a new appropriations bill approved by Congress.
“We are studying all the options, including reenacted budget of 2018,” Diokno said during a press conference on the sidelines of the “Build, Build, Build” job fair on on Aug. 12 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“Because so many projects in 2017 and 2018 have not been done, when you add those to projects in 2019, the budget is so big. The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program won’t suffer.”
Under its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program, the Duterte administration plans to rollout 75 “game-changing” flagship projects alongside spending a total of up to P9 trillion on hard and modern infrastructure until 2022 to usher in the “golden age of infrastructure.”
But some members of the House have been questioning why the 2019 budget proposal, at nominal value, is lower than the record P3.767-trillion 2018 appropriation.
Diokno has explained that this year’s obligation-based budget should not be compared apples to apples to the cash budget proposal for next year.
According to Diokno, the cash-based equivalent of the 2018 budget was P3.324 trillion.
He had noted that “73 percent of the countries around the world, as well as the private sector, are implementing a cash-based budget.”
“This is the way to go if you want transparency and efficiency,” he said. “Annual cash-based appropriations will also encourage a more open and accountable government. In this new system, agency performance will be measured not on contracts awarded or obligated but on the actual delivery of goods and services that will improve the lives of Filipinos.”
NOPTI sets review sessions for LET
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The National Organization of Professional Teachers Inc is holding its regular review classes for prospective takers of the Licensing Examination for Teachers to be administered by the Professional Regulation Commission in Hong Kong this September.
The regular review classes are held every Sunday until Aug 26 at the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town.
The final coaching will be conducted by the Carl Balita Review Center at the Bayanhihan Hall on Sept 2, Stanley Community Hall on Sept 9 and Bayanihan Hall on Sept 16.
The regular review classes are held every Sunday until Aug 26 at the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town.
The final coaching will be conducted by the Carl Balita Review Center at the Bayanhihan Hall on Sept 2, Stanley Community Hall on Sept 9 and Bayanihan Hall on Sept 16.
Join the Coins for Bethune House fund-raising project
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The Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge is calling on more organizations and individuals to join its annual Coins for Bethune House fundraising project, which is meant to raise funds to sustain the shelter’s programs and expenses.
Those who wish to join may collect cans or jars for their donations from the Mission for Migrant Workers office in St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Hong Kong, or from the Bethune shelter on #2 Jordan Road, Kowloon.
Those who have already filled their cans are enjoined to submit them as soon as possible to #2 Jordan from Monday to Saturday, and to the Mission office on Sundays. The deadline for submitting the cans is on Sept 30.
The first counting of donations made through the cans began on Aug. 12, and will continue for the next Sundays until the deadline.
Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio is appealing for more help, citing a financial crisis brought about by the unexpected withdrawal of funding support from big corporate donors.
“We are always grateful and thankful for the support the Filipino Community extends to our migrants in distress, especially women. And as everybody knows, the Bethune House is undergoing a crisis to come up with a significant amount to augment its finances to sustain its programs and expenses,” she said.
“It is during times of need that challenges turn into opportunities. It is through this that the Coins For Bethune House project was born years ago. It continues to help sustain us, which is why your coins are very much welcome,” Antonio also asserted.
For enquiries, please call 27213119, 25228264 or 93572125.
Those who wish to join may collect cans or jars for their donations from the Mission for Migrant Workers office in St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Hong Kong, or from the Bethune shelter on #2 Jordan Road, Kowloon.
Those who have already filled their cans are enjoined to submit them as soon as possible to #2 Jordan from Monday to Saturday, and to the Mission office on Sundays. The deadline for submitting the cans is on Sept 30.
The first counting of donations made through the cans began on Aug. 12, and will continue for the next Sundays until the deadline.
Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio is appealing for more help, citing a financial crisis brought about by the unexpected withdrawal of funding support from big corporate donors.
“We are always grateful and thankful for the support the Filipino Community extends to our migrants in distress, especially women. And as everybody knows, the Bethune House is undergoing a crisis to come up with a significant amount to augment its finances to sustain its programs and expenses,” she said.
“It is during times of need that challenges turn into opportunities. It is through this that the Coins For Bethune House project was born years ago. It continues to help sustain us, which is why your coins are very much welcome,” Antonio also asserted.
For enquiries, please call 27213119, 25228264 or 93572125.
 |
| Note from Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge: “We met this young girl when we visited Bradbury School. She came to us with her teacher, holding a hundred dollar bill. She said she and her sister made chatterboxes to sell to raise money for Bethune House. She is worried about the women at Bethune House. We, the residents were speechless by her compassion, sense of charity and social responsibility at her age, so humbled and touched by her gesture.” |
Pinay in reported suicide to be flown home
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| Ariel (in red shirt) and other relatives meet with CG Morales (in suit) at the Consulate |
By The SUN-HK
Consulate officers say the remains of the Filipina who
allegedly hanged herself at her employer’s home will be flown home on Aug. 27.
A day before this, or on Aug. 26, a Sunday, a public viewing
of her body will be held at the North District Hospital in Sheung Shui, from 12
noon to 3pm. Mourners are requested to wear white.
According to Lorna Obedoza, welfare officer at the
Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the employers of the victim had paid for the
repatriation, and also paid for long service for the seven and a half years
that the Filipina had worked for them.
The employers also reportedly asked for understanding from
those who had been bashing them because they did not show up at the hospital where
their longtime helper was in critical condition for about a week before she was
taken off life support.
According to Obedoza, the employers said they were also
distraught at the helper’s passing, as she had been with them for a long time.
The victim’s husband, who is to fly back home to Anini-y, Antique
to await his wife’s repatriation, had earlier called on the police to look into
a possible foul play in the death of his wife.
Ariel, who also met with Consul General Antonio A. Morales
on Aug. 13, said he did not believe his wife had committed suicide.
Ariel told The SUN his late wife, who would have turned 33
years old on Aug. 18, had not told him of any problem except for alleged death
threats she had been hearing shortly before she was found dead.
“Lagi po kasing naririnig ng misis ko na papadampot siya at
patayin,” Ariel said, but did not specify who might have been behind these
threats.
He said his wife had told two of her friends on Jul 31 about
the death threats but did not have time to report them to the police or
Consulate.
Ariel also claimed his wife’s phone had been emptied of
messages and reformatted when police recovered it. In addition, a piece of
luggage where she hid her work contract and other important documents were
reportedly missing.
Ariel corrected earlier reports that they had just gotten
married, saying they were wed on June 25, 2009. His wife just went home
recently to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary with him. They had no
children.
Other relatives told Morales that the victim, who used to
work as a sales lady at a department store, used to take her day off only once
a month and seldom met up with them.
The victim, who was briefly revived on being taken to
hospital, was taken off life support system at 2pm on Aug 8, nearly 48 hours
since she was declared brain-dead by doctors in the intensive care unit.
One of her cousins said that contrary to earlier reports,
the victim was found by her employer in the toilet, and not in the maid’s
bedroom of their luxury villa in The Green, Sheung Shui in the morning of Aug.
1.
Reports said the maid had hung herself with a wire, although
a bottle of pesticide was also found in the room. There was no suicide note.
Police had indicated they found nothing suspicious, and were
only investigating the reason for her suicide.
After talking to the victim’s relatives, Morales said the
Consulate needs to conduct seminars for Filipino workers here on mental health.
He added that they need to call the PCG immediately if they are troubled.
“We will be holding seminars to teach our workers how to
cope with stress so that we can avoid tragedies like this,” Morales told The
SUN. He said the Consulate’s hotline is also open 24 hours a day to answer
calls.
“We have counselors here who can give them advice if they
have problems,” he said.
The same advice was given earlier by Consul Paulo Saret,
head of the assistance to nationals section. He said OFWs should also talk to
relatives and friends about their problems to get these off their chests.
They could also call The Samaritans, which runs a 24-hour
multilingual suicide prevention hotline at 2896 0000. Emails can also be sent
to jo@samaritans.org.hk.
Allied Express Travel opens two new branches
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Within just a week, Allied Express Travel opened two new branches in Hong Kong, in a bid to expand its market share of the Filipino market.
The first new branch opened on Aug. 5 at the Hop Yick Commercial Centre at 33 Hop Choi Street in Yuen Long. The second opened on Aug. 12 at shop 201 in Worldwide Plaza in Central.
Daisy Briones, chief executive officer of Allied Express Travel, said she was overwhelmed by the warm response from the public to their “Two Grand Openings,” especially the one at Worldwide Plaza.
“We had a soft opening of our Worldwide branch a few days before the grand launch, and the customers just started coming, mostly walk-ins,” said Briones. “We are truly grateful for this warm reception.”
The company’s chief operating officer, Jassen Trankow, said Allied Express Travel aims to build up customer trust and satisfaction as it continues to expand its operations.
Among the guests at the travel agency’s grand openings were representatives from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, media people, friends and family members.
Allied Express Travel, which was founded in 1995, still has its main office at No 3 Queen Victoria Street in Central.
The first new branch opened on Aug. 5 at the Hop Yick Commercial Centre at 33 Hop Choi Street in Yuen Long. The second opened on Aug. 12 at shop 201 in Worldwide Plaza in Central.
Daisy Briones, chief executive officer of Allied Express Travel, said she was overwhelmed by the warm response from the public to their “Two Grand Openings,” especially the one at Worldwide Plaza.
“We had a soft opening of our Worldwide branch a few days before the grand launch, and the customers just started coming, mostly walk-ins,” said Briones. “We are truly grateful for this warm reception.”
The company’s chief operating officer, Jassen Trankow, said Allied Express Travel aims to build up customer trust and satisfaction as it continues to expand its operations.
Among the guests at the travel agency’s grand openings were representatives from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, media people, friends and family members.
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| Customers and staff celebrate the grand opening the World Wide Plaza (photo above) and Yuen Long Branch (photo below) of Allied Express Travel. The two events were attended by Daisy Briones, CEO of Allied Express Travel; Jeffrey Briones, manager of Allied Express and Jassen Trankow, COO of Allied Express, as well as representatives from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. |
License of employment agency revoked
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The Labour Department (LD) has revoked the licence of an employment agency, Galaxy Maid Employment Consultants Limited, Central and Causeway Bay.
LD also reminded operators of employment agencies to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.
Galaxy’s license was cancelled for failure “to meet the standards set out in the Code by failing to include all required items in the service agreements for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers, failing to keep the written confirmation of FDHs and their employers that they had been briefed about their statutory rights and obligations as well as the content of the Standard Employment Contract by the EA, and failing to keep records relating to the dealings with employers.”
It added: “Despite repeated warnings given by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD, the EA was unable to rectify the irregularities detected.”
The LD spokesman said, “The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner expects of EAs. The EAA conducts regular and surprise inspections of EAs and issues warning letters to EAs for contraventions of the Code, so as to rectify any irregularity detected.
“Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 that came into effect on February 9, 2018, the Commissioner is empowered under sections 53(1)(c)(iva), 53(1)(d)(iii) and 53(1)(e)(ii) to refuse to issue or renew a licence, or to revoke a licence, if the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has not complied with a code of practice issued under section 62A(1) of the Ordinance.”
This is the fifth case this year involving revocation of or refusal to renew an EA license. Previously, Familia Employment Agency, an EA located in Tai Po, had its licence revoked after the licensee was convicted of overcharging three job seekers. A further two EAs, namely Tin Wai Employment Company Limited, an EA located in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, and Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited located in Kennedy Town, had their licences revoked respectively for contravening the Code and providing misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the EAA and for contravening the Code by being involved in the financial affairs of job seekers, failing to issue payment receipts and having the management fail to closely supervise its staff. Another EA named JK Company located in Mong Kok had its license renewal refused.
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| Labour Department headquarters in Central. |
Galaxy’s license was cancelled for failure “to meet the standards set out in the Code by failing to include all required items in the service agreements for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers, failing to keep the written confirmation of FDHs and their employers that they had been briefed about their statutory rights and obligations as well as the content of the Standard Employment Contract by the EA, and failing to keep records relating to the dealings with employers.”
It added: “Despite repeated warnings given by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD, the EA was unable to rectify the irregularities detected.”
The LD spokesman said, “The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner expects of EAs. The EAA conducts regular and surprise inspections of EAs and issues warning letters to EAs for contraventions of the Code, so as to rectify any irregularity detected.
“Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 that came into effect on February 9, 2018, the Commissioner is empowered under sections 53(1)(c)(iva), 53(1)(d)(iii) and 53(1)(e)(ii) to refuse to issue or renew a licence, or to revoke a licence, if the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has not complied with a code of practice issued under section 62A(1) of the Ordinance.”
This is the fifth case this year involving revocation of or refusal to renew an EA license. Previously, Familia Employment Agency, an EA located in Tai Po, had its licence revoked after the licensee was convicted of overcharging three job seekers. A further two EAs, namely Tin Wai Employment Company Limited, an EA located in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, and Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited located in Kennedy Town, had their licences revoked respectively for contravening the Code and providing misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the EAA and for contravening the Code by being involved in the financial affairs of job seekers, failing to issue payment receipts and having the management fail to closely supervise its staff. Another EA named JK Company located in Mong Kok had its license renewal refused.
Lanie is back home – for now
Posted on 15 August 2018 No comments
By Daisy CL Mandap
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| Lanie at HK airport about to fly home |
Nine months after fleeing the flat of a couple she claims
subjected her to slave-like treatment, Lanie Grace Rosareal, 28, has returned
home.
The Filipina domestic worker left Hong
Kong on Aug. 11, after finally being allowed to apply for a new
employment visa so she could resume work while fighting her case against her
former employer and her companion who Rosareal says, subjected her to physical
abuse, and did not pay her salary for six months.
Rosareal was one of the few lucky migrant workers who could
go home while waiting for their cases to be resolved. Many others are forced to
either remain in Hong Kong -unemployed for
months while the police investigate their cases - or to just give up the fight
and return home.
Luck for Rosareal came when the solicitors firm, Daly, Ho
and Associates, one of Hong Kong ’s foremost
human rights advocates, agreed to take up her case. Shocked by the sight of a
“punishment book” where her employer’s companion, Au Wai-chun, had listed down
imaginary faults for which Rosareal was fined each time, solicitor Patricia
Meason-Ho readily agreed to take up her case.
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| On this page in the "punishment book" Au warned: "Also continue like this I sure will send you to police" |
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| Here, Au calculated that up to Oct 23 (2017) the maid owed $3,600. The next day, it shot up to $5,000. |
Another fact that stood out was Au’s prior conviction for
pouring hot water on a Bangladeshi maid for which the retired immigration
officer was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months, and
ordered to pay damages of $200,000.
On the solicitors’ advice, Rosareal managed to have a new
employment contract filed with Immigration within the 10-day limit she was
given so she could exit and wait for her visa in the Philippines
Help was also extended by Consul Paulo Saret of the
Philippine Consulate General and Labor Attache Leonida Romulo, who teamed up to
make sure the Filipina’s new employment contract was processed within one day
so she could immediately file it with Immigration.
But on Thursday, Aug. 9, Rosareal’s bid to acquire a new
work visa was almost derailed when an Immigration officer rejected her
employment contract, and even shouted “Do not waste my time!” when she
suggested he conferred with her counselor. A quick call from Daly and Ho caused
the officer to back off and accept the contract.
Also working in Rosareal’s favor was an incisive story on
her case written by Simon Parry for the SCMP magazine, and published on Aug.
12. The article included lengthy interviews with Rosareal and her alleged tormentor,
65-year-old Au, and her erstwhile employer, Leung Shet-ying, 63.
In the article, Au denied hurting Rosareal, saying she
treated the maid either as a “naughty daughter” or “naughty student” for which
she had set up some rules for punishment and rewards.
While reportedly admitting that she imposed a penalty on
Rosareal for every infraction, Au claimed she gave back most of the maid’s
salary after taking it to pay for the cumulative fines for the month. However,
no record was made in the punishment book for any such salary that had been
paid back.
Rosareal fled the house shared by Leung and Au in Tseung
Kwan O on Nov 17 last year. She was rescued, along with newly hired Filipina
maid, Rowela S. Suete, by a Filipino community leader who had responded to
Suete’s appeal for help on Facebook.
In statements she made to labour officers and the police,
Rosareal claimed that Au had subjected her to almost daily torture from May to
November last year. The elderly woman had reportedly hit her on the head with a
knife and a TV remote control, boxed her in the arm, clawed on her wrists and
neck, poked her at the throat with a pair of scissors, and made her kneel and
bang her head on the floor.
Once, the maid said she was told to bang her forehead thrice
on the floor, but when she failed to do it hard enough on the first try, Au,
who reportedly pretends to be wheelchair-bound when outside the house, stomped
hard on her back. At Suete’s prodding, Rosareal said she took a photo of the
big bump on her forehead as evidence.
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| Rosareal's photo of the bump on her forehead |
During the prolonged abuse, Leung reportedly stayed out of
the way most of the time, but would be prevailed upon by Au sometimes to hit
the Filipina with a walking stick.
Apart from the abuse, Rosareal said she was not paid her
salary for the entire period because of the penalties that Au imposed for such
a range of bizarre infractions such as “give the ugly hanger” to “not pay
attention to the underwear” or “not stand in front of her when she complains”.
Leung would reportedly pay her salary each month, but would
then tell her to go to Au to settle her “penalties.” Rosareal said that as a
result, she never got any pay, but would just be given $100 or $200 by Au the
few times she was allowed to leave for a few hours on a Sunday.
She never took an entire day off, Rosareal claimed, because
by the end of each month, she would always come out owing Au. For the period of
Sept 22 to Oct 23, for example, Au’s computation showed she still owed $3,750
after turning over her entire salary.
On her last entry in the punishment book, a total sum of
$29,230 was recorded, presumably as the accumulation of all her unpaid
penalties.
Recalling those times recently, Rosareal bitterly said Au
would even take her to a shopping mall sometimes, and would make a big show of splurging
on luxury items from the fines that she collected.
"She would show me an expensive bag or a blouse which she said she had bought with my money," the Filipina said.
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| Rosareal's photo - taken while Au on trial for her assault on Bangladeshi maid in 2014 |
Despite her lengthy ordeal, Lanie did not get immediate
relief. Police in Tseung Kwan O took her statement without an interpreter, then
told her Au had been arrested, but was allowed to post bail. She was given no
more updates since.
A check with the Police Public Relations Bureau showed that Au was arrested on Dec. 11, 2017 for "criminal assault and intimidation" but was released on police bail. She was required to report back in late August, a good eight months away. "Investigation of the case has been completed and is pending legal advice," said the advisory.
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| Au on her way to her trial in a wheelchair and wearing a hand splint - SCMP photo |
In the meantime, Hong Kong Immigration kept extending Rosareal's visa, but when she submitted a new employment contract, she was told it would not be processed until her case was resolved.
Failing to get Leung to pay her claims before Labour Department conciliators, Rosareal took her case to the Labour Tribunal. But in January this year, she faced another setback when Tribunal Officer Mary Wu decided that all she was entitled to was $2,408.70 in unpaid wages and
traveling allowance.
Wu said in open court that it was not irregular for Leung to pay Rosareal's salary, then tell the maid to go to Au to settle her "penalties".
"That is nothing to do with the contract. You are being punished because maybe you have done something wrong and that's why the employer punish you or that Madam Au punish you and you have to pay compensation to them," said Wu.
The tribunal officer told Rosareal to go to the Small Claims Tribunal if she wished to get her money back from Au, and at one point even suggested the maid could have written on the punishment book herself.
Left with no choice but to wait for the police to act on her case, Rosareal tried to keep her spirits up by doing volunteer
work for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. She also helped some of her fellow
wards at a government shelter pursue their respective cases, but it was not
always easy. Unemployed and still suffering from the trauma of the past year, Rosareal
had to go for counseling
three times a week, and in between, look for ways to
keep afloat and sane.
She had thought of going home, but was prevailed upon by several
people to stay, saying police would probably dismiss her complaint if she left.
With the latest twist in her story going her way, Rosareal says
she hopes justice is finally within reach.
What's on where
Posted on 14 August 2018 No comments
PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:
Aug 27 – National Heroes Day (Philippines)
Sept. 25 – Day Following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct. 1 – PRC National Day (HK)
Oct 17 – Cheung Yeung Festival (HK)
There will be no official transactions on these dates.
In case of emergency, call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance), 5529 1880 (POLO), 6345 9324 (OWWA)
Give Care to our Caregivers
Aug. 19, 12nn – 5pm, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
Organized by: Mission for Migrant Workers. Volunteers welcome: Call Cynthia, 9740 9406 or Esther, 9711 1673
Empanada and Embutido Making
(Livelihood Skills Training). Aug 19, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Bayanihan Centre, 55 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town.First come, first served. Kindly bring Apron, Hairnet, Minimal contribution for ingredients (Free training but cost of ingredients will be equally shouldered by participants, finished products will be taken home. Organized by: CARD HK Foundation. Call: 9529 6392/5423 8196/ 9606 6810
Linis Wais (Basic Hygiene Sanitation and Food Safety Training)
Aug. 19, 2-4pm,PCG Conference Room. Speaker/Trainer: Jhell Palomaria, Certified – Food Safety by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Certificates will be issued. Registration closed as of Aug 10. For info, check the Consulate Facebook page
Blood Donation Drive
Aug 19, 11am-5pm, Hong Kong Red Cross Causeway Bay Donation Center 14/F, Plaza 2000, 2-4 Russell Street. Causeway Bay (MTR Station Exit A) To register as a donor, send an email to cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject line na: “Blood Donation”, and give your name, telephone number and indicate your preferred time from this schedule: * 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m., * 12:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., * 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., * 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Important Advice: Only 10 participants will be allowed into the Donation Centre every hour to avoid overcrowding
Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey
(Talk by Dr. Ju-chen Chen of Chinese University of HK)
Aug 26, 2-5pm,PCG Conference Room
To book a slot, call Analyn at 6500 9288 or Lorna at 2823 8512. Organized by: Philippine Consulate General and Wimler Foundation
Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho. Sept 2, 9am-12nn,Oct 7, 9am – 12nn,PCG Gallery.Organized by: PCG with Pitter Painter. Requirements: HKID copy and one 2x2" photo.To register, visit the PCG Cultural Section or email cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject: “SilidSining”
“Sagip Kapwa” Free Fire Safety Classes
First Session: Sept 8 (Saturday) at Tung Lo Wan Fire Station, 111 Victoria Park Rd., Causeway Bay, HK. Second Session: Oct 20 (Saturday) at Wong Tai Sin Fire Station, 28 Fung Tak Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Twenty slots are available for each session. Certificates will be given.To register, send your name and mobile phone number by email to gadhongkong@gmail.com with the title: “FIRE”. For other details, check the Philippine Consulate General Facebook page
Hike for a Cause
(Fund-raising for 10-year-old Charlene Kate Lariosa who is suffering from chronic kidney failure)
Sept. 23, 9:30am-11:30am. Route: Peak to Mount High West View. Meeting place: Peak Galleria. Contact: Marites, 5711 1533
FBC’s 7th Anniversary Bowling Party
Oct 7, 10am-4pm.South China Athletic Association Bowling Centre, Causeway Bay. Come in your funny costume, and join the games! Organizer: Filipino Bowling Club Hong Kong Jenny 9401 7051
Nueva Vizcaya Day 2018
Oct 21 (Sunday), from 10 am,Chater Road, Central
Highlights: Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya 2018 and Sassy Look International 2018. Organizer: United Nueva Vizcayanos - HK
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:
Aug 27 – National Heroes Day (Philippines)
Sept. 25 – Day Following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct. 1 – PRC National Day (HK)
Oct 17 – Cheung Yeung Festival (HK)
There will be no official transactions on these dates.
In case of emergency, call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance), 5529 1880 (POLO), 6345 9324 (OWWA)
Give Care to our Caregivers
Aug. 19, 12nn – 5pm, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
Organized by: Mission for Migrant Workers. Volunteers welcome: Call Cynthia, 9740 9406 or Esther, 9711 1673
Empanada and Embutido Making
(Livelihood Skills Training). Aug 19, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Bayanihan Centre, 55 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town.First come, first served. Kindly bring Apron, Hairnet, Minimal contribution for ingredients (Free training but cost of ingredients will be equally shouldered by participants, finished products will be taken home. Organized by: CARD HK Foundation. Call: 9529 6392/5423 8196/ 9606 6810
Linis Wais (Basic Hygiene Sanitation and Food Safety Training)
Aug. 19, 2-4pm,PCG Conference Room. Speaker/Trainer: Jhell Palomaria, Certified – Food Safety by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Certificates will be issued. Registration closed as of Aug 10. For info, check the Consulate Facebook page
Blood Donation Drive
Aug 19, 11am-5pm, Hong Kong Red Cross Causeway Bay Donation Center 14/F, Plaza 2000, 2-4 Russell Street. Causeway Bay (MTR Station Exit A) To register as a donor, send an email to cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject line na: “Blood Donation”, and give your name, telephone number and indicate your preferred time from this schedule: * 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m., * 12:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., * 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., * 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Important Advice: Only 10 participants will be allowed into the Donation Centre every hour to avoid overcrowding
Foreign Domestic Work: Understanding the Journey
(Talk by Dr. Ju-chen Chen of Chinese University of HK)
Aug 26, 2-5pm,PCG Conference Room
To book a slot, call Analyn at 6500 9288 or Lorna at 2823 8512. Organized by: Philippine Consulate General and Wimler Foundation
Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho. Sept 2, 9am-12nn,Oct 7, 9am – 12nn,PCG Gallery.Organized by: PCG with Pitter Painter. Requirements: HKID copy and one 2x2" photo.To register, visit the PCG Cultural Section or email cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject: “SilidSining”
“Sagip Kapwa” Free Fire Safety Classes
First Session: Sept 8 (Saturday) at Tung Lo Wan Fire Station, 111 Victoria Park Rd., Causeway Bay, HK. Second Session: Oct 20 (Saturday) at Wong Tai Sin Fire Station, 28 Fung Tak Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Twenty slots are available for each session. Certificates will be given.To register, send your name and mobile phone number by email to gadhongkong@gmail.com with the title: “FIRE”. For other details, check the Philippine Consulate General Facebook page
Hike for a Cause
(Fund-raising for 10-year-old Charlene Kate Lariosa who is suffering from chronic kidney failure)
Sept. 23, 9:30am-11:30am. Route: Peak to Mount High West View. Meeting place: Peak Galleria. Contact: Marites, 5711 1533
FBC’s 7th Anniversary Bowling Party
Oct 7, 10am-4pm.South China Athletic Association Bowling Centre, Causeway Bay. Come in your funny costume, and join the games! Organizer: Filipino Bowling Club Hong Kong Jenny 9401 7051
Nueva Vizcaya Day 2018
Oct 21 (Sunday), from 10 am,Chater Road, Central
Highlights: Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya 2018 and Sassy Look International 2018. Organizer: United Nueva Vizcayanos - HK
Baka gusto mong salihan ito
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Caritas Cantonese lessons for EM residentsCaritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project has received sponsorship from the Home Affairs Department to run language courses for ethnic minority residents in HK.
the following is the details for your reference.
Saturday Basic Cantonese
Period : 1 Sept. - 15 Dec. 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : HK$100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Shek Kip Mei Centre. Rm. 107, 1/F, Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, 17 Tong Yam Street, Shek Kip Mei, KLN.
Sunday Basic Cantonese
Period : 2 Sept. - 16 Dec. 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : HK$100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre. G/F., No. 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong.
For inquiries, please call 2147-5988.
Caritas also has the following programs for foreign domestic workers:
Medical Consultation and Acupuncture Services
Sept 16- Oct 21, 10 am – 1pm
$10 minimal fee will be collected)
Occupational Health and Safety Workshop
Sept 16- Nov 25 (6 Sundays in total), 10:30am-12:30pm
$20 minimal fee will be collected
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre. G/F., No. 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong.
For inquiries, please call 2147-5988.
Licensure Examination for Teachers
The Special Examination for Professional Teachers will be held in Hong Kong on Sept 30, 2018
The deadline for submitting online applications has passed.
For updates, contact the National Organization of Professional Teachers through Gemma Lauraya, 6169 5181 or the Facebook page of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office
Filcom group announcements:
Free Zumba Class
Sundays, 10am-11am (or stay longer if you want)
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Offered by: Kayumanggi Zumba Fitness Group HK
Free Yoga Class
Sundays, 8:30am-9:30am
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Organized by: Andappan Yoga Community
Ang kapalaran mo sa Agosto
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ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Maganda ang resulta ng pinagpaguran. Pero, posibleng makaranas ng kabiguan sa relasyon. May banta ng pamamaga at hirap sa pag-ihi. Gagawa ka ng paraan upang makaiwas sa pagkabagot at kawalan ng sigla ng buhay. Manunumbalik ang kumpiyansa sa sarili dahil sa swerteng darating. Lahat ng hiling mo para sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ay matutupad. Bisitahin at kumustahin ang mga magulang. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 21 at 41.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Maraming pagbabago ang magaganap sa linggong ito, harapin ito ng maayos at sumakay lang sa agos. Masasaktan ka dahil magkakagusto ka sa taong malabong magkagusto sa iyo. Gawing kapaki-pakinabang ang oras ng pahinga at huwag ubusin sa pag-inom o panonood ng TV. Ginagawa mo ang kaya mo upang maging masaya ang tahanan, pero tila hindi ito sapat at hindi ito pansin ng asawa mo kaya nagiging bayolente ang reaksyon mo. \Lucky numbers: 7, 26, 35 at 40.
DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Pagkakataon mo na upang makatikim ng swerte; subukan mong lumaro. Sa pag-ibig, madali mong mahahanap ang tamang kilos at salita upang humupa ang tensyon at mapakalma ang mahal mo. Ang pagkakaroon ng eczema ay maaaring dulot ng stress at nerbiyos na pinagdadaanan. Sa trabaho, hindi maiiwasan ang pagtatalo. Masusubukan mo ang katapatan ng mga kaibigan na handang suportahan ka. Lucky numbers: 21, 28, 30 at 38.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Masigla ang katawan at pag-iisip. Madali kang makakagawa ng desisyon at makakaisip ng paraan na makakatulong sa trabaho at pinansyal na kalagayan. Masaya ang relasyon mo ngayon kaya magaan ang pakiramdam mo. Nanaisin mong magsaya at mag-enjoy kapiling ang mga taong kasundo mo. Magaan kang kumain ngayon, at wala kang pakialam sa sasabihin ng iba; ikaw rin ang mahihirapan pagdating ng araw. Lucky numbers: 19, 29, 37 at 42.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Malulusutan mo ng maayos ang isang delikadong sitwasyon. Mag-ingat na masobrahan ang tiwala sa sarili sa lalo na sa pakikipag-usap tungkol sa malakihang transaksyon sa negosyo. Kung hinahanap ang sister soul, matutupad ang hangarin mo. Madali kang mapagod, bantayan ang kinakain, dapat ay balanse ito at magaan sa tiyan. Mahalaga sa iyo ang relasyon sa pamilya kaya pilipitin mong maging masaya ang tahanan; pero iwasang maging mapaghanap. Lucky numbers: 3, 19, 33 at 45.
KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Gusto mong pagsabayin ang trabaho at pagsasaya upang mag-enjoy habang nagta-trabaho, pero iwasan muna ito ngayon dahil baka ka mapasama; mas mainam na umiwas muna sa ipinagbabawal. Sa isang banda, hangad mo ring matuto pa at makatuklas ng bagong bagay, gawin agad ito. Ang suporta at samahan ng pamilya ay mahalaga sa iyo, at kahit hindi mo sinasabi o ipinapakita, alam ng mahal mo sa buhay na may puwang sila sa buhay mo. Lucky numbers: 11, 18, 35 at 40.
DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Malinaw kung ano ang gusto mo at matalas ang isip mo kaya madali kang makaalpas sa mahirap na kalagayan, kung hindi ka panghihinaan ng loob. Masasayang oras ang pagsasaluhan, kung magtatagal ang relasyon. Madali kasing mahulog ang loob mo sa mga bagong kakilala. Higpitang mabuti ang pagba-budget mo at iwasan ang sobrang gastos upang maiwasan ang nerbiyos tuwing katapusan ng buwan. Lucky numbers: 13, 25, 32 at 42.
AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Hindi makakasama ang pagkain ng pasta kaya huwag matakot na baka tumaba. Sa trabaho, matapang mong isusulong ang gusto mong gawin at hindi alintana ang mga problema, matupad lang ang hangarin mo. Mag-ingat lang na baka magkaroon ng seryosong hidwaan sa mas nakakataas sa iyo tungkol sa otoridad. May magandang balitang darating: sagutin ang telepono at abangan ang sulat. Lucky numbers: 16, 29, 38 at 44.
KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
May tsansa na mapasok ka sa isang relasyon na kahit walang patutunguhan ay magbibigay sa iyo ng saya. Pero maaring maging sanhi rin ito ng hindi inaasahang pagkasira at pagkasugat ng damdamin. Gagawin mo ang lahat upang malagay sa posisyon na wala kang pananagutan sa iba, kahit pa katumbas nito ang pagbaba ng katayuan. Kaya mong alisin ang hiya at magpakita ng tapang kung talagang kinakailangan. Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 37 at 43.
KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Mag-ingat sa kinakain, pero huwag pagdamutan ang sarili sa pagkaing gusto mo, huwag lang sobra. Huwag mong balewalain ang kapalaran, kumbinsihin ang sarili na iyan ang itinakda ng tadhana, at bunga ng iyong ginagawa. Huwag umasa na ang sugal ang magiging solusyon sa problema mo sa pera ngayon. Marami ang magpapatunay sa kabutihan ng iyong puso, na labis mong ikalulugod. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 34 at 42.
UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Huwag mag-panic kung biglang tumaas ang cholesterol level mo, at huwag agad mag-diyeta nang hindi kumukunsulta sa doktor. Marami kang magagandang plano na gusto mong madaliin na masimulan agad. May ugali kang hindi kagandahan, na akala mo ay makukuha mo ang lahat ng gusto mo, lalo na sa love life. Huwag masyadong maging excited, at umasa agad; maging realistiko upang hindi ka masaktan ng husto. Lucky numbers: 20, 21, 30 at 36.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Makakaasa ka ng positibong resulta sa pinansyal na kalagayan, sa pamamagitan ng kontrata o alok na negosyo at proyekto. Maswerte ka rin sa sugal. Kung single, matatamo mo ang pangarap na pag-ibig, matatag na buhay at kaligayahan. Masaya para sa iyo ang mga taong malalapit sa iyo dahil sa nakikitang positibong pagbabago mo, - mas palakaibigan, mabait at mas mapagbigay ka kaysa dati. Lucky numbers: 19, 24, 37 at 40.
Maganda ang resulta ng pinagpaguran. Pero, posibleng makaranas ng kabiguan sa relasyon. May banta ng pamamaga at hirap sa pag-ihi. Gagawa ka ng paraan upang makaiwas sa pagkabagot at kawalan ng sigla ng buhay. Manunumbalik ang kumpiyansa sa sarili dahil sa swerteng darating. Lahat ng hiling mo para sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ay matutupad. Bisitahin at kumustahin ang mga magulang. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 21 at 41.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Maraming pagbabago ang magaganap sa linggong ito, harapin ito ng maayos at sumakay lang sa agos. Masasaktan ka dahil magkakagusto ka sa taong malabong magkagusto sa iyo. Gawing kapaki-pakinabang ang oras ng pahinga at huwag ubusin sa pag-inom o panonood ng TV. Ginagawa mo ang kaya mo upang maging masaya ang tahanan, pero tila hindi ito sapat at hindi ito pansin ng asawa mo kaya nagiging bayolente ang reaksyon mo. \Lucky numbers: 7, 26, 35 at 40.
DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Pagkakataon mo na upang makatikim ng swerte; subukan mong lumaro. Sa pag-ibig, madali mong mahahanap ang tamang kilos at salita upang humupa ang tensyon at mapakalma ang mahal mo. Ang pagkakaroon ng eczema ay maaaring dulot ng stress at nerbiyos na pinagdadaanan. Sa trabaho, hindi maiiwasan ang pagtatalo. Masusubukan mo ang katapatan ng mga kaibigan na handang suportahan ka. Lucky numbers: 21, 28, 30 at 38.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Masigla ang katawan at pag-iisip. Madali kang makakagawa ng desisyon at makakaisip ng paraan na makakatulong sa trabaho at pinansyal na kalagayan. Masaya ang relasyon mo ngayon kaya magaan ang pakiramdam mo. Nanaisin mong magsaya at mag-enjoy kapiling ang mga taong kasundo mo. Magaan kang kumain ngayon, at wala kang pakialam sa sasabihin ng iba; ikaw rin ang mahihirapan pagdating ng araw. Lucky numbers: 19, 29, 37 at 42.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Malulusutan mo ng maayos ang isang delikadong sitwasyon. Mag-ingat na masobrahan ang tiwala sa sarili sa lalo na sa pakikipag-usap tungkol sa malakihang transaksyon sa negosyo. Kung hinahanap ang sister soul, matutupad ang hangarin mo. Madali kang mapagod, bantayan ang kinakain, dapat ay balanse ito at magaan sa tiyan. Mahalaga sa iyo ang relasyon sa pamilya kaya pilipitin mong maging masaya ang tahanan; pero iwasang maging mapaghanap. Lucky numbers: 3, 19, 33 at 45.
KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Gusto mong pagsabayin ang trabaho at pagsasaya upang mag-enjoy habang nagta-trabaho, pero iwasan muna ito ngayon dahil baka ka mapasama; mas mainam na umiwas muna sa ipinagbabawal. Sa isang banda, hangad mo ring matuto pa at makatuklas ng bagong bagay, gawin agad ito. Ang suporta at samahan ng pamilya ay mahalaga sa iyo, at kahit hindi mo sinasabi o ipinapakita, alam ng mahal mo sa buhay na may puwang sila sa buhay mo. Lucky numbers: 11, 18, 35 at 40.
DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Malinaw kung ano ang gusto mo at matalas ang isip mo kaya madali kang makaalpas sa mahirap na kalagayan, kung hindi ka panghihinaan ng loob. Masasayang oras ang pagsasaluhan, kung magtatagal ang relasyon. Madali kasing mahulog ang loob mo sa mga bagong kakilala. Higpitang mabuti ang pagba-budget mo at iwasan ang sobrang gastos upang maiwasan ang nerbiyos tuwing katapusan ng buwan. Lucky numbers: 13, 25, 32 at 42.
AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Hindi makakasama ang pagkain ng pasta kaya huwag matakot na baka tumaba. Sa trabaho, matapang mong isusulong ang gusto mong gawin at hindi alintana ang mga problema, matupad lang ang hangarin mo. Mag-ingat lang na baka magkaroon ng seryosong hidwaan sa mas nakakataas sa iyo tungkol sa otoridad. May magandang balitang darating: sagutin ang telepono at abangan ang sulat. Lucky numbers: 16, 29, 38 at 44.
KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
May tsansa na mapasok ka sa isang relasyon na kahit walang patutunguhan ay magbibigay sa iyo ng saya. Pero maaring maging sanhi rin ito ng hindi inaasahang pagkasira at pagkasugat ng damdamin. Gagawin mo ang lahat upang malagay sa posisyon na wala kang pananagutan sa iba, kahit pa katumbas nito ang pagbaba ng katayuan. Kaya mong alisin ang hiya at magpakita ng tapang kung talagang kinakailangan. Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 37 at 43.
KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Mag-ingat sa kinakain, pero huwag pagdamutan ang sarili sa pagkaing gusto mo, huwag lang sobra. Huwag mong balewalain ang kapalaran, kumbinsihin ang sarili na iyan ang itinakda ng tadhana, at bunga ng iyong ginagawa. Huwag umasa na ang sugal ang magiging solusyon sa problema mo sa pera ngayon. Marami ang magpapatunay sa kabutihan ng iyong puso, na labis mong ikalulugod. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 34 at 42.
UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Huwag mag-panic kung biglang tumaas ang cholesterol level mo, at huwag agad mag-diyeta nang hindi kumukunsulta sa doktor. Marami kang magagandang plano na gusto mong madaliin na masimulan agad. May ugali kang hindi kagandahan, na akala mo ay makukuha mo ang lahat ng gusto mo, lalo na sa love life. Huwag masyadong maging excited, at umasa agad; maging realistiko upang hindi ka masaktan ng husto. Lucky numbers: 20, 21, 30 at 36.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Makakaasa ka ng positibong resulta sa pinansyal na kalagayan, sa pamamagitan ng kontrata o alok na negosyo at proyekto. Maswerte ka rin sa sugal. Kung single, matatamo mo ang pangarap na pag-ibig, matatag na buhay at kaligayahan. Masaya para sa iyo ang mga taong malalapit sa iyo dahil sa nakikitang positibong pagbabago mo, - mas palakaibigan, mabait at mas mapagbigay ka kaysa dati. Lucky numbers: 19, 24, 37 at 40.
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