Phl poised to require insurance for all new and returning OFWs

By Daisy CL Mandap

All returning overseas Filipino workers, even those who have renewed their contracts with the same employers, may soon be required to take out an insurance that costs USD144 (or HK$1,200), before being allowed to return to their work sites.

This is in line with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)’s Governing Board Resolution No 4, signed on Aug 17 by five officials led by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

According to a stamp on the directive, it was supposed to have been circulated to concerned agencies on Sept. 4, but will take effect only 15 days after the publication of its implementing guidelines.

OFWs in Central: Soon all of them will be required to buy insurance.

But when asked when the resolution is likely to be implemented, Labor Attache Nida Romulo said she had not received any instructions relating to it.

Labatt Romulo also said she had read reports that Secretary Bello might visit Macau soon, but was not sure if the trip would include Hong Kong. She was not sure, either, if the POEA Resolution would be discussed if he does visit Hong Kong.

Migrant workers and employers were, however, quick to dismiss the insurance requirement as unnecessary, as Hong Kong already mandates employers to insure their domestic helpers to cover medical and repatriation costs should these become necessary.

Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, chair of Unifil-Migrante Hong Kong, also said the insurance requirement was just another way for the government to further milk migrant workers.

“Nabigla kami sa lumabas na memo ng POEA - Board Resolution no. 04 na magiging mandatory na ang pagkuha ng insurance ng mga OFWS. Nakakagalit dahil gatasang baka talaga ang turing sa mga OFWs, dagadag pahirap na naman ito sa amin, dahil ngayon ay sobrang krisis na kami at aming pamilya dahil sa patuloy na inflation at pagtaas ng mga gastusin at bayarin sa Pilipinas, (pero) di naman tumataas ang sahod,” said Balladares-Pelaez.

In addition, she said the new exaction could spark tension with employers, and might even lead to domestic workers losing their jobs.

“Kung sukdulan na ang galit ng employer sa dami ng kanyang gastusin at bayarin sa pagkuha ng Filipino domestic worker, maaring hindi na kunin ng employer ang Filipino worker at mawalan kami ng trabaho,” she added.

Doris Lee of the employers’ group Open Door, also expressed displeasure at the new obligation they are being made to bear, calling it redundant.

“The Philippine government requirement that employers of Filipino domestic workers must pay $1,200 per contract renewal for insurance is a duplication of existing employer insurance requirement under Hong Kong law,” said Lee.

“If the Philippine government’s primary aim is to ensure sufficient protection of its citizens, and the Hong Kong insurance is not adequate, the proper approach should be to negotiate with the Hong Kong government about improving the coverage of the Hong Kong insurance. We hope the Philippine government can eliminate this redundancy, and reduce burdens on employers as well as (probably) workers who may sometimes be forced by their employers to bear this cost.”

Under the POEA resolution, all returning OFWs, meaning those who have gone back to the Philippines after renewing their contracts with the same employer, or have moved to another, must register with POEA.

And to do this, they must provide a passport valid for at least 6 months, valid visa, and a certificate of insurance coverage similar to that required of those leaving for their first jobs abroad.

For land-based workers, the two-year policy is pegged by the insurance companies at US$144 (almost Php8,000 at current exchange rates), while those who work at sea must pay US$200.

Surprisingly, Resolution 4 kept referring to RA 8042, even if it has already been repealed by RA 10022, which requires only newly hired OFWs to secure insurance from a select group of companies vetted by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines.

The law has clearly taken away the compulsory nature of the insurance for rehires, or those renewing their contracts with the same employer.

Sec 34A of RA 10022 provides: “For migrant workers classified as rehires, name hires or direct hires, they may opt to be covered by this insurance coverage by requesting their foreign employers to pay for the cost of the insurance coverage or they may pay for the premium themselves.”

Another apparent anomaly is that a Republic Act, which had gone through rigorous scrutiny by members of Congress, is now being effectively repealed by a mere POEA Resolution.

If and when POEA manages to get the new directive implemented, it can expect vigorous opposition from the migrant workers.

“Hindi kami papayag na magpatuloy ito, kaya maaga pa lang magsasagawa na kami ng protesta sa mandatory insurance. Kailangan magkaisa at magtulong-tulong ang mga OFWs dito para labanan at itakwil ang panibagong pangongotong na ito sa mga OFWs,” Balladares-Pelaez vowed.

Trillanes arrest raises Constitutional problems

The arrest of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV presents constitutional issues over a rebellion case that had been considered obliterated, according to former Armed Forces chief and senator Rodolfo Biazon.

Interviewed on radio, Biazon also pointed out that granting of amnesty is a shared power between the President and Congress, and which could not be voided by the President alone.

“You have to remember that there is the whole process of the grant of amnesty,” he said.

Also, Biazon said Trillanes cannot be placed under court martial proceedings because he is already a civilian.

“We have a constitutional problem. Sa aking pagkakaalam, if you’re granted an amnesty, all your criminal offenses are obliterated,” Biazon told “Bandila sa DZMM.”

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda on Tuesday ordered Trillanes’ arrest over the latter’s role in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Alameda, in his order to arrest Trillanes, said the senator “failed to present the original hard copy, a duplicate copy or even a photocopy showing that he personally accomplished and filed” an application for amnesty.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

Trillanes immediately posted bail for his temporary liberty and went back to the Senate where he has been seeking refuge since President Duterte voided the grant of his amnesty three weeks ago.

On Wednesday, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano gave the Department of Justice (DOJ) five days from the receipt of Trillanes’ Supplemental Comment to file their answer.

DOJ prosecutors moved swiftly and filed their pleading on the same day to resolve their other pending plea for issuance of warrant and travel ban against Trillanes IV.

Makati RTC Branch 148 handled the coup d’etat charge against Trillanes over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny

The DOJ has already secured a warrant and hold departure order against Trillanes from Makati RTC Branch 150 as the court said that Proclamation 572—declaring Trillanes’ amnesty as void—has factual basis.

A coup d’etat charge is non-bailable.

Should Soriano grant the DOJ’s motion, Trillanes would have to be detained by authorities.

Before leaving the Senate on Tuesday to post bail at the Makati court, Trillanes declared:

“Democracy lost today. Officially, we have no democracy. This case goes beyond me.”

Meantime, the affidavit of Col. Josefa Berbigal, head of the secretariat of the temporary amnesty committee of the Department of National Defense (DND) that processed the applications of military rebels for amnesty in 2011, belied the claim of Duterte that Trillanes, his fiercest critic in Congress, did not apply for amnesty nor admit guilt.

Duterte voided on August 31 the amnesty granted to Trillanes and ordered the revival of the coup d’état and rebellion charges against the senator.

Earlier, Trillanes showed pictures of himself holding the accomplished application form for news photographers as he applied for amnesty at the DND on Jan. 5, 2011.

Former Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, the then head of the DND amnesty committee, said on Sept. 9 that Trillanes applied for amnesty, “[t]hat’s why on record he was granted amnesty.”

Trillanes’ application and those of 94 other military mutineers were approved after three weeks.

Homesickness ng isang bunso

Sa edad na 26 ay nagdesisyon si Ruth na mamasukan bilang kasambahay sa Hong Kong kahit walang karanasan sa gawaing bahay, dahil gustong makaipon at matupad ang pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay at lupa. Mababa lang kasi ang kanyang sweldo bilang cashier sa kanilang bayan, at hindi sapat para makatulong ng kahit na kaunti lamang sa kanyang ina, na mag-isang nagtaguyod sa kanilang magkakapatid simula nang mamatay ang kanyang ama.

Sa unang mga araw niya sa Hong Kong ay halos hilahin ni Ruth ang mga oras, at walang gabi na hindi siya umiiyak. Tuwing umaga ay laging namumugto ang kanyang mata kaya panay ang tanong ng kanyang amo ng “Is there something wrong with you?” Lagi namang “Nothing ma’am” lang ang sinasagot niya.

Bunso siya sa kanilang magkakapatid at hindi kasi siya sanay na malayo sa kanyang pamilya, lalo na sa kanyang ina.

Mabuti na lang at may mga naging kaibigan siya na humikayat sa kanya na mag miyembro ng kanilang “spiritual community” upang siya ay malibang at mapawi ang kanyang homesickness. Ito ang nakatulong ng malaki para maibsan ang kanyang pangungulila.

Tuwing araw ng Linggo ay masaya silang nagtitipon-tipon, at lubhang kinasabikan ni Ruth ang kanilang mga gawain, lalo na ang bible study na nagpatibay ng kanyang pananampalataya at pananaw sa buhay. Pagkatapos ng kanilang mga gawain sa simbahan ay masaya silang nagsasalo-salo at nagkukwentuhan.

Ngayon ay malapit nang matapos ang kontrata ni Ruth, at balak niyang pumirma ng panibago dahil mabait ang kanyang mga amo at sanay na rin siya sa buhay at trabaho niya sa Hong Kong. Si Ruth ay dalaga at tubong Negros at kasalukuyang nangangamuhan sa mag-asawang Intsik na may isang anak at naninirahan sa Cheung Sha Wan. – Ellen Asis

Pinatatag ng problema

Na-terminate bigla si Dolor nang hiniling niya sa amo na payagan siyang umuwi sa Pilipinas para saksihan ang pagtatapos ng elementarya ng anak. Ayon sa amo, kailang tapusin muna niya ang kanyang kontrata bago siya umuwi, at makakapagtapos naman daw ang kanyang anak kahit wala siya doon.

Hindi inaasahan ni Dolor na ganoon ang magiging reaksyon ng amo dahil kahit mabunganga ito ay maayos naman ang kanilang samahan. Malapit na ding matapos ang kanyang kontrata kaya inasahan niya na papayagan siyang umuwi bilang kunsiderasyon sa kanyang maayos na pagseserbisyo.

Masakit man sa damdamin ang ginawa ng amo ay wala siyang nagawa kundi umuwi at ituloy ang balak na saksihan ang pagtatapos ng kanyang anak. Mabuti na lang at ginamit niya sa mga libreng oras sa Hong Kong sa pagsali sa mga iba-ibang pagsasanay kaya marami siyang natutunan na pwede niyang magamit sa paghahanap-buhay sa sa Pilipinas.

Dahil sa mga livelihood training na sinalihan niya ay natuto siyang mag-beading, maggantsilyo, at pati na rin kung paano magpalakad ng negosyo.

Sa ngayon ay nag-umpisa nang mangasiwa ng isang munting tindahan si Dolor sa Baguio, at malaki ang kumpiyansa sa sarili. Naging malaking tulong daw ang kanyang mga karanasan sa Hong Kong para lumakas ang kanyang loob na harapin ang mga hamon ng buhay. Si Dolor ay 46 na taong gulang at dating nagtrabaho sa pamilyang Intsik na nakatira sa Tsuen Wan. – Ellen Asis

Reference lang, pero ginulo

Hindi mapagkatulog si Ann ng mabuti nitong nakaraang buwan matapos siyang bulabugin ng kolektor sa isang pautangan. Si Ann na isang Ilongga, may asawa at apat na anak, ay ngayon lang nasabit sa ganitong problema sa tagal nang paninilbihan niya sa Hong Kong.

Ang masaklap, nag “reference” lang siya sa isang kaibigan na nangutang ng $10,000, at pagkatapos ay biglang naglaho. Lumipat ito ng tirahan at pinaputol ang kanyang telepono kaya nang hindi na mahagilap ng pautangan ay si Ann ang ginulo.

Hindi lang siya tinawagan ng ilang beses sa landline ng amo niya, nilagay pa ang pangalan niya sa Facebook para siya mapahiya, at ang saklap, ay nag viral pa ito.

Sa hiya ay umiiyak na humingi ng paumanhin si Ann sa amo niya dahil sa 10 taon niyang paninilbihan sa kanila ay noon lang nangyari ang ganoon. Hinanda ni Ann ang sarili na mawalan ng trabaho kahit kailangan pa niya ng pera para sa mga anak.

Ang bunso niya ay kakaumpisa pa lang sa kursong civil engineering, yung panganay niya ay kakasampa pa lang sa barko, ang pangalawa na nagtapos ng aeronautical engineering ay naghahanap pa ng trabaho, at yung pangatlo na nag graduate na cum laude sa chemistry ay kasalukuyan pang nag rereview para sa board exam niya.

Mabuti na lang at naging maunawain ang amo ni Ann at tinanggap ang paliwanag niya. Suwerte din niya dahil nagsisikap ang mga anak niya para hindi masayang ang pagsasakripisyo niya ng dahil sa kanila, samantalang ang kanyang asawa ay tapat na gumagabay sa kanilang pamilya habang siya ay nasa ibang bayan. – Merly Bunda

Ayaw sa utang

Ganoon na lang ang gulat ni Mary Ann nang bigla siyang tanungin ng kanyang amo kung nasaan ang pasaporte niya, araw ng Lunes, bago ito pumasok sa trabaho. Agad naman itong ipinakita ni Mary Ann. Pero nang hanapin na naman ito ng amo noong sumunod na Lunes ay hindi na napigilan ni Mary Ann ang magtanong.

Sa loob kasi ng limang taong paninilbihan niya sa mga amo ay noon lang nito hinanap ang kanyang pasaporte. Diretsong sinabi ng amo na naninigurado lang ito na hindi ginamit ni Mary Ann ang pasaporte na collateral para makapangutang. Nadadalas daw kasi ang mga balita sa dyaryo at TV tungkol sa pasaporte ng mga kasambahay na nasamsam ng mga pulis mula sa mga loan shark.

Naiintindihan naman ni Mary Ann ang pangamba ng kanyang amo, dahil hindi biro ang perhuwisyong binibigay ng mga kolektor kapag pumalya sa pagbabayad ang isang katulong. Pati ang amo ay damay sa pagtawag-tawag at pambabastos ng mga ito sa telepono, at kung minsan ay umaakyat pa sa kanilang bahay para maningil at magpahiya.

Para hindi na magduda ang amo ay lagi nang iniiwan ni Mary Ann sa kanyang kama ang kanyang pasaporte bago siya lumabas sa araw ng Linggo.

Sa kabilang dako, hindi din naman masisi ni Mary Ann ang mga kababayan na kumakapit sa patalim dahil sa hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas at ang walang tigil na panghingi ng pera ng mga iniwang kapamilya, na hindi batid ang paghihirap ng isang nangangamuhan sa ibang bansa.


Masuwerte si Mary Ann dahil pinapahalagan ng kanyang pamilya ang pinapadala niyang pera, kaya balak na niyang mag for good sa susunod na taon pagkatapos ng kanyang kontrata. Si Mary Ann ay 45 taong gulang, may apat na anak, at tubong Batangas. – Rodelia Villar

HK activists join anti-govt, anti-martial law protest at PCG

Protesters who denounced martial law also called for an end to Duterte's 'tyrannical rule'

By Daisy CL Mandap

Local activists led by former legislator Leung Kwok-hung, better known as “Long Hair”, joined a protest at the Consulate on Sept. 20, a day ahead of the 46^th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the deposed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

Leung, who represented the League of Social Democrats, said that both Marcos and the incumbent President, Rodrigo Duterte, promised a new society to Filipinos seeking changes. “But where is it now?” he asked.

He expressed concern at what he said were the “tens of thousands of people being threatened by secret police,” in reference to the reported extra-judicial killings being carried out in the Philippines in pursuit of Duterte’s war on drugs.

 

Speakers included Pelaez (foreground), Villanueva (with cap),
and beside him, 'Long Hair' Leung  and Mong

Another local activist, Mong Siu-tat of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, said: “We are fighting not just for the dead, but also for the living.”

Mong said that if no one protested now, the killings in the Philippines will continue, as they have in other parts of the world.

“The fight must continue regardless of who you are, no matter where you are from,” he said. “Together let us build a more democratic society.”

The organizers of the protest, made up of various militant Filipino organizations and individuals in Hong Kong, said in a statement: “There are many signs that the Duterte government is setting the stage for the declaration of a nationwide martial law or a similar draconian measure on a national scale.”

This is said to be seen in the removal of the Chief Justice, the filing of trumped-up charges against known personalities in the opposition and the progressive movement, and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao under the guise of fighting terrorism.

The statement likened Duterte’s crackdown on the united opposition to Marcos’ brutal suppression of Filipinos’ struggle for land, decent employment, human rights and justice.

One of their leaders, Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, zeroed in on two major concerns: the violent killings of more than 20,000 Filipinos in line with Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, and the eviction of tribal people from their lands, notably the lumads.

Leung said Duterte, like Marcos, failed to deliver the promised change

In closing, another speaker, Eman Villanueva, noted that the International People’s Tribunal had just declared Duterte guilty of “gross human rights violations.”

He said the Hong Kong protesters fully support the findings, and will continue their fight against Duterte’s tyrannical rule to ensure the dark days of martial in the Philippines “never happen again.”

Villanueva also announced that on the next day, tens of thousands of Filipinos were due to hold various rallies in the Philippines “not only to commemorate martial law, but also to oppose Duterte’s looming dictatorship.”

Martial law in the Philippines was declared by Marcos on Sept 21, 1972, purportedly to avert subversion by anti-government forces, but in reality, was meant to allow him to extend his iron-fist rule for 20 years.

Marcos lifted martial law in 1981, and was overthrown through a popular revolt on Feb. 25, 1986.

According to the human rights group, Amnesty International, more than 70,000 Filipinos were arrested during martial law, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed by the military and the police.

No-show Pinay and twin daughters fail in bid to stop deportation

A Filipina who claims her ex-partner might kill her and her twin daughters if they returned home has lost her bid for a judicial review of the government’s decision to deny their application for non-refoulement, or against deportation.

The Court of First Instance rejected on Sept 7 the application for leave to apply for a judicial review filed by Jeneth Pepito who was not in court. The court said it was not convinced of her ground for appealing the dismissals by the Immigration director and Torture Claim Appeal Board of her application for non-refoulement.

The High Court, where the Court of First Instance is located.

Pepito had asked for more time to apply for leave for herself and her daughters Zainab Iftikhar Ahmed and Ayesha Iftikhar Ahmed, on the ground that they were not represented in their appeal before the Board, and they were not assisted by an interpreter.

But after considering the documents and as the applicant was absent, Judge Bruno Chan refused to extend the deadline for applying for leave, and dismissed Pepito’s application.

The judge said Pepito was able to argue her case fully when she appeared before the Director. She was able to testify and make representation in the appeal hearing before the TCAB and to answer questions put to her by the adjudicator without difficulty, Chan said. 

“I do not find anything amiss arising from the lack of legal representation in the appeal process, and I do not think this ground is reasonably arguable,” Bruno said.

The judge also said that a rigorous scrutiny of the decisions of both the director and the TCAB, failed to show any error of law or procedural unfairness, nor did they fail to apply high standards of fairness in considering the applicant’s claim.

Pepito, 33, last arrived in Hong Kong on Apr 9, 2015 to work as a domestic helper. She overstayed after May 8, 2015 when she was dismissed prematurely.

The Filipina surrendered to Immigration on July 20, 2015 and filed for non-refoulement, claiming that if she returned home, she would be harmed or killed by her former common-law husband, a certain “JE”, after he learned that she bore two daughters by a Pakistani man. 

Pepito gave birth to her twin daughters on Oct 29, 2015 in Hong Kong. She subsequently also lodged a non-refoulement claim for the girls, citing the same grounds.

In her application, Pepito, a native of Dolores, Abra, said she started living with JE after her
studies, and they had a son and a daughter. She claimed JE had been abusive when drunk, at one time breaking her nose with a punch and threatening her with a kitchen knife. 

On Aug 11, 2016, the director of Immigration rejected Pepito and her daughters’ claim on all
applicable grounds, including risk of torture, risk of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, and risk of persecution, saying the risks were low.

On Jan 4, 2017, he refused their claim again because of their failure to submit additional facts that may be relevant to their non-refoulement claim.

By then, Pepito’s appeal to the TCAB filed on Aug 29, 2016, on behalf of herself and her daughters against the earlier decision of the director, was in progress. On Jun 30, 2017, the appeal was dismissed and the Board confirmed the decisions of the director.

Pepito applied for leave for a judicial review of both decisions on Dec 7, 2017, but did not include her two daughters as co-applicants, nor did she attend the oral hearing, Bruno said. – Vir B. Lumicao

Wise si amo

Tatlong buwan nang nakakaramdam ng pananakit ng likod, pagkahilo at sakit sa ulo si Tess, 47, Capampangan at taga North Point, pero tuwing nagpapatingin siya sa ospital na pampubliko ay laging alta presyon lang ang laging sinasabi sa kanya ng doktor.

Nang lumala na ang kanyang panghihina ay sumangguni siya sa kanyang amo, at ang sabi ng amo ay hindi talaga siya susuriing masyado sa ospital kung hindi malala ang kanyang kundisyon.

Dahil talagang masama na ang pakiramdam ni Tess ay tumawag ng ambulansya ang kanyang amo, at pinagbilinan siya na huwag babangon at tatayo kapag dumating ang sasaklolo. Ayon sa amo, hindi daw siya dadalhin ng ambulansya kapag nakakatayo siya.

Kaya nang dumating ang mga paramedics at sinabihan siya ng isa ng, “Stand up” ay pumikit si Tess at hindi sumagot. Sabagay, talagang hinang hina naman daw ang kanyang pakiramdam. Hindi na nag-atubili pa ang mga sumaklolo at dinala siya sa Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital sa Chaiwan kung saan agad siyang sinaksakan ng dextrose para lumakas.

Ayon kay Tess, may siyam na doktor na lalaki at isang babae ang nag-eksamin sa kanya, at bawat isa ay pumisil-pisil sa kanyang tiyan. Na-admit siya sa ospital pero hindi siya nakatulog sa dami ng mga doktor at nars na tumingin sa kanya.

“Walanghiya pinagpapraktisan yata ako” sabi niya sa kanyang  sarili.

Sa tulong ng kanyang amo ay nakumpleto lahat ng mga test kay Tess, kabilang na ang colonoscopy at gastrocopy.

Doon daw niya napatunayan na tunay na may malasakit sa kanya ang kanyang amo. Matapos ang lahat ng mga test ay pinalabas na si Tess, at nakahinga siya ng maluwag dahil wala namang lumitaw na sakit na dapat niyang ipag-alala.

Ngayon na maganda na ang kanyang pakiramdam ay ayaw nang ituloy ni Tess ang balak na umuwi na sa Pilipinas. Pagkatapos niyang ma general check-up ng libre ay kumbinsido siyang wala siyang dapat ipag-alala. – George Manalansan

Nawala ang gamit sa door to door

Nitong Agosto ilang migranteng manggagawa ang nadismaya sa isang sikat na door-to-door company dahil naglaho sa bodega nito ang kanilang mga gamit na nasa nylon striped bags na inilagak nila doon.

Ayon kay Marilyn Abad, 30, isang Bisaya, noong ma- terminate siya ay kinailangan niyang magpa- storage dahil bigla siyang pinababa ng ng dating amo. Nang umabot sa tatlong buwang palugit ang mga gamit niya sa storage ay tumawag siya sa kumpanya at sinabihan siya na kailangang magmulta siya ng $2 kada araw bilang penalty. Pumayag naman daw siya na bayaran ang multa dahil hindi pa niya maempake agad ang mga gamit.

Nang magkapera siya ay agad siyang tumawag sa kumpanya para bayaran na ang kanyang mga utang at maipadala na ang kanyang mga gamit, ngunit ang sabi daw ng sumagot ay itinapon na ang mga ito.

Kwento naman ni Henlyn Sarmiento, 35, at isang Ilokana, nagpa-storage din daw siya ng mahigit isang buwan. Nang puntahan niya para i-pack ang mga gamit ay nakita niyang sira na ang sakong lalagyan ng mga ito, at wala na ang mga magagandang damit na nasa loob. Panay mga pinagpilian na lang daw ang natira.

Isang kaibigan ang nagpayo na magreklamo siya sa pulis, pero minabuti ni Henlyn na tumahimik na lang daw dahil ayaw niyang maabala pa. Pero masama ang loob niya dahil wala man lang daw humingi ng paumanhin sa kanya dahil sa nangyari, at panay turuan ang nangyari sa mga trabahador sa bodega, sa truck at sa opisina ng kumpanya.

Pati si Teresa Pabalate, 46, na Kapampangan naman, ay nawalan din. Nagpa storage siya ng mahigit isang buwan, at nang balikan niya ang mga gamit para iempake ay nawawala na. Dalawang beses daw siyang bumalik para hanapin ang kanyang mga gamit, nguni’t walang maipakita ang kumpanya, hanggang sinabihan siya na sumama sa bodega nila para siya mismo ang maghanap doon.

Hindi alam ni Tess ang gagawin dahil nawalan na siyang maghanap pang muli, kahit may deposito na siyang $50 at isang sakong damit pa ang hindi na niya makita.
Kalaunan ay tinawagan si Tess ng kumpanya at pinagawa ng sulat para ireklamo ang nawala niyang gamit. Ilang araw pa ang nagdaan bago ibinalik ang kanyang deposito na $50 at binayaran ng $500 ang nawala niyang mga gamit. – George Manalansan

3-month hospital treatment for mom who left baby on sidewalk

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina who was found guilty of abandoning her year-old baby boy on a street in Wanchai on Oct 19 last year was sentenced by a magistrate in Eastern Court to three months in a hospital for psychiatric treatment.

Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi meted out the non-custodial sentence on Sept 13 after the defense lawyer presented two psychiatric reports that recommended hospital treatment for the mother, Angelita Labador, for mental problems that led her to commit the offense.

“Defendant, I hear that hospital treatment is recommended for you. You are ordered to serve three months in hospital where you will receive treatment,” Cheng told Labador, who was said to be on recognizance.

“I believe that after treatment, you will feel a lot better. Depending on the results of the treatment, you should be able to resume your normal life,” the magistrate said, after telling the woman she would not be sent to prison.

The defense lawyer told Labador after the hearing that if she decides to go back to the Philippines after her treatment, she can apply for Immigration clearance and ask the Social Welfare Department to arrange her return home with her child.

The child was placed in the custody of the SWD after the incident, the court was told.
Labador, 38, was found guilty after trial on Aug 30 of a charge of “ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of child or young person”. Her trial was delayed as the court allowed time for a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant.

The lawyer, briefing Labador at the dock before the hearing, said the doctors who examined her had recommended psychiatric treatment in hospital after finding that her brain had been affected by her regular use of methamphetamine.     

Labador was arrested on Oct 19 after an Indian female neighbor saw her leave her year-old baby boy on the pavement next to a rubbish bin near Tung Wah Centenary Square Garden at 284 Queen’s Road East.

Police found the baby conscious at 6:49 pm and sent him to Ruttonjee Hospital for a check-up. They later arrested Labador, who was crying and hiding nearby. In an interview by police, she claimed she was mentally unfit to give a statement.

After Labador posted bail, she stayed in a shelter run by the International Social Service Hong Kong, which also assisted her.

Deal with accredited EAs, report overcharging, labatt urges

By Vir B. Lumicao

Filipino jobseekers should always find out whether the Hong Kong partner of their Philippine recruiter is accredited with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, or POLO.

And if they are overcharged by their agencies, they should file a complaint immediately.

Labour Attaché Nida Romulo

These were the key messages that Labour Attaché Nida Romulo sent out to those intending to work in Hong Kong, during an interview on Sept. 4

“Kapag nalaman namin ang tungkol sa overcharging, we will act appropriately on the complaint,” the labor attaché said.

Romulo spoke after another victim of overcharging went to the POLO on Sept 2 to complain against a Hong Kong agency that allegedly charged her $5,000 for finding her an employer here.

The agency, named in the complaint as Promise Employment Centre, was not accredited by POLO, nor was it licensed  by Hong Kong’s Employment Agencies Administration. To get the contract processed, it reportedly secured the services of a licensed operator, Top Wealth Employment Agency, which effectively acted as its sub-agent.

Promise allegedly charged the worker $5,000, which she paid in two installments. On top of this, her employer was charged $11,500 to secure her services.

When the worker learned that she was supposed to have been charged only $441 as agency commission, she complained to the agency.

In retaliation, Promise allegedly tried to discredit her with her employers, telling them that she was no longer happy working for them. That prompted her to go to POLO.

The labor office found out that Promise was not an accredited agency so it chased the sub-agent, Top Wealth, and ordered it to return the overcharged amount.

A Top Wealth representative, Jonathan Magbanua, returned $2,500 to the complainant to settle the dispute.

Incidentally, Top Wealth is still suspended by POLO for acting as sub-agent of another unaccredited operator, Vast Sky Employment Agency, which allegedly charged another worker $12,500 as placement fee.

Romulo said workers should deal only with licensed and accredited agencies in the Philippines and Hong Kong in order to be better protected against agency abuse.

“The workers should be discerning of the agencies that process their applications. They should go to accredited agencies and not to the sub-agents,” the labor attaché said.

She also urged all workers to spare time to read the booklets handed out by the Labour Department regarding employment agencies in Hong Kong.

“Tumutulong kami sa kanila sa abot ng aming makakaya,” Labatt Nida said as she urged victims of unscrupulous agencies or abusive employers to come forward and file complaints.

“Pero kung hindi sila magsasabi, hindi namin malalaman ang problema nila,” she said.

3 Filipino tourists in fake US$5B bank draft freed, but denied costs

Free again! Elmer Martinez, Eric Jude Soliman and Elmer Soliman
with a friend (in pink shirt) after retrieving their belongings from Central Police station

By Vir B. Lumicao

Three Filipino male tourists earlier accused in Eastern Court of trying to pass off a fake US$5billion bank draft as genuine were released on Tuesday afternoon after the prosecution withdrew its case against them for insufficient evidence.

But Magistrate Peter Law, saying he suspected a money laundering attempt, rejected the application of the lawyer for defendants Elmer Soliman, 57, and his son Eric Jude Soliman, 31, for “substantial” court costs as a result of the botched case.

Undeterred, the older Soliman told The SUN they were thinking of filing a claim for damages .

“Sinabi ng abogado namin, he will pursue” (the case), he said.

The father and son as well as the third defendant, Eliseo Martinez, 43, a municipal lawyer in Victoria, Tarlac, walked free around 2pm from the courthouse in Sai Wan Ho and went straight to the Immigration offices in Wanchai to apply for a visitor’s visa.

But the Immigration officer who attended to them gave them only until Sept 20, or two days, to remain in Hong Kong. The officer also handed each of them a document that they have to give to the Immigration officer at the airport when they leave for home.

Martinez, who expressed relief after being released by the court, said all he wanted to do was to find a place to sleep so he could recover from the experience and wake up with a clear mind the next day.

His wife, who was due to arrive in Hong Kong on Sept 19, reportedly cried in relief when told of her husband’s release in a phone call with his fellow Freemason Pieter Nootenboom.

The 3 accused with supporter and friend Pieter Nootenboom take a break after clearing Immigration

In court, the prosecutor told Magistrate Law that she was withdrawing the charge of “using a false instrument” against all three defendants due to insufficient evidence.

She acknowledged that the defendants went to HSBC in Central on June 25 merely to verify whether the bank draft in question was genuine.

All three were arrested by the police after they handed over the bank draft at the service counter.

After the case was withdrawn, the defense lawyer said he was asking for costs for the Solimans.

“The defendants were at the bank merely to verify whether the bank draft was genuine,” he said.

But Law rejected the application, saying the case also involved money laundering.

“When you go to the bank with a huge amount, in this case five thousand million US dollars, that is money laundering,” Law said.

Outside court, the elder Soliman said the charge that he was trying to open a bank account to deposit the bank draft was not true.

“We were not there to open an account. It was the bank staff who told that to the police,” he said.

He said he and his son would just rest overnight and decide by tomorrow if they will pursue the civil case.

What's on where?

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:
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)

Idulog Mo Kay Atorni 6
Free Legal Clinic with IBP lawyers
Sept 16, whole day, PCG Conference Room
9-10amLegal Forum, 10-12 Legal Consultation
POLO Training Room:
2-3pm, 3-5 pm Legal Consultation
To schedule free consultation, call Nida at 2823 8511 or Joel at 2823 8512

“Sagip Kapwa” Free Fire Safety Classes
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, Peak to Mount High West View
Meeting place: Peak Galleria
Contact: Marites, 5711 1533

Coins for Bethune House 
Sept 30 is the deadline for submitting filled cans for the Coins for Bethune project.Cans are still available from the Mission for Migrant Office in Central or the Bethune shelter at Kowloon Union Church in Jordan Road, Kowloon. All Filipino community organizations are enjoined to participate in this yearly charity drive for one of the oldest shelters for distressed migrants.
For inquiries, please call 27213119, 25228264 or 93572125

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
Contact: Jenny 9401 7051

Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho
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”

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

Mga pwedeng salihan

Caritas Health Courses for Migrant 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

Health Concern Day,  to check:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Blood pressure & glucose
- Stress test
- Musculoskeletal assessment
- Result getting & explanation

Sunday: Oct 14, 2:30-5:30pm for body check &
              Oct 28, 2:30-4:00pm for result and explanation
Saturday: Oct 27, 2:30-5:30pm for body check &
                 Nov. 3, 2:30pm-4:0pm  for result and explanation

A minimal fee of $20 will be collected from each participant
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre,G/F, 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill
Contact: Caritas AMP (2147 5988; WhatsApp: 5497 2899)

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

Ano ang hatid ng Agosto?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Nalilito ka dahil gusto mong kumilos at ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa, pero takot ka ring mabigo. Kung hindi gaanong mataas ang inaasam, maiiwasan ang mahirap na sitwasyon pero posibleng makawala ang maraming oportunidad, kailangang magdesisyon ka! Huwag magpautang sa kaibigan ng hindi masyadong pinag-isipan, baka hindi na makita uli ang pera o ang kaibigan, o pareho. Walang gaanong hadlang sa plano mo, pero kailangan ding mag-ingat. Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 23 at 46.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ubod ka ng saya ngayon kaya maganda ang paningin mo sa lahat ng bagay, at palagay mo ay kaya mong lutasin ang lahat ng problema at magiging maayos din ang lahat. Sunod-sunod ang swerteng darating na may katumbas pang  perang papasok, kaya maging ikaw ay hindi makapaniwala. Mas titibay pa ang relasyon kaya gugustuhin mo nang maging pangmatagalan na ito. Lucky numbers: 19, 30, 33 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Posibleng mabigo ang plano mo; ang magagawa na lang ay bawasan ang perwisyo nito at tanggapin ng maayos ang resulta nito. Makakabuo ka naman ng bagong ideya upang maabot pa ang ambisyon mo; hindi ka matatakot sumubok ulit at malaki ang tsansang matupad ito. Magtatrabaho ka ng husto at magtatagumpay sa tulong ng mga kasamahan. Marami ang magugulat sa iyong pag-asenso; manatiling mapagkumbaba. Lucky numbers: 17, 29, 36 at 40. 

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Magkakaroon ng mabilis na pagbabago sa sitwasyon ngayon. Doblehin ang pag-iingat. Kung hindi maiwasang magbyahe, asahan na ang iba’t ibang aberya. Ang problema mo sa kasamahan ay makakaapekto sa relasyon mo sa malalapit sa iyo. Mag-ingat na mapasama sa napakaraming nabibiktima ng panloloko, iwasang pumasok sa isang magulong relasyon. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 28 at 37.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Karisma, talino at alindog ang mga katangiang angkin mo kaya marami ang maiinggit sa iyo. Pero mag-ingat sa labis na kompiyansa sa sarili na maaaring maging dahilan ng mga pagkakamali. Ang masayang disposisyon ay sumasalamin sa magandang samahan sa pamilya. Huwag maging kampante sa magandang resulta ng iyong mga proyekto, mas mainam ang laging nag-iingat. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 39 at 47. 

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Madali kang mairita, na malayo sa dating ugali mo na mahinahon at mabait; mahirap sabihin kung ano ang pinagmumulan ng init ng ulo, pero hindi mo maiwasan ang mainis dahil sa mga nangyayari sa linggong ito. Hangga’t maaari ay ayaw mo nang may kasama sa trabaho, pero wala kang magagawa kaya pagtiisan muna ang sitwasyon dahil magbubunga din ng maganda ang iyong pasensya. Pagod ang mga mata mo kaya apektado ang paningin. Lucky numbers: 11, 18, 35 at 40.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Kung gagawa ng intelihenteng pagkilos, ito ang tamang oras. Kaya mong mag-isip ng mga bagay ng sabay-sabay nang hindi ka nalilito. Kung gugustuhin mo ay kaya mong gawin na mapaganda ang katawan, pero kailangang paghirapan ito. Huwag mag-ambisyong magagawa mo ang lahat; alamin ang limitasyon mo kung nais mong mapanatili ang magandang kalusugan ng katawan at isip. Lucky numbers: 10, 21, 25 at 38.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
May oras na tinatamad kang kumilos, pero may oras ding gagawa ka ng kakaibang hakbang. Mapapagod ka sa mga kaganapan sa paligid mo at maging ang mga kasamahan mo ay malilito. Makakalimutan mo saglit ang magtipid at mapapagastos ka, pero hindi naman maapektuhan ang kalagayang pinansyal. Pero mag-ingat ng husto at iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, o kumagat sa magagandang alok. Lucky numbers: 9, 22, 37 at 45.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Para kang nangangapa sa ngayon, pero mahahanap mo rin ang dating agresibong sarili upang makapagsimula kang muli, at nanaisin mo pang makipag-kumpitensya sa iba. May tsansa rin na magkaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan; magagamit mo rin ang personal na relasyon ng mga kaibigan upang makatulong sa iyong trabaho o negosyo. Ingatan ang mga tenga, protektahan ang mga ito sa labis na ingay. Lucky numbers: 12, 16, 31 at 43.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Nahahati ang puso mo sa pagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mas matatag na kalagayan, o ang mag-enjoy sa mga bagong karanasan sa piling ng mahal mo. Maiinis ang malalapit sa iyo dahil sa paiba-iba mong desisyon. Mag-ingat at baka dumaan sa matinding depresyon! Kumilos agad na maagapan ito upang hindi umabot sa nervous breakdown; iwasang magmukmok. Kontrolin ang pagiging agresibo at pabigla-biglang kilos, mahirap sa umpisa, pero kakayanin mo ito. Lucky numbers: 15, 24, 34 at 46.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito na magkaroon ng positibong pananaw at kagustuhang mapabuti ang kalagayan sa paligid, kahit parang napakahirap nito. Sabay-sabay na magdadatingan ang mga bayarin. Makakahanap ka ng paraan na madagdagan ang kita, pero iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, maghintay-hintay ka lang muna bago subukan ang swerte, pero huwag muna ngayon. Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 18 at 46. 

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Mas malaki ang tsansa mong manalo ngayon sa sugal kaysa dati, ito ay magpapasaya sa iyo kahit kaunti upang labanan ang nararamdamang labis na kalungkutan. Mag-isip ng magagandang bagay na gusto mong gawin. Mas magiging mapagbigay at maunawain ka, ituloy mo lang ito dahil ito ang daan sa kaligayahan. Piliting magkaroon ng kapayapaan ng loob at sa iyong paligid, ito ang magpapabago sa iyong kabuuang personalidad. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 28 at 44.

HK lists the professionals it will welcome

The Government has published the first Talent List of Hong Kong to attract quality people from around the world.

The list highlights specific professions needed most for Hong Kong's economic development.

Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Human Resources Planning Commission Matthew Cheung said: "Hong Kong welcomes talents from all over the world with valuable skills, knowledge and experience to work here, bringing their talent into full play and further developing their careers.

“The promulgation of the Talent List is one of our major initiatives to enhance our competitive advantages in attracting international talents, creating cluster effects, stimulating the development of local talents and propelling Hong Kong forward."

Education is the bridge to one's dreams. 

The list will be updated regularly to keep up with the city’s latest developments and needs.

It specifies 11 professions — waste treatment specialists, asset management professionals, marine insurance experts, fintech professionals, actuaries, data scientists and cyber security specialists, innovation and technology experts, naval architects, marine engineers and superintendents of ships, creative industry professionals, and dispute resolution experts and transactional lawyers.

Immigration facilitation will be provided to eligible people through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme within its existing annual quota of 1,000.


Successful applicants are not required to have secured an offer of local employment for settlement in Hong Kong.

Those who meet the specifications of their profession on the list will be given bonus marks under the scheme’s General Points Test.

Applications are now open.

Constructive termination

By Cynthia Tellez

“Constructive termination” sounds new to many of those who visit the Mission’s walk-in centre. Some migrants get confused because of certain “feedback” they receive from the Labour Relations Division (LRS) or even from the Labour Tribunal (LT) or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board (MECAB). Some officers there say that constructive termination does not automatically result to claims of one month’s wage in lieu of notice. In some cases the workers are even advised to withdraw said claim. Pursuing it at the LT or MECAB usually results to the dismissal of the claim.

Before we proceed to the main issue, let me first clarify some matters related to the mentioned government agencies.

The Labour Relations Division or the LRD is the first stop for workers trying to settle a dispute with their employers on money claims, or violations of some provisions of the Labour Ordinance as stated in the employment contract. This first step is to settle matters through conciliation. Meaning, an LRD officer acts as facilitator between the employer and the domestic worker. If the monetary claims are not contested by the respondent (either employer or domestic worker), the matter is settled at that level. In the presence of the labour officer, the employer will hand the payment to the domestic worker and they will both sign a document from the LRD as proof that the claims had all been settled. If it is not settled, or is only partially-settled, then the LRD will refer the claims to either LT or MECAB.  This is the only role of the LRD. The officer can give his/her opinion but cannot force the claimant to follow his/her advice.

The LT or MECAB are like courts but they do not handle criminal cases. They handle only employer and worker disputes related to claims. But the atmosphere is like that in a courtroom. The presiding officer can decide on the claims being heard, unlike the LRD which cannot decide but can only give an opinion. Evidence could be presented in order to win the claim/case against the employer. As mentioned earlier, LT and MECAB can decide but they have NO power to enforce their decision. It can be contested in the LT itself or referred to the High Court for enforcement with a lawyer representing the claimant. But this is another matter.

In the LT or MECAB, to expedite the settlement of claims, both the claimant and respondent are encouraged to settle their dispute outside the Tribunal and come back for a formal resolution if they could come to an agreement. If not, then the Tribunal or MECAB will proceed with the hearing to decide on the items being claimed.

The claimant can still appeal against the decision on one or several of the claims dismissed by LT if the claimant insists that s/he does not want to drop any particular claim/s.

Now for the issue at hand: constructive termination.

Let us be clear first on what is constructive termination of the employment contract.

According to the contract (based on the Employment Ordinance Cap 57)
An employee may terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu if:
* he/she reasonably fears physical danger by violence or disease, such danger not being contemplated under his/her contract
*he/she has been employed under his/her contract for not less than five years and is certified as being permanently unfit for the type of work he/she is engaged to do; or
* he/she is subjected to ill treatment by his/her employer.
“An employee may also terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu on any other ground on which the employee would be entitled to terminate his/her contract without notice at common law, or if any wages are not paid to him/her within one month of the date upon which they become due. An employee exercising his/her right to terminate in such circumstances is deemed to have been dismissed by his/her employer and so is entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.” 
—http://www.elexica.com/en/legal-topics/employment-and-benefits/07-termination-in-hong-kong

It is in this light that even if the labour officers in whatever branch of the LD gave you an unsolicited advice, it will still be you who will decide whether you want to accept the said advice.

In the case of the LT or MECAB, they will have to decide anyway on the basis of their appreciation of the merits of the claims based on the statement of both the claimant and respondent - and the evidence presented - should the parties fail to settle amicably. Thus, the best option is just to let the LT Presiding Officer or MECAB Officer decide.

As far as the above explanation is concerned and as far as the experiences of claimants assisted by the Mission in its consultation with some solicitors (lawyer), the constructive termination taken by a domestic worker is a last resort to protect themselves for further harm. A good ground that the worker may be cite is the employer’s non- payment of wages within the designated period. This act of the employer which is a serious breach or violation of the employment contract is deemed to amount to the dismissal of the worker, who must then be entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.

For justice’s sake, it would be better to pursue what is justly yours. If your claim for a month’s salary in lieu of notice on the basis of constructive dismissal is dismissed by the LT or the MECAB, you still have an avenue left to appeal against the decision. There is nothing to lose, but there is everything to gain. The decision of any Court can still be contested and this is the essence of fairness and justice. Let us not waste this.

The outcome, whether favourable or unfavourable, would still be helpful in guiding other migrant workers on what actions to take, and to us also in the Mission, in our effort to help others pursue their claims.

If you need more clarity on this matter or on any matter concerning your employment, you can visit us in our office at St John’s Cathedral, or call us at 2522 8264 or 2537 1333.
---
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.

Illegal na singil ng ahensiya, isang ugat ng ‘debt trap’

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Muling umagaw ng pansin ang usaping utang nang mahuli ng mga pulis ang isang matandang taga-Hong Kong at ang kanyang katulong na Pilipina sa isang operasyon noong nakalipas na buwan laban sa mga nagpapautang na labis-labis ang patubo.

Mahigit 400 pasaporte ng Pilipinas ang nasamsam sa bahay ng nagpapautang sa North Point, at ilan sa mga iyon diumano ay matagal nang paso. Ibig lang sabihin na malaon na ring nasa ganoong negosyo ang nahuling “loan shark”.

Ang mga nasamsam na pasaporte sa operasyong iyon sa North Point at ang daan-daan pang mga pasaporteng nabawi ng mga pulis sa iba pang mga katulad na operasyon sa Mongkok at Tsuen Wan nitong nakaraang isang taon ay nagpapakita lamang ng kung gaano kalalim ang pagkakahilig ng mga kababayan natin sa pangungutang.

Maging si Consul General Antonio Morales ay nababahala sa pagkakabaon sa utang ng mga manggagawa nating narito sa Hong Kong.

“Ang isa nating laging paalala ay yung sa pautang-utang din dahil hindi naman maiiwasan, talagang nangungutang ang ating mga kababayan. Nagigipit. Yung iba siguro sa illegal lender pa umuutang dahil siguro may utang na siya sa regular o kaya mas mas konti ang requirement. Pero kailangang laging paalalahanan sila. Sobrang laki ang interest doon,” ani Congen Morales.

Maraming dahilan kung bakit nababaon sa utang ang mga kapwa nating manggagawa. Isa rito ang pangangailangan ng pera ng mga mahal nila sa buhay sa Pilipinas.

Ang akala kasi ng mga naiwan doon, basta sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho ang isang kapamilya ay malakas ang kanyang kita. Sa isip nila ay winawalis lang ang pera rito sa ibang lugar. Kaya maya’t maya’y humihingi sila ng pera o magpapabili ng kung anu-ano.

Ang isa pang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang ay ang pagsusugal. Kahit bawal ito sa Hong Kong, maliban sa pinahihintulutang uri ng sugal tulad ng karera ng kabayo at Mark Six na isinasagawa ng Hong Kong Jockey Club, nagagawa pa rin ng mga kababayan natin ang magsugal kapag araw ng pahinga nila.

Sa mga tambayan ng mga OFW sa Central at iba pang mga lugar ay makikita mo ang mga pangkat ng manggagawang naglalaro ng pusoy at kung anu-ano pang larong baraha.

Kahit sa mga tulay malapit sa konsulado ay may ilang mga grupong nagbabaraha, at may panahon pa noon na lantaran ang pagtataya nila ng tig-$500 sa bawat laro. Kapag kumikilos ang mga pulis laban sa mga kababayan nating sugarol ay nawawala ang mga ito, o patago silang tumataya.

Ayon sa ilang nakakaalam, sa cellphone naman daw inililista ang mga panalo at talo at mga taya. Hindi na sa kapirasong papel o notebook na itinatago ng mga nagsusugal sa ilalim ng inuupuan nilang nakalatag na karton.

Mayroon ding nababaon sa utang dahil natutuksong bumili nang bumili ng mga damit at iba pang mga gamit o bagay kapag nakikitang “sale” ang mga ito sa mga tindahan. Dahil hindi makapagtimpi ay nauubusan ng pera ang isang OFW at napipilitang mangutang.

Isang dahilan marahil ng pagkakalugmok sa utang ay ang pagdadala ng employment agency sa OFW sa lending company sa unang araw pa lang niya rito. Doon ay ikukuha siya ng loan, papipirmahin sa kasunduan, ngunit sa ahensiya mapupunta ang pera.

Sapilitan ang ganitong pangungutang na ipinaaako ng mga ahensiya sa mga bagong-salta at nagiging dahilan tuloy ng pagkakalubog nila sa utang. Ang iba, sa kamalasan, ay nasisisante pagkaraan ng ilang araw o linggo pa lamang sa amo ngunit sinisingil pa rin ng lending company.

Ilan nang kasambahay na may ganitong karanasan ang dumulog sa amin dahil nagkaproblema sa utang sanhi ng pananamantala ng mga ahensiya. Natitiyak naming daan-daang OFW rito sa Hong Kong ang dumanas din ng ganito.

Ito ay isang bagay na dapat halungkatin ng mga kinauukulan sa Pilipinas at dito sa Hong Kong na maaaring dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang isang OFW bago pa lang siya makapagsimula sa trabaho.

Sinabi ni ConGen Morales na kakasuhan ng Konsulado ang mga ahensiyang may ganitong illegal na gawain, kailangan lang na may mga biktimang handang tumestigo laban sa mga nagsamantalang ahensiya.     

Anuman ang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang, dapat maging matapang ang nasa ganyang kalagayan na tukuyin ang ugat nito at makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad upang mapuksa ang ugat, at makalaya siya sa tinatatawag na “debt trap”. 

No OFW casualty from Mangkhut’s rampage

A felled tree on Queensway, where many OFWs gather on Sundays

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine labour officials say no Filipino migrant worker suffered serious injuries from the havoc created by severe typhoon Mangkhut which lashed Hong Kong for nearly the whole day yesterday.

Labor Attache Nida Romulo said no one had called the Philippine Overseas Labour Office to ask for help, or complain about typhoon-related injuries.

Neither was there any request for assistance for family members who might have been affected by the typhoon which swept across the Philippines earlier.

“We do have a ward at the FWRC (for Filipino Workers Resource Centre, POLO’s shelter) who hails from one of the worst-hit areas in the northern Philippines, and we took it upon ourselves to ask help from our government on her behalf,” said Romulo.

A big factor that may have helped in preventing injuries, including those of migrant workers, was the hoisting of typhoon signal no 10, the strongest possible, early in the day. This, plus the repeated warning that Mangkhut was the most intense storm to ever hit Hong Kong, appeared to have spooked everyone into staying indoors.

A day-after check of the favorite haunts of migrant workers, like the parks in Central and Admiralty and the IFC walkway showed that they were, indeed, well advised not to venture outdoors, as these were among that sustained heavy damage from the storm. 

Lockhart Playground beside POLO

Uprooted trees were everywhere, hours after Mangkhut roared away from the city, including a big one that straddled a main artery of Queensway, where the Consulate offices are located. 

Throughout Sunday, officers from POLO and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, reportedly kept tabs on what was happening in the community through Facebook and messages sent to them by various people.

They also kept touch with Consulate officials led by Consul General Antonio Morales who reportedly monitored the situation throughout the day.

Welfare officer Virsie B. Tamayao said they did receive a report about Filipina domestic worker Aleya Acero being slightly injured after the rooftop kitchen in her employer’s house in Taipo collapsed, but the victim herself did not seek their help.

In a Facebook post that was shared extensively by Filipinos, Acero posted pictures of the heavily damaged kitchen, and narrated how the collapsed tin roof that ended up covering her head prevented her sustaining more severe injuries.

Aleya Acero had a narrow escape when her employer's kitchen collapsed

Acero said that when another gust of strong wind blew away the tin roof away, she scampered to run to the lower level where her employer’s family had gathered, and were calling out to her, fearing for her safety.

At least one other OFW, Meryl Baron, shared photos of the shattered windows in her room, which she said resulted in all her things getting wet and damaged. She was, however, apparently unhurt.

 

Shattered window in Meryl Baron's room

A report that proved to be totally false was that of a Filipina domestic worker who was purportedly rescued from being blown away by strong winds, after insisting on going out for her day off.

A closer look at the video that was used as basis for the story showed that the supposed Filipina was a teenage boy who had apparently strayed outdoors for unknown reasons. He was eventually brought to safety by an older male companion.  

Tamayao said that all the reports they received about OFWs who may have been affected were all forwarded to the Department of Labor and Employment and to OWWA, which had asked them to monitor the situation in Hong Kong.

Despite the all-clear, POLO officials say OFWs who may have been adversely affected by the typhoon may approach them for help, including those who might have been told by their employers to go out for their day off, despite the extreme weather conditions.