OFWs protest lack of govt support for quarantined workers

By Vir B. Lumicao 

The speakers at the press conference hold up banners showing their grievances

Migrant workers have blasted what they called as the lack of support from the Hong Kong and Philippine governments for workers who are suffering from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The workers voiced out their concerns in a press conference on Chater Road Sunday, Nov. 15, called by the Rise Against Government Exaction (Rage) and United Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Speakers decried what they see as the apathy of the Duterte government to difficulties faced by the workers and their families, especially in the times of contagion and natural calamities.

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“Today we are here not only to show the difficult situation of the Filipino workers but also to protest against the aggravating condition of OFWs during the pandemic and the lack of support we receive from both Hong Kong and Philippine governments,” Unifil chair Dolores Balladares said.

Among the issues brought up was the alleged corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp, where $15 billion was said to have been misappropriated by officials appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Other issues raised were the exclusion of migrant workers from cash handouts by the Hong Kong government, and the selective giving of the Department of Labor and Employment’s US$200 “Akap” cash aid to workers affected by the pandemic.   

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Apart from Balladares, the speakers were Ludy Guinaban of Abra Tingguian Ilocano Society, Marites Palma of the Social Justice for Migrant Workers, and Jocelyn Oriel of Silent Majority.

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Balladares hit out at the failure of the government to take action against those involved in the Php15 billon corruption in PhilHealth. She said that in the wake of the scandal, Duterte replaced the top officials of the state insurer, but they were his own men, so nothing has changed.

Guinaban of Atis said that despite the scandal, and the widespread protest against the mandatory collection of jacked-up PhilHealth contributions, the Duterte regime has done nothing to allay OFWs’ concerns.

In addition, Balladares blasted Dole for saying Hong Kong is a place where OFWs will get priority in the US$200 dole-out, but only gave enough funds for 2,100 claimants.

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The latest word from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office is that the money has dried up, and they do not know whether additional funds will be sent for distressed OFWs.

Palma lambasted the inadequate assistance that the government, through Polo, is giving the estimated 3,000 OFWs who are now in quarantine in various hotels in Hong Kong.

She urged the POLO to require the agencies and employers to face up to their responsibility of providing for the needs of the quarantined workers and take action against the agencies and employers that do not perform their role.

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For the past three months, Palma’s group and their donors have provided food, water and basic hygiene kits to about 300 newly arrived helpers who were mostly given just a small bottle of water, a cup of noodles and a can of soft drink for each day of their 14-day quarantine.

Social Justice has also given financial aid to terminated workers who had run out of money renting a room and buying their own food while waiting for repatriation or for a new employer to take them.

Palma also cited the case of the four newly arrived Filipinas who tested positive at Hong Kong airport and were removed by Immigration after they had recovered allegedly because the employers had changed their minds about the workers.

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She said apart from providing them food, water and basic amenities, her group also gave them financial help.

“We raise these issues because we believe it is the responsibility of the recruitment agencies and the Philippine government to ensure that the Filipino workers are given enough and nutritious food while in quarantine,” Palma said.

She said the government, through Polo, should be responsible because it has the data on all Filipino migrant workers who come to Hong Kong, as well as the agencies that deployed them here, and their employers.

“Finally, we also reject the idea of silencing the migrant workers from expressing our views on the incompetence and neglect of the Philippine government on this issue and instead put the blame on the OFWs and those who are helping the workers,” she said.

Oriel said the workers were hurt by their exclusion from the “ayuda” or financial aid from the national government just because Philippine officials thought that as OFWs, they were financially better off than their neighbors.

But of the Php2.4 billion fund set aside for the Dole-Akap fund, only a small fraction of about 15,000 OFWs who were terminated and sent home received the USD200 aid.

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1 Filipina and 2 Indon DHs among 14 new Covid-19 cases

By The SUN 

All 3 FDHs tested positive at HK Airport

Three foreign domestic workers – one Filipina and two Indonesians – were among 14 people confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus today, Nov 15. Nine of the cases were imported, and the rest were local transmissions, including one with unknown source.

They brought to 5,459 the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, a number of civic groups staged a protest today to denounce the mandatory Covid-19 testing scheme announced yesterday by the government, saying it violates human rights and freedoms.

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The protesters, who included health service practitioners and civil society leaders, said the compulsory tests could also deter people from seeking medical help, as the new law gives doctors the power to require suspected Covid patients to get tested.

Under the law published yesterday, residents deemed to be from high-risk groups may be compelled to take a test starting today, or face a fixed penalty of $2,000. If they continue resisting, they could be prosecuted and face imprisonment for up to six months, and a maximum penalty of $25,000.

Various civic groups protest mandatory Covid testing (RTHK photo)

According to information from the Centre from Health Protection, the Filipina, aged 36, was asymptomatic when she arrived on Cathay Pacific flight CX906 on Friday, but tested positive yesterday.

The two Indonesians domestic workers, aged 25 and 35, who arrived on Cathay Pacific flight CX 796 from Jakarta on Friday, also tested positive at the airport, and were taken straight to the hospital.

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The six other imported cases also included two seafarers, one 45 years old who arrived from Poland, and a 23-year-old from Russia. The rest were all returnees – a 35-year-old woman from Hungary; a 47-year-old woman from Bangladesh and a 33-year-old man from the United Arab Emirates- who all arrived on Friday, as well as a 29-year-old man from Germany who arrived on Oct 31.

The only case with unknown source among the five local infections was a 49-year-old man from Shing Wai House, Sun Tin Wai Estate, Sha Tin who had a fever on Nov 6 but was found infected only yesterday.

The four other local cases with links to previous infections included two women aged 29 and 52, both from Hong Yun House, Tsz Hong Estate in Wong Tai Sin, who showed symptoms on Nov 11. They were linked to a 58-year-old man from the same address and was confirmed positive Nov 14.

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The third linked case was a 72-year-old man from Tai Po, whose infection was traced to a 68-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on Nov 14.

Another was a 63-year-old woman from Mong Kok who lived in the same house as a 65-year-old man who was confirmed positive on Nov 13.

As of 9am today, seven Covid-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours, the Hospital Authority said. So far, a total of 5,194 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged, the HA said.

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A total of 113 confirmed patients are in 20 public hospitals. Seven of them are in critical condition, two in serious condition and the remaining 104 in stable condition.

Hundreds lined up to get themselves tested at the Yuen Long testing centre (RTHK photo)

Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan, writing in separate blogs today, both set a target of zero daily local Covid-19 infections even as they warned of a Covid-19 fourth wave coinciding with the winter flu season.

Paul Chan said the threat of an invisible transmission from some infected patients who may not show any symptoms continues, so people must choose between going to a test and risking a persistent outbreak.

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He said “the reality is that a persistent outbreak is not good for the economy, people’s livelihood, as well as small businesses and workers. We must make an uneasy choice.”

He said a key factor to stabilize the economy was allowing people to resume traveling freely between Hong Kong and mainland China as soon as possible.

Sophia Chan defended mandatory testing, said Hong Kong had to bolster virus prevention measures to avoid a double whammy from a fourth wave and winter flu.

The call for people to submit themselves to a Covid test appeared to resonate with many.

Hundreds of people reportedly lined up on the opening day today of four community testing centers in Yuen Long, Yaumatei, Shatin and Quarry Bay, even if they had to pay for the service.

But some people said they were hoping that the $240 test fee would be lowered, while others complained about having to go back to the centers the next day to collect their results, unlike in the past when it was sent by SMS.

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Govt to enforce selective mandatory Covid-19 tests, clamp down on ‘staycations’

 By The SUN

Mandatory testing will be enforced for people who fall under specified categories

If the government tells you to take the Covid-19 test, you should do it. 

A new law that allows the Hong Kong government to compel certain categories of people to undergo Covid-19 testing, and for medical practitioners to require patients with symptoms to undergo the tests, was published in Official Gazette on Saturday, Nov 14.

The Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap 599J) takes effect today, Nov 15.

The new law was imposed as social distancing measures were tightened anew amid fears the fourth wave of coronavirus infections in the city has begun.

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The more stringent measures include reverting to the 12midnight closure for dine-in services in restaurants and bars, and limiting to four the number of people who may sit together in restaurants, and only two in a bar.

Measures to restrict “staycations” are also being worked out, including limiting the number of guests in each hotel room to only four, except for people who live together.

According to a government press release, those who might be compelled to take the test are those who live or work in specified premises with outbreak of cases, persons of a particular occupation, or persons who are close to completion of the compulsory 14-day quarantine upon their arrival at Hong Kong. 

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“The Secretary for Food and Health (SFH) will publish the relevant notices when necessary taking into account the epidemic development and the testing participation rate,” said the statement.

In addition, the Secretary may direct a specified medical practitioner to require, through a written direction, any person whom he clinically suspects has contracted Covid-19, to undergo testing.

Those subjected to compulsory testing may either choose the testing service provided by the Department of Health or a qualified private laboratory.

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Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice or testing direction may be fined a fixed penalty of $2,000, and ordered to undergo testing within a specified period. If the person still fails to comply with the order, he or she would be subject to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.  

Meanwhile, the Centre for Health Protection reported eight new Covid-19 cases Saturday, taking the total tally to 5,444 confirmed and one probable case.

Of these, five recently arrived from overseas. Of the three local cases, two were linked to previous infections, while the third, involving a 58-year-old male resident of Tsz Wan Shan, was of unknown source.

A crackdown in 'staycations' looms with the rise in untraceable local cases

A statement from the Food and Health Bureau Saturday warned that the worsening global epidemic situation, coupled with the rise in the number of local confirmed cases with unknown source, could trigger the fourth wave of outbreak.

The government has thus decided to tighten infection control measures, particularly targeting the risks brought about by social gatherings where people take off their masks, including those inside hotel rooms (or “staycation”).

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As part of the planned restrictions, all guests visiting hotel rooms will have to register their personal particulars at the reception, have their body temperature taken before being allowed inside, and be provided with hand sanitizers.

Hotel operators will also have to clean and disinfect facilities and accessories before the use of the new customer, and ensure quarantining guests do not leave their rooms.

But before any of these new measures can be implemented, the government will first have to amend the law to include hotels among scheduled premises under Cap 599.

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What will take effect starting Monday, Nov 16, are the new requirements targeting restaurants and other food establishments, including preventing customers from consuming food or drink away from the table, and requiring them to wear masks when not eating or drinking.

The eateries will also go back to filling only up 50% of their normal seating capacity, from the present 75%.

From Nov 18, there will also be a tightening of rules for people under quarantine, including barring them from taking in visitors so they don’t have any face-to-face contact with anyone during their isolation.

This means, even those who bring them food and other supplies can only leave the provisions  outside the hotel room.

If the person under quarantine needs a carer, the Department of Health can give permission for a carer to stay in the hotel room, but must remain there with the confinee until the end of the quarantine period.

Those who break quarantine rules are subject to a maximum imprisonment of six months and a fine of $25,000.

On the other hand, people who run catering businesses or managers of scheduled premises that violate Cap 599F face up to $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months. 

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HK OFW weakened by stage 4 lung cancer flown home

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Mercy being wheeled to her departure gate at HK Airport with Gina (in white) by her side

Longtime Filipina domestic worker Mercy E. should have been enjoying her first full day of rest back at home in Cavite on Thursday, had typhoon Ulysses not come, unleashing strong wind and rain, and causing a power outage that lasted for hours.

But bearing the full wrath of the typhoon paled in comparison to what Mercy had to go through starting in March this year, when she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer while on her 22^nd year of service to her employers in Fortress Hill.

Mercy, 59, flew home to the Philippines early on Wednesday, after her doctors in Hong Kong had all but given up hope of treating her debilitating disease. She was accompanied on the flight by her sister, Gina, who also works as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.

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What should have been a smooth passage for the tired, sleepy and desolate sisters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport turned into a near-nightmare when they were told by staff at the Bureau of Quarantine that they would not be allowed to go home after their swab test.

This was despite a “certificate of acceptance” issued to them by their barangay in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, that they would be allowed to spend their mandatory 14-day quarantine in Gina’s house there.

Gina also tried to show all of her sister’s medical certificates, indicating her fragile and serious condition, to no avail.

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Hearing about their plight, one of their Hong Kong friends frantically issued an appeal for help to The SUN, saying Mercy was already getting stressed from the hassle, and Gina was in tears.

Luckily, Administrator Hans Cacdac of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration instantly responded to the appeal forwarded via messenger.

“We will help po. Our counter at the airport is at the lobby. But we will look for her po,” said Admin Cacdac.

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He also said it was not that nobody from OWWA helped the sisters, but it was most likely that the Coast Guard did not endorse them or informed OWWA about the situation.

Within minutes, the sisters were out of the holding area, and were loaded onto a van hired by their family for their trip home.

Admin Cacdac said OWWA could have taken Mercy home, but the relatives were welcome to provide their own vehicle for the trip.

Mercy being loaded onto a van that took her home (photo from Admin Cacdac)

In Hong Kong earlier, the sisters were taken to the airport for their early-morning Cathay Pacific flight to Manila by Mercy’s kindly employer, Mrs Leung, who also bought a wheelchair for her loyal helper, and reportedly paid her far more than what is required under the law.

On top of this, Mrs Leung also shouldered all the costs of Gina’s travel home, as well as the expenses for her Covid-19 test and hotel quarantine when she returns to Hong Kong next month.

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More importantly, the employer gave full backing to Mercy’s wish to submit herself to radiation treatment in a last-ditch bid to ward off the disease, despite pleas from her siblings to just go home and rest.

“I hope you and your family can understand that we are all trying our best to comfort her and stay positive. I think that’s they key for now. Maybe your family can talk to her more about happy things so she can go through the treatment with positivity,” said the kindly employer in a text message to Mercy’s sister, Gina.

“We sincerely hope for the best for her and will continue to take care of her until her treatment is done and (she is) rested.”

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The treatment at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, carried out shortly before her flight home, left Mercy barely able to stand. A follow-up checkup led doctors to conclude there wasn’t anything more that could be done for her, as the cancer cells had already spread in her body.

One of her friends in Hong Kong, Fine Cariaga, said she and a few other friends managed to chat with the sisters online while they were waiting for their flight to Manila, and they were disheartened to see Mercy looking very frail and weak.

“Hindi na niya halos maitaas ang kamay niya para kumaway sa amin, at hindi na rin siya makakita (She could barely lift her arm to wave goodbye to us and she also couldn’t see anymore),” said a sad Cariaga.

Her most recent call to Gina revealed Mercy’s situation had deteriorated further, said Cariaga.

“Hindi na raw tinatanggap ng katawan niya ang mga gamot niya at sabi ni Gina ay hindi na niya kayang alagaan mag-isa si Mercy (Her body can no longer take in the medicines, and Gina said she could no longer take care of Mercy alone).

All their other siblings are now at the Cavite home, said Cariaga, anxious to provide much-needed comfort to Mercy.

"Kailangan po niya ng dasal," said Cariaga.

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OFWs should not pay for training and other fees, says Labatt Dizon

By Vir B. Lumicao 

POEA rules state that OFWs should not pay any fee before being deployed abroad, says Dizon

A domestic worker should not pay anything before she can work abroad, not even a training fee because training is not required under the rules of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, according to Labor Attaché Melchor Dizon.

Labatt Dizon made the statement when the issue of excessive training fees being charged by employment agencies in the Philippines was raised during a meeting on Wednesday  between officials of the Consulate and some Filipino community leaders.

The meeting was called by Consul General Raly Tejada in response to a request by Filcom representatives on the need to respond to appeals for food, drinks and other support services by quarantined Filipino domestic workers.

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The country’s top labor representative said workers already in Hong Kong who were charged training fees should file a complaint so Polo could go after the agencies involved.

“They should just file their complaint sa amin. Ang kailangan lang namin kasi yung formal complaint para ma-conduct namin ang mandatory conciliation. Kasi dito sa amin, ang requirement ay bago ang adjudication, mandatory conciliation,” Dizon said.

(They should just file their complaint with us. All we need is a formal complaint so we can conduct mandatory conciliation. Polo is required to do mandatory conciliation before there could be adjudication).

Dizon (left) with Congen Tejada at the meeting with Filcom leaders

During the conciliation, if the worker agrees to settle, the case doesn’t proceed to adjudication, Dizon said.

For those workers who have gone back to the Philippines, they can file their complaints at the legal assistance division on the 4^th floor of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration main office in Mandaluyong, he said.

Even after a complaint is settled through conciliation, Dizon said the National Labor Relations Commission can still docket a case if it sees that the settlement amount is too low.      

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Dizon said several issues including training fee were raised during the hearing of Republic Act 10022, which amended RA 8428, or The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

He cited a provision under the POEA rules that states that if an employer requires the worker to undergo training, the employer should pay for it. Otherwise, the fee charged becomes illegal exaction, he said.

When Balladares asked why POEA still requires pre-departure training for first-time OFWs and assessment for veteran overseas workers, Dizon said: “Wala sa POEA rules (yan)”, he said.

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This was the reason why he had stricken out from the accredited agencies’ undertaking a provision that sets a limit of Php20,000 for the training fee that they can charge because under the POEA rules, they should not be charging for this at all.

Asked if any Hong Kong agencies had been punished for violating this rule, Dizon said some agencies have had their accreditations cancelled recently for collecting excessive fees.

“Kaya ngayon, na-reduce na ang number ng complaints na nari-receive namin,” he said.

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(That’s the reason why the number of complaints that we’ve been receiving has been reduced)

Asked how the public, particularly the workers, would know which agencies have had their accreditation canceled, Dizon said the information will be uploaded on a new website that Polo IT experts have developed.

He said the website will be launched in December, but before that, Filcom leaders will be given a “walk through” its different features and functions.

Filcom response to needs of OFWs in quarantine was the main agenda

Also at the meeting were Consul Paulo Saret of assistance to nationals section, assistant labor attache Angelica Sunga and welfare officer Virsie Tamayao.

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The Filcom leaders present were Cynthia Tellez from the Mission for Migrant Workers; Edwina Antonio from Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge; Dolores Balladares Pelaez from United Filipinos in Hong Kong; Abigail Hills from Pintura Circle, Baby Jean de Leon from Domestic Workers Corner and Daisy Mandap and Leo Deocadiz from The SUN Hong Kong. 

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