03 October 2016 — Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and Hong Kong Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung met on 23 September 2016 to discuss issues concerning Filipino workers in Hong Kong, around 187,000 of whom are domestic workers.
Secretary Bello thanked the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR) Government for its fair treatment of OFWs in Hong Kong and advised that Hong Kong has remained a popular work destination of Filipino domestic workers (FDWs).
Secretary Cheung expressed gratitude for the sterling contribution made by FDWs whose presence has helped release many local women in families with children or elderly to join local the labour force. He emphasized that the HKSAR Government attached great importance to protecting the labour rights and well-being of all foreign domestic helpers (FDHs). Not only do FDHs enjoy equal and full protection afforded by the labour laws of Hong Kong like their local counterparts, they are further safeguard by a Government-prescribed Standard Employment Contract stipulating, among others, a minimum allowable wage, medical cover, free passage, food and accommodation.
Secretary Cheung stressed that the HKSAR Government and the local community would not tolerate any abuse or exploitation of FDHs. Those who feel aggrieved are encouraged to make a report to the authorities as soon as possible.
Both officials noted the effective and smooth cooperation afforded by the quarterly meetings of the Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the Philippine Consulate General and Hong Kong Labour and Immigration departments which have allowed for direct exchange of information and speedy action on cases involving Filipino workers in Hong Kong.
Both secretaries expressed confidence that the draft Code of Practice for employment agencies, now being finalized by the Hong Kong Labour Department, will enhance compliance with standards for recruiting FDHs and more effectively prevent malpractices by placement agencies. They reaffirmed their commitments in penalising employment agencies which charge FDHs excessive fees.
Secretary Bello updated Secretary Cheung on initiatives to further improve the welfare and working conditions of Filipino workers overseas such as the proposed creation of the Department for Overseas Filipino Workers which bill was filed with the Philippine Congress on August 02 this year.
The two secretaries discussed issues pertaining to FDWs, such as increase of minimum allowable wage for FDHs, occupational safety, conditions of contract termination, and illegal recruitment to third countries. On promoting the quality and upgrading the skills of FDWs, the two Secretaries agreed that both governments could further discuss collaboration in training and the medical examinations before taking up employment in Hong Kong taken by FDWs in future. END