21 March 2017 HONG KONG — Philippine Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla highlighted the Technical Working Group (TWG) between the Consulate General, and the HK Labour and Immigration Departments during her meeting with Hong Kong Secretary for Labour and Welfare Stephen Sui Wai-keung, JP on March 15.

The TWG has allowed the Philippine government to input into the policy-making processes of the HK government, and provided a venue to exchange information on issues involving Filipino workers in HK.

Secretary Sui stressed the important contribution of Filipino domestic workers to HK by allowing mothers and family caregivers to enter the workforce.

Secretary Sui was appointed as HK Secretary for Labour and Welfare in February 2017, and has previously served as Commissioner for Rehabilitation and Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare.

Consul General Catalla expressed her appreciation for the close coordination and open relationship between the Philippine Consulate General and the HK Labour and Welfare Bureau, especially on matters concerning Filipino workers in Hong Kong.

Secretary Sui fully agreed that the excellent relations between the Consulate and the HK Labour and Welfare Bureau has been vital in implementing policies and regulations to improve the working conditions of Filipino workers and other migrant workers in HK.

He assured Consul General Catalla that the HK Labour and Welfare Bureau is continuously working on initiatives for foreign domestic workers in HK.

Consul General Catalla expressed hope on the Code of Practice for Employment Agents’ (CoP) effective enforcement to ensure the protection of all migrant workers in the Territory. The HK government consulted the Consulate General and other labor-sending countries on the CoP.

The Consul General noted the speedy negotiations between the HK government and labor-sending countries on the inclusion in the Standard Employment Contract (SEC) for foreign domestic workers of a safety clause that will protect the worker while cleaning windows, which was made effective on January 01, 2017.

Both looked forward to a stronger partnership and to continue closely working together on labor-related matters. END