04 October 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen successfully conducted on September 21 a seminar on the implications of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect on 01 July 2013. 

The seminar took place at the SM Jinjiang Sports Complex to promote the Philippine Government’s Gender and Development (GAD) Program as well as to implement the Consulate General’s campaign to reach out to Filipinos in Fujian province.

Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores shared relevant information to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Fujian province on the implications of the updated Exit and Entry Administration Law of China.  The seminar is a counter-measure to the growing number Filipinos, mostly women, who are enticed to come and continue to stay in China to work as household service workers (HSWs) despite the prohibition of the mainland to hire foreigners under such work category.  A large number of OFWs working as HSWs and without the proper documentation, including alien temporary registration permit and work visas, as well as illegally staying in China, are presently residing in cities of Quanzhou, Jinjiang and Shishi.

Consul General Flores underscored that the implementation of the new law imposes stricter penalties for foreigners who illegally enter, live and work in China.  He said that Filipinos who wish to work in China should properly obtain legal documentation even before entering China and refuse offers from illegal recruiters to work as HSWs with the promise of high salaries and legalization of their visas upon arrival in China.

An open forum followed the seminar to help address some issues brought up by the OFWs.

Said activity was participated in by about 160 Filipinos from Fujian province, particularly those from Quanzhou, Shishi, Jinjiang and Xiamen.  The campaign coincided with the “2014 Paliga ng Bayan,” an annual sports fest organized by the Filipinos in China Quanzhou or FINCH.  END