20 March 2015 – Representatives from the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) of the House of Representatives, led by Chairperson Walden F. Bello, Representative of AKBAYAN Partylist, visited Hong Kong on March 13 to 15.
Rep. Bello was joined by COWA Vice Chairperson Rep. Wes Gatchalian of ALAY BUHAY Partylist and members Rep. Leah Paquiz of ANG NARS Partylist, Rep. Emmi De Jesus of GABRIELA Partylist, Rep. Juan Johnny Revilla of OFW Partylist, and Rep. Angelina Tan, 4th District, Quezon.
The highlight of the visit was the dialogue and consultation with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) held on March 15 where the COWA delegation committed to explore solutions for issues raised by Filipino Community leaders, such as the payment of terminal fees, illegal collection of placement fees, illegal recruitment, the possible reopening of the PhilHealth office in the Consulate, and the expansion of the terms of the Consulate’s legal retainer.
The delegation met with service providers for the Filipino community as well as Hong Kong authorities on the welfare and protection of migrant workers.
The delegation had meetings with Hong Kong Legislative Council member Lee Cheuk-yan, Immigration Department Assistant Director for Visa and Policies Law Chun-nam, Labour Department Commissioner Donald Tong and officials of trade unions in Hong Kong.
The delegation visited the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipino Resource Center (MWOFRC) and interacted with clients currently housed at the center. END