PH Consul General to HK Highlights Protection of OFWs in Farewell Call on Secretary of Labour And Welfare

Consul General to Hong Kong Antonio A. Morales (left) during his farewell call on Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr. Law Chi-kwong on 26 July 2019 at the Central Government Office in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 13 August 2019 – Protection of Filipino workers in Hong Kong highlighted the farewell call of Consul General to Hong Kong Antonio A. Morales on the Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr. Law Chi-kwong on 26 July 2019 at the Central Government Office.

Consul General Morales thanked the Labour Secretary for the recent increase in the monthly minimum allowable wage (MAW) for domestic helpers in Hong Kong, which now amounts to HK$4,520 (Php29,963.39) with food allowance of HK$1,075 (Php7,126.25).

Secretary Chi-kwong assured the Consul General that protection of the interests of the Household Service Workers (HSW) is one of the priorities of the Hong Kong Government.

Filipino HSWs are among the biggest number of foreign workers in Hong Kong, with 215,586 as of May 2019.  “Greater demand for Filipino HSWs and caregivers is expected in the near future, due to the greying population of Hong Kong.  At present there are 45,000 single elderly people under the care of domestic helpers,” Secretary Chi-kwong mentioned. 

The Secretary informed the Consul General that he is planning to conduct an official visit to the Philippines in the last quarter of 2019. Protection of Filipino workers in Hong Kong would remain high in his agenda.

Secretary Chi-kwong also mentioned that “debt bondage” is one HK’s major concerns, but assured the Consul General that the Hong Kong Government is trying to find ways to help domestic helpers with loans.  This is one of the concerns he would also want to discuss with the Philippine Government in his visit.

HSWs in Hong Kong are warned through the Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) and the regular Consulate General Financial Literacy Seminars, to acquire loans, if needed, from reputable lending institutions in Hong Kong and not from “loan sharks”, as explained by Consul General Morales.

He also expressed gratitude for the concern of the host government on “debt bondage” and hopes that proper banks would provide lower interest rates for loans acquired by HSWs.

Consul General Morales also recommended the resumption of quarterly meetings of the Department of Labour-Consulate General Technical Working Group on Labor Issues, which can discuss in detail the various concerns involving Filipino workers such as: preference for monetary food allowance rather than actual meals, airline check-in baggage allowance for departing workers (at least 20 kls.), full day-off, and others.

Secretary Chi-Kwong informed the Consul General that the Department of Labour is working closely with the Immigration Office to prevent workers in Hong Kong being brought to China for work.  He assured the Consulate General team that Hong Kong is ready to prosecute any offender, and requested the Consulate General to help in securing affidavits and testimonies of victims to facilitate investigation and prosecution. END

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