Deployment of Pinoy workers to HK continues

Despite the intensifying protest actions in Hong Kong, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday deployment of Filipino workers to the special administrative region continues.

In a statement, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, noted they have not received any recommendation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to impose a temporary deployment ban in Hong Kong. He, however, assured the public the situation is closely being monitored by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

“The DFA has not raised the alert level in Hong Kong. We have to wait for their recommendations before we can take any action or suspend temporarily the deployment of OFWs there,” he added.

Since June, mostly young Hong Kong nationals

have been doing mass demonstrations against a proposed extradition bill. The protesters are also seeking democratic reforms.

Early this month, a Filipino worker was mistakenly arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly joining the protests.

“We advise our household service workers to stay in the place where they are working for their own safety. Avoid the areas where there are demonstrations,” Bello said.

Likewise, SHARP’s (Society of Hong Kong-Accredited Recruiters in the Philippines) Alfredo Palmiery said its members should advise their counterpart agencies to tell employers not to take their domestic helpers with them to protest rallies.

Employers are also advised to provide arriving workers with Hong Kong SIM cards as well as to send representatives to pick them up at the Hong Kong International Airport.