Deployment of helpers for HK continues–POEA 6
The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency 6 has confirmed that the hiring of domestic helpers for Hong Kong continues in Western Visayas despite the hostage-taking tragedy in Manila that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists and put the Philippines in a bad light.
POEA 6 Head Rhea Glynda Calantas said the number of applicants for domestic helpers in Hong Kong hasn’t change.
“Hiring is ongoing. We have not received any worse report of maltreatment of our helpers,” she said.
Calantas said they are monitoring the situation of Ilonggo domestic helpers through their recruitment agencies to ensure their safety.
She admitted though that two recruitment agencies have reported to their office that two Ilonggo helpers have been scolded by their Hong Kong employers after the hostage-taking incident but no physical abuse happened.
“We know that Filipinos, especially Ilonggos, are faithful to their employers and they are hardworking,” Calantas said.
Earlier, some Ilonggo domestic helpers in Hong Kong have expressed fear of losing their jobs after the fatal hostage-taking incident.
An Ilongga source working in Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong told The News Today that one Filipina helper was terminated from her job a day after the incident.
DFA Monitoring
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs 6 is also monitoring the situation of Ilonggo workers in Hong Kong after their office received several reports that some Filipino domestic helpers are being blamed by their employers for the incident.
DFA 6 Regional Director Sarah Salcedo said Filipino workers in Hong Kong should not suffer the consequences of the fatal hostage-taking incident.
“The hostage drama is a sorry incident and Filipino workers working there have no liability,” she said.
Salcedo said so far their office has not received reports of canceled “job orders” of Filipino applicants to Hong Kong.
The DFA central office has not issued any specific instruction or order to cancel some passport applications for Hong Kong, she said.*
