MANILA, Philippines – Labor leader Ernesto Herrera claimed on Wednesday that reports of massive termination of Filipino maids in Hong Kong are “grossly exaggerated”.
In a press statement, the former senator said many Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong lose their jobs either because of expiration of contracts, or because they are being replaced by Chinese laborers from the mainland.
“The reports are based on a few isolated and extreme cases that have been blown out of proportion because they are sensational,” said Herrera, secretary-general of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).
“In the end, it is all about the Hong Kong employers’ need for services. Filipino workers there have jobs as long as their services are required,” he added.
Herrera said relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong “remain very civilized, diplomatic, and cooperative” despite the August 23 hostage-taking tragedy.
“The people of Hong Kong do not resent Filipinos. Like most of us Filipinos, they resent the way the hostage crisis was mishandled. We share their anguish and indignation,” he added.
Of the estimated 225,000 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, 53% come from the Philippines, according to TUCP data.
In 2009, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Hong Kong sent home a total of US $339.55 million, down $66.58 million or 16.4% versus the $406.13 million they remitted in 2008, the labor confederation said.
From January to June this year, OFWs in the former Crown colony sent home through banks a total of $168.15 million, up 5.2% compared to the $159.81 million they remitted over the same period in 2009. –abs-cbnNEWS.com
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
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