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
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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