FDWs press for better pay, suitable accommodations

Migrant domestic workers join the May 1 Labor Day rally and march that began at the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Migrant groups decry long working hours, saying at least 137 foreign domestic workers died in Hong Kong last year owing to, among others, lack of rest time (file photo).

FOREIGN domestic workers in Hong Kong would continue to push for the increase in the minimum allowable wage and food allowance, standardized working hours, and even their inclusion to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme.

Eman Villanueva, secretary-general of United Filipinos-Migrante-Hong Kong, cited “three Ws” as their petition to the Hong Kong SAR government.

Besides the hike in the minimum allowable wage to $5,000 and food allowance of $1,600, they would also bid for the protection of worker’s rights; and standards for working hours, and health and safety.

Specifically, Villanueva said the Hong Kong government should ensure suitable accommodations for foreign domestic workers in the city.

“Ang tinutulak natin sa Labour Department magkaroon ng labor inspection o kung paano sisiguruhin na ang standards sa loob ng tahanan ay naipapatupad, at the moment kasi ang nangyayari nasa papel lang siya,” Villanueva said on Apr. 30 during a picket in front of the United Centre building, where the Philippine Consulate General office is located.

He said Hong Kong should adopt various best practices of other places that import foreign domestic workers, citing Singapore’s policy of inspecting the place of a potential employer to ensure appropriate accommodations for the domestic worker.

“Sa ibang bansa, bago mag-hire ng foreign domestic workers mayroon munang inspection ng bahay para tiyakin na totoo ang nakasaad doon sa kontrata at may lugar para sa domestic worker,” he said.

Villanueva also said Hong Kong should not say it lacks resources to conduct house inspections as it has allowed the import of foreign domestic workers and must ensure their well-being and rights are protected.

Villanueva noted that in 2016, at least 117 foreign domestic workers died in the city and the top reason for deaths are diseases such as cardiac arrest, and cancer.

“Ang mga sakit na ito dahil sa mahabang panahon na pagod sa trabaho, walang pahingang maayos at hindi maayos na kalusugan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shiella Grace Estrada, chairperson of the Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers in Hong Kong, said they are also pressing for the inclusion of live-in domestic workers to the standardized working hours, the legislation of the Code of Practice for Employment Agencies, and universal pension for all workers.

She said they are urging the Duterte administration to fulfill its promise to create jobs in the Philippines instead of pushing Filipinos to seek overseas employment.

“Dito na lang sa Hong Kong na may labor protection, ang daming naaabuso, how much more sa mga country na walang protection sa batas nila,” Estrada said.

Pludw-HK members march on May 1.