Filcom leaders seek PCG help to amend FDH contract provisions

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Filipino community leaders sought the help of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in their campaign to amend the standard employment contract of foreign domestic workers so that it would include “11 hours of uninterrupted rest.”

Eman Villanueva, chair of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, noted that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (PCG) decision to ban window cleaning from the outside by domestic workers convinced the Hong Kong government to also ban the practice.

“We have the experience of (the POLO) banning window cleaning and they followed up,” Villanueva told PCG officials during the Filipino community meeting at the consulate on Nov. 11.

“Maybe, the unsuitable accommodations (for foreign domestic workers) could be listed down,” he added.

Villanueva said that the PCG could work with the Indonesian Consulate General and they jointly ask the Hong Kong government to amend the standard employment contract to include the 11 hours of uninterrupted rest.

“We are pushing for the amendment of the contract to include the provision of 11 hours of uninterrupted rest and not resting but then you get a knock on the door,” he said.

“You take a rest but you are awakened and when you rest again, you are told to do something. That’s not rest because you are on standby,” he added.

Villanueva said 11 hours of interrupted rest, plus “three meal breaks” of around an hour each, would mean that foreign domestic workers would have 14 hours for their own needs and rest and 10 hours of work.

“Ten hours of work is within the international labor standards of 48 to 60 working hours a week. As of now, the average working hours of foreign domestic workers ranges from 12 to 16 hours,” he said.

“That is why many are getting sick and dying because we don’t have enough sleep and rest,” he added.

Consul General Antonio Morales said the PCG continued to press the Hong Kong government on the regulated working hours, suitable accommodation, and even the right of abode of foreign doemstic workers.

“We are also closely working with the Indonesian consulate. Our principle is we are stronger if we are together,” Morales said.

He added that he would also inform Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. about the OFWs’ opposition against the planned mandatory insurance and Social Security System contributions for OFWs.

Villanueva said they plan to challenge the two controversial policies before Philippine courts.