POLO-HK stance on training fees draws mixed reactions from PH agencies

Filipino foreign domestic workers in Central. (FILE PHOTO)

Manila-based agencies had mixed reactions to the statement of Hong Kong’s Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) that foreign domestic workers (FDWs) should no longer pay training fees to process their employment documents.

A representative for a recruitment agency in Malate, Manila who refused to be identified said their agency will abide by whatever rules that will be imposed.

“Sa amin no problem whatever the rules are, kung ano ang ikinabubuti ng Filipinos at kung ano ang makakatulong sa kanila, okay lang,” the representative told Hong Kong News Monday.

[Translation: It doesn’t really matter what the rules are. As long as it is beneficial for Filipinos, we will do what is necessary]. 

The representative said their agency was not that affected by Dizon’s statement because they are recently less active in deploying domestic workers to Hong Kong due to the pandemic.

“Some of our clients and principals are having a hard time finding employers because of the gastos [expenses] like being in a hotel for 14 days and taking the swab test,” she said.

But the agency representative said the domestic workers go through the training process in order to prepare and hone their skills before they fly to Hong Kong.

Another recruitment agency in the Philippines said that it is struggling to keep afloat after the POLO announcement. All agencies can do for now is wait for further instructions and halt operations, as is the case of Mariz Manpower Services Manager Noemi Apan.

Before the pandemic hit, Mariz Manpower Services was able to deploy 100 domestic workers to Hong Kong, according to Apan. But the pandemic cut the deployment by half, and at one point they have only deployed 30 workers.

“‘Apektado na talaga kami. Marami pang nag-a-apply pero hino-hold na namin kasi naghahantay pa kami,”  Apan said.

[Translated: We’ve been severely affected. We still have some applicants but we had to put the application process on hold.]

Apan said their agency does not charge large fees to domestic workers, unlike other companies. She hopes government officials would come up with a reasonable amount for the training fees because if not, there is a chance for their business to suffer.

“Sana maawa naman siya sa mga agency. ’Yun lang sana ‘yung mga malaking maningil. Hindi sila dapat maningil ng malaki sa mga aplikante,” said Apan. 

[Translation: Hopefully, they understand us and can meet us halfway. They should target those agencies that charge higher fees because they shouldn’t be charging that high to begin with.]

The POLO earlier announced applicants for household service jobs do not need to pay for training fees because training is not required to process their work documents. Instead, what is required is the Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Certificate 2 Assessment for domestic work skills.