Q&A with Dept. of Health experts: Lowdown on STDs and HIV

aaaIn the latest HIV risk behavioural survey conducted among ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, over 28 percent of some 800 Filipino respondents said they engage in sexual activities regularly. Among these, 15.2 percent have heightened sexual risk because they had multiple partners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified having multiple partners as one of the behaviours which increase the risk for contracting sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV,a virus which w...

111 stranded Filipino seafarers come home

aaaThe Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated  111 Filipino seafarers who have been stranded in Fujian, China since late May, with the remains of two seafarers also brought home on July 23. The DFA said 101 seafarers from nine Chinese fishing vessels were rescued, along with 10 others who have been stranded at the Indian Ocean. https://www.facebook.com/hongkongnews.com.hk/posts/4151253084947114 The seafarers have been tested to see if they have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease. The DFA said aside from the ...

Inspired by guide from HK scientists, Filipina domestic worker makes her own reusable face mask

aaaLong queues, high prices, no assurance of availability – all of these prompted Zenaida B., a Filipina domestic helper in Hong Kong, to make her own reusable face masks not only for her but also for her employers. The commodity has been a prized item in the city, where people lined up for hours to buy surgical face masks in a bid to protect themselves from being infected with novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected at least 62 people in Hong Kong, including a Filipina domestic worker, and killed two. “Pumunta po minsan boss ko...

Filipinos’ dependence on remittances strain family relations: study

aaaFilipinos who have relatives working abroad tend to depend heavily on remittances they send instead of looking for alternative sources of income, a study by a US-based money transfer processing company said. The study “Both Sides of the Coin: Side One, The Receiver’s Story,” released by Uniteller on Dec.17, 2019, showed that 72 percent of Filipino households who participated in the survey will mainly ask for money from migrant workers when they fell short of funds. When they cannot get the money, 53 percent said they will have to sa...

Obligations of foreign domestic helpers relating to the employment in Hong Kong

Foreign Domestic Helpers – Rights and Protection Under the Employment Ordinance

Important links: COVID-19 testing labs, undertaking for employers

aaaUnder Cap.599H, the Hong Kong government required travelers from high-risk areas such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa - and just recently US and Kazakhstan - to provide test results showing that they are negative of COVID-19 before they can be allowed to board their flight to Hong Kong. They must also have a room reservation in a hotel where they can stay for the whole duration of their 14-day mandatory quarantine. Filipino domestic workers can take COVID-19 tests in health institutions licensed by the De...

Smart HKID card replacement on hold due to COVID-19

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Little Hawaii Falls incident: Eye-opener or unfair generalization of FDWs?

aaaA news broadcast in Hong Kong on Aug.3 showed a supposed group of foreign domestic workers not disposing their trash properly after having a group gathering at Little Hawaii Falls in Tseung Kwan O. The report drew mixed reactions from the Filipino community in Hong Kong, as some denounced the alleged display of reckless irresponsibility, while some raised that the depiction of foreign domestic workers in the said report was far from fair or ideal. https://www.facebook.com/hongkongnews.com.hk/posts/4202735233132232 August 4, 2020