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Friday, March 29, 2024

60 OFWs in HK with COVID, assured to get job back

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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that at least 60 overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong have tested positive for COVID-19 as the city goes through a surge in coronavirus infections brought about by the Omicron variant.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong reported that as of Feb. 21, 60 OFWs have tested positive for COVID-19, 49 of whom are asymptomatic and in community isolation. Nine are symptomatic and in hospital, while two have recovered, Labor Secretary Silvestre Belo III said.

The Labor department assured the workers that they are ready to assist those who test positive for COVID.

He said once the POLO receives requests for assistance, it will immediately coordinate with the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection and non-government organizations for the hospital admission and for quarantine of infected OFWs.

Meanwhile, the After-care Financial Assistance Program through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), will provide US$200 to those who fall ill.

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“An additional US$200 was provided to OFWs with concerns regarding quarantine facilities. POLO is also helping in transporting COVID-infected OFWs to quarantine or isolation facilities and if needed, to hospitals in view of the current shortage in available ambulances,” Bello said.

He said COVID-19 infection is not a valid ground for termination, adding that POLO is closely coordinating with employers to reassure workers that they can still return to work once they recover.

Bello added that the department will continue to help affected OFWs in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile the Palace denied reports that the government will not allow infected OFWs to return home, saying they can come home anytime they wish.

Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said there is no such policy to ban Filipinos from coming home to the Philippines.

“Our policy is that all Filipinos who want to go home will be allowed to go home to the Philippines. There is no ban against coming home to the Philippines,” Nograles said.

In a press briefing, the Palace official appealed to the Hong Kong government not to impose a ban on OFWs who wish to return to the Philippines.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said they are monitoring the situation to see if any Filipino workers are stranded.

“We are now monitoring the airports for those who may be affected,” he said.

The Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union (FMWU) said the situation for OFWs in Hong Kong who have contracted COVID-19 is better now than in the last few days.

FMWU vice chairperson Eman Villanueva made the remark a few days after Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada said up to 10 Filipinos in the territory were forced by their employers to sleep in public areas such as parks after testing positive for COVID-19.

Many of them have since been transferred to temporary shelters, Villanueva said.

The consulate general said at least 23 OFWs have sought assistance after testing positive for COVID-19.

These OFWs sought assistance for admission to hospitals or for an isolation room.

The consulate said they are now safe and are in isolation facilities.

“It must be noted that the severity and magnitude of the fifth wave [of COVID-19] took everyone by surprise and affected not just Filipinos but all citizens,” the consulate general said in an advisory.

“The Hong Kong government has taken special measures in order to effectively respond to the current challenge, such as providing an extra 20,000-capacity isolation facility, among others, to cater to those immediately needing isolation rooms.”

Foreign domestic helpers needing medical attention and isolation will be accommodated, the Labor Department said.

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