Migrants oppose15% SSS contribution for 2025

 

Unifil-Migrante protesting against the higher SSS contributions in 2018

Militant organizations, including United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong, have slammed the increase to 15% of monthly premium contributions to the Social Security System of Filipino workers in the private sector, including those who are abroad.

In line with Republic Act (RA) No 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 passed under the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the premium contributions were raised to 12% of the workers’ monthly salary in 2019 (from the previous 11%), and would gradually increase, reaching 15% by 2025.

The total monthly premium is supposed to be shared by employers and employees, but OFWs who have been categorized as self-employed, are required to shoulder the total amount. This would mean a monthly contribution of P5,280 for each, if their salary is beyond the P35,000 ceiling set under the SSS charter.

Click to view

In practice, however, those who are overseas are not compelled to pay – at least, for now – the adjusted monthly premiums, so most still pay the lowest contribution of P960 per month. But since this pegs the OFWs’ monthly salary at only Php8,000, the benefits that will accrue to the member would also be minimal.

Unifil-Migrante, as well as its affiliate party-list group Bayan Muna, have slammed the higher contribution rate, calling it an additional burden to workers already struggling with multiple price increases at the start of 2024.

Former Bayan Muna party-list representative Carlos Zarate had harsher words for the mandated increase, calling it “sadistic” and “savage” during a Facebook live interview by Migrante Hong Kong last Thursday.

Basahin ang detalye!

Zarate said that unfortunately the amended SSS charter had already passed into law, so the only legal way to stop its further implementation is by way of legislative amendment.

But what makes the higher contribution fees even more unconscionable, according to him, is SSS’ act of passing on its failure to collect billions of pesos from employers who failed to pay their share of the premiums, or remit the money they had already collected from their employees, to members.

Zarate said the uncollected employers’ share of membership premiums amount to more than Php86 billion, while the unremitted employees’ contributions total Php92.4 billion.

On top of these, he said SSS has failed to collect a total of Php84.55 billion in loans.

Even if only  a portion of these amounts is collected, SSS could very well meet its target of raising Php51.5 billion this year, he said.

Zarate also hit out at the fat salaries and allowances paid by SSS to its top brass, which often put them among the highest paid officials in government-owned and controlled corporations.

Another former Bayan Muna Congressman, Neri Colmenares, slammed the failure of SSS to pay an additional P1,000 in monthly pension to senior citizens, which was ordered by former President Duterte in 2016.

"Ang kapal ng mukha ng SSS na magtaas ng contribution rate habang hindi pa nga naibibigay ang pangakong dagdag-pensyon. Para sa SSS board, mas mahalaga pa ang fund life ng SSS at ang matataas nilang sahod at perks kaysa sa buhay ng mga miyembro nito na pinanggagalingan naman ng pondo ng ahensya,” said Colmenares, who authored the Php2,000 pension increase.

(The nerve of SSS to raise the contribution rate when it has failed to pay the promised additional pension. For the SSS board members, the fund life of SSS and their high salaries and perks are more important than the lives of members from where the agency’s fund comes from).

Colmenares called for the immediate suspension of the new SSS contribution rates, citing the agency’s failure to improve the efficiency of its collection.

 

 

Flu season begins; public urged to take precautions

 

Photo credit: CHP

Hong Kong has entered the flu season and with one unvaccinated four-year-old child hospitalized with severe flu complications, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has raised the alarm that more than 160 schools have refused to join the government’s in-campus vaccination program.

“We actually listed out all the schools in November last year for the first time. It is the fact which I think should be available to the public,” Professor Lo said.

“If the parents are not aware that their schools are not offering the program, they would not be aware of the fact that they would need to bring their kids to private clinics, or whatever facilities, to arrange vaccinations for their own kid(s),” he said.

Click to view

“Vaccinations are the most protective way in preventing serious flu complications, including hospital admission and even deaths,” he added.

Last year saw 35 children suffer from severe flu complications, six of whom died.

For its part, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) also urged elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination.

“The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses,” it added.

Basahin ang detalye!

It offered some health pointers to avoid the flu:

• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

 For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/index.html)and Facebook Fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/CentreforHealthProtection/).

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecasts, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/sports/socare/socare.htm).

 

Temperatures to dip to 11 degrees on Sunday

 

Avoid exposure to cold winds so you don't get sick, says the Observatory

Contrary to earlier forecast, the cold snap is not likely to dissipate on Sunday, but it will instead be colder, with temperatures dropping to 11 degrees or even lower in the early morning.

The Hong Kong Observatory also issued frost warnings twice on Saturday, at 7:45 am and 4:30pm, along with the advice for people to dress warmly and ensure proper ventilation indoors.

Click to view

Early on Saturday, the temperature plummeted to 11.5 degrees in the urban areas, the lowest this winter season.

Sunday will see temperatures ranging between 11 and 18 degrees on the ground, and several degrees lower over parts of the New Territories and on high ground.

The barometer is forecast to plummet to a frigid 5 degrees Celsius in Ta Kwu Ling, making it the coldest spot in the territory. In other places like Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Shek Kong, a minimum temperature of around 8°C is expected.

Basahin ang detalye!

Monday will see a slightly warmer weather, with temperatures ranging between 13 and 18 degrees, before gradually reaching a high of 21 degrees on Wednesday. The rest of the week will be equally cold in the morning, but warm and pleasant in the afternoon.

Residents are urged to dress warmly and minimize exposure to cold winds, especially in the outdoors or on high ground, to avoid adverse health effects.

 

Raids against illegal workers net 7

 

Officers escort some of those arrested.

The government crackdown on illegal work has netted another seven persons in raids all over Hong Kong on Jan 7 to 9.

Of the seven, five were arrested by Immigration Department Task Force officers who raided 30 target locations including commercial buildings, a hair salon and restaurants. 

One of them, aged 36, was a suspected employer. 

Click to view

The four arrested for illegal work comprised three men and one woman, aged 31 to 52. Among them, three men were holders of recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. One of the men was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. 

In joint operations between Immigration and the Hong Kong Police Force, enforcement officers raided 46 target locations in Mong Kok district and arrested two women, both aged 48 and overstayers.

Basahin ang detalye!

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

Overstaying tourist jailed 12 weeks

The Filipina pleaded guilty at Shatin court to overstaying 

A Filipina who did not leave when her two-week tourist visa expired and then overstayed for three years and nine months, has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong handed Joelyn Tenorio, 51 years old, the sentence after she pleaded guilty during a hearing on Thursday (Jan. 9) .

Click to view

Tenorio had been charged by the Immigration Department with breaching her condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance.

She was given until Oct. 29, 2020 to leave, under a condition of stay set by the Immigration Department when she was permitted to land in Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

However, she did not leave until she was arrested on July 15, 2024.

During the period, she applied for non-refoulement with the Immigration Department to seek protection from being deported.

She had been issued a recognizance form to serve as her identification document,

DH avoids penalty for illegal work

 

Third Street in Sai Wan (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper accused of doing odd jobs in a shop on Third Street in Sai Wan has gotten off lightly, with a bind-over agreement following a hearing at Shatin Court.

G.M. de Yro, 33 years old, had been charged with breaching her condition of stay, which prohibits her from taking up employment other than with her registered employer, in a complaint filed by the Immigration Department on Nov. 28 last year.

Click to view

She was charged with violating section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance and Regulation 2 of Immigration Regulations, after she was found in a shop on July 24, 2023, which prescribes a penalty of a maximum fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for 2 years..

Under the bind-over agreement she agreed to on Thursday (Jan. 9) before Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong, she would be fined $2,000 only if she reoffends within the next 18 months.

A bindover agreement also means there will be no record of the offence, unless the sentence is activated by the accused re-offending  

Basahin ang detalye!

With the agreement, prosecutors withdrew the charge. 

They had earlier offered no evidence against her.

Frost forecast, with temperatures dropping to 11 degrees

 

Frost is expected in Ta Kwu Ling, New Territories (RTHK file photo)

The Hong Kong Observatory has issued a cold weather warning Thursday afternoon, saying residents should expect temperatures to drop significantly overnight and in the next few days.

Friday will see the temperature dropping to 12 degrees in the urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories and on high ground.

It will be colder on Saturday, when the lowest temperature is forecast to drop to 11 degrees early in the morning.

Click to view

Frost is also expected to appear in the inland areas of the New Territories and on high ground during the weekend.

The Observatory noted that frost typically occurs from December to February in Hong Kong, with the last one being recorded in Ta Kwu Ling on Dec 24, 2023.

Residents are advised to wear thicker clothing as the wind chill factor on high ground will make it feel colder than the actual air temperature.

Basahin ang detalye!

The elderly should be paid special care as they are prone to feel the cold weather more. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold could lead to hypothermia.

The Observatory said an intense winter monsoon is currently affecting inland Guangdong, and will reach the coastal areas of Hong Kong starting Thursday night, causing a drastic drop in temperatures.

Waiting time for driving tests shorter, says TD

 

If you are applying for the two road tests that will qualify you for a driving license, you are likely to wait 190 days to be able to show to examiners that you have enough skills to deserve a pass.

This is a big improvement over the waiting time up to 300 days in 2022 despite rising demand for the service, according to Liu Chun-san, acting secretary for Transport and Logistics in his written reply to a question in the Legislative Council by Legco member Rock Chen.

Click to view

The waiting time for combined driving tests for private car (including "Part B – basic driving skill tests" and "Part C – road tests" and combined driving tests for light goods vehicle has returned to the pre-pandemic level, he said. The two tests follow the Part A - written test, which is quickly administered tio applicants.

Liu said the Transport Department continues to allocate resources and take “feasible measures to shorten the waiting time for road tests as far as practicable.”

Basahin ang detalye!

The TD is identifying suitable sites for setting up additional and more widely-distributed driving test centres (DTCs) that meet various requirements, such as being suitably located for testing whether the candidates have mastered all necessary driving skills, having sufficient traffic flow for the observation of the candidates' abilities in handling different road conditions, as well as taking into account the views of different stakeholders in the vicinity.

“In addition, the TD is studying the introduction of new technologies in driving tests to assist with the assessment,” while balancing such factors as “whether the relevant technology can accurately assess the driving skills of candidates, protection of the privacy of candidates, cost-effectiveness and the views of stakeholders,” he added.

Alarm raised over acute stomach ailment

 

Washing of hands with soap and water is top CHP advice

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has raised an alarm over the increasing number of cases of acute gastro enteritis (AGE) caused by norovirus.

AGE symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The symptoms are usually self-limiting and most people will get better within one to three days.

The increase in cases was shown in the latest surveillance data, including the number of AGE outbreaks as well as data from Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es) and sentinel residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs).

Click to view

"There has been a significant increase in the number of patients attending A&Es with AGE symptoms and residents in sentinel RCHEs with vomiting,” CHP said in a statement.

“The number of AGE outbreaks increased sharply from seven recorded in the week ending December 28 last year to 19 in the week ending January 4, with some patient samples tested positive for norovirus in laboratory testing," CHP said.

"In the past two weeks most outbreaks were recorded at RCHEs. The causes include improper handling of vomitus and improper use of bleach for cleaning and disinfection. Besides, some residents of the RCHEs became infected in the community after their vacations, further spreading the infection in the RCHEs," it added.

Basahin ang detalye!

The CHP expects the norovirus activity to remain high during winter, with the risk rising because of the resumption of classes after the holidays.

The spokesman stressed that norovirus is highly infectious and susceptible individuals can be infected by exposure to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various channels such as eating contaminated food, contact with vomit or fecal matter from infected persons, and contact with contaminated objects.

“Vomiting in a confined space with poor ventilation poses a potential risk for an outbreak. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to properly and promptly clean up vomitus, and thoroughly disinfect the environment,” CHP said.

It also encouraged the washing of hands with soap and water, instead of using alcohol-based handrub, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, such as norovirus.

CHP urged the public to observe the following measures against gastroenteritis:

Ensure proper personal hygiene;

Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;

Wear gloves and wash hands after handling vomitus or faecal matter;

Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 1:49 diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Stay home from work or school, and seek medical advice if suffering from vomiting or diarrhea;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

Pay attention to food hygiene;

Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;

Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;

Drink boiled water; and

Do not patronize unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpage (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/33.html) for more information and preventive advice on norovirus infection.

2 DHs in jail for alleged thefts

 

Two Filipina domestic helpers accused of theft at Eastern Court are in jail to await their next court dates after their cases were adjourned.

Maribel Bringas, 42 years old, is accused of stealing two bracelets, one ring and other jewelry worth around $200,000 from her employer at Tung Shan Garden in Happy Valley between April 11 and May 31 last year, according to a police complaint filed last Aug. 3.

Click to view

Principal Magistrate Don So granted her lawyer’s request today for a bail review on Jan 15, in case circumstances in the case change.

He adjourned Bringas’ case to Jan. 17.

In the other case heard by Magistrate So on Tuesday (Nov. 7), Mary Grace Guillermo, 46 years old, was also remanded in jail until her case resumes on Feb. 4, since she had no bail application.

Basahin ang detalye!

Guillermo is accused of stealing one “Van Cleef & Arpels” 18 karat gold necklace valued at $26,832 from her employer on Shouson Road West between Aug 1 and Dec. 18 last year, according to a police complaint filed last Dec. 23.

Both are accused of violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Illegal pre-lunar new year renovation works lead to 29 arrests

All save one of the illegal workers arrested were from the Mainland

A total of 29 people, mostly suspected illegal workers, were arrested in an Immigration Department operation that targeted renovation works in the run-up to the Lunar New Year.

The arrested persons included 26 suspected illegal workers comprising 26 men, aged 20 to 57.

Two men and one woman, aged 44 to 56, were also arrested on suspicion of employing the workers in renovation works at two newly built public housing estates.

Click to view

At a news briefing held on Tuesday, an Immigration officer said the illegal workers comprised 25 who entered Hong Kong claiming to be mainland tourists, and one who had come from Indonesia. The employers were all local people.

Immigration said the campaign was launched last week in anticipation of a rash in renovation works at private homes in keeping with Lunar New Year tradition.

Immigration Deputy Commander Siu Ka-fai said that many people prefer to hire illegal workers for renovation and cleaning services to save on costs.

Basahin ang detalye!

But he said that while the cost was an important consideration, it is equally important to ensure that the hired workers can be legally employed.

Siu also warned that those who employ people who are not lawfully employable face even more severe penalties for violating the law.

Apart from the arrests, Immigration officers also distributed leaflets and deployed a promotional vehicle warning of severe consequences for those who employ illegal workers.

Under Hong Kong laws, all visitors in Hong Kong are not allowed to take up any job, whether paid or unpaid. Those found flouting this law face a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000.

The maximum prison term goes up to three years if the illegal worker is also an overstayer, an asylum seeker or an illegal immigrant.

Employers of illegal workers face a more severe penalty of up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. In addition, an immediate custodial sentence is imposed on such employers in line with sentencing guidelines laid down by the High Court.

A year’s jail for possessing forged HKID card

 

Corner where Filipina was found with forged HKID card (Photo: Google Maps)

A Filipina asylum seeker has been been jailed for 12 months after she was convicted at Kowloon City Court of possession of a forged identity card.

Dolores Lumitap, 41 years old, had earlier pleaded guilty to being in possession of a fake Hong Kong Identity Card in the name of Joy Catahina, which is punishable under the Registration of Persons Ordinance.

Click to view

Lumitap, who has been issued a recognizance form to use for identification purposes while her application for non-refoulement is pending, was intercepted by police last Nov. 11 at the corner of Shanghai and Dundas  and Streets in Yau Ma Tei.

Officers found the forged ID card, which the police said she had “without lawful authority or reasonable excuse”, after searching through her bag.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acting Principal Magistrate Ko Wai-hung chose to hand down a lighter sentence than that prescribed by  Section 7A(1) of the Registration of Persons Ordinance, prescribes the following penalties for possession of a forged HKID card:

• A fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for 2 years on summary conviction, which happened to Lumitap, ; and
• A fine at level 6 ($100,000) and imprisonment for 10 years on conviction on indictment..

HK statutory holidays will remain 14 in 2025

 

Working day after Christmas became the 14th statutory holiday starting 2024

There will be 14 paid statutory holidays this year, which everyone working in Hong Kong should enjoy, including foreign domestic helpers. It is the same number as last year, when the first working day after Christmas was added to the list.

Originally there were only 12 statutory holidays, but 17 public holidays in Hong Kong. An ordinance that took effect in July 2021 provided for the gradual alignment of statutory holidays with general holidays.

The first of the five additional public holidays, the Birthday of Buddha, became effective in 2022. The second one, which falls on the first weekday after Christmas, became effective last month.

Hong Kong will continue to add statutory holidays until the law becomes fully enacted in 2030. The next to be declared a statutory holiday is Easter Monday, which will be effective in 2026, Good Friday to be effective in 2028, and the day following Good Friday, in 2030.

Click to view

The 14 statutory holidays for 2025 are:

1.	The first day of January	1 January
2.	Lunar New Year's Day	29 January
3.	The second day of Lunar New Year	30 January
4.	The third day of Lunar New Year	31 January
5.	Ching Ming Festival	4 April
6.	Labour Day	1 May
7.	The Birthday of the Buddha	5 May
8.	Tuen Ng Festival	31 May
9.	Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day	1 July
10.	National Day	1 October
11.	The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival	7 October
12.	Chung Yeung Festival	29 October
13.	Chinese Winter Solstice Festival or Christmas Day (at the option of the employer)	21 December or 25 December
14.	The first weekday after Christmas Day	26 December

Basahin ang detalye!

Please note:

All employees are entitled to the above statutory holidays. If the statutory holiday falls on a rest day, a holiday should be granted on the day following the rest day which is not a statutory holiday, or an alternative holiday or a substituted holiday or a rest day. An employee having been employed under a continuous contract for not less than 3 months is entitled to the holiday pay which is equivalent to the average daily wages earned by the employee in the 12-month period preceding the holiday.

Reference example:

An employee is granted rest days on Sundays and his/ her employer chooses the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival (21 December) as statutory holiday. As the Chinese Winter Solstice Festival falls on Sunday, the employer should grant a holiday on the next day (i.e. 22 December), but this day should not be a statutory holiday or an alternative holiday or a substituted holiday or a rest day.

Click here for more information on Statutory Holidays