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| The all-Filipino protesters show their demands through placards |
Despite police restrictions, a big number of Filipino migrant workers
took turns staging a protest action outside the Philippine Consulate General
offices to mark May Day.
The protesters grouped themselves into three so they could all have a
chance to call for a living wage and other long-standing demands for equality and
greater protection under Hong Kong laws.
“We are workers! We are not
slaves,” was the resounding call from the migrant workers.
The first group of protesters included the Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society, Cordillera Alliance, Gabriela HK and Bayan HK and Macau.
The protest
was kicked off with a dance by the Likha Cultural Migrants Organization to the
tune of “Manggagawa”.
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Protesters then hit out at what they called as the Philippine government’s labor export program, which they said has resulted in the commodification of women migrants.
They also
assailed the impending visit to the United States of President Ferdinand Marcos,
Jr which they said seeks to reaffirm the US’ foothold in the Philippines.
Further, they
called on the Marcos government to stop its attack on militant organizations
and prioritize the creation of jobs in the Philippines that pay a living wage,
so families are not forced to separate because of financial needs.
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The second
group made up of the Hong Kong For Justice and Peace led by the Liberal Party
HK Chapter, The Silent Majority HK Chapter, Tropang Angat, Magdalo, Sandigan HK
and United Filipinos in HK focused on the “severe” economic crisis in the
country.
They also
spoke out against the government exactions on overseas Filipino workers, as
well as the difficulty they are forced to endure in acquiring the overseas
employment certificate (OEC) which serves as an exit pass each time they go
home for a vacation.
The protesters
tore up sample copies of the OEC and threw them into a black trash bag, to
signify their call for its scrapping, along with the government fees being
linked to it, like the mandatory Pag-IBIG and SSS membership and the national
health insurance, or PhilHealth.
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Trailing the
groups were the various organizations under the umbrella of the Filipino
Migrant Workers Union or FMWU.
The protesters
called for a living wage for Filipino workers, both in Hong Kong and the Philippines.
They also reiterated a call for the Consulate to make a clear stand against the
“job-hopping” allegation leveled against migrant workers whose contracts are
prematurely terminated.
Wrapping up, the
protesters announced that they would join the biggest Labour Day rally scheduled
on May 7, organized by Asian migrants Coordinating Body.
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They then paid
tribute to all migrant workers who toil to provide for their family and help
uplift the country’s economy.
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| PADALA NA! |
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