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By Vir B. Lumicao
Newly arrived Filipino domestic workers are likely to be directed to non-government organizations for their post-arrival orientation seminars, or PAOS, in the near future, according to Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre.
He disclosed the plan on Oct. 19, after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office held the briefing for what may yet be the biggest group of newly arrived OFWs the previous Sunday, Oct 16.
“We’re planning to outsource the PAOS to the NGOs,” Labatt De la Torre told The SUN, adding that POLO lacks the manpower to handle the required three- or four-hour briefing for newcomers.
He said preliminary talks had already been held on Oct 17 with the heads of groups comprising the Coalition of Service Providers for Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong, or CSPEM.
Those who met with him were Adrielle M. Panares of ISS Hong Kong, Sister M. Felicitas Nisperos, RGS, of Caritas Catholic Centre; Cynthia Abdon-Tellez of Mission for Migrant Workers, Edwina Antonio of Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge and Pastor Dan Borlado of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Hong Kong.
The labor attaché said another meeting to finalize the plan was delayed because Panares had to fly home because of an emergency.
Some 180 participants showed up for the PAOS on Oct 16, which had to be moved to POLO’s public hall on the 16th floor of Admiralty Centre because it was the only place in the office big enough for them.
“Actually, 630 people had signed up for this PAOS but we don’t expect all of them to show up today,” said a volunteer who helped usher in the crowd in for the orientation.
In previous months, the seminar was held in the 11th floor conference room because fewer than 100 people attended each time.
The big crowd in the last session competed for space on the 16th floor, with those lining up for other transactions such as contract renewals and applications for the overseas employment certificate exemption slips.
The chatter of workers with transactions at the counters at times drowned out the voices of PAOS speakers.
One of them was Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section who gave a briefing on what to do,and avoid doing, in Hong Kong.
His must-do list included keeping the trust of employers by being honest and reliable, as well as learning to adjust to the local culture. The big no-nos were avoiding debt, scams and illegal recruitment.
“While you are here, save your earnings, avoid overspending and debt so that you’ll have money when you finally return to your families,” Cayabyab said.
The other speakers were from the Hong Kong Labour Department who discussed work safety and the rights of workers under the law.
