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| Congen Tejada, flanked by Consuls Saret and Quintin, listens to Pelaez's briefing on issues |
Consul General Raly Tejada has promised to relay to Manila within this week some of the immediate concerns
raised by Filipino migrant leaders in Hong Kong
during the first consultation meeting he had with them yesterday, Nov 17, at
the Consulate.
These include the long-standing issue about scrapping the
overseas employment certificate and the non-implementation of mandatory
insurance and contribution to PhilHealth, which are set to take effect as early
as January next year.
“The Consulate will continue to listen and will make sure Manila
He reiterated a promise to meet regularly with members of
the community to discuss their concerns and hopefully come up with solutions.
“This is just the first meeting. This will be a continuing
dialogue because this is a community that speaks and listens to each other,” he
said.
The meeting was requested by a new coalition of migrant
leaders, Rise Against Government Exactions (Rage), in a bid to enlist the
Consulate’s help in stopping the forced
collection of new fees from overseas Filipino workers.
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| Congen Tejada with key officers of Rage |
These include mandatory SSS membership (which is already
being implemented), Philhealth contribution and compulsory insurance for all
OFWs, including rehires, which are expected to take effect early next year.
Alann Cayosa Mas, chair of Federation of Luzon Active Groups
(Flag) and spokesperson of Rage, clarified that the coalition of 18 migrant
alliances is not against OFW membership in any of the government agencies, but
“huwag lang gawing mandatory.”
Dolores Balladares Pelaez, chair of United Filipinos
(Migrante) in Hong Kong , said the government
promised three years ago to scrap the OEC, but never delivered on that promise.
She also said that not only was mandatory SSS membership
implemented without prior consultation with OFW groups in April this year, the
annual premium was also jacked up to Php2,400.
“Ang hiling naming ay
huwag gawing mandatory at huwag itaas ang premium,” she said.
Pelaez also disclosed that Migrante International has sought
a temporary restraining order against the mandatory SSS contribution, but the
case is still pending in court.
As for the forced contribution to Philhealth, she said the
plan is to make all OFWs departing from the Philippines
“Bakit kapag may mandatory na singilin, ang OFW ang agad na
natatamaan,” she asked. “Milking cow ba tayo?”
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She also complained that no prior consultations were made
with OFWs before any of the new fees were imposed, when “madali naman kaming
ipatawag.”
Congen Tejada said he fully understood their concern about
the lack of consultation, and will bring this up along with the other issues raised.
“Naiintindihan ko ang concern ninyo. The fact that you are
here, isang coalition, it must be a big issue.”
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| Consulate officials with the Rage leaders |
Eman Villanueva, chair of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau , suggested turning the regular Filcom consultation
also as a venue for discussing long-standing issues affecting migrants in the
city, like the fight for equitable wages and working hours.
Congen Tejada said he hopes to take up those issues during
his first meeting with Chief Executive Carrie Lam scheduled for the first week
of December.
Joining Congen Tejada at the meeting were Consul Paul Saret, head of assistance to nationals section, and Consul Bob Quintin, head of community relations.
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