By The SUN
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| CG Tejada is asking HK to backtrack on mandatory vaccination |
Consul
General Raly Tejada says he is working on getting the Hong Kong government to
backtrack on its mandatory vaccination order for all foreign domestic helpers
applying for employment visas.
“Wala pang date of implementation ang
mandatory vaccination sa mga mag renew ng visa or mag transfer so we will work
hard na kausapin sila para sana di na ito matuloy,” Congen Tejada said when
asked how the Consulate planned to respond to the mandatory tests and jabs on
FDHs announced by Hong Kong on Friday.
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(No
date has yet been set for implementing mandatory vaccination for those renewing
their visas or transferring to new employers, so we will work hard to talk (to
Hong Kong officials) so hopefully this won’t push through.
Tejada
also said the Hong Kong government should have consulted concerned consulates first
before ordering all FDHs to undergo Covid-19 test between May 1 to 9, and to get
vaccinated when they apply for new work visas.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
“It
would have been better if concerned consulates like the Philippines, Indonesia
and other countries of origin were consulted on this matter as it involves the
substantive (human) rights of our nationals,” he said.
“The
Consulate has been supportive of HK’s ‘free and voluntary’ vaccination program
and have actively campaigned for this. However, our nationals need not be
forced to take the vaccine since I am confident that they will do the right
thing.”
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Tejada
also said that if Hong Kong wanted to impose mandatory vaccination for people
who are on work visas here, everyone in the same situation should be included,
not just FDHs.
“If
vaccination becomes a condition to work in Hong Kong then its application
should be non-discriminatory so that there is no feeling among our FDHs that
they are being singled out. Maraming non-residents din na similarly situated at
pareho ang linya ng trabaho, so bakit FDH lang?” he asked.
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(There
are many other non-residents who are similarly situated, and are under the same
work conditions, so why single out FDHs?)
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| FDHs have been swamping testing sites in a bid to beat the deadline |
Tejada did not deal with the issue of mandatory testing, as it has become moot with the implementation already underway.
However,
he said he is consulting informally with other consuls general on the
possibility of taking a joint position on the Hong Kong government’s
pronouncements.
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FDH
groups like the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body have earlier called on their respective
consulates to take a firm stand on the issue which they have criticized as
discriminatory, and added to their stigmatization.
However,
Hong Kong officials have remained firm in their stance towards mandatory tests and vaccination
for FDHs, calling them “high risk” because they gather in large numbers on
their days off, then return to their employers’ homes where many look after the
elderly and children.
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| Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love. |
Labour
Secretary Law Chi-kwong has said details of the mandatory vaccination,
including the starting date of implementation are still being worked out, but
will be released in due course.
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