By Daisy CL Mandap
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| Villanueva says AMCB will first file a complaint with EOC |
Migrant domestic workers are set to file a complaint with
the Equal Opportunities Commission tomorrow, May 3, against the Hong Kong
government’s order for them to undergo mandatory tests and vaccination against
Covid-19.
This was disclosed in an online press conference on
Labor Day by Eman Villanueva, spokesperson for the Asian Migrants Coordinating
Body, as government officials scrambled to deflect criticism of racism and
discrimination against the order announced the previous day.
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Villanueva said, “We want to find out the opinion of
the EOC on this matter.”
He added migrant workers groups are also consulting
with human rights lawyers on the possibility of filing a legal challenge
against the testing order, which is supposed to last from May 1 to May 9; as
well as the mandatory vaccination for those applying for employment visas in
Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong government officials, meanwhile, have staunchly defended the orders, dismissing claims they were discriminatory.
Health Secretary Dr Sophia Chan said the measures were
intended to reduce risks of infection, as helpers often work with the elderly
and the young.
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“It is important for us to build herd immunity so that
everybody is being protected, including those who can’t be vaccinated," she told reporters on Saturday.
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| Chan insists MDWs are at 'high risk' of bringing the virus into their employers' homes |
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung also deflected criticism. Writing in a blog post Sunday, he said the measures are aimed at protecting MDWs, their employers, families and friends.
But speaking at the press conference, former
legislator and human rights advocate Fernando Cheung said outright that it is
illegal to compel people already in Hong Kong to get vaccinated.
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He also said forcing the 370,000 strong MDWs to get
tested is “totally uncalled for” and could lead to “logistical nightmare.”
Cheung said, “If you are applying from outside, I
think the government can do that as a public health measure, but to impose on
people who are already in Hong Kong, it is discrimination.”
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He also said that adding forced vaccination to the
terms of the employment contract would be illegal because it would not be a
mutually agreed condition between the worker and the employer, but a government
imposition.
Apart from these, he said mandatory inoculation is “totally
unethical” because it would amount to forcing certain people to submit to a
medically invasive procedure. He called on medical professionals to join the
protest against the order, which has yet to be enforced.
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Cheung also expressed concern about how all MDWs could
comply with the testing order within the nine days set by the government, given that
many of them are able to go out only on Sundays and statutory holidays.
He said most appointment slots at community testing
centers have been filled within hours after the mandatory test was announced, and
worried of chaos erupting should people start scrambling to comply within the
period set.
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| Cheung says it is 'illegal and immoral' to compel people in HK to get vaccinated |
“I am not opposed to testing and vaccination. I think testing and vaccination are necessary…but we need to strike a balance between public health concern and individual rights,” Cheung said.
AMCB leader Dolores Balladares-Pelaez said her group
is also working on getting support, not only among migrant workers, but other
groups such as non-government and church organizations.
“Our consulates must also say something about this.
They should represent the clamor of their nationals,” she said.
She added MDWs are demanding a retraction of the government
orders, and make testing and vaccination voluntary for everyone, including
MDWs.
Sringatin, also of AMCB, said members of their group,
whatever their nationality, have also been asked to support their call for a
silent protest.
They could do this by holding up posters expressing
opposition to the orders while in their favorite haunts, without saying
anything.
Pelaez said it was regrettable that instead of honoring
MDWs’ contribution to society on Labor Day, Hong Kong chose to pass an order
that discriminates and stigmatizes them.
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