The SUN HK : OWWA chief to join ‘Balik Saya’ in HK

07 May 2023

OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio in a video recording promoting the 'Balik Saya' show

A protest is likely to greet the arrival in Hong Kong of the administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Arnell Ignacio, who will speak at the “Balik Saya” show on Chater Road this Sunday, May 7.

The show which will feature singer Rita Daniela and comedienne hosts Boobay and Boobsie, is the first time since the onset of the pandemic that OWWA is holding its regular treat to overseas Filipino workers on site.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

Ignacio himself has confirmed his presence in the show, where he will address OFWs in Hong Kong.

At about the same time, several groups of migrants under the umbrella of the Asia Migrants Coordinating Body will hold a MayDay rally outside the Central Government Offices in Tamar from 11am until 2:30pm.

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The group said in a media statement that it will submit 8,000 signatures supporting its statement against “malicious accusations of job-hopping” among foreign domestic workers.

Protesters will also take the chance to demand a living wage from both the Hong Kong and the Philippine governments.

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According to AMCB spokesperson Dolores Balladares they also plan to continue their protest to Chater Road so OWWA’s top official will get to hear about the difficulties faced by Filipino workers in Hong Kong.

“Hindi lang isang araw na hinahanap (Ignacio) siya ng mga OFW para sa direktang tulong mula sa ahensya” (It is not only once that OFWs try to seek him out for direct financial ,” said Balladares.

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“Marami pa yung nakapila sa Covid cash assistance na hindi na pinapansin ng OWWA.” (There are still a lot of OFWs queuing up for the Covid cash assistance but are no longer being attended to at OWWA).

Ignacio will be joined onstage by Consul General Raly Tejada who will be addressing the mostly Filipino crowd on Chater Road for the first time since taking office more than three years ago.

Pindutin para sa detalye

But the official most OFWs want to see, Secretary Susan Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers, is again a no-show, according to a key organizer, despite sending out a message last month through two of her deputies that she would be heading to Hong Kong soon

Secretary Ople used to be a frequent visitor to Hong Kong, and at one time, even gave a workshop on writing to Filipino migrants.

Another time, she accompanied a “tanim bala” victim back to Hong Kong. The elderly worker was terminated by her employer after she was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and falsely accused of having a spent bullet in her luggage.