353 Filipinos get flu jab on first day of MWO outreach

No long queues in the waiting area for the flu vax

A total of 353 doses of flu vaccines were administered at the Migrant Workers Office of the Philippine Consulate on Sunday, Sept. 29, the start of the annual public health service to Filipinos offered by the office as part of the Hong Kong government community outreach service.

A second session will be conducted tomorrow, and all the remaining Wednesdays of the month, from 9-12:30am.

The service will also be offered on all Sundays of October and November, from 9am to 3:30pm, and all Tuesdays starting on Oct. 8, from 9am to 12:30pm.

As in previous years, staff from private clinic Shoebill administer the shots.

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Although primarily targeting Filipino domestic workers, the vaccination service is also extended to residents who want to get the flu vaccine fast, as they need not make a prior booking.

The shots are administered on a first-come, first-served basis, at the MWO conference room on the 29^th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty.

Filipinos aged 50 and above as of the current year will get the vaccine free as it is subsidized by the Hong Kong government. Those who are below 50 years old and also asked to be jabbed at a cost of $220 per dose.

Assistant Labor Attache Angelica Sunga who oversees the project, said the cost of the vaccine for those below 50 years old should be covered by foreign domestic helper insurance.

ALA Angel says the cost of the vaccine is covered by FDH insurance

“Shoebill will provide a receipt that can be presented to the insurance company for reimbursement,” ALA Sunga said.

Sunga, who is a registered nurse in the Philippines, is encouraging all Filipinos, primarily migrant domestic workers, to get vaccinated ahead of the onset of the flu season so they get better protection.

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Seasonal influenza is a common respiratory tract infection caused by human seasonal influenza viruses. In Hong Kong it peaks from January to March/April and from July to August.

This year, experts said the flu season longer than usual, so residents, particularly those who are vulnerable like children and seniors, or those with pre-existing health condition, should get vaccinated  as soon as possible to avoid possible complications from the respiratory disease.

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Twin fundraisers held for Bethune House

 

Social Justice officers at start of "Amazing Walk for Bethune House'

Various migrant workers’ groups spent their National Day holiday today raising much-needed funds for the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

This was in response to Bethune House’s recent appeal for help to meet its needs providing shelter and various forms of assistance for about two dozen clients.

Through its “Save our Shelter” (SOS) campaign, the 38-year-old Bethune House said it intended to raise about $1 million to pay for its expenses until the end of the year, after two funding grants failed to materialize as expected.

Antonio enjoins walkers to keep supporting Bethune House

Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio said the shelter was in danger of closing down as it had only enough money to cover its expenses for two months.

The shelter which was founded in September 1986, raises funds from private donors to provide food and shelter to distressed women primarily, but also for some incidental expenses like visa extension fees.

One of today’s activities was the final submission of cans for the year-long Coins for Bethune on Chater Road in Central, and the subsequent counting of donations held at Kowloon Union Church Space in Jordan.

Among those who showed up to turn over a coin-filled can to the organizers was Lester Esquilona, president of Sikap Association, a group composed mainly of domestic worker-drivers in Hong Kong.

Sikap's Lester Esquilona turns over a full can for 'Coins for Bethune' project

About 50 other volunteers joined the coin-counting, which has become a virtual tradition since the project was first conceived in 2011 by Filcom leaders Rosel Abrenica and Daisy CL Mandap, editor of The SUN.

According to Antonio, more than $33,000 was raised from the Coins project this year. This should go up some more, as a number of cans have yet to be submitted

The recurring fundraiser is usually closed for the year every September, to coincide with the anniversary of Bethune’s founding.

Also held today was the “Amazing Walk for Bethune House,” which was organized by Social Justice for Migrant Workers, one of the biggest online groups catering to the needs and concerns of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

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The walk along the Peak Trail kicked off at about 10am, and was led by SJMW founder Marites Palma. Antonio showed up to personally thank the walkers and rally them to continue supporting Bethune House.

More than 40 workers belonging to various organizations took part in the walk, and donated at least $20 each for the cause. By the time the campaign ended at about noon, nearly $3,000 was raised for the shelter.

Palma said her group aimed to help Bethune House to remain standing, and to raise awareness within the migrant community about the invaluable help the shelter has provided for more than three decades.

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She thanked everyone who joined the walk and donated to the cause, saying what was raised would be a big help to the shelter which is struggling to keep afloat.

“Sana ipagpatuloy natin ang pagsuporta sa Bethune House dahil ang shelter na ito ang may pusong nagpapatuloy sa mga cancer warriors, mga biglang nawawalan ng trabaho, at mga may labor cases,” said Palma

(I hope we will all continue supporting Bethune House, which has the heart to provide shelter to cancer warriors, those who suddenly lose their jobs, or are involved in labor cases).

“Huwag po nating hayaang mawala ang Bethune House na syang nagsisilbing tahanan ng mga distressed workers sa loob ng mahigit 30 yrs.”

Palma (with sunglasses) lead the walkers along The Peak for the fundraiser

Let us not allow Bethune House to collapse, as it has served as a second home to distressed workers for more than 30 years.

Among the groups that joined the walk were Hong Kong Masikhay Eagles Club, Romblon Community of HK and Angat Pinknoy, with some unaligned individuals.

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Labour cancels job agency’s license to place DHs

 

The Labour Department (LD) has cancelled the license of an employment agency that places foregn domestic helpers, for violations of the law and the Code of Practice for employment agencies (EAs).

Labour announced the revocation of the EA license of JB Employment Agency (JB) in Kwun Tong – the first such cancellation for 2024 -- as it reminded EA operators that it was monitoring their compliance.

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The LD said it revoked JB Employment’s licence for failure to comply with the Code, including failing to draw up service agreements with employers during provision of services; failing to provide employers with receipts for service fees charged; failing to brief employers on the laws relevant to employment of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their rights and obligations; failing to provide employers with guidebooks, leaflets, information pamphlets and sample forms on the rights and benefits of FDHs; and failing to ask employers to confirm in writing that they have received the signed originals of standard employment contracts.

 “Under section 53(1)(c)(iva) of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO), the Commissioner for Labour (the Commissioner) may revoke the licence of an EA if she is satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code,” LD said.

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 "The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the standards which the Commissioner expects from EA,” LD said.

“The EO stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if she is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers or operating an EA without a licence, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of the EO," the LD said.

It advised those who want to ask about matters related to EAs or complain about suspected Code violations by agencies, to contact the Employment Agencies Administration (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

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OV registration tally in HK expected to top 90k, despite absence of queues

 

Yesterday was the only day Filipinos were seen lining up to register for the 2025 overseas voting

The lure of being among the first to vote online for next year’s mid-term election in the Philippines failed to inspire more Filipinos in Hong Kong to rush and register as a voter, judging from the absence of queues in the lobby of Unite Centre building, where the Philippine Consulate is located.

The nearly two-year-long overseas voter registration ended today, September 30, with practically nobody trying to beat the deadline.

The only sizeable crowd was seen yesterday, the last Sunday of registration for the month-long overseas voting for the senatorial election which will be held from April 13 to May 12 next year.

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But fewer than 100 people queued up to go to the 14^th or 29^th floor of the building, where the registration had taken place since December 9, 2022.

This was in stark contrast to the hundreds, even thousands, who lined up for hours in the last days of registration for the 2022 presidential election, even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel, who overseas the overseas registration and voting, said the Consulate even extended its work hours to 5pm yesterday in anticipation of a last-minute rush, but no one came after the usual cut-off time of 4pm.

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But despite the lukewarm response, VC Manuel said the Consulate still expects the number of registered voters to hit “roughly between 90,000 and 95,000.”

He hastened to add that the final tally would still depend on the Commission of Elections in Manila, which has the sole authority to de-register voters who did not comply with requirements, or for failing to vote in the two last elections.

However, the figure is still close to the 93,265 people who registered to vote in the 2022 presidential election, for which there was a record turnout, despite the raging pandemic.

Vice Consul Manuel says the challenge now is how to steer 90k-odd voters through internet voting

Manuel said that based on previous trends, it is not likely that the turnout in next year’s vote would top that record, as mid-term elections do not attract as much interest as a presidential contest. Registration figures also reflect this.

There is also a tendency for Filipinos to hold off registering to vote until the last minute.

But some of those who queued up to register at the Consulate yesterday said they were only alerted about the looming deadline after reading about it in The SUN. They said they did not see any recent reminder from the Consulate about it.

Manuel said they never failed to remind Filipinos, either those who come by the Consulate for some services, or those they meet at community gatherings, to register if they have not done so yet.

“Kapag may pumupunta dito for some services, we would tell them, mag-register kayo. Pero sasabihin lang nila, next time na lang, busy ako. Tapos ayun nga, last minute magre register sila,” said Manuel.

(Whenever Filipinos could come here for services, we would tell them to register. But they would say they would just do it next time as they are busy. So now, many of them will register at the last minute).

The Consulate was virtually empty in the final hours of OV registration

With the registration period over, the Consulate’s attention will now shift to making sure there will be no hitches during next year’s landmark voting process. And the first step towards this is to work on the pre-registration of voters, which will be done over a month, coinciding with the actual overseas election.

Manuel said they expect this to pose real challenges, given the big number of registered voters in Hong Kong, the biggest in any city abroad.

There is also the need to inform voters thoroughly about the new method of voting. Relative to this, he said voters should have gadgets that are internet-capable and an email address they should have full control over, so they will not encounter any problems in casting their ballots.

Internet voting should be easy, he said, as voters can do it wherever they may be, as long as they have a steady internet connection. But for those who still want to be guided through the process, a number of voting kiosks will be set up, where they will be assisted by authorized people.

Manuel said the Comelec will do a run-through of the process between February and April next year, and he hopes some voters could participate and help iron out whatever kinks there may still be in the system. 

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19 more people arrested in anti-illegal work blitz

 

Some of those arrested are led away by Immigration agents

A total number of 19 people were arrested in the latest anti-illegal  work sweep by the Immigration Department, carried out for four consecutive days, on Sept 23 to 26.

Those arrested included 15 suspected illegal workers, two employers, one overstayer and one illegal immigrant.

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In the initial raids on 37 target locations which included a garage,  restaurant and premises under construction, six suspected illegal workers were arrested, all men, aged 24 to 43.

In subsequent sweeps of 71 locations in Eastern, Mong Kok and Western Districts, nine suspected illegal workers were arrested, along with two employers, one overstayer and one illegal immigrant.

The workers comprised two men and seven women, aged 28 to 64. One of the women was found in possession of a forged HKID card.

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The suspected employers were both women aged 48 and 59. Also arrested were one female overstayer, aged 35; and a female illegal immigrant, aged 43.

Immigration warned that taking up illegal work is a serious offence for which a jail term is inevitable.

The maximum sentence for working in violation of the visa restrictions is two years imprisonment and $50,000 fine. The prison term could be as long as three years if the offender is an overstayer, illegal immigrant or recognizance holder.

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Possessing a forged HK identity card could draw a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and up to $100,000 in fine.

Employers could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $500,000.

Meanwhile, Immigration also announced that an Indian illegal worker who is on recognizance was ordered jailed on Sept 25  for working illegally while delivering fish at the Cheung Sha Wan Food Market.

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted after trial. He was meted a jail term of 22 months and two weeks.

Immigration reiterated its warning that people holding recognizance documents are not allowed to work, whether paid or unpaid.

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Fireworks and drone display set for Oct 1

 

Preview of the 8th scene, 'Magnificent Scenes of China'

The government has announced that a fireworks display will light up the sky over Victoria Harbour at 9pm as part of the National Day celebrations on October 1, Tuesday.

Weather permitting, a drone show will be staged for the first time before the fireworks display.

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A total of 31, 888 firing shells will be discharged from three barges and six pontoons from the Harbour, lasting about 23 minutes.

The planned two-way extravaganza is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and is sponsored by the Hong Kong Chinese Importers & Exporters' Association.

The 7th scene showing unity among peoples in China

This year’s display will have as theme, "Splendid fireworks shining over a prosperous China". The fireworks display will be divided into eight scenes, each with its own characteristics.

The first scene, "75th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China", will be highlighted with images of red five-pointed stars and purple five-petal flowers.

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The sixth scene, "The Legend of Pandas", which will be mostly in green color, will show images of pandas' favourite food such as bamboo leaves to express Hong Kong’s appreciation for their arrival.

The seventh scene, "Auspicious Treasures" showcases different kinds of ring-shaped fireworks, symbolising the strong bond and harmony among the various ethnic groups in China.

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The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene, "The Magnificent Scenes of China", which will feature symbols of blessings to all, such as "Chinese Red", "Big Whistle" and "Gorgeous Golden Crown" images, as well as wishes for continued prosperity and peace for the nation.

The lavish display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the Hung Hom Bypass.

The 6th scene welcomes the arrival of pandas in HK

To better enjoy the show, viewers are invited to tune in to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.

Meanwhile, pedestrians should take note of special crowd management measures in the Tsim Sha Tsui area that will be implemented by the police, including the closure of both the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum at 6pm.

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Waterspout spotted over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for first time

 

The waterspout swirled over Victoria Harbour and moved rapidly from east to west

 A waterspout over Victoria Harbour was spotted and recorded by a number of people on Saturday afternoon, sparking both amazement and fear.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported the sighting at around 12:30pm when a rapidly rotating water column begun swirling over the harbour from east to west, before disappearing. It reportedly lasted just about two minutes.

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It was the first time that a waterspout had been reported in the harbour since records began in 1959, said the Observatory.

While the water column was relatively small and did not last long, it could have been disastrous if it happened while there were people out at sea.

Rapidly swirling water at the bottom of the spout

According to video uploaders, the waterspout which many called "water tornado", formed in the sea off North Point in the Island Eastern Corridor, then rapidly grew vertically and moved toward the west.

It dissipated after reportedly hitting a wall at the outdoor Tai Wan Shan swimming pool in Hung Hom, generating strong winds and a big splash of water.

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One of the videos of the waterspout uploaded on video is shown here:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1206322110600213

The Observatory said earlier that an upper-air disturbance is affecting the eastern part of the territory, bringing unsettled weather to the area.

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It also warned of severe winds, potentially exceeding 90 kilometers an hour.

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Filipina’s 3 bank accounts linked to $8.83M money laundering

 

A Filipina domestic helper is facing three money laundering charges at Eastern Court after three of her bank accounts ended up being used to deal with a total of $8.83 million from victims of scams.

Lynie Acosta, 39 years old, was freed on a cash bail of $5,000 after Principal Magistrate Don So, adjourned the hearing to Oct. 3.

A complaint filed in court by the police Financial Investigation Division on Thursday (Sept. 26) and heard the same day, charged Acosta with three counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offense, in violation of section 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

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The complaint alleged that Acosta’s Mox Bank account received the biggest chunk of the funds, amounting to $8,597,833.36, between March 25 and May 19, 2023.

Police alleged that she dealt with the property with the help of two persons, one named Jane Corpuz and another unknown.

The same persons were also cited as helping Acosta in dealing with $192,940.08 in her account with the Standard Chartered Bank on March 31, 2023.

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On the same day, she and the two persons were also alleged to have dealt with $45,100.78 in her account with with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank.

Meanwhile, at District Court, another Filipina, Leahlyn Pamonag, was returned to jail custody after appearing before Judge C.P. Pang.

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Pamonag is accused of conspiring with an unknown person in dealing with a total of $3,075,807.90 in her Standard Chartered bank account, while knowing, or having reasonable ground to believe, that the money came from crime.

She was told to return on Nov. 11.

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Public vigilance urged against dengue fever, mosquito-borne diseases

 

How the dengue mosquito looks like (CDC photo)

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has urged the public to stay vigilant against dengue fever (DF) and other mosquito-borne diseases, especially with the surge in the number of people arriving and leaving Hong Kong for the National Day festivities from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7.

“Members of the public who intend to travel (should) stay alert to the situation of mosquito-borne diseases in their destinations,” CHP advised. “Members of the public (should) adopt necessary anti-mosquito precautions to guard against the disease when travelling abroad.”

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If they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or painful swelling, they should inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment, CHP added.

CHP noted the increase in DF activity in neighboring areas, noting that of the 67 imported cases reported from Jan. 1 to Sept. 23, seven had flown in from the Philippines, as well as 17 from Indonesia, and eight each from India, Maniland China and Malaysia and six from Thailand.

 “According to information from the Singapore Ministry of Health, a total of 11 847 DF cases have been recorded from January to September 14 this year, which is higher when compared to 6 755 cases recorded in the same period in 2023,” it said. “In addition, Malaysia has recorded 98 442 cases from January to September 7 this year, which was a 19.3 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.”

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In Guangdong, the Health Commission reported that DF cases recorded in the past three months have been increasing, with 233 and 1 220 cases in July and August, and more than 1 400 DF cases in the first half of September, mostly recorded in Foshan, Guangzhou and Zhongshan.

The World Health Organization reported that since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 11 million cases, a record number.

The following measures on mosquito control could reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne disease during travel:

• Wear loose, light-colored, long-sleeved tops and trousers;
• Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. For details about the use of insect repellents and the key points to be observed, please refer to 'Tips for using insect repellents'; and
• When engaging in outdoor activities, avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products, re-apply insect repellents according to instructions, and apply insect repellents after sunscreen if both are used.

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These preautions will also help them avoid other mosquito-borne diseases including Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, and malaria, it said.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighboring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

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