Migrant Watch

Ople Warned Not to Betray Filipino Workers in Hong Kong

Foreign Secretary Blas Ople is warned by organized Filipinos in Hong Kong not to follow the example set by Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas who, instead of supporting their demands against a wage cut proposal, urged them to sue for a compromise. Ople is reportedly going to Hong Kong to meet authorities on a new proposal imposing a levy on the domestics’ income.

By Bulatlat.com

Filipino workers in Hong Kong demonstrate against wage cuts early this year 

Foreign Secretary Blas Ople is being warned not to betray the interests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong when he meets Chinese authorities on a proposed levy on foreign domestics.

Connie Bragas-Regalado, chair of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-HK) issued the warning over the weekend on the heels of reports that Ople, who also served as labor minister during the dreaded Marcos dictatorship, was flying to Hong Kong to lobby Chinese authorities against the proposed HK$500-$HK750 levy on foreign maids. Most foreign domestics in Hong Kong are Filipinos.

"We welcome any moves of the Philippine government that will support the opposition of Filipino migrants on the proposal for a levy and another wage cut,” Bragas-Regalado said. “However, President Arroyo, Secretary Ople and Secretary Sto. Tomas must be firm and transparent in their stand. Be consistent. No compromise, no dealing, no bargaining, no preconditions."

Regalado declared that Filipino migrants in Hong Kong remain "on guard" with the coming visit of Ople.

The Unifil-HK chair recalled how President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo betrayed the Filipino domestics’ cause in last year’s wage cut issue. While foreign domestics in Hong Kong campaigned hard against Hong Kong authorities’ plan to cut their wages by as much as 25%, the president sent Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas to persuade the workers to stop protesting and bargain for a 5-10% cut, which she called a “better deal.” Sto. Tomas was declared “persona non grata” (undesirable alien) by the organized workers after that.

And it was the migrant workers’ uphill battle that won the fight as Hong Kong authorities withdrew their plan.

"We hope that the Philippine government has learned its lesson not to undermine and worse, insult, the protest actions that we conduct,” Regalado said. “Even the Philippine Consulate General has declared its support for various forms of actions including rallies against the levy proposal."

However, Regalado reminded her compatriots in Hong Kong that the experience of Filipinos in Taiwan and Saudi Arabia has made them "wary” of their government’s promises to carry their demand to the end.

“Doubts creep whenever we think of how Secretary Sto. Tomas paved the way and agreed to the decrease of the wages of our kababayans (compatriots) in these countries. We will not be another Taiwan or Saudi!" she said.

Be transparent

Meanwhile, the Unifil-HK called on Ople to be transparent about his meeting with the Hong Kong government.

"As his constituents, we have a right to be informed of the outcome of his mission. We call on him and the Philippine authorities in Hong Kong to be open and above board with the position that he will carry before, during and after his meeting," she said.

The group also asked the foreign secretary to meet with the Filipino community to share the position of the Philippine government and its plans on the levy proposal. "We also want to know of their stand in the other issues that confront the migrant workers in general and Filipino workers in Hong Kong in particular," Regalado said.

"If Arroyo, Ople and Sto. Tomas support the campaign, then support it all the way. Do not dare leave your compatriots in mid-air. Worse, do not dare betray us in the middle of a fight," she said.

Ople, a former opposition senator, stood against the impeachment of then President Joseph Estrada over plunder charges. Estrada was eventually ousted in People Power II January 2001.

As foreign secretary, Ople has supported stronger US-Philippine military relations and in a recent visit to their capitals has urged European governments to declare the Left in the Philippines as “terrorist.” Bulatlat.com

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