Press Release No. 055-03
14 February 2003
OPLE TAKES UP CUDGELS FOR FILIPINO DOMESTICS IN H.K.

Hong Kong, 14 February. -- “It does not sound right to the ears of many including mine, it is not wise, it does not promote the good relations of two countries”, thus speaks Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Blas F. Ople in referring to the proposal being considered by the HKSAR Government to impose a levy and/or a cut in the minimum wages of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong in the amount of HK$ 500 a month (US$1.00=HK$7.80) as one of several measures to address the economic problems of Hong Kong.

Responding to questions raised by some members of the HK business community during a luncheon hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in his honor, Secretary Ople said that the “…proposal will upset an excellent relationship and erode some of the goodwill that the Filipino people have reserved for Hong Kong and its people.

Secretary Ople, however, said that he respects “…the sovereign prerogative of the HKSAR Government, but would appeal to the sovereign wisdom of the HKSAR Government…” and expressed hope that their host government would not be “…impervious to the appeal from friends of the Filipinos” in the business community to the HKSAR Government’s “sense of fairness and equity”.

Asked what the Philippine Government would do if the proposal is approved, Secretary Ople said the appeal to the good sense of Hong Kong will continue,  that other emissaries will continue to make appropriate representations with the HK SAR Government to demonstrate that the proposal that adversely affects the least capable and most vulnerable in Hong Kong’s society is deplorable.

During his one-hour meeting with HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Secretary Ople reiterated an earlier appeal contained in a letter by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the HKSAR Government not to push through with a proposal that would adversely affect OFWs in Hong Kong.

Mr. Tung, however, replied: “I am afraid that I have no good news for you at this time, as the Government review on this issue is on-going and no decision has yet been made”.  He said that he would seek the understanding of the Philippine Government on whatever decision that will be made on this proposal -- citing Hong Kong’s economic difficulties, its ballooning budget deficit of HK$70 billion, the unprecedented unemployment rate of 7.2 which is expected to continue to rise, serious deflation during the past five (5) years, declining income, the collapse of the property market, even its own strong currency which has made it less competitive and other economic challenges.

The Chief Executive emphasized that the HKSAR Government values RP-HK relations and appreciates the presence of the Filipino workers in Hong Kong. He emphasized that the HKSAR Government is not singling out Filipino workers but is actually trying to consider measures that would make everyone in HK society, including foreign workers, share the pain of the difficult restructuring and readjustment in the Hong Kong economy.

Representative Imee Marcos, who accompanied Secretary Ople and Consul General Victoria S. Bataclan during the call on the Chief Executive, weigned in on the issue of discrimination -- considering that the levy, if approved, would in effect tax a group of workers receiving HK$3,670 a month when the tax regime in Hong Kong exempt those receiving HK$9,000 a month from the payment of income tax. The Chief Executive replied that he would look into this angle.

Secretary Ople also appealed to the Chief Executive for the “deferment of the HKSAR Government decision on this issue until better times” but the Chief Executive expressed concern that this may not be possible as policy decisions will soon have to be made including measures to address the budget problem.

Secretary Ople bade Mr. Tung goodbye with an invitation from the Philippine Government for the Hong Kong Chief Executive to visit the Philippines soon. Mr. Tung accepted the invitation and said that he looks forward to visiting the Philippines sometime in the future.