Press Release No. 057-03
16 February 2003
OPLE ASSURES HK FILCOM LEADERS OF RP GOVT SUPPORT ON THE LEVY ISSUE

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today assured Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong of the support of the Philippine government in their fight against the proposed imposition of a levy or wage cut on Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

Speaking to an overflow crow at the Philippine Consulate premises, Ople declared that “…representations with the HKSAR Government … (and) the effort will continue in any number of ways…” to avert the approval of this proposal which he has branded as “unfair and unwise”.

“Unfair because in times of economic difficulties, the pain should not be put on the frail shoulders of those least able to bear it and unwise because foreign domestic helpers liberate HK women from their household chores and allow them to be active contributors to the Hong Kong economy”, Ople explained.

To the wide applause of the leaders of the Filipino community, Secretary Ople announced that he has requested the HKSAR Chief Executive “…to postpone its decision until better times”.

Secretary Ople assured the OFW’s that the Government will always negotiate for the rights and entitlements of Filipinos abroad as he paid tribute to their significant contribution to the Philippine economy.

Moreover, the Secretary directed Philippine Consul General Victoria S. Bataclan to work with other affected countries particularly from ASEAN on a joint demarche conveying to the HKSAR Government in this appeal”.

Explaining the role of culture as an important tool of diplomacy, Ople said that he looks forward to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cultural Cooperation between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR which was signed during his visit with the forthcoming holding of large-scale Arts and Culture festivals in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.

During his meeting with the Filipino community at the Philippine Consulate General, Secretary Ople was accompanied by Consul General Victoria S. Bataclan, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Art Brion, Representatives Roquito Ablan and Imee Marcos.

The Filipino workers had candid discussions with the Secretary on perennial problems and issues that affect them such as excessive placement fees, immediate repatriation of stranded workers, reintegration programs, the early implementation of E-Cards, prohibited cost of education of children of expatriate workers in Hong Kong, the proposed transfer of OWWA funds to PhilHealth, among many others.

Secretary Ople has commended OFW’s in Hong Kong and Peoples Tonight HK Edition for their assistance in raising funds for payment as blood money for Primo Gasmen, a Filipino national convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Art Brion gave a presentation on the salient feature of the recently signed Absentee Voting Law and discussed the role of the Philippine Consulate General and the members of the Filipino community in ensuring the successful implementation of this electoral exercise.

Representatives Roque Ablan, Jr. and Imee Marcos also assured the Filipino community of the support of the Philippine Congress on programs and measures that will advance the interests of Overseas Filipino workers.