President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz during the Pre-Labor Day Dialogue at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (April 30). The conduct of Pre-Labor Day Dialogue is pursuant to the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Aquino, which essentially consists of among others, the following directives: promote not only the constitutionally protected rights of workers but also their right to participate in the policymaking process; and work with the private and labor sector to strengthen tripartite cooperation and promote industrial peace. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – As protest actions in Hong Kong continue, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Wednesday urged overseas Filipino workers there to be careful and to always take the necessary precaution in their daily activities.
“I urge and advise our OFWs in Hong Kong to be mindful about their safety amidst the tension between government authorities and pro-democracy protesters calling for universal suffrage in Hong Kong,” said Baldoz in a news release.
“Be alert and go on with your regular routine, but avoid places where marches and protests are happening. Stay indoors as much as possible, and keep in touch with our POLO,” she said, referring to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
She also warned OFWs not to take part in any protest activity or any action that could be construed to be political, for this may put them in contravention of Hong Kong laws.
“The reason you are in Hong Kong is to work, not to engage in any political activity,” she warned.
The labor secretary assured OFWs in Hong Kong that her office is in regular contact with its POLO and the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong which are constantly monitoring the situation.
“We will regularly disseminate accurate and relevant information on what’s happening in Hong Kong for the guidance of our OFWs,” she said.
Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German, POLO officer-in-charge, had reported that it is calm and normal in the Admiralty District, the area where the POLO and the Philippine Consulate are located and where the street protests erupted on September 28, although public transportation is paralyzed, not only in the area, but also in the Central Business District.
Earlier, Baldoz directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to also monitor the situation among OFWs through its contact with licensed recruitment agencies deploying OFWs to Hong Kong.
She also instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to put its welfare officers in Hong Kong on notice and to be alert for any sign of disturbance that would imperil the safety and welfare of OFWs.(MNS)