Friday, Oct 11, 2013
Manila: The presidential palace on Friday dismissed plans by Hong Kong lawmakers to work for a ban on Filipina domestic workers in the territory, as it said that the government has contingencies for such measures.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it was “unfortunate” that leaders in Hong Kong would be venting their outrage over an incident that happened three years ago in Manila on innocent Filipino domestic workers who are working abroad so they can help their families in the Philippines.
“It is unfortunate that our compatriots are being used by a Hong Kong lawmaker,” Lacierda said.
Earlier, reports reaching Manila said Hong Kong lawmakers Albert Chan Wai-yip and Day Chan Chi-chuen are pushing for a ban on Filipino maids in the territory in response to the perceived inaction by the Philippines government in delivering justice to victims of a the 2010 Manila bus hostage taking tragedy as well as to extract apology from Manila over the incident.
The August 2010 tragedy claimed the lives of eight tourists from Hong Kong as well as the hostage-taker, a disgruntled Filipino junior police official.
Lacierda said the Philippines has taken measures possible to appease Hong Kong. It had commiserated with the families of the victims for the loss and offered compensation.
As for the plan to ban Filipino maids, the Philippines’ labour department said it has ready alternatives in case the maids would be out of work.
Politicians in Hong Kong are fanning the flames for anger against Filipino for obvious political reasons. There are an estimated 140,000 Filipino maids in the territory. Their presence had allowed households to ease domestic workload and indirectly raised the quality of life there for the residents.
Under a proposal by Chan Wai-yip and Chan Chi-chuen, Filipinos will be barred from working in Hong Kong under a three step plan.
Reports reaching Manila said Chan Wai-yip and Chan Chi-chuen “People Power” group wants to initially ban the entry of new hire Filipino domestic workers, stop renewing entry permits of current maids and ultimately ban all Filipinos from entering Hong Kong.
The issue over the death of tourists had dealt a black-eye in Hong Kong-Philippines relations.
A recent action by Hong Kong journalists attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Indonesia worsened the situation.
Several Hong Kong journalists were booted out of the summit for heckling Aquino in connection with the 2010 incident in Manila.
Host Indonesia withdrew the accreditation of nine Hong Kong scribes for the incident.
Secretary Ricky Carandang, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head was quoted in reports as saying that: “The behaviour of these reporters crossed the line from mere questioning to heckling, and was even construed by Indonesian security personnel assigned to the President as a potential physical threat to him.”
By Gilbert P. Felongco Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
