Proposed mandatory vaccination for domestic workers in Hong Kong receives mixed reactions

Hong Kong’s proposal for mandatory vaccination for domestic workers there has received mixed reactions.

Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Raly Tejada said they support Hong Kong’s vaccination program but compulsory vaccination is against human rights.

ADVERTISEMENT

But if overseas Filipino worker Vanezza Dulay is to be asked, she is willing because it is supposed to be for the safety of Filipino workers. In addition, the vaccine is also free.

Dulay also agreed to mandatory swab testing. According to her, many Filipinos from the Philippines are positive for COVID-19 when they arrive in Hong Kong.

Some of them tested positive when they arrived at the employer even though they had been quarantined for 14 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Kung saka-sakali po na gustuhin po ng amo ko na magpabakuna ako, willing po ako magpabakuna. Yun nga rin po ang pilit kong pinapaliwanag sa ibang kaibigan ko, ba’t di natin i-try kasi libre naman ‘yan? At least naproteksiyunan na ‘yung sarili natin pati ‘yung employer natin naproteksiyunan na natin,” said Dulay.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III told TeleRadyo that the Philippines can do nothing if the Hong Kong government requires mandatory vaccine and swab testing for domestic workers.

Proposed mandatory vaccination for domestic workers in Hong Kong receives mixed reactions

“Kung ‘yun ang patakaran ng Hong Kong, hindi natin makukuwestiyon. Siyempre they have to consider their own interest.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga proposes to amend Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 vaccination program Act of 2021 through House Bill No. 9252.

In section 3 of the measure, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for people to be identified by the Department of Health, and will be provided free of charge at any government hospital or health center.

But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admits that it will be difficult to force the public to get vaccinated.

According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, vaccines are only approved under emergency use authorization (EUA).

“This is really personal autonomy, to have someone being a healthy person being injected with something. ‘Pag nagbigay ako ng EUA required na kailangan merong consent ng patient na magpabakuna,” said Domingo.

Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.