The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will complain to the Hong Kong authorities against employers who allegedly fired an overseas Filipino worker who tested positive for COVID-19.
According to OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, so far, there are 76 OFWs in Hong Kong who have tested positive for the virus. Of that number, eight are in the hospital, and the others are in isolation facilities.
Cacdac said they are aware of reports that OFWs have been fired by their employers after they tested positive for the virus.
But others have reportedly returned to work.
“Sa talaan natin ay parang isa lang ang naka-record sa atin na hindi pa makumbinsi na employer, idudulog na natin ito sa Hong Kong labor authority,” said Cacdac during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.
“Under Hong Kong law ay hindi sila dapat i-terminate kasi puwede naman mag-SL (sick leave) o ‘di kaya makabalik after nila mag-recover,” he said.
If the employer does not accept the OFW who fell ill again, Cacdac said they would file a labor case against him and blacklist him in the Philippines.
OWWA to file case vs. HK employers who fired OFWs with COVID-19
“Kailangan lang siguro ipaliwanang sa mga Hong Kong employers itong sitwasyon na ito at in fairness, marami naman sa kanila ang nakukumbinsi na tanggapin muli ang ating mga OFWs,” the official said.
Hong Kong is now troubled by the number of COVID-19 positives due to the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant.
Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada said 10 OFWs in Hong Kong were forced to sleep in public places after testing positive for the virus.
Fill the hospitals and also complicate the isolation facility.
According to Cacdac, they are studying the possibility of sending a Philippine medical team to Hong Kong to care for OFWs who fall ill there.
But it needs to have coordination with the government of such Chinese territory.
It is said that some hospitals in Hong Kong are almost full due to the continuous increase in the number of patients who test positive for COVID-19. Because of this, the government plans there to force people to take the test starting in March.
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