Ninth Post Arrival Seminar (PAOS) for 2006

21 September 2006

The Philippine Consulate General conducted its ninth Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) for OFWs in Hong Kong for 2006 on 17 September. The seminar, held in central Hong Kong and in cooperation with the Free Believers in Christ Fellowship (Hong Kong) International and the Filipino Community Services and Information Center, was attended by 284 OFWs.

Speakers for the event were: Vice Consul Noel Novicio, Ms. Melissa Mendizabal (OWWA), Mr. Edwin Garcia (OWWA), Mr. Roberto Roldan (SSS-HK), Mr. Joel Almeda (Philippine Bankers Club – Hong Kong ) and Mr. Rolando Cruz (Philippine Bankers Club – Hong Kong).

PAOS is a monthly outreach program of the Consulate General and its attached agencies designed to provide information to OFWs about their rights, privileges and responsibilities while working and staying in Hong Kong, and about the various programs and services offered by the Consulate General and its attached agencies.

In the course of the seminar, the following topics/issues were discussed/explained:

1.      Consulate’s ATN, consular and notarial services;

2.      Breach of condition of stay cases involving Filipino workers;

3.      Hong Kong police and immigration investigation procedures;

4.      OWWA membership and benefits;

5.      Labor Office’s mediation and conciliation procedures;

6.      The Hong Kong employment contract for foreign domestic helpers;

7.      The SSS flexi-fund program; and

8.      The Philippine Bankers’ Club financial management, savings and remittance services for OFWs.

Participants sought clarification on issues related to their employment contracts, including long-service and severance pays, annual leave benefits, work-site problems, and how they can avail themselves of assistance from the Consulate General and the Labor Office. They also clarified the mediation and conciliation procedures being administered by the Labor Office for terminated OFWs in relation to their claims for excessive placement fees. OWWA representatives informed participants that if terminated OFWs are not willing to settle their contractual claims in Hong Kong with their recruitment agencies, they can always file their complaints at the POEA in Manila.

The participants also expressed interest in the issues discussed by the SSS representative, especially on how they can avail themselves of the benefits of the SSS flexi-fund program for OFWs. They also took the opportunity to clarify issues related to savings programs and remittance procedures by members of the Philippine Bankers’ Club.