Some COVID-positive OFWs in Hong Kong forced to sleep outside by employers

At least three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong were forced by their employers to sleep in public areas after testing positive for COVID-19, the Philippine Consul reported.

With Hong Kong now on its fifth COVID-19 wave, Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada disclosed reports of three to 10 Filipinos in the area forced by their employers to sleep in public areas such as parks.

“Ito ay very ano naman, hindi naman palagian, ngunit ‘yung mga ‘yun, unfortunately natakot yata ‘yung mga employers,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“As you know, it’s contagious ‘yung sakit, kaya siguro because of their fear na mahawaan sila, they let go of their employees which is mali. We will not tolerate this,” he added.

[It is not a regular occurrence, but unfortunately, it seems like the employers were scared. As you know, the illness is contagious which may be the reason why because of their fear of contracting the virus, they let go of their employees which is wrong. We will not tolerate this.]

Tejada also warned against legal implications for the employers, as he reiterated that they are responsible for their workforce, no matter what sickness they may have.

“We will make sure na sila ay if needed, ma-prosecute because under the employment ordinance at tsaka disability ordinance ay sila ‘yung may sala kung sila ay magfa-fire ng kanilang employees na may sakit,” he explained.

[We will make sure that if needed, they are prosecuted because under the employment ordinance and the disability ordinance, they are liable if they terminate the employment of workers with illness.]

A number of OFWs in Hong Kong who tested positive for COVID-19 were also among those who were forced to wait outside hospitals for treatment, due to facilities being on full capacity.

According to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator  (OWWA) Hans Leo Cacdac, the government is monitoring the situation, with 28 Filipinos recorded to have tested for COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

The OWWA said five have already recovered, two are in the hospital, and the remaining 21 are in isolation.

“‘Yung karamihan ng mga community isolation ay nasa employer, so we're thankful. “Yung iba nasa quarantine facilities,” he said in the same report.

Hong Kong has recorded over 15,000 cases of COVID-19 from February 1 to 16, 2022, with hospitals at 90% capacity. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News