By Ariel Fernandez
An agency that recruits workers for Hong Kong slammed the irresponsible spread of fake news that Hong Kong has declared martial law.
Protestors react as police fire tear gas at Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu/MANILA BULLETIN)
Alfredo Palmiery, president of SHARP (Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines) said there is no truth to the rumor, and that the Philippine Labor Office in Hong Kong has released an advisory warning that the news is false.
Palmiery said that while deployment to Hong Kong has been reduced by 5 to 10 percent Hong Kong because of the ongoing protests in the city, they are processing job applicants for Hong Kong as usual.
However, Palmiery admitted that fewer applicants have expressed a desire to work in Hong Kong and would rather choose another Southeast Asian country.
Meanwhile, the Filipino OFW community in Hong Kong has discouraged domestic workers from going out on their usual days-off and advised them to stay at home. The Central District, where many from the OFW community meet and gather on Sundays, is the scene of violent protests.