The Overseas Filipino Workers (OWFs) in Hong Kong who were reportedly abandoned by their employers after testing positive for coronavirus disease (COVD-19) have already received assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
POLO representatives have coordinated with the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection, as well as with non-government organizations for the hospital admission and or quarantine of concerned OFWs. They also visited quarantine facilities and provided food, medicines and power banks to Filipino workers.
Hong Kong is experiencing a 5th wave of COVID-19 cases brought about by the Omicron variant.
The POLO Hong Kong has reported 60 OFWs have tested positive for COVID-19, 49 of whom are asymptomatic and in community isolation, nine are symptomatic and admitted in hospitals, while two have recovered.
Through the After-Care Financial Assistance Program, the POLO through OWWA provided US $200 to qualified OFWs, while an additional US $200 was provided to OFWs with concerns regarding quarantine facilities.
POLO is also helping in transporting COVID-19 infected OFWs to quarantine and isolation facilities and if needed, to various hospitals in view of the current shortage in available ambulances.
Since the COVID-19 infection is not a valid ground for termination, POLO is closely coordinating with employers to reassure workers that they can still return to work once they recover from the virus.
Although there were challenges, DOLE, lead by Secretary Silvestre Bello III, assures that it will continue to provide necessary assistance to affected OFWs in Hong Kong.