By Ariel Fernandez
Licensed recruitment agencies deploying household service workers to China’s Special Autonomous Region of Hong Kong welcomed the government’s decision to lift the travel ban for new hires and returning workers as announced by Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque.
Society of Hong Kong Recruiters Accredited to the Philippines (SHARP) President Alfredo Palmiery said 10,000 OFWs-- around 3,000 new hires and some 7,000 vacationing re-hires—who have been waiting for their flights to Hong Kong are relieved and happy that they will now be able to join their new employers.
The same goes for returning Filipino workers whose employers have patiently waited for them, he said.
SHARP will distribute travel kits to the new hires for Hong Kong which contains a small bottle of disinfectant alcohol, a face mask, tissue, soap and a primer for protection against health risks and avoiding COVID-19 virus.
Regarding the additional requirement imposed by the ITAF-DID that departing Filipinos should sign a document stating that they understand the risks involved in their departure for Hong Kong,
Palmiery said that the POEA should come out with a standard document which contains the declaration so that it will be a uniform document for Hong Kong-bound OFWs.