MANILA, Philippines—Hong Kong-based labor attaché Romulo Salud should either be recalled or fired for being rude to an overseas Filipino worker in distress, migrant workers’ groups said on Tuesday.
In a news release, the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante-HK) and the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) noted the offensive treatment that Agnes Tenorio, a first-time domestic worker in Hong Kong, received from the labor attaché.
The conversation was recorded and posted on youtube at
YouTube - Pinoy HK Scandal: RP Labor Attache SCOLDS Distressed OFW
According to the migrant workers’ groups, Tenorio sought the help of the Philippine Consulate General after her contract was illegally terminated by her employer barely two hours after she arrived at her employer’s house. Confused and unaware of her options, her initial reaction to the experience was to go back home to the Philippines.
The labor attaché “did not give her advice nor informed her of her rights and instead conveniently agreed to her kneejerk request,” they said.
However, Tenorio later learned from other OFWs and the MFMW that, under the law, she is allowed to file claims for her unpaid wages at the HK Labor Department as well as file a complaint against her employer for illegal termination of contract.
With these new information, Tenorio went back to see Salud who scolded her for changing her mind.
Migrante secretary general Gina Esguerra supported calls to recall Salud.
“Neither Salud nor any government employee in our embassies has the right to refuse, be rude, or ignore our OFWs, especially those in need. They also have the responsibility to inform OFWs of their rights and options and not act according to their convenience,” Esguerra said.
“These cases are not new. We have received numerous complaints against labor attaches and embassy officials and personnel but sadly none have been sanctioned. What they do when the complaints become resounding is either they transfer them back to the Philippines or to another post,” she added.
Salud was formerly an official of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan.
Esguerra said she and her organization are studying the possible filing of charges against Salud and other erring and negligent embassy officials.
OFWs in HK want rude labor attaché fired - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
OFWs in HK want rude labor attaché fired
on this...tsk tsk
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