Pinoy Weekly OFWs in HK unite vs abuses, extortion

Posted: 15 Jul 2013 01:37 PM PDT

A protest march that snaked through Central in Hong Kong was held after the press conference announcing the formation of Tigil Na. (Contributed Photo)

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) led by Migrante-Hong Kong and United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-HK) held a press conference last weekend announcing the creation of a “movement against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” as well as overcharging, illegal collection, harassment and fraudulent loans by recruitment and money-lending agencies.

Called Tigil Na! (End Now!) Movement of Victims Against Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking, the movement organizers said they seek to unite Filipinos in Hong Kong, especially those victimized by various abusive practices.

“Despite the no placement fee policy in the Philippines, we are still charged and made to pay tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Despite the 10% of the first month’s salary rule in Hong Kong, we are also charged with more almost two-month’s worth of our wage,” said Emelita Vertudes, spokesperson of Tigil Na!, in a statement.

Tigil Na! vows to lead the HK-wide campaign against exorbitant, unjustified and illegal fees, as well as other abusive practices from various agencies. (Contributed Photo)

Aside from Unifil-HK, the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW), a service and advocacy organization, also presented some data regarding agency-related complaints they received during the past six months.

The movement also presented testimonies from victims of various abusive practices like overcharging, illegal collection, harassment and fraudulent loans perpetrated by agencies.

“We call for the prosecution of recruitment and money-lending agencies found guilty of exploitation and extortion of migrant workers. We demand to make direct hiring an option for OFWs to process a job overseas and not force everyone to go through private recruitment agencies and suffer the same treatment as we had,” Vertudes added.

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