Migrants push for living wage, OEC scrapping, in MayDay protest
Despite police restrictions, a big number of Filipino migrant workers took turns staging a protest action outside the Philippine Consulate General offices to mark May Day.
The protesters grouped themselves into three so they could all have a chance to call for a living wage and other long-standing demands for equality and greater protection under Hong Kong laws.
“We are workers! We are not slaves,” was the resounding call from the migrant workers.
The first group of protesters included the Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society, Cordillera Alliance, Gabriela HK and Bayan HK and Macau.
The protest was kicked off with a dance by the Likha Cultural Migrants Organization to the tune of “Manggagawa”.
Protesters then hit out at what they called as the Philippine government’s labor export program, which they said has resulted in the commodification of women migrants.
They also assailed the impending visit to the United States of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr which they said seeks to reaffirm the US’ foothold in the Philippines.
Further, they called on the Marcos government to stop its attack on militant organizations and prioritize the creation of jobs in the Philippines that pay a living wage, so families are not forced to separate because of financial needs.
The second group made up of the Hong Kong For Justice and Peace led by the Liberal Party HK Chapter, The Silent Majority HK Chapter, Tropang Angat, Magdalo, Sandigan HK and United Filipinos in HK focused on the “severe” economic crisis in the country.
They also spoke out against the government exactions on overseas Filipino workers, as well as the difficulty they are forced to endure in acquiring the overseas employment certificate (OEC) which serves as an exit pass each time they go home for a vacation.
The protesters tore up sample copies of the OEC and threw them into a black trash bag, to signify their call for its scrapping, along with the government fees being linked to it, like the mandatory Pag-IBIG and SSS membership and the national health insurance, or PhilHealth.
Trailing the groups were the various organizations under the umbrella of the Filipino Migrant Workers Union or FMWU.
The protesters called for a living wage for Filipino workers, both in Hong Kong and the Philippines. They also reiterated a call for the Consulate to make a clear stand against the “job-hopping” allegation leveled against migrant workers whose contracts are prematurely terminated.
Wrapping up, the protesters announced that they would join the biggest Labour Day rally scheduled on May 7, organized by Asian migrants Coordinating Body.
They then paid tribute to all migrant workers who toil to provide for their family and help uplift the country’s economy.
Source: The SUN HK : Migrants push for living wage, OEC scrapping, in MayDay protest (sunwebhk.com)