Malacañang and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed concern over they described as a “discriminatory” policy by Hong Kong authorities by requiring overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to be vaccinated for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In an online news briefing on Monday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque urged Hong Kong authorities not to single out OFWs with its mandatory vaccine policy.
He said while the country recognizes the sovereign prerogative of Hong Kong in crafting its domestic policies, he noted that “equal protection” is a “international covenant in civil and political rights.”
If Hong Kong would insist on such policy, Roque noted it should be applied not only to OFWs, but also for other nationals as well.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III also voiced his disappointment on recent pronouncement of Hong Kong, which could affect the thousands of OFWs staying in the former crown colony.
Hong Kong is currently one of the top destination for OFWs, especially those who work as household service workers (HSW).
DOLE spokesman Rolly Francia said Bello deferred any possible response to the said policy until he gets additional details about it.
“We would know as the [vaccination] policy [of Hong Kong] progresses. Maybe by tomorrow we will know if there will be additional instructions [about the policy],” Francia said in a separate online briefing.
DOLE, through its attached agency, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), had been known to impose deployment restrictions for countries, which have violated the rights OFWs.
Last week, Hong Kong officials said they are planning to start the mandatory inoculation of HSWs, who are mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia.
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