Immigration Warns Absentee FDWs and Employers

Other than working in foreign countries such as in Hong Kong, many of us would like to go out of the Philippines to travel and “see the world.” And while not everyone is given this kind of opportunity, some of those who were employed overseas are also granted this “perk” as part of their work, which somehow violates immigration laws of the country they were officially declared to work in.

The issue has come to light after immigration officials have seen a trend among foreign nationals, especially FDWs who are employed in Hong Kong, but are made to work for their employers outside the country for prolonged periods of time.

Immigration Warns Absentee FDWs and Employers
Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Gov’t Clamps Down on FDWs on Prolonged Absence in HK

Immigration officials in Hong Kong have started to clamp down on the practice of some local employers of bringing their domestic workers with them when they go out of the country, often in prolonged periods of time, as shared in a report by the Sun HK.

As per recent immigration reports, Filipino domestic workers who have just returned to Hong Kong after being away for some time have been called out by Immigration officers against this type of practice.

For his part, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre welcomed this development, citing that this will serve to the benefit of workers who are often brought across the border of China by their Hong Kong employers.

Labatt Dela Torre pointed out that Filipinos who take part in this practice are exposed to the risk of losing their legal protections, medical and welfare benefits when they remain for a prolonged period for work (which is technically illegal) outside of Hong Kong.

Citing the case of a Filipino domestic worker, Lorain Asuncion, whose relatives were left without recourse after she died in the house of her employer’s father in Shenzhen, Labatt Dela Torre emphasized the need to ensure that all migrant workers are well-protected, especially if they are made to work outside of Hong Kong.

And for OFWs, it is best to refrain from this type of work set-up as this only puts them at risk far greater than what their employers might lose in the course of the situation, should an unfortunate event occur to any of them.

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