le
Restuctions
in the employment of
Filipino
mards
Question No. 3
Reply by the Honourable RG B Bridge, OBE, JP Secretary for Education and Manpower to a Question by Mrs Rosanna Tam
in the Legislative Council on 9 March 1988
3. MRS. TAM asked:
Question: As
has
announced taking up
the Philippines Government restrictions on
from its "people employment as Filipino maids
will overseas, Government inform this Council what effects this decision will have on Hong Kong's local job market of domestic helpers; how it affects those Filipino maids presently working
working in Hong Kong; and whether Government has
to seek any plans early lifting of the restrictions for Hong Kong?
Answer
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER:
Sir,
ster:
Whe
its
he temporary restrictions recently imposed by the Philippines Government on the overseas employment of nationals were intended to protect them from exploitation. They applied with effect from 1st March 1988 entered into after 15th February 1988.. They do not affect any existing contract between the same employer and employee.
or
renewal
an of
to contracts
existing contract
Labour legislation in Hong Kong already affords
a
high level of protection to employees, whether local or from
and
le
overseas, carefully
their whatever
ᄉ
sé
occupation.
This
has
been
explained to the Philippines Government ster
سما
1
the
representatives both through the British Embassy in Manila le and in direct contacts with Philippines government officials
in Hong Kong. The most recent of
was these discussions
between the Director of Immigration and the Acting
Commissioner for Labour and
for Labour and Mr. Achacoso, Philippines Overseas Employment Agency. were held on Saturday morning 5 March). They appeared to go well and I believe there is now a very good chance that the restrictions on employment in Hong Kong will be lifted.
on
л
Director of
These discussions
ster