Filipinos in HK fear job loss on new rules

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong might lose their jobs over new rules by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which, among other things, require prospective employers to post some $8,000 worth of bonds before being allowed to hire OFWs, an official of a group of Filipino workers in Hong Kong said.
Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante-HK), said POEA Memorandum Circular 04, or the Guidelines on the Direct Hiring of Filipino workers that took affect January this year, was “a grave threat to our employment.”
The POEA circular also requires all employment contracts for direct hires to be approved by the labour secretary.
Balladares said OFWs who would be particularly hit would be household service workers who were either renewing their contracts with the same employer or were transferring due to finished or pre-terminated contract.