27 April 2008

For reference:    Dolores Balladares
                             Chairperson, (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK)
                             Tel. No.: 97472986

Full probe, assistance to family, and review of HK policies on domestic workers
Pinays and HK locals rally for justice for dead maid

"No less than a full and transparent probe. No less than justice."

This was the demand echoed by Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK) as hundreds rallied to call for a comprehensive investigation on the case of 31-year old OFW Vicenta "Vicky" Flores whose dead body was found at Tung Chung ferry pier last April 11.

The action was conducted in front of the Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police in Wanchai as well as the office of the Philippine Consulate General. Earlier in the morning, residents of Discovery Bay where Flores used to work held a commemorative activity for her at the DB International School.

The protesters consisted mainly of Filipina domestic workers as well as residents of Discovery Bay. Last week, the HK Police declared that Vicky's cause of death was drowning - a conclusion that the protesters said was unbelievable - reportedly relegated it as Miscellaneous Enquiry and closed the case.

"It is comprehensive justice that we demand from the Hong Kong government on one hand, and from the Philippine government on another," she stated.

Balladares said that, Flores' was the third case of violent death among Filipina maids in less than a week. She declared that this should serve as an alarm to the Hong Kong government to look into the living and working condition of foreign domestic workers.

"Whatever is the cause of such deaths - suicide, drowning, or murder - there is an urgent need for a review of Hong Kong policies that put us in situation vulnerable to exploitation and abuses unbearable enough for some of us to meet such fate," she said.

Among the policies that she said migrant workers and advocates demand to be reviewed and changed if necessary are the New Conditions of Stay (NCS), the current wage level, and the mandatory live-in arrangement.

"The NCS or Two-Week Rule forces us to stand some of the most inhuman abuses just so we can keep our jobs. The current minimum wage is so low and puts tremendous stress on our financial capacity to meet our needs and that of our family's. Lastly, the mandatory live-in arrangement puts us in a situation where we are usually overworked and in physical and even psychological pressure," she relayed.

Meanwhile, according to Balladares, the Philippine government has the responsibility to make sure that Flores' case is given sufficient attention especially with unanswered questions surrounding her death. So far, she reported, the government has done nothing concrete to support Flores' family to pursue her case.

"Flores' family had to borrow money just so her sister can come here and find out what really happened. How about for her upkeep? We will make sure that the government will not squirm its way out of its obligations to Flores," she warned.

The rallyists demanded for the Philippine government to provide full assistance to Flores' family for her case. They also said that her repatriation after the investigation must also be swiftly arranged and compensation must be ensured for the family.

Balladares also lamented the fact that the RP government has not said anything at all about the issue and what they will do. Balladares said that "the silence is even more condemnable considering the spate violent deaths of Filipinas this month alone."

"Are they not distressed by these cases? The two suicides alone should push the Philippine government to investigate the serious problems of their nationals," she said.

Finally, Balladares said that they shall closely monitor Flores' case until it is resolved. "Justice is what we want. For Flores and for all exploited and abused domestic workers," she concluded.#