Vice President Binay lauds Hong Kong court ruling

Manila: Vice President Jejomar Binay lauded a court ruling in Hong Kong that favoured to uphold the right of an overseas Filipina worker who was a domestic helper since 1986, to seek permanent residency in the city.

“The ruling (in Hong Kong) is a step forward in recognizing the rights of (all) migrants. Overseas Filipino workers have contributed to the economy of their host countries,” said Binay, a concurrent presidential adviser on labour issues affecting OFWs.

“The decision (in Hong Kong’s court) recognizes their (OFWs) contributions (to the economy there),” said Binay.

The decision has given hope for about 270,000 Filipinos who work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong, said Migrante, a militant non-government organisation that serves as a world-wide watch-dog of OFWs’ welfare.

The ruling of Judge Johnson Lam Man-hon which favoured Evangeline Banao Vallejos who filed for residency in 2008, took away the discrimination on foreign domestic helpers seeking residency in Hong Kong, other observers said.

The exclusion of foreign domestic helpers from seeking residency in Hong Kong, from other foreign workers who hold high-paying positions such as managers, bankers, and lawyers who want to acquire the status of permanent residency in Hong Kong, was unconstitutional, said Man-hon.

An ordinance of Hong Kong’s Basic Law prevents foreign domestic helpers from enjoying the rights enjoyed by all highly paid foreign workers, to apply for permanent residency in Hong Kong.

After seven years, foreign workers, excluding foreign domestic helpers, automatically get the right to file for permanent residency in Hong Kong.
A foreign worker with permanent residency can file for candidacy and vote during elections in Hong Kong apart from acquiring the right to stay indefinitely in the city.

Hong Kong is one of the more important places that hosts OFWs because it recognizes the Philippine government’s demand for $ 400 monthly salary for domestic helpers.