Migrant associations continue to call for rights protection

Migrante-Macau and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union celebrated International Migrants Day yesterday – continuing with their call for the protection of rights of domestic workers in the MSAR.

The celebration included the discussion of updated labor laws including the reduced number of days given to domestic employees who have had their contracts terminated by them or their employers.

Previously, local immigration authorities granted 10-day visas to these employees, but have now shortened their length to eight days.

Emer de Lina, chairperson of Migrante-Macau shared that, according to the Labor Affairs Bureau, those looking for jobs are not supposed to pay for agency fees as it is the employers’ duty to pay such fees.

Lina explained how Filipino and Indonesian nationals are paying substantial fees to several agencies in the region.

“The collection of a big amount of agency fees is really rampant and that is a big burden to us,” she explained to the Times.

“Agencies require MOP18,000 from [someone] who applies and gets a job as a security guard,” she lamented. “For domestic workers, they ask for MOP5,000 to MOP6,000.”

The chairman reiterated that domestic workers in Macau are in great need of having their rights protected. According to her, many members of vulnerable groups refuse to voice their concerns, as there is no protection for them.

Meanwhile, Migrante-Macau continues to call for the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) to open on Sundays.

Under the current plans yesterday was due to be the last week that the consulate is open on a Sunday.

Lina shared that the association is in an ongoing dialogue with PCG and was allegedly told by the consulate that they are also waiting for further updates from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.

Along with the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, Migrante-Macau is also calling for government-run shelters for its domestic workers.

“There are a lot of Filipino migrant workers that experience premature termination. It’s their [consulate’s] obligation to provide shelter to those who are in distress,” she said.

Wari Yanti, a representative of the Indonesian association, also expressed her hope that an Indonesian consulate would be established in the MSAR. She noted that it is problematic for Indonesian domestic workers to seek assistance without a consulate that is based in Macau.