‘We’re trying to dissuade Filipino nationals from looking for work while on tourist visas’

Lilybeth R. Deapera

The Philippines Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera is confident that Filipino employment agencies are providing appropriate information and training to migrant workers prior to their arrival in Macau. However, migrant domestic helpers have voiced their concerns over recruitment agencies charging exorbitant fees. In an interview with the Times, conducted on the sidelines of an opening ceremony for a photographic exhibition on Monday, Deapera said that the Filipino state is trying to dissuade Filipino nationals from job hunting in Macau while on tourist visas, as they could become more vulnerable to potential abuse, either from employers or agencies.

MDT – A group of migrant workers is calling for further employment agency regulation. Did the consulate receive complaints over recruitment agencies charging unreasonable fees?
Lilybeth R. Deapera (LRD) – Unfortunately, we have heard of foreign recruitment agencies that charge steep prices, but we have not received a complaint from our nationals. They normally use agencies in the Philippines; we have the Overseas Philippines Employment Agency, which regulates the departure of Filipinos to other countries.
Aside from receiving [a job offer] from a prospective employer, they are required to undergo training in domestic work skills; they have to learn basic language skills and attend a departure orientation seminar: how to live in a foreign country; how to manage your income; and general information on foreign work. This is particularly important for those who will be working abroad for the first time.
MDT – But how do you think this problem should be solved? Because migrant workers still claim that there are indeed agencies charging unreasonable fees.
LRD – The agencies that I think have been charging [higher fees] are those that are working on the tourist [visa holders]. We’ve heard of cases in which Filipinos come here as tourists and are able to get a job. And we are trying as hard as possible to dissuade them from going through this channel: because first they don’t have the training; and second, they are more likely to be abused, because they are desperate not to overstay their visas. So the first job that comes their way, they accept right away.

MDT – What do you think the Philippine government could do in that regard?
LRD – We are trying to trace the Filipino national who spoke in the news conference to see how we can work with her. Because she’s supposed to be a representative of the Filipino domestic workers, and we would like to see how we can work together. When the Secretary of Labor visited Macau two weeks ago, that was one of the concerns that they raised. She met with recruitment agencies, and these agencies are accredited by the Filipino Overseas Employment Agency. But there are other agencies, which are not part of that net-­work.
We’ve identified ways by which their rights are protected. They undergo training, and they have to have a medical certificate before they leave for their destination, because we want them to have a hassle-free stay in the country they’re heading to.
We have also specially developed programs for those who are planning to go back to the Philippines.

MDT – In what way is the government here also tackling this matter?
LRD – On Sunday, we had a seminar where government representatives from DSAL, immigration and other agencies discussed labor, law, immigration, trafficking and exploitation.
We try as much as possible to ensure that migrant workers get all the information they should have.
There was a very robust discussion yesterday [Sunday] and [government representatives] became aware of the rights and obligations of non-resident workers here, especially those of domestic helpers. Those [migrants] working for hotels usually undergo training and have access to further information there.

MDT – Most Filipino nationals are working here as domestic helpers or in the hospitality industry. What kinds of complaints or challenges have they shared with the Consulate lately?
LRD – Well, sometimes they are not aware, or they have to be told, of details regarding the minimum number of working hours.
For example, yesterday [Sunday] we learned that if you’re a nanny and the child is sleeping… that’s supposed to be a resting period for you.
They complain mainly about the housing allowance now set at MOP500. The cost of rent here is very high, so they’re asking the government to increase the [allowance] at some point in time.
We were told that [the government is] still in the process of discussing this. Migrant workers will receive the minimum wage for jobs such as security guards and cleaners next year. But it will take some time before domestic workers will be able to also earn this kind of minimum wage.
Problems arise mainly regarding salary, housing and interpretation of the law in terms of holidays and rest. There were also problems reported regarding the language barrier. Sometimes employer and employee do not understand each other… and the employer decides that they want to fire their domestic helper because they’re unable to communicate.

MDT – In June, when the Consulate commemorated the Philippines Independence Day here, you mentioned that more Filipino nationals are opening businesses in Macau. What advice would you give to your fellow citizens who are planning to open a business here?
LRD – They really have to learn about the market and study the market very well. One of the hindrances would be the high cost of rent. I was talking recently to a Filipino who owns several stores here, and he was saying that landlords are charging more rent for commercial establishments.