Bilang ng OFWs sa Hong Kong na may COVID-19 umakyat na sa 140

ni Jasmin Joy Evangelista | February 27, 2022

Umakyat na sa 140 ang bilang ng mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) na tinamaan ng COVID-19 sa Hong Kong.

Sa bilang na ito, 134 ang nananatili sa isolation habang anim ang nakabalik na sa trabaho matapos maka-recover, ayon kay Hong Kong Labor Attaché Melchor Dizon ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nitong Sabado.

"Sixty three [OFWs] were at their employers' home, 18 were at quarantine facilities, and we have here a partner NGO providing isolation facility, they have 21 Filipinos," pahayag ni Dizon sa isang panayam.

Ayon pa kay Dizon, 18 dito ang nasa boarding houses, dalawa sa hotel facilities at 12 ang nasa hospital isolation.

Nauna nang ini-report ng POLO Hong Kong nitong February 21 na 60 OFWs ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19.

"The surge surprised Hong Kong in the beginning, and hospitals were overwhelmed. Our workers were not accommodated. That was highlighted, but we provided the necessary assistance to address their needs," ani Dizon.

Ibinulgar ng Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong na mayroong mga COVID-19-positive OFWs ang pinilit ng kanilang employer na matulog sa public areas tulad ng mga park.

"Tatlo lang 'yung aming na-receive na complaints, tapos na-assist na namin. Tinatawagan ng ating welfare officers 'yung employer and na-reconsider naman 'yung kanilang decision," pahayag ni Dizon.