OFWs in HK warned vs student visa offers to UK

HONG KONG -Don't apply as a caregiver to the United Kingdom if all you're promised is a student visa. This was the lesson that two Filipinas working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong learned when an employment agency that promised them jobs in the UK suddenly closed down after collecting from them a total of $20,085 each. Marlyn Sape and Rosemary de la Cruz Bernil had relied on the agency's word that once they secured a student visa, they could already work freely in the UK. They were made to choose between two options: file their application with the British Consulate here, or do it with the British Embassy in the Philippines. "Walang nakaaalis na dito nagpasok (ng application) sa British Consulate," says Bernil, 44. But they say that at least three other applicants had managed to secure the student visa in the Philippines, and left for the UK in January. The applicants were told that they would need to study the National Vocational Qualification or NVQ 2 and 3 for two years at the Queen Elizabeth House in Berkeley Kent, a nursing home. At the same time, they will be working at 5.85 euros or roughly HK$93 per hour as an intern for about 40 to 41 hours during the weekdays. "After NVQ, working permit na. Pwede ko ng makasama pamilya ko. Stepping stone lang ang NVQ," says Bernil. The only drawback is that since she is on a student visa, she must continue her studies which will cost her roughly $100 per month. But there appears to be more to this kind of arrangement than meets the eye. According to the British Consulate website, anyone who wishes to study in the UK must enroll in a school or a university which is included in the Register of the Education and Training Providers. A quick search in the Providers' Register in the Department for Education & Skills' website did not yield a Queen Elizabeth House nursing home. Those with student visas are also required to pay for their tuition and live in UK without going into business or getting a job. They are also expected to leave the UK once their studies have been completed, unless they are there for a degree level course. Even more important, they are only allowed to work part-time or do holiday work for no more than 20 hours a week during term time unless it is part of their studies that leads to a degree or a qualification awarded by a nationally recognizes body. According to assistant labor attache Nida Romulo, these are just some of the information the applicant must know before shelling out any placement fee. "Applicants should not be taking risks. They have to be resourceful, she says and adds Basically, kung ang purpose mo ay employment, dapat employment visa talaga ang kunin mo," sshe said. Within the Filipino community in London, it is also open secret that those who arrive there on student visa are having a hard time coping because they hardly earn enough for the money they need for their tuition fee. Their legal status is also open to question. Despite this information being freely available to anyone who cares to dig down enough before parting with their hard-earned money, many like Sape and Bernil are often happy enough to know that what was promised them could actually be done. The three who reportedly managed to leave were proof enough. Sape, 45, started paying her placement fee in January and completed it by February. She said she was already interviewed over the telephone by a prospective employer. Bernil registered with Chi To in November and paid a $500 fee. Between that time and February this year, she managed to pay the full placement fee, secured her documents and passed an interview with Chi To's counterpart agency in the UK where she received an acceptance letter to that effect. However, when a fellow applicant named Susan Jacob was twice denied the student visa in May 2007, Sape says the news spread like bush fire, and many started withdrawing their own applications. "Siya ang last na applicant," says Sape. "Noong nalaman ko iyon, nag-back out na din ako." Bernil also withdrew her application in May, but they could no longer get their money back. Chi To closed shop in July. Bernil says that she has sought the help of the Philippine Consulate, the Labor Department and even the Consumer Council, but to no avail, as the agency has already filed for bankruptcy. "Wala, goodbye na $20,000; 13-15 months kong bubuuin iyon sa finance company. Namumulubi na ako," says Bernil. Recently, another agency reportedly told the two that there is another way for them to get back their money, and that is, if they could get another applicant to replace them. "Sinong lolokohin ko? Mambibiktima pa ako ng iba? asks Bernil. Tanggap ko na kahit hindi na maibalik. Ang sa akin lang, huwag ng kumagat ang iba. Tama na sa akin, adds Sape. Kung hindi talaga mabalik, ok lang. Ang hindi ko lang matanggap ay iyong patuloy pa rin silang manloloko," she said. According to Bernil, "Walang nakakaalis dito. Maliban kung i-give up nila ang trabaho nila at doon sila maghintay sa Pilipinas." Clearly, she still believes that going home to Manila and applying for the student visa there is still an option for others, though not for her. "Laglag na ang placement, laglag pa ang trabaho [sa Hong Kong]. Ang trabaho ko dito ang hindi ko ma-risk," Bernil says. Bernil has been working in Hong Kong for 17 years. Sape is a midwife who previously worked for three years in a hospital in Zamboanga. She says she'll try her luck in Canada shortly while Bernil who once said that she didn't like it there has apparently caved in. She is now processing her application as a direct hire to Canada. - The Sun, HK