Hong Kong OFWs launch 'Gloria step down' petition

A petition calling on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign kicked off this Sunday in Hong Kong, drawing more than 4,000 signatures, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), on the first day. To launch the campaign, member organizations of the Gloria Step Down Movement Hong Kong (GSM – HK) stationed themselves in various areas in Central where many OFWs congregate on Sundays. There are almost 200,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong, mostly domestic helpers. Dolores Balladares – Pelaez, spokesperson for GSM –HK and chairperson of the alliance United Filipinos in Hong Kong, says that this overwhelming response is evidence of the Filipino migrants’ dissatisfaction and disgust over Arroyo’s rule. Balladares also went on to shine light on the growing number of cases wherein the Arroyo government has criminally abandoned hundreds of Filipino migrant workers in jail as well as workers abused by their employers or those who have died in their host countries. Although the government does not provide services for OFWs who are not paying members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Balladares pointed out cases where the government has neglected even those who had paid. While historically, OFWs are automatically members of OWWA when they leave the Philippines to work abroad, Arroyo’s administration requires them to renew their membership upon a payment of HK$ 200 per contract. “They continue to milk us with exorbitant fees yet forsake when we are in need," said Balladares when she pointed out the case of Jocelyn Dulnuan, an OFW slain in Canada but was initially denied aid by the Philippine consulate there. The GSM – HK also hit the Philippine Consulate General for following Arroyo’s policy of state exaction of OFWs but denying any services to them. OFWs in Hong Kong are more angered by Arroyo’s false statement that the peso is gaining strength. “How can she blatantly lie to us when our families cannot even afford rice and other basic needs back home? Prices continue to skyrocket while our remittances continue to plummet." said Balladares. “Christmas will remain bleak" she added “as long as Arroyo remains in power." - Lea Mirella M. Deocadiz, GMANews.TV