THE Philippine government has postponed the implementation of a prohibition of Filipino household workers in Hong Kong from cleaning the windows of flats in high-rise buildings.
Upon the request of Hong Kong government, the Philippines moved the October 15 implementation order to November 15, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said, adding that the “Hong Kong government requested more time to work out the details of the issue. The suspension is for 30 days.”
The memo was made two months after Filipino domestic worker Rinalyn Dulluog fell to her death while cleaning the windows of her employer’s flat on the 48th floor of a high-rise building in LOHAS Park.
“Please ensure that employers read this part and understand it before they sign the contract you will submit to us for verification and authentication,” the memo, which was signed by Philippine Overseas Labor Office attaché Jalilo dela Torre, stated.
The original memo dated October 1, stated that starting October 15, all employers should implement this and clause banning them from cleaning the exterior of windows should include in the written contracts of all Filipino household workers in Hong Kong.
The clause in the contract should state that “for safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not part of the domestic helper’s duties.”
Dela Torre said the memo was issued to all accredited employment agencies in the city “pursuant to POLO’s mandate to protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.”