NEWS

USTAAHK Advocacy Committee Chairperson Michelle Rea (left) joins the Social Justice for Migrant Workers team during a hospital visit in June. The two groups have earlier committed to collaborate on a project, titled: "Putting care in healthcare" and will run until the end of 2024

23rd June, 2024 Hong Kong SAR - An advocacy that zeroes in on putting care in healthcare in one of the world's busiest cities officially kicked off with a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei on June 23.

The initiative is a collaboration between Social Justice for Migrant Workers and the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter and covers financial support for food aid and the transportation fare of migrant worker volunteers who bring these "ayuda" to fellow migrants confined in hospitals across Hong Kong.

Leading the project for USTAAHK is its Advocacy Committee Chairperson Michelle Rea and Beth Rizardo for SJFMW. The first tranche of USTAAHK's donation of $2000 covered over a dozen migrants who have been confined in the hospital with reasons ranging from cancer treatments to hypertension, lupus, and overfatigue, to name a few. Apart from fruits, packed biscuits and water, Rea and Rizardo also distributed necessities like feminine care kits.

Some of the patients seeking treatment are scheduled to return to their home country in the next few weeks.

At the end of  2023, there were  more than 350,000 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong with almost 200,000 from the Philippines, according to the Hong Kong Government data portal (data.gov.hk).

"Unbeknownst to the majority of residents in Hong Kong, a lot of our migrant workers suffer in hospitals without aid and also stress about their loved ones back home - their very reason to try their luck here," said Rea.

"They seek help through SJFMW, an association run by fellow Filipino migrant workers who can relate to them and their needs," she added.

USTAAHK, she said, chose to focus on the often-overlooked aspect of extending help to migrant workers when it came to healthcare: the emotional support and presence of dear ones who, in this case, are far away.

"We hope that with our collective contributions, this will go a long way and may our carers and givers continue to feel inspired ," said Rea.

SJFMW founder Marites Palma distributes essential needs to a patient who has Stage 4 Cancer

Rea noted it was also heartwarming to witness the commitment of SJFMW members despite their busy schedules. Sometimes, these visits happen in between their chores. And even on their days off,  they would still go and spend some of their time travelling to the patients in the hospitals. Some even live far away from the hospitals or patients.

"In our own way, I feel like it's a small way. But to them, it's a really big thing. So that's what I feel about that. And their dedication to just giving, providing, and bringing (fellow workers) what they need was inspiring," said Rea.

Marites Palma, founder of SJFMW, thanked USTAAHK for supporting their hospital visits, which she said is of big help.

"Thank you so much to our 'Hospital Visit project' supported by USTAAHK. With this collaboration with USTAAHK, we can visit and support more (migrant domestic workers) at the different hospitals in Hong Kong," said Palma.

Public hospitals and clinics in Hong Kong provide medical services to residents, including foreign domestic workers. These can range from general check-ups to specialised treatments.

According to the Labour Department, all employees, including  employers of foreign domestic workers, are required to take out the employees' compensation insurance to cover their liabilities under the laws - including the common law - for injuries at work in respect of all their employees.

In the event that the foreign domestic worker is ill or suffers personal injury during the period of employment (except for the period during which the worker leaves Hong Kong of his/her own volition and for his/her own personal purposes), the employer shall provide free medical treatment to the worker, which includes medical consultation, maintenance in hospital and emergency dental treatment.

 For enquiries

Email: ustaahk@gmail.com

Events: Ms. Anna Pendry, founding public relations officer USTAAHK and chairperson, USTAAHK Socio-Cultural Events Committee

Sponsorships or partnerships: Ms. Tanya Sales, chairperson for external affairs, USTAAHK Communications and Marketing Committee

Media: Ms. Sarah Buckell, vice chairperson for external affairs, USTAAHK Communications and Marketing Committee