Pinoy Vaccination Cards From LGUs Rejected In Hong Kong
PINOY VACCINATION CARDS REJECTED – As vaccinations become a requirement for work in places such as Hong Kong, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are having issues.
According to the Philippines’ Foreign Secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., Hong Kong will not recognize vaccination cards given by local government units (LGUs). Based on an article from Philstar, the Foreign Secretary stated:
“Our vaccination cards are not accepted in Hong Kong because they are not connected to a single source. Poor OFWs going to their jobs in Hong Kong even if jabbed”.
Among the most affected by the issue are OFW domestic helpers. As such, an employment agencies’ group stated that the Philippines proposed the use of a new vaccination certificate.
Instead of using a vaccination card given by LGUs, a vaccination certificate recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) is eyed. With this, the group aims to allow foreign domestic helpers to find work in the city.
Previously, domestic helpers from both Indonesia and the Philippines were temporarily barred from entering Hong Kong due to high levels of COVID-19 infections in their respective countries. However, they would still be allowed to return after a 21 day quarantine upon entry.
Now, the Philippine government is trying to clarify with the Hong Kong government on the number of quarantine days a fully vaccinated OFW needs to go through. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier announced that 3,000 OFWs are set to be deployed after Hong Kong lifts the travel ban on the Philippines.
As a response to this, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque stated that that the issue has become prevalent across the globe, not just the Philippines. But, he emphasized that the government is finding ways to have a basis of identifying vaccination cards.
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