Coronavirus: Hong Kong should not force foreign domestic workers to be vaccinated, says the Philippines’ top diplomat in the city
- Hong Kong government says all 370,000 helpers must be inoculated before contracts can be renewed
- But Consul General Raly Tejada says in that case the policy should apply to all foreign workers
The Philippines’ top diplomat in Hong Kong has urged the city’s government not to force domestic workers to get vaccinated, arguing that if the new rules apply for them, then all foreign workers should be made to get inoculated.
Consul General Raly Tejada made his comments the day after the Hong Kong authorities announced plans to require all 370,000 domestic workers to get vaccinated before their contracts can be renewed. Those applying for work visas from overseas will also need to get vaccinated first, with details to be made public later.
The Hong Kong government has also ordered all helpers in the city to get tested before May 9, after two domestic workers were found to be infected with mutated strains.
“My consulate has been supportive of Hong Kong’s free and voluntary vaccination programme and has actively campaigned for this,” Tejada said. “However, our nationals need not be forced to take the vaccine since I believe that they are capable of doing the right thing.
“If vaccination becomes a provision to work in Hong Kong, then its application should be non-discriminatory and therefore must not only include [foreign domestic workers], but other non-resident workers who are similarly situated so that there is no feeling of being singled out.”
The top diplomat said his office was not “directly consulted” on the new measures.
“It would have been better if concerned consulates like the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries … were consulted on this matter as it involves the substantive rights of our nationals,” he added.