Program offers to lend mobile phones to Pinoy helpers in HK

Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong may keep in touch with their families at home and seek assistance in emergencies via a program that allows them to lease a mobile phone.

Caritas, a social service organization of the  Catholic Church, said this will help migrant workers face various challenges including changing their habits and coping with loneliness.

"In order to encourage Filipino domestic helper new arrivals to keep contact with family members and to seek assistance for emergency needs, our project offers renting service of hand phones to support the FDHs [Filipino domestic Helpers] who do not have any hand phone," it said in a news release posted on the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong's website.

Filipino helpers who want to avail of the program must pay a deposit fee of HK$50. This will cover a Nokia handset with charger.

The phone can be used only for calls and texts, and the HK$50 will be refunded if the phone is returned in good condition.

Also, the program will apply only for FDHs with less than two years' stay in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Caritas' Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project is also planning an orientation program for newly arrived FDHs from June 7 to July 12.

Participants may have to pay fees of $10 per session or $50 for the whole course, which will orient them on skills to develop and common working problems and skills. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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