Labor chief says Pinay housekeepers homemakers, not homewreckers

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Thursday defended Filipino domestic helpers from the remark of a Hong Kong politician that they are “homewreckers.”

“Filipino women are homemakers, not homewreckers," Baldoz said in a statement, in reaction to a controversial statement made by Hong Kong legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-Yee.

Baldoz described Filipinos as “ culturally family-centered” who are “known to highly value family ties.”

“This trait has defined Filipinos for generations, wherever they are and whatever circumstances they may be in,” she said.

She added that Filipinas “fiercely defend their honor and dignity” whenever faced with threats of sexual harassment.

Though she acknowledged that some domestic helpers “display unacceptable behavior,” she insisted that the Philippines implements strict policies to ensure their compliance to foreign laws.

“I often remind every OFW to observe high moral standard in their work and lifestyle. But the mistakes of the few should not be misconstrued as reflective of the character of all OFWs,” she said.

Despite criticizing Ip, the labor secretary believed the Hong Kong official's comments were made by her own volition and did not reflect the opinions of the Hong Kong government.

“Her reported negative remarks, I believe, is a personal opinion and do not echo the feelings and perceptions of the general Hong Kong populace, neither of the Hong Kong government of which she is identified as an apologist,” Baldoz said.

Ip earned the ire of Philippine lawmakers after calling Filipina domestic helpers as marriage wreckers and “sexual resources for foreign men in Hong Kong.” They suggested Ip may be unaware of the abuse some helpers undergo for refusing the sexual advances of their employers while others said her anecdotal experience was no substitute for empirical evidence. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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