Posted by
annieh
17 yrs ago
Hi..
My new maid has asked for reimbursement of her OWWA fee. This is the first time I've been asked to reimburse such a fee even though we have hired helpers directly and through agencies before.
Has anyone heard of this one?
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It used to be mandatory for first timers and to those who opted to get their overseas employment certificates ( OEC) in the Philippines instead of getting it from the Philippine consulate, here in HK. Membership renewal per contract used to be optional but is now mandatory, and yes charged to the employers.
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http://www.owwa.gov.ph/
This is what it is - without going to deeply into the website I am not sure exactly what services they offer. It's certainly something that I do not think you are liable to pay, the Philippines consulate here could give you more information. If you are not liable then don't pay!
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Ah well said souffleQueen. Just found more info on the Philly Consulate website.
http://www.philcongen-hk.com/labor/main.htm
The rules change quicker that Donald Tsang policies!
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Here's the services that your helper will get from what you paid for:
Welfare Case Management
Employment Counseling
Computation of Contractual Claims
Repatriation Assistance
Human remains (HR)
Mentally Ill (MI)
Physically Ill (PI)
Welfare Related Visitations
Hospitals
Jails/Prison/Correctional Institute
Airport Assistance
Community Consultations/Dialogue
Out of Posts Visits/Mobile Welfare Services
Representations with Hospitals
Organizing Socio-Cultural Activities
Tracing of Whereabouts (Local/International through OWWA Manila OP Center)
Assistance in Pursuing Claims Against Philippine or Hong Kong Agency
For more information, please call OWWA Unit at 2823-8543 or 6345-9324.
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Quoting GreenValleys " understood he was talking about the people on the other side of the counter forgetting that they were the ones serving their clients. "
That said it all.
Though on the brighter side, drastic changes, for the better is visible, in some areas. And the line quoted, believe me applies to almost all services given.
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Dear All,
Thanks for the quick replies. I checked the link from evildeeds, but I cannot see where the OWWA fee is charged if the FDH is already in HK.
My maid is already in HK so I don't see why I need to pay it and esp if it is a personal insurance thing...I already buy private insurance for her...
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Annieh because it is now MANDATORY.
Repatriation would cost an employer around 23k in the event of death... OWWA membership will shoulder a big bulk of that amount.
Thank goodness, there is only a handful of those and I wish no more.
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Souffle Queen,
I'm not stupid, but I'd like to know where it says it's mandatory I pay it before I do.
Do you know when this changed? As I said, we've hired helpers before and never been asked to pay for it even though I know the helpers have joined personally with OWWA.
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Sorry, I should clarify, the PH Consulate refers to those workers who are in Philipines, but not to those already in HK.
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HKISC
17 yrs ago
Indonesian Helper is good they don't demand much.
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No one said or even implied that you are stupid so there is no need to be defensive.
Obviously, you have been to the site and thus got the number/s to call up for more info.
Go call them.
Geezz! Temper. Temper.
But anyway here is some fact I signed my 5th contract last Feb. and OPTED not to renew my membership because I have SEVERAL insurance of my own on top of what the company provides. Our housekeeper did last May, the gardener last June and the driver last month--ALL THREE has to renew their membership. It was no longer an option.
go figures.
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HKISC yes Indonesians are good because they don't demand much so even if they are blatantly treated in a damning ways.
It's people with your line of thinking that will condone and continue such abuse.
Good thing these nasty deeds are slowly being stopped. And as employers, you all could play a vital rule---- do not use an agent if you can help it. Because even in cases that they have finished their contracts, they still need to cough up around 5k.
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Souffle Queen
The reason why I ask on this forum is that I hope that I will get some type of answer that makes sense. Writing in capitals in netiquette indicates yelling ....which is more of a rude nature than not.
I find it difficult to believe because my previous helpers have joined OWWA and never asked me for reimbursement before. In the past, we have been very been very generous with money to our helpers, but unfortunately, we have been burnt too many times now, so now I will be more cautious before giving an money to my helper.
In the past, I have called the Consulate and the OWWA departments and have been given misleading and conflicting information. The website is not helpful either.
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Kindly refer to my first post. It is the answer to your question and I do not normally reply unless I am sure of the answer based on personal experience/s and or that of people I know. Otherwise I would say I could be wrong.
The caps lock was for emphasis as I see that it was needed. We cannot set our fonts/text, otherwise I would have used bold instead of all caps. In most cases, posting in capitals do indicate yelling. In some cases, excitement and on this case, for emphasis. Netiquette is mandatory in groups I moderate and I have no qualms in banning those who toed the line. I care not if you got PhD or a helper or a bum ( though I'm the only DH ) so yes, I am very much aware of it.
Misleading and conflicting informations are very common. Sometimes, even those manning the front lines does not know everything and even has different interpretations/comprehensions of the written instructions from the boss.
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annieh
typing one word (in a sentence) in capitals when writing in a forum or any other similar system only means/implies EMPHASIS..... and NOT yelling...
if typed the whole post in capitals that would be yelling... please do get in a huff about it...
anyway, that OWWA fee is MANDATORY..i just processed my new contract (without an hk agency) in may.. i had to pay for it as well.. yes you may have taken out an insurance for your helper, but incase she needs to be repatriated because of death, wud you really want to spend 23k HK for that??
oh and it ensures that you are hiring you made LEGALLY because if she doesnt pay the OWWA fee it means she was hired under "shady" terms.. after she pays her OWWA she will get an ID and all benefits...
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