Pregnant OFWs in HK warned against faking medical documents

HONG KONG – The number of Filipina migrant workers who got pregnant or gave birth in Hong Kong last year almost doubled, according to preliminary data obtained from a non-governmental organization that is helping protect the rights of these mothers and their babies.

PathFinders said about 28% of the 621 migrant domestic-worker mothers whom it helped were Filipinas. The figure was a 12-percentage-point jump from the 16% Filipinas among the 589 new mothers who were supported by the group in 2013.

The increase was noted as an official of the group warned in a recent interview with The SUN that Filipina domestic workers, as well as those from other nationalities, should not fake documents or give false information because forgery, a criminal offense in Hong Kong, could put them in trouble in Hong Kong. (READ: Pregnant foreign domestic workers in HK seek help) 

Rachel Lok, a case officer at PathFinders, cited the separate cases about 6 months ago of a Filipina and an Indonesian domestic worker who faked some information in their medical certificates, allegedly at the instruction of their employment agents. In Hong Kong, medical certificates are a requirement for employment and cannot be obtained if the applicant is pregnant. 

In both cases, their employers found out about the false data when the helpers’ tummies bulged too early. They complained to the police.

Both were arrested and charged with “use of false documents,” before being allowed to post bail of $500 each (US$64.43). They have since been convicted, sentenced and sent back home.

The agent was also reportedly charged in connection with the case.

Lok said shortly after the Filipina arrived in Hong Kong sometime around the end of 2013 and the beginning 2014, she went to see a doctor because her monthly period didn’t come. At the clinic it was confirmed she was already pregnant.

Baby came early

Before showing the doctor’s certificate to her employer the Filipina changed the date so she could apply for a maternity leave and go back home to have her baby there, Lok said.

“Actually she wanted to deliver the baby in the Philippines and not in Hong Kong, but the baby came early,” Lok said. The woman gave birth in late 2014.

She said the employer noticed some information on the medical certificate was wrong because the Filipina’s belly was getting bigger fast and suspected the certificate was tampered so she called the police.

The Filipina was arrested and taken to court. At the same time, she was terminated by her employer for being dishonest.

Lok said the Filipina cooperated with the police and the court as instructed. She also approached a duty lawyer who handled her case.

The duty lawyer pleaded to the court for the Filipina and her baby to be sent back home soon instead of jailing her.

Lok urged domestic helpers to be honest with their medical documents and not to follow any advice from their job agencies that could be against the law.

PathFinders’ preliminary statistics for 2014 show that the NGO had a total of 621 pregnant clients, 5% more than the 589 in the previous year.

Eleven of the children born to the migrant women workers had been processed for adoption, while 37 returned home with their mothers to the Philippines or Indonesia, 46 children became Hong Kong residents following their mother’s or father’s visa.

There are still 23 children planning to go home with their mothers while 73 others are staying behind.

The majority of the pregnant migrant mothers last year again comprised Indonesians domestic workers, although their proportion had dropped to 68% from 82% in 2013.

In contrast, Filipina clients at PathFinders increased to 28% of the total, while the remaining 4% was made up of other nationalities. – Rappler.com 

This story was republished with permission from The SUN-HK, a content partner of Rappler