Kin of OFW killed in HK fire to get around P6M in aid, compensation
The families of foreign domestic helpers, one of them a Filipino, who were killed in last week’s massive fire that hit seven of eight towers of a residential compound in Tai Po district will each receive around HK$800,000 (roughly P6 million) in compensation from the Hong Kong government.
Labor and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun held a joint press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Hong Kong with Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac to announce the various forms of aid to be given to those affected by the tragedy.
Citing latest figures, Sun said that a total of 235 individuals identified as foreign domestic workers were displaced by the fire. Of the total, 10 were killed, three were injured while 30 others are missing. The remaining 192 have been confirmed safe, he added.
Among those who died was overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Maryan Pascual Esteban from Cainta, Rizal province, who was initially reported as missing.
According to Sun, the assistance package for the deceased includes a statutory compensation of more than HK$500,000 plus HK$200,000 in financial aid, on top of other forms of support worth more than HK$50,000.
Those who suffered injuries will get monetary assistance worth HK$50,000 or HK$100,000, depending on the length of the patient’s hospitalization, Sun said. Survivors, on the other hand, will be provided around HK$20,000.
For his part, Cacdac thanked Hong Kong authorities for the successful medical procedure done on another Filipino worker who was injured in the fire. He also expressed gratitude for the assistance given to Filipino officials in retrieving the work records and other important documents of affected OFWs.
The Philippine government is working on the immediate repatriation of Esteban’s remains and on ensuring the protection of other Filipinos affected by the fire, Cacdac said.
