The decline in HK deployment of Filipino domestic helpers (DHs) has only proven the stiff competition posed by the Indonesians. Reports say that Indonesians are accepting lower wages than their Filipino counter parts.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has given assurance that their office is formulating steps to address this situation. DOLE is now working hand in hand with Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) in enhancing and improving the skills of OFWs bound for Hong Kong.

Labor Secretary Pat Sto. Tomas has said that training the prospective DHs to Hong Kong using the Cantonese language is one of the things they would implement. Indonesian labor authorities presently implement this type of training.

�The DOLE maintains its policy for the OFWs to compete in the basis of skills, not wages, including low-end domestic work in Hong Kong. It cannot lower the wages of Filipino DHs to the level being received by Indonesians.� Sto. Tomas stressed. Hong Kong agencies have also assured that with Hong Kong�s buoyant economy, employers will still go back hiring Filipino workers.

Private recruitment agencies who deploy OFWs to Hong Kong are also expected to cooperate with the DOLE�s program.