E June 2014 edition and non-payment of salaries. Allegedly, threats abuse, physical grave of victim the in a is Kong, Hong in FDWs the protestof history biggest the brought who and Indonesian another Erwiana, will beonthe29thofJuly2014. the court of evidential decision of final The proof. lack to due allegedly was dismissed 2014, June this was heard which claims, monetary the for the case that she filed in the Labor Tribunal However, division. case the criminal in case her her by won She abuse employers. physical and offull salaries non-payment of victim a was Kartika, an Indonesian domestic worker legal departments inHongKong. differentthe by course due given were

an Indonesiandomestic worker abused by heremployer. (Credit:AaronCeradoy) Erwiana, of support in domestic workers Hong MigrantKong in year protested this earlier June 2014 edition Kartika, Erwiana,RowenaKartika, andAnis Erwiana foreign domestic workers (FDWs) workers domestic foreign arly this June, several cases of The Faces oftheReality ofFDWs inHongKong APMM official monthlynewsletterofthe Asia Pacific MissionforMigrants(APMM) pending her police caseher police pending contract and Kong Hong in still is case, Erwiana’s to similar closely violations, contract and maltreatment of victim a and domestic worker Filipina a Uychiat, Rowena again on July10,2014. in which a court hearing was scheduled doubts, reasonablebeyond case the of determination employer the for court the the called by denial of plea This Guilty” to all the allegations of Erwiana. employer entered the plea of“Not the arraignment, the employer.During casethe in criminal against her erring stand witness the take to Kong Hong to back returned she June, this Earlier employer. endured themost painfulan cruelty of she underwent the hardest torture and Kartika news human rights laws.” and policies labor migrant existing vis vis-à- workers migrant foreign the of needs fundamental basic the address to fails it Courts, regular labor and tribunals the in filed complaint every to course due take and employers to erring finger a points easily government Kong Hong the “while that out pointed nationalities, various of organizations Coordinating Migrants’ migrant grassroots of network a Body, Asian The Erwiana’s claims. the same employer surfaced to support been with workers domestic case, Erwiana’s has of midst the Workers in Apparently, handling. Migrants for Mission the that Kong Hong in abuses worker migrant of ofthe foreign cases of few hundreds four just the is workers domestic of situation The of further appropriate cases. filing possible the for lawyer preparing Her is noise. barking dog’s the to due employer her by chopped was out after what she did to her. Her finger was frustrated bail to able was employer her because mutilation, finger of Anis Adriani, an Indonesian and a victim the appropriate court. possible filing of her monetary claims in the legal to foraid furtherpursuitof hercase and application an filed also that an investigation is on progress. She case is police under the Prosecution Department and The claims. violation

digest Rowena 1 2 performances were products of the The Asian Cultural Festival theater arts training workshops launched

digest for both Southeast Asian migrants Our parallel lives finally intersecting. Our cultures merging. and the local Taiwanese public. Four performances were staged, namely: news I Will Go Back to Indonesia (song and dance). Lukman, an Indonesian migrant worker, composed and performed the song, which a group of Indonesia, APMM Malaysian, Filipino and Taiwanese women interpreted through dance. The song spoke of an Indonesian migrant’s dream to go back to his motherland, Indonesia, but recognizes the problems that pushed him to work abroad. Lukman, since he could not attend the event because he had to leave Taiwan at an earlier date, prepared together with the organizers of the project a video which featured him singing the song while playing the guitar. he Building Bridges Project, a joint about the migrants that was followed by Tproject by the Asia Pacific Mission how the migrants and local Taiwanese Amah and Me (voice over sketch). Voiced for Migrants and the Foundation of perceived each other. over by a Taiwanese participant, the Social Development, together with performance revolved around how a other Taiwan-based organizations and Rey Asis, APMM’s program officer and caregiver struggles to adjust to a life of institutions, was concluded successfully person in charge of the project, likened hardship with her new employer. The during its culminating activity, the Asian the project to the birthing of a child, how employer did not treat the caregiver very Cultural Festival. the project was both challenging and well but the caregiver continued to do her fulfilling at the same time, and how such work and be nice to her Amah. Eventually, The Asian Cultural Festival was held on an initiative should be continued with an event where the caregiver saved the June 15, 2014 at the Conference Hall of much fervor both by the local Taiwanese life of the Amah and took care of her that the School of Management, Shih Hsin peoples and the migrants themselves. made the Amah and her family changed University. The place was decorated with their attitude towards the caregiver. flyers and banners while volunteers both The book “My Friend’s Diary” was then This performance is based on the true from the university and the migrants launched formally. “My Friend’s Diary” experience of a Filipino caregiver. The helped people various sections of the is a compilation of stories written by two performers who were supposed to event – from registration to food to the Southeast Asian migrants working and perform were not able to come – one was stage. A program flow guide as well as living in Taiwan, translated into Chinese Lovely, whose story was the basis for the evaluation sheets were made available in and published in book form available to performance, had a new employer and English, Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia. the public for free. It was very rewarding was not allowed to go out for a month; for the migrant workers to see their work the other one was Wiwin, who only The Asian Cultural Festival started with published and being made available for learned that she would not be allowed to Hsiao-Chuan Hsia of the Foundation the Local Taiwan community to access go out on the day of the festival. It was welcoming the audience to the event. and read. good that a local Taiwanese friend who She pointed out the importance of such a project to bridge understanding between Certificates of appreciation were then Culture, continued on page 5 the local peoples and the migrants. It is given to the many workshop participants, through such creative endeavors that some of whom were unable to attend the both vital sectors of Taiwan society get to said event. Following it was the awarding understand more about each other and of plaques of recognition to the winners work together in promoting solidarity of the short story writing workshops. Siti and racial harmony in Taiwan. Fatimah went up the stage accompanied by her employer to receive the plaque. Following her was a short video She shed tears of both sadness and introducing the Building Bridges project joy when she relayed the troubles she and the rationale behind the conception went through with her employer and and implementation of the project. how thankful she is now having a very The video relayed how both the local supportive employer and family who Taiwanese peoples and the Southeast treated her as one of them. Asian migrants are living parallel lives even if they were living and working in The next stage of the Asian Cultural the same place, Taiwan. It proceeded into Festival was the staging of the providing vital information and statistics theater performances. These theater the four workers met at the night market, When pay. low very a at but hired were workers migrant two employer, their by sacked performance, were workers local two the the after In workers’ violations. rights and exploitation workersexperience all although two the between has drivenphenomenon agreat divide migrant This as them. replace to jobs hired are workers their losing peoples indigenous local and Taiwanese local of reality the centeredon performance The Lauban. to me, Listen was participants workshop the by performance last The Listen to Me, Lau ban go backhometo bereunited withthem. in Taiwan, and the time when they had to here are they while families their missed they how and homesickness of feeling the behind, ones loved their leave they time the – from perspective own their workersmigrantfrom the interpretedby mother,washer of love and warmth the misses interpretation. one how about talking song, dance The the doing were rest the while song the singing worker migrant Filipino one with performance their video-record was instead did they What event. the to come to able would be not and Taichung in based workers festival. migrant Filipino all were participants The the during video-presented a was performance This dance). and (song Way Cradle’s the Duyan/To ng Ugoy Sa helped intheperformance. their caregiver, Indonesian also an Atin, place. take to willing and present were was an actor and an Indonesian caregiver Culture, continued from page 4

Building Bridges Projectteam) Friend’sDiary.(Credits: My of copy their showing collage photo a in migrants Indonesian PAGE) Top-left, the participants and performers PREVIOUS of the Asian Cultural in Festival; Below, (Photos show. right, the after chat of time a enjoy workers Migrant photo) (THIS June 2014 edition (Voice over sketch). and audienceto enjoy together. forthe hall the performers, all organizers the concluded whole program. which Food was served outside followed then picture group A them. among diversity amidst unity and culturalethnicand togetherness of beauty which the students symbolized indigenous the by led being dance of train a into go to started audience, performersorganizers and then with their dreams written on them. All the post-itsheart-shaped post to onstage go to invited then was audience the song, tribal their perform to invited was Maku the Ngasal the and As migrants. Asian Southeast peoples Taiwanese between local unity the and understanding of initiative to further strengthen the bridge this of part become to audience invitation the to the and solidarity of beauty Bahasa the about was which Chinese) Indonesia, (English, languages own their respective in verses short recited they they haveintroduced all themselves, After dreams. their and their Taiwan in work backgrounds, allthe their names, event, their the of participants went finale up the stage, introduced the As demands. salaries should be increased among other their that and slaves, as not workersand as recognized be to to calls ban their to Lau listen the demand to need they that end the in agreed all They workers. migrant the the then and worker indigenous by followed highest, the receiving worker local the with other, each from different all were salaries their that out workers. In their argument, they all found workerslocal the confronted migrantthe M www.apmigrants.org at website APMM the check please Note: For more updates on this story, wellbeing ofOFWs. measures toprotect therights and for failure to provide thenecessary Libya from Orcine Ambassador of migrant Filipino removalimmediate the workersfor of demand the echoed statement a in APMM The Rosario to Tripoli del last May 28. Albert Secretary (DFA) Affairs Foreign of Department of visit hour five- the after facilitated only was level 4 by the Philippine government The migrants said that the raising to the status oftheirworkers. employers about havewarystarted become to Allegedly, back. come their vacations have for that theyfear may not to employers their not allowed by were areas and offshore desert the in working OFWs Immigration. Meanwhile,Philippine the by Libya to entry allowed not were OFWs 30 4, level alert declaration the of the after Concretely, their families inLibya.” and OFWs of security the concerns address theurgent measure that to failed has repatriation, voluntary contingencya without alert plan for crisis the of raising the with Orcine, Oscar Ambassador “Philippine that, contended They 4. Level Alert of the raise the about concerned they are that said for (APMM), Mission Migrants Pacific Asia the conversation with Skype a in Libya, in workersmigrant Filipino of group A the from Philippine Government. response doubtful a of package another rather but there, (OFWs) workers Filipino by the overseas of situation present the to solution Phase) governmentPhilippine isnota (Voluntary 4 Repatriation Level Alert Crisis of raising crisisalertto Phil. government level 4inLibya is OFW group says igrant worker leaders in in leaders raising the that claimed Libya worker igrant unnecessary, . 3 4 digest

news APMM

(Left to Right)Tarini, Jamie, Britney, and Sonia at the APMM booth during the UNIFIL-Migrant Anniversary Celebration on July 6th. A Spotlight on our Interns Introducing the Interns of APMM merican writer Mark Twain once said “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” Taking to heart this adage that learning Tarini Wijesekera is much more than academic study, the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) has developed its internship program to provide y summer internship started off participants with a balanced exposure to migration realities. Min the first week with regular discussion sessions on key topics A concerning Foreign Domestic Workers Among its regular partners has been the University of ’s Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS), which maintains the the Social Innovation Internship (FDWs). In these sessions we discussed (SOCII) program every summer. For this year’s batch, APMM was lucky enough to current issues relevant to migrant workers, both in Hong Kong and globally. have Tarini Wijesekera and Jamie Chan. Tarini is a 2nd year student majoring in In the first week we discussed the topics Sociology, while Jamie is a Government and Laws major also in her second year. of Undocumented Migration, Domestic Thus far, both students have proven themselves to be hardworking and really Work as Work and the C189. I found smart interns with genuine interest in labor migration, especially as it pertains to these to be actually very informative and foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong. helpful since my knowledge regarding these issues was not that strong and it Aside from the SOCII, the FOSS has also partnered up with APMM for its 3-Campus helped me to quickly understand the international internship program. Two students from abroad are now under problems that APMM was currently APMM’s wing for a month, namely Emma Snyder and Daniel Edelson. Snyder is dealing with. I was more familiar with a rising senior undergrad from Princeton University in the US, while Edelson is an the topic of Undocumented Migration HKU junior from Israel. since I have had some experience of this In Sri Lanka but I had never heard of the The following are excerpts from their initial reflections, covering nearly three C189 before so it was good to get an weeks of activities with APMM and its grassroots migrant partner-organizations. introduction to it. rally in Wan Chai for the anniversary of anniversary the for Chai Wan the in rally joined I Sunday first my On their rights. on them educate and awareness spread to community migrant the with integrate we Sunday every done by and work APMM the of part significant a is Kong Hong in FDWs the to Outreach face to intrying dealwithsuchissues. that both the workers and the volunteers complications the see and firstthat hand enlightening for me to witness a case like wasit so legalaspect the on solely based migrant worker new who came in and a her problem was was there visit, second during our second visit to enhanced the shelter. During the further was this and the of cases, which I was unaware of previously, some to aspect legal the details about interesting some revealed also the different cases they had received. She about her with havesemi-discussion to a everyone at the shelter and we were able to us introduced she because good was which charge, in lady the were to talk to and able week first my Bethune during the House visited We stay. to a of place need in are and reason whatever for employment of place their left have that houses women migrant workers who Bethune House is a shelter next to APMM better. also to get to know my co-workers a little and questions anyregardingtopics these ask to me allowed and interactive more was it because topics these on research rather than being expected to do my own discussion a have actually to helpful was It FDWs. to comes it when faces APMM cases of kind what to also but general in migration labour to introduction good a underlying the cause of it. I and feel that the discussions were migration effect labour which factors pull and push the as such migration to relation in factors general more discussed briefly also We June 2014 edition ifrn gop ised ofspending more timewith eachindividualgroup. instead visited had groups we different since Park been Victoria had at it than them with integrate and conversation their in included be to easier was it because food their sharing and them with sitting enjoyed actually situation. I their understand better and Road Chater in migrants more to talk to able I was because first, my than better that my second Sunday had actually been thought workers. I the conversation with a up strike to easier became it Sunday, organization that we would be with every the joined I talkto when later However, to them. and anopening get to close-knit difficult it pretty were most that migrants feeling was I because good was which had we questions any answer was and situation She her discuss to . willing very the was in daughter studying her while with Kong husband Hong her in working was who worker migrant a Nancy, to talk to I was able migrant celebration, the Filipino During workers. two of during marriage we celebrated the day where the of Road half first the Chater on and Central in spent was Sunday second My them inthissituation. putting in countries home their with lies problem the thatrealize me made it and before known had I something not was This countries. own their in employment find to unable but educated fact in are them they that of and backgrounds similar most have actually that realized I workersthe listeningand tostories. their with talking by advocacy of experience first my of was It Park. Victoria groups at migrants several visited we and Park Victoria in migrants Indonesian of group a joined I rally the after that, from Apart and office in Tai Koo. Adidas allowing the at protested we when so the case again was be this and to accommodating police expect not the did I supported. even and welcomed is dissent and opinion public of to expression as nature this different in Lanka Sri completely is me. Kong to Hong surprise a as somewhat came this police, conflicts the and public fatal the between sometimes and violent as up end often those as and Lanka Sri in place take that those to limited been understandingof rallies previouslyhad and knowledge My me. for experience educational and different really a was in it participated Ihad that rally first the Immigration was the Tower. this to Since migrantsthe marchedwith and C189 the T How far istoo far? otoes wl cue tes o think twice before asimilartactic. trying to others cause this will hopefully controversy but speculate, only We can instead. used not was population workerdomestic the from woman a why that Hong Leong racism portrayed. Others blatentwondered the in with appalled issued been response tohave this commercial. Many were the Asia region across Pacific from critiques Many public platform. is that a action on especially an but general, in shameful is This it. promote insteadprejudice,to but end help not do Stereotypes generalized. being are that things promotenegative towards those feelings worst typically the Stereotypes done. be of can that one be can as this, that such situation a in and worker overlooked. domestic a stereotypes often commercial The where are Kong rights Hong workers in situation tense This commercial puts strain on an already Leong’s the maid knocks thingsover andtrips. Hong Insurance, Helper advertising Domestic is which commercial, the During helper. the of “blackface”dressestaketoin rolethe on who actor male same the by played are the Both charactersthe employerand ofthemaid employer. her and “Maria” named helper domestic Filipina clumsy a waswhich releasedJune, portraysMid in commercial, The raised. has Malaysia in Still shot from the Hong Leong Bank Hong Commercial. (Credit:Hong LeongBank) the from shot Still commercial takes ee r qetos ht a recent Bank Leong Henry from that commercial questions are hese GBGM Internat APMM it too far When a Libby Hurley 5 6 Jamie Chan digest

he two weeks with APMM is filled with Twarmth and more important, enables me to learn more about the hidden news side of the world. Much knowledge on migrant workers has been gained.

It would be frankly monotonous to read through all the reports or brochures. APMM Yet, during the dull moments of quick absorption of the migration trend of the world, the reasons for migrants working abroad, the difficulties encountered by the migrants and the possible legal and political solutions, I find it very fruitful and thought-provoking to have a better Jamie (second from left) and Tarini (third from left) join the other HKU interns during understanding on the group of people a gathering at the Mission. (Credits: Jamie Chan) whom I would rarely interact with. by the workers. Nevertheless, I also saw employers find Hong Kong an advanced a few Hong Kongers being curious and and comfortable place to live in. I was The discussion on developmental justice/ looking at the banners. The stigma of so touched by their hospitality as they Millennium Development Goals/Rio +20, migrant workers being “second-class were extremely eager to share with me as well as the lunch with Nicole Constable citizen” is disappointingly evident which their food and drinks. Surprisingly, they was unexpectedly eye-widening. I was prompts me to recall a famous line from did not treat me as a hostile and instead, unfamiliar with the topics, thus would the Animal Farm, “All animals are equal, voluntarily asked to take photos with me not have much insight or personal but some animals are more equal than with glee. opinion over the issues. However, they others.” were great sessions to inspire me to look The second Sunday with the at things from both macro and micro The afternoon with Gammi-HK was is lovely. The celebration of Eman and perspectives. delightful with some delicious Indonesian Lalay’s wedding allowed me to observe (though spicy) food and I listened to the Filipino traditions/ culture. The The first Sunday outreach was interesting their beautiful Muslim prayer. I had delicious Filipino food is something with the morning rally and mingling casual chats with some Indonesians and that I cannot miss for sure. I also talked with Muslim Indonesians (Gammi-HK). could not help praising their fluency in with a few Filipinos and realised they The rally indeed touched me at some ! From their stories, I realise are in fact more conscious about their point because I was amazed to see that that despite the hardships, they are very rights, probably because of their higher some migrant workers were empowered keen to come to Hong Kong for earning a educational level than the Indonesians. to defend their rights courageously. I living. They strive to adapt to the strange The Filipinos are more structurally overheard a Hong Konger sarcastically environment in order to support their organised with greater solidarity. saying that he could not understand the families. Some feel compelled to work, Meanwhile, it is more difficult to mingle English or Cantonese slogans shouted but some who are nicely treated by their with them as they have already formed

s of now, almost 2 weeks into my 4 know more migrant workers, I realized Aweek internship with APMM, I’ve Emma Snyder that lots of the migrants are intelligent spent two Sundays sitting with migrant and engaging. domestic workers on Charter road— enduring the hot sun (and occasional One thinks of domestic work as a very rain), eating delicious Filipino food with low-skilled occupation, but many of migrants, listening to their stories, and the Filipino domestic workers that learning about their lives. I have encountered have college degrees from the Philippines, and their It’s been an invaluable experience English is also quite good. Yet it was because I’ve begun to get to know also sad at the same time, because these migrant domestic workers as real these intelligent, engaging women are people and not just abstract, unnamed in Hong Kong precisely because they victims and statistics. cannot earn enough money to support their families in the Philippines. The first Sunday was the 29th Emma (Right) with Katherine(Left), an anniversary of the foundation of UNIFIL intern at the MFMW, and a member of the Hopefully, through the work of APMM celebration, and I was swept up in migrant community pose for a photo. and others, someday these migrant the joy of the celebration. I was also Although they worked 6 days a week, workers will have greater economic impressed by the talent of the many they still made time to prepare these opportunities in their home countries domestic worker performance groups. wonderful performances. As I got to and real choice. A administration work if deemed necessary. and chores more handle to I believe able are we period, adaptation this After enjoyable. is APMM with weeks two The normal their activities. interrupting intruder an like felt somehow, I and groups different xcl, naig n h sm craft. veggies the Cutting same Chop. Chop, the Chop, in engaging hair, exactly, black – position same the in stood – skin tanned above. figure floor female one Another ascended gaze the Then my eyes sensed another movement: one singlemoment. even for side the to glimpsing not task, the to entirely devoted seemed woman The Chop. Chop, Chop, dinner. cooked homemade time a for in justreach home to attempt in streets the cramping werenow men salary Hong-Kong of armies some kind of vegetables. It was 7PM, and intensely with the hard labor of chopping with preoccupied skin, figure, tanned and hair black woman’s expensive the A of apartments. windows small the see some rapidmovement one of in canclearly I angle, Fromtome. this itself revealed skyscraper apartment luxuries neighboring the of profile the building, before. this Across the street, in noticed a tight squeeze to my never have I day, Despite the fact I come here almost every suddenly noticedsomething peculiar. left afterwards,tothe look I one and sips for a few moments of sweet serenity. Two working stopped finally wheels brain the a playlist oftranquilthe other,on songs With a glass Harbor.of red wine on one hand, Victoria and over sunset incredible Kong’s Hong order to at again in once yet glimpse my apartment of rooftop June 2014 edition for APMM, I climbed as usual to the to usual as climbed I APMM, for intern an as day first my of end the t Daniel Edelson coma. How could I not notice this sight this notice not I could How coma. temporary the of in out arising power, work full to returned wheels brain The robots. production fearsome by the entirely rancar, the of watch line to chance the given were we where Japan, in manufacturing factory impressive Toyota’s to myreminiscerecentabout suddenly visit acticity. I same the exactly of floors Nine floors. countednine I total, In task. same the figure, same the - below floors Four Three task. window. task. same the figure, below-same floors similar same character, the Similar room, same the above just up, floor surgery.One bypass a performing of dedication the with as away, sight her moving never urgently, M indebtedness amongst FDWs. Although FDWs. amongst indebtedness the to roleplacement of agenciescausing in relating research be on will working I summer This backgrounds. diverse our given enjoyable, our been has also interns at new away Meeting computers. working and jokes while we share at the snacks as members more, staff office the know to getting been have I experience. fruitful extremely an been has volunteer, a of Returningas a summer intern, instead a good choice. was say, to needless APMM, and Kong toHong back Coming comforting. familiar and were high-fiving subsequent lives. Even the frequent bursts own of laughter and their they about open speaking were how and showed always workers migrant the that hospitality of strike me. I was touched by the gestures different that aspects are similar two there settings, these long-lost Despite were they family. if as other each embracing friends -- heard joy for cry a always was There mingling. another to circles,group one from fleeting social them of many their in sit They away. throw are stone’s a just Bay park Causeway of the in surrounded by greenery, with the bustle Indonesians The Indonesians. the with Park Victoria in spend I mornings contrastthe strongto a was hubbub on-going The favorite). a is Me” Over (Pitbull’s“Rain street the along speakers various from emanating my earsfrom ringing music theloud Road, Charter of pavement scorching typically spent sitting on the sitting are spent now typically afternoons Sunday y Brittney Chan ut iapa. ean eid Gone behind. unnoticed. Remain to disappear. workers just domestic the prefer They After all, want it may harm the asset’s prestige. not entree. workers do the notice to passers-by companies estate Real but today isusedby domestic workers. designed fororiginally trash, disposing was elevator This façade. building the of soit lobby lavish the from one, reached be cannot A rear elevator. an have residential additional often that Kong Hong day in one buildings out find to surprised were team the of rest the and staff. he APMM how the talked about He from Aaron with earlier hours few a just had we conversation the to back think I day. every here come I all, After before? once more. look forward to continuing my time here has I and experience campaigns enlightening an been these in part Taking that they demonstrate are not merely “thehelp”. voices their geopolitics, in their home country, or to international they are reacting to issues in Hong Kong, Whether heard. themselves making by empowered are here workers migrant that clear is it obstacles, these Despite outreach. community themselves with encounter workers that difficulties see the can one first-hand, organizing their community. Seeinggrassroots of rest the with interacting directly as well as unions their workers within organizing migrant observing been has far thus here time my of highlight The something so significant amongst FDWs. on to work and fieldwork the-grounds to opportunity another engage on- with for grateful I’m emotionally, with deal to topic difficult particularly is topic this 7 8 Filipino groups establish Exodus of digest Cambodians from BAYAN HK and Macau Thailand is forced, news not voluntary chapter he Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants T(APMM) stated that the massive

APMM evacuation of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers and their families from Thailand back to Cambodia may not have been voluntary, but rather, forced.

As of mid-June this year, more than 170,000 Cambodian migrants have reportedly fled Thailand. According to reports, many fled for fear of being arrested, detained and hurt by the police if found without legal papers.

Reports of arrest and physical harm committed against Cambodian migrants by the Thai police were made. However, this accusation was denied by the Thai authorities.

Filipino domestic workers join the founding assembly of the Bayan Hong Kong and It can be recalled that after the Macau chapter last June 15, 2014. (Credits: Bayan HK & Macau) military coup was declared last May, ore than 400 delegates and guests In his keynote speech, Reyes discussed widespread arrest, detention and Mattended the founding assembly the current economic and political repatriation of migrants were reported. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New situation in the country and the raging Unverified reports of extortion from Patriotic Alliance or BAYAN) – Hong issue of the pork barrel system where arrested migrants were also made. Kong and Macau Chapter on June 15 at he enjoined those present to make The migrants were of Cambodian and the Auditorium of the Duke of Windsor everyone involved in the plunder of Burmese nationalities. in Wanchai, HKSAR. the taxpayer’s money accountable including Pres. Noynoy Aquino himself Thus, the strong denial of the Thai The founding assembly was graced with his Development Assistance authority regarding the crackdown by BAYAN Secretary General Renato Program or DAP. policy is false, said the APMM. Reyes, Jr., who congratulated the The APMM express grave concern on participants for establishing the first He also tackled the Enhanced Defense the progressive radical effect this has BAYAN chapter in the Asia Pacific. Cooperation Agreement, which he to all foreign workers in Thailand. The The program featured speeches and termed as an outright surrender to Thai army in its military rule while cultural performances from BAYAN the military and economic interests taking over the management of the founding member organizations, which of the United States in the country political structure of Thailand cannot discussed the programs of BAYAN from and in the region. Additionally, Reyes deny inflicting multi-layer injury to assertion of national sovereignty to an illustrated the condition of poverty the migrant workers in terms of job independent foreign policy. and unemployment in the country security, life and resources. as proofs that there’s no “miracle” in Founding members of BAYAN – HK the so-called economic growth of the the country. BAYAN – HK and Macau is and Macau chapter were GABRIELA- Philippines but a growth of the wealth the third overseas chapter of BAYAN HK, LIKHA Filipino Migrants Cultural of the few elites. (following Canada and the USA) and Organization, Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili, the first in Asia-Pacific. the Promotion of Church People’s BAYAN is a multi-sectorial organization Response (PCPR) – HK, and the in the Philippines that was established The assembly also approved of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL- in 1985 and has been leading campaigns Constitution and By-Laws of the alliance MIGRANTE-HK). for genuine freedom and democracy in as well as its program of action.

The APMM News Digest is the monthly newsletter of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (incorporated in Hong Kong as a company limited by guarantee). Its of- fice is located at No. 2 Jordan Road, , Hong Kong SAR. Tel. No. 852-2723 7536, Fax No. 852-2735 4559. Email: [email protected], Website: www. apmigrants.org. Editorial team: Ramon Bultron, Joselito Natividad, Aaron Ceradoy, Sonia Bullong-Miralles, Libby Hurley, Rey Asis (layout artist). Contributor: Janet Saguiped-Carnay. Any reproduction or lifting of articles is herein allowed only when due recognition of sources is given.