THE families of foreign domestic helpers, including one Filipino, who perished in the recent devastating fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, will each receive approximately HK$800,000 (around P6 million) in compensation from the Hong Kong government.
Hong Kong Labor and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun announced the aid package during a joint press conference with Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac. Sun stated that 235 foreign domestic workers were displaced by the fire, with 10 fatalities, three injuries, and 30 missing. 192 workers have been confirmed safe.
Among the deceased was Maryan Pascual Esteban, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Cainta, Rizal province.
The assistance package for the families of the deceased includes statutory compensation exceeding HK$500,000, HK$200,000 in financial aid, and other support worth over HK$50,000. Injured workers will receive HK$50,000 or HK$100,000, depending on hospitalization length, while survivors will be provided around HK$20,000.
Secretary Cacdac thanked Hong Kong authorities for their assistance, including the successful medical treatment of an injured Filipino worker and support in retrieving documents for affected OFWs. The Philippine government is working to repatriate Esteban’s remains and ensure the protection of other affected Filipinos. The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has accounted for 92 Filipinos in the aftermath of the fire, which has claimed 151 lives.
