Metro Manila, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers who were victims of the massive fire that gutted a housing estate in Hong Kong will receive financial aid, the special administrative region’s labor and welfare secretary said on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
“I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased at the same time I wish those who were injured in the fire a very speedy recovery,” Secretary Chris Sun said in a briefing with Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.
Sun also thanked the OFWs for their “bravery” and “selfless acts” during the Tai Po complex fire, noting that many of them were taking care of elderly and young children at the time.
The Hong Kong official said the family of Maryan Pascual Esteban, the OFW who died, will receive HK$250,000 or roughly ₱1.8 million in addition to the statutory compensation of HK$500,000 or ₱3.7 million.
Meanwhile, those injured will receive HK$50,000 (₱370,000) to HK$100,000 (₱750,000) depending on the length of their recovery stay in the hospital.
Sun said all OFW survivors from the fire will receive HK$20,000 (₱150,000) as well.
All accounted for
In an update, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said all 92 Filipinos are confirmed safe and accounted for.
The consulate said two workers listed for verification were found in the country when the fire broke out in the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex on Nov. 26.
One OFW remains in the hospital.
Sun said the fire affected a total of 235 household helpers from different countries, including 10 deaths, three injured, and 30 still missing.
Hong Kong has around 368,000 foreign household help workers, more than come from the Philippines.
