Renato Villapando, Consul-General of the Philippines: ‘New labour law will significant ly reduce Filipinos in Macau’

After his first two months as the Consul-General of the Philippines in Macau, Renato Villapando believes Filipino workers “are becoming more informed” about job scams. The diplomat believes the criticism of the Consulate is unfair: “[We] assist our nationals in whatever we can. Of course we cannot get them out of jail nor legalise them if they have overstayed their visa.”

The initial problems with the implementation of the new labour law “are normal,” Villapando says. However, he warns that the changes will “significantly reduce the number” of Filipino workers. The Consul-General wants to register all the nationals living in Macau, to better spread the information.
Filipinos “are well integrated” into the local society and “there is generally a positive perception”, he says. Yet, Villapando admits, “Isolated [drug smuggling] cases can damage the good image of Filipinos working abroad.”
The relation between the two territories is “prosperous and deepening,” the diplomat assures. Furthermore, “there are good prospects down the line, especially in tourism,” for cooperation and Filipino business people are starting to think of Macau “not only as a destination but also as a gateway to South China,” he says.
Macau Daily Times (MDT) - You recently became the Philippines consul-general in Macau. What were the specific goals you were asked to fulfill?
RenatoVillapando (R.V.) - Our mandated functions are mainly to facilitate the movement of people, the development of cultural, economic and commercial ties between the Philippines and Macau and of course assisting Filipino nationals. We have a significant number of Filipinos living here, so naturally that is our focus. Assistance to our overseas workers is one of the pillars of the Philippines foreign policy. We try to promote and defend their interests in Macau and attend to their document needs.
MDT - How do you evaluate the way Filipinos have integrated in Macau?
R.V. - Filipinos are well integrated in the Macau society. Even during the Portuguese administration, Filipinos were already here, 50 years ago. Now we have around 500 residents, some of which are permanent residents, employed in the education, tourism industry. The majority of the non-residents are domestic workers, caregivers, or employed in hotels or small-scale service industries and enterprises. I think right now there are 10,000 Filipinos in Macau, all in all.
MDT - How do you feel the Macau locals view the Filipino workers?
R.V. - It’s a harmonious relationship in a tolerant society. There is unity in diversity here, among several cultures. I believe there is generally a positive perception of Filipinos, except for those who have committed minor infractions.
MDT - However, there are regularly demonstrations and speeches at the Legislative Assembly calling for the reduction of the foreign workers…
R.V. - There is a priority for local workers over guest workers. That is a normal process. Guest workers are only needed temporarily by some industries. It is of course the right of the local Government to set up that priority.
MDT - Do you believe the Government recognises the Filipino workers contribution?
R.V. - The Government officials I have visited, including the Chief Executive, recognise that Filipinos are becoming part of the Macau society. And Filipinos, along with other nationalities, contribute to the development of the local economy. Yet this is just temporary, while the workers are needed by local industry.

No job scams since May

MDT - What are the main problems for the Filipinos here in Macau?
R.V. - They have occasional problems with employers, which could be avoided. We also have some problems and expenses with repatriation. This is a result of the Filipinos overstaying their visa. We try to inform them that they should respect the law of Macau because there if they overstay, they will not be allowed to return for quite a while.
Of course we have victims of illegal recruitment. Mainly they arrive as tourists after getting a fictitious job offer, but only after the payment of a huge amount of money. Others have been lured to bring along illicit drugs. This is one of the concerns for our Government, to stop this. We have issued a lot of warnings telling people to be careful in accepting packages, especially if there is a big offer. This idea of getting rich quickly will get them into trouble.
MDT - Are job scams involving Filipino victims increasing?
R.V. - Since we assumed office, we started a massive dissemination campaign of information in the Filipino community and in provincial media in the Philippines, because most of the victims come from the outlying provinces. We are now in constant communication with several associations in the Philippines, whose target are ordinary people, in the vernacular language. There is also what we call a task force on illegal recruitment, with several Government departments. We warn them that those directly involved could suffer legal consequences and be prosecuted in the Philippines. We also advise them that they should link directly with the employers or with accredited recruitment agencies in Macau and in the Philippines.
MDT - Will it be enough?
R.V. - So far this has been a very difficult problem to solve. Since I arrived here, two months ago, a lot of victims came to us asking for assistance. That number has been dropping and the last case was in May. The victims have been coming to us very often to air their complaints and along with our labour office, we try to minimise their problems. But it should be a constant campaign along with the media. News gets around and whenever there are people prosecuted, it serves as a deterrence measure.

MDT - Is the message getting through?
R.V. - I feel it is. People are becoming more informed but it should be sustained. Otherwise other people will still be unaware and come here, without realising that Macau has a selective policy in admitting foreign workers.
MDT - Concerning the drug smuggling cases involving Filipinos, do you see an increase?
R.V. - There was one Filipino woman caught in the Zhuhai border last March but since then I have not heard of any more cases. But of course it concerns us and all of the Philippines consulates in China are actively campaigning to prevent potential victims being lured into these criminal activities. They are isolated cases that damage the good image of Filipinos working abroad. There are just bad apples. Others perhaps were misinformed, thinking they could easily get away from it, without realising the heavy negative consequences.

‘Paid off to go to the media’

MDT - There have been complaints that the Consulate has not done enough to help victims of job scams or to inform Filipinos of the new labour law. Do you feel that is true?
R.V. - That’s not true. We are here to serve our nationals, but at the same time we have to respect the law of the host Government.
Perhaps we are unable to respond to some issues but the basic function of the Consulate is to assist our nationals in whatever we can. Of course we cannot get them out of jail nor legalise them if they have overstayed their visa. If you are talking about one recent case that was very publicised, we know that some of the victims were actually relatives of the recruiters and they were paid off to go to the media and say these things about the Consulate. Later they disappeared, but we were able to locate and help the other victims return to the Philippines safely.
MDT - How is your relationship with the local Filipino associations?
R.V. - It’s a good relationship, with communication lines open. They can come here and we always attend their gatherings or activities. Our labour office also keeps on informing them of the new provisions of the labour law. We will announce the registration of all the Filipino nationals here, so that we can update them on any information that would affect them.
MDT - What effects will the new labour law have for Filipino workers?
R.V. - The new labour law will significantly reduce the number of Filipinos intending to work here, because of the priority given to local workers. The labour law selectively limits the entrance of low-skilled and non-skilled workers in several industries and Filipino workers will obviously be affected. For those who are already here, especially for residents, they have an opportunity to look for another job. Those coming as tourists, we warn them to apply before they come here and that they need to be qualified and experienced.
MDT - There was a problem with non-resident workers being laid off and forced to leave the country, despite the new law. Did that affect a lot of Filipinos?
R.V. - We noticed around 10 to 12, which considering the total Filipino population is not that significant. These things are normal when a new law is put into place, in the adjustment period.
MDT - But have you contacted the local authorities to clarify this issue?
R.V. - We have been in constant contact with the Labour Affairs Bureau. They even conducted an orientation briefing about the new law. We have met with the Labour Bureau four times. They said that if the employee has a problem and the employer terminates the contract, all they have to do is file a complaint with the Labour Affairs Bureau. They are given 10 days to leave Macau. But even if they are no longer here, they can give power of attorney to the Consulate General to represent them in this complaint.
MDT - What other advice would you give to Filipinos thinking of coming to Macau?
R.V. - They should adjust to the environment and also learn the language. It’s difficult, we know, but at least enough to be able to have a conversation with their Chinese employers. It could be a difficult concept for a first time traveller, but those who have been travelling back and forth to work in other places, they’re used to adjusting to other cultures. In fact, if they feel that their rights are being trampled, they should go to the authorities. I think most know their rights as well.

‘Prosperous and deepening relations’

MDT - You’ve met the Labour Affairs Bureau director, Shuen Ka Hung, and also the Chief Executive, Fernando Chui Sai On. How’s the relationship between Macau and Philippines?
R.V. - It’s a prosperous and deepening relations. Culturally and religiously we have a close link, due to the Iberian connection. We have a lot of artists and groups coming to perform cultural activities. Most of them are sponsored by all the Filipino organisations and also by the local Government, because it contributes to the diversity of culture. Not only we have Filipino businessmen participating in local trade fairs, last year there was a trade business delegation coming here to expand the trade relations. The Macau Government Tourism Office has an office actively promoting the local attractions in the Philippines. But local residents can visit the Philippines without visa, so maybe there are travel agencies who could organise tours to our country.
MDT - In which areas could there be an improvement?
R.V. - We can summarise it in general terms as trade and culture. We cannot go into further details because the specifics are being done by the people. We deliver the information back to Manila of the potential being created here, products that Macau doesn’t have and that are available in the Philippines. This is the normal process, we facilitate and the active participants are the people themselves.
MDT - We have seen the opening of small shops, supplying Filipino food and other goods. Could this be the beginning of a bigger trade flow?
R.V. - They were created to cater to the basic needs of the Filipinos living here. But there is a plan for the businessmen to target the hotel and tourism industries because it’s a bigger market, the food items and ingredients needed. I see an increased number of Filipino food products also in supermarkets, especially fruits. But many of those products arrive through Hong Kong. If eventually the demand is greater, the importer could perhaps directly import from the Philippines. I’ve been told that some Filipino businessmen coming to business fairs here think of Macau not only as a destination but also as a gateway to South China. It only requires more awareness from Filipino entrepreneurs and more frequent visits to provide these opportunities for them to show their products.
MDT - The Macau International Trade and Investment Fair is coming in October. Do you think more Filipinos will come this year?
R.V. - There is a positive interest. We have relayed information already to our Department of Trade and Industry, responsible for disseminating it to different Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines. Hopefully they will be able to attend. There is interest being generated. We are also promoting trade fairs in Philippines that Macau businessmen could attend. It’s another opportunity.
MDT - Are there Macau business men and women interested in investing in the Philippines?
R.V. - There is already business cooperation in the telecommunications, between CTM and Globe, a mobile service operator in Philippines. Hopefully there will be upcoming interest to visit and engage in trade activities. I believe there are good prospects down the line, especially in tourism. Macau is known for tourism, so I believe along the time it would be one of the possible areas of cooperation.

The Consul-General believes there are around 10,000 Filipinos in Macau, including 500 residents