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Petition against Philippines recall of Hong Kong labour attaché gathers numbers as many recognise Jalilo Dela Torre’s achievements
Recall of Dela Torre, who was outspoken against human traffickers and rogue employment agencies, comes just weeks before President Duterte’s visit to Hong Kong
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A petition launched by a group of students from the University of Hong Kong, urging Manila to reconsider its decision to recall the city’s labour attaché, Jalilo Dela Torre, has already gathered hundreds of supporters.
The rare recall of one of the most important officials in the consulate was received with shock by a community that includes more than 203,600 Filipino domestic workers.
Many have connected the decision of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration with Dela Torre’s denunciation of human traffickers and rogue employment agencies.
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“We want to further pressurise the Philippine government to reconsider this decision,” said Rachelle Lau, 21, a Hong Kong business and law student and a member of the group that launched the petition. “[Dela Torre] is really hardworking. He has helped the community a lot and he has taken steps to punish the agencies and combat human trafficking,” the student noted.
Dela Torre has taken steps to punish the agencies and combat human trafficking
As of Thursday, the petition started by Students Against Fees and Exploitation, or SAFE – a group that has investigated the abuse of domestic workers in Hong Kong – had more than 870 signatures.
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