Hong Kong labor attache faces probe

MANILA, Philippines — A Hong Kong-based labor official faces investigation into alleged involvement in irregularities.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello yesterday reported that he has created a fact-finding team to look into charges of improprieties against labor attache Jalilo dela Torre.

Bello said, based on complaints reaching his office, Dela Torre replaced an existing online system for processing, credentialing, welfare protection and data storage for overseas placement without public bidding and consulation.

The old system has been in place for 11 years and has provided OFWs, employers and accredited employment agencies data and information on Philippine overseas labor office programs, projects and services in real-time.

Last December 2018, Dela Torre terminated the service agreement with EmployEasy Ltd., supposedly in a bid to improve the current online system.

Some OFWs and recruitment agencies claimed that Dela Torre forged a new contract with a new service provider in haste and  “seeming lack of transparency.”