The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong said that incentives await overseas Filipino workers who will get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19.

The POLO in Hong Kong said that aside from the privilege of choosing the brand of anti-COVID vaccine, Filipino workers also have the chance of getting cash and other incentives once they get inoculated.

In a virtual briefing, Labor Attaché Melchor Dizon also said the HK government is set to lift its travel ban on the Philippines tomorrow, August 9, that would allow more than 3,000 stranded OFWs to fly to the former British colony.

“We encourage our fellow Filipinos here in Hong Kong and those stranded in the Philippines to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. Otherwise, you will not be allowed entry into Hong Kong. This is also for your protection,” Dizon said.

Dizon noted that of about 220,000 OFWs in HK, only less than 50 percent had availed the vaccine of their choice even as the government has drawn an incentive package for those who got inoculated.

“Marami pong bakuna dito, at pwede pong mamili kung ano ang gusto nyong ibakuna sa inyo. Mayroon din pong incentive sa mga magpapabakuna, kasama ang ating mga OFWs,” Dizon said.

He also revealed that the Hong Kong government is giving cash incentives to migrant workers, and house and car for residents who get vaccinated.

Dizon said that the POLO has validated 1,000 vaccination cards of returning OFWs who have been fully inoculated in Hong Kong since last month.

Dizon said the number of OFWs who will be allowed to travel to Hong Kong could exceed those stranded during the travel ban as the POLO continued to process job orders to the region.