The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong organized “Linis-Wais: Basic Hygiene, Sanitation and Food Safety Training” for household service workers (HSWs) at the Consulate Conference Room on 19 August 2018.

Ms. Jhell S. Palomaria, a certified food safety trainer by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, gave an interactive talk on personal hygiene, clothing and appearance in the kitchen, proper cleaning and sanitation, identification of hazards, pest control and proper waste disposal.

During his welcome remarks, Consul General Antonio A. Morales noted that the talk was the first-ever initiative by the Consulate focusing on hygiene and food safety, which is critical to the work of HSWs given most of their tasks are conducted in the household setting.

The talk impressed upon the participants that food safety encompasses observing if the kitchen or place where food is prepared is clean. HSWs prepare, handle and serve food to their employer, family and guests.

Forty-six leaders and members of different Filipino community organizations actively participated in the workshop.

The workshop was held under the auspices of the Consulate’s Gender and Development (GAD) Program pursuant to the Magna Carta of Women provisions on women’s health, information, and education.