HONG KONG (SE): As a welfare service worker at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos [DPCF], Rowena Barattini has dedicated over a decade of her life to advocating for migrant domestic workers in distress. To the women she assists, Barattini—affectionately called “Ma’am Weng”—is more than just a case officer; she is a trusted friend who offers hope and guidance when they have nowhere else to turn.
Barattini handles between 30 and 50 cases each month for domestic workers of all nationalities. These cases stem from various issues, ranging from contract terminations, resignations, and labour claims disputes to complex criminal allegations and other emergency situations. She frequently accompanies workers to labour conciliation meetings, minor employment claims adjudications, and formal court hearings.
Her primary responsibility is standing by these women during their most difficult moments. For instance, when employers refuse to pay required termination notice fees, Barattini steps in to negotiate settlements, bridge communication gaps, and clarify legal procedures for workers who are often overwhelmed by the process.
Beyond labour claims, Barattini navigates a wide variety of high-stakes crises. When workers are left stranded without funds or tickets home, she coordinates closely with the Philippine Consulate and government agencies, such as the Migrant Workers Office and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, to secure their repatriation. She also offers vital support to victims of physical or sexual abuse, guiding them through police interviews and connecting them with counselling and shelter care.
To the women she assists, Barattini—affectionately called ‘Ma’am Weng’—is more than just a case officer; she is a trusted friend who offers hope and guidance when they have nowhere else to turn
For workers battling critical illnesses such as cancer, Barattini liaises with the relevant agencies to ensure they receive proper medical treatment, fair compensation, and dignified transport back to their home countries.
Warning against money laundering syndicates
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of her duties involves assisting workers drawn into money laundering syndicates. She shared that unscrupulous individuals often target vulnerable helpers, offering small sums—sometimes as little as HK$300—in exchange for their Hong Kong ID cards and photos to open online bank accounts. Millions of dollars are then laundered through these accounts, leaving unsuspecting workers to face severe criminal charges and lengthy prison sentences.
Barattini regularly visits these women in shelters and prisons, supporting them through court adjournments, police investigations, and trials.
For workers battling critical illnesses such as cancer, Barattini liaises with the relevant agencies to ensure they receive proper medical treatment, fair compensation, and dignified transport back to their home countries
While witnessing workers suffer after falling victim to financial scams is sad, she also experiences moments of profound relief. She warmly recalled a case where a worker, falsely accused by her employer of stealing HK$200,000 worth of jewelry, was fully acquitted after a six-month trial—a victory that ultimately restored the worker’s freedom and dignity.
Her work requires a deep understanding of legal procedures—a skillset Barattini acquired on the job through sheer determination and hands-on experience. For the 62-year-old Manila native, who is a widow and mother of two grown children, her role at the DPCF is not merely a job, but a deeply personal spiritual calling.
Having previously worked long hours at a financing firm where Sunday shifts left no time for Church, joining the DPCF 10 years ago transformed her life. Now, she can attend Mass at the centre almost daily and offer pastoral care.
For the 62-year-old Manila native, who is a widow and mother of two grown children, her role at the DPCF is not merely a job, but a deeply personal spiritual calling
Working closely with Sister Corazon Demetillo and Sister Victoria Victorino, the former and current directors of the centre, she has infused her administrative and legal work with spiritual encouragement, reminding workers that every problem has a solution and inspiring them to keep their faith.
Barattini’s work demands extraordinary patience and constant availability, often requiring her to answer emergency calls, provide telephone advice, or attend urgent hearings on her days off. She routinely spends late hours helping vulnerable workers, such as staying out late at night to ensure a pregnant worker can safely retrieve her belongings from a hostile employer.
She notes that none of this vital work would be possible without the dedicated staff at the DPCF and Mary’s Home shelter. As she looks toward the future, Barattini hopes to continue serving until she reaches 65, remaining a reassuring pillar of support for migrant domestic workers navigating hardship in Hong Kong.
Through it all, she constantly offers workers comfort through her favourite Bible verse: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” [Joshua 1:9].
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