Suspected illegal cleaning services targeting Hongkongers still listed online
Ahead of Lunar New Year, RedNote ads for mainland home cleaners remain available despite crackdown on illegal labour in city, SCMP finds
Advertisements for potentially illegal mainland Chinese cleaning services targeting Hong Kong households ahead of Lunar New Year remain available on social media platform RedNote despite recent arrests by the city’s immigration authorities, the South China Morning Post has found.
In a related development, the Federation of Hong Kong Food and Beverage Industries Trade Unions on Tuesday also pointed to a surge in posts by Shenzhen-based chefs openly advertising private catering services across the border for Lunar New Year reunions and private banquets, with rates starting at HK$500 (US$64) per hour.
Some listings even offered all-inclusive packages that included ingredients and waitstaff alongside the chef, it said. The federation condemned suspected illegal labor practices and warned of serious food safety hazards.
“We urge the relevant government departments to strengthen inspections, enforcement and public education to safeguard the employment rights of local catering industry workers and ensure food safety for the public,” a union spokesman said.
Checks by the SCMP on RedNote found several suspected illegal posts promoting domestic cleaning services in the city, with some saying “professional local team sent to Hong Kong home” and another promising to “deep clean your home in Hong Kong”.
None of those posts clearly named the origin of the janitors.