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Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong
Since the 1970s, foreign domestic workers have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong to address the city's shortage of local, full-time live-in helpers.
Domestic helpers in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong employer groups call for helper wage freeze, warn of mass sackings

‘Many employers are themselves out of work or facing pay cuts or pay freezes,’ group representative says.

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Hong Kong society

Li Ka Shing Foundation, Disney gift 24,000 domestic helpers Toy Story 5 tickets

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Hong Kong society

Filipino workers in Hong Kong allegedly recruited as surrogates for overseas couples

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Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Court ruling gives employers and domestic helpers much to reflect on

If a helper contracts an illness that renders her unable to perform her duties, what options are available that are fair to both the helper and her employer?

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Baby Jane Allas (centre) after a hearing at the Labour Tribunal in Hong Kong on April 15, 2019. A Hong Kong court has awarded more than HK$251,000 to the family of Allas, who was dismissed by her employer in 2019 after being diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer and who later died. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Helpers’ union calls for raising food allowance to HK$2,770, citing inflation

Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally.

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Hong Kong courts

Court awards HK$251,000 to family of late helper sacked during cancer battle

Years-long legal battle involving late Baby Jane Allas comes to end as District Court orders former employer, Jamil Bushra, to pay damages.

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Hong Kong courts

Watchdog seeks HK$250,000 for family of late helper sacked during cancer battle

District Court holds hearing to assess how much compensation should be awarded, five years after death of Baby Jane Allas.

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The late Baby Jane Allas in 2019. Under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, it is unlawful for an employer to fire an employee on the grounds of their disability. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong courts

HK$2,000 bind-over for helper who slapped employer’s child during meal

Hong Kong court imposes three-year good behaviour bond for assault charge after helper slapped girl for refusing to eat her dinner.

Hong Kong

New shelter for Filipino helpers in Hong Kong awaits government green light

Philippine minister says Tai Po villa is bigger and more comfortable than previous shelter, while advocates for domestic helpers welcome facility.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong’s domestic helpers need safe places to work and play

As climate change intensifies and urban space dwindles, migrant workers’ needs must be prioritised.

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Domestic helpers rest in makeshift shelters in Tsuen Wan on May 24. Photo: Jonathan Wong
The Philippines

‘Number of missing rising’: Filipino helpers in Hong Kong rally for aid after quake

Community groups are seeking to raise HK$20,000 to supply victims in Philippines with food, water and medicine.

Filipino domestic workers staff a donation booth outside City Hall in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Editorial | Hong Kong’s domestic workers deserve dignity and cool comfort too

Inclement weather is making life harder for domestic workers who already lack places to rest and face restrictions on using air conditioning.

Hong Kong society

With fewer public spaces for Hong Kong’s helpers, where can they go to unwind?

Helpers are being driven out of areas where they host activities, with NGOs saying more resting places are needed and urging government review.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong helpers urge employers to relax ‘air-con ban’ in heatwave

Employer draws widespread online criticism for scolding domestic helper who switched on air conditioner an hour early in hot weather.

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A domestic helpers’ group says about 80 per cent of its members face restrictions on using air conditioners. Photo: Sam Tsang
Accidents and personal safety

Helper injured, 2 cats die in Hong Kong fire linked to pet water dispenser

Investigators suspect blaze was triggered by electrical fault – such as a short circuit or overheating – linked to pet water dispenser or its charger.

Firefighters try to revive the cats. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong

Hong Kong helpers cry out as popular garden in Central to close for underpass work

Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body says closure of Statue Square Gardens will affect helpers as it serves as vital social hub every Sunday.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Tightened rules for Hong Kong’s money lenders will protect helpers

Moves to regulate the moneylender sector must be accompanied by strengthening law enforcement and stepping up education efforts.

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Hong Kong

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Hong Kong

‘Nowhere to go’: helpers pushed out of parks spend day off in tents at bus terminus

Helpers in Hong Kong describe difficulty of finding places they can gather after some online posts suggested visitors were setting up tents.

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Women and gender

Helping the families of the domestic helpers killed in Tai Po fire

Indonesia

Indonesia domestic worker law faces uphill battle against cultural attitudes

While the new law is a start, real changes will not happen instantly because of ingrained beliefs, women activists say.

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Domestic workers undergo skills training in Indonesia. Photo: International Labour Organization
Crime in Hong Kong

Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly putting 2 young boys in dog cage

Mother alleges helper confined boys, aged two and three, in a cage in flat.

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The offence is alleged to have occurred at a flat at Grand Horizon in Tsing Yi. Photo: Google Maps
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Families of helpers who died in Tai Po fire struggle to break news to kids

Workers’ rights NGO says some families have also been targeted by scammers or descended into disputes over victims’ compensation payouts.

Crime in Hong Kong

Helper, 35, arrested in Hong Kong after allegedly pulling baby’s hair

Mother called police alleging helper had mistreated infant at home.

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Hong Kong society

‘A dream come true’: helpers flock to Disneyland for free trip given as thanks

Amusement park and Li Ka Shing Foundation gave 5,000 tickets to workers from Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand.

Domestic helpers pose for a photo with their free tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: Eugene Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

Domestic helper arrested after 6-month-old girl dies in Hong Kong

Baby was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious on a bed by her family.

The baby was found unconscious at home in Fairview Park, Yuen Long. Photo: Martin Chan
Crime in Hong Kong

5 jailed in Hong Kong crackdown on illegal employment

Immigration Department raids 23 locations, including restaurants, cleaning companies and commercial buildings.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong students honour over 400 foreign domestic helpers as ‘second mothers’

Renaissance College’s annual ‘Jie Jie Day’ engages participants with cultural games, raffle draws and networking opportunities.

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