In response to the scandalous reports yesterday that a Filipino domestic helper was made to work illegally in mainland China for 10 days, the Hong Kong government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of foreign domestic helpers, while taking a hard line on the rules.
A government spokesman indicated that the employer in question – who is said to have forced her helper to work in a friend’s house in mainland China last week – is now under investigation.
As the Filipina reported that an immigration officer ignored a note she passed pleading for help at a Hong Kong border check point, the Immigration Department is also carrying out an internal investigation.
The spokesman outlined the legal boundaries relevant to the the employment of foreign domestic helpers, emphasising that maids are only contractually bound to work in their employer’s residence to perform domestic duties.
The spokesman warned that if either an employer or helper breaches the terms of the contract, the Immigration Department may refuse a visa application or extension of stay application made by the foreign domestic helper, or any future application for taking on a helper made by the employer.
Any individual found giving a false statement to the Immigration Department could be liable for a maximum fine of HKD150,000 and up to 14 years imprisonment.
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Filipino domestic worker ‘forced to work in mainland China’ by Hong Kong employer
