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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.
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

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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Hong Kong courts

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

Hong Kong

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

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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.

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.

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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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Illustration: Davies Christian
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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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.

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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Statue Square, next to the garden, has been partially closed since early May for a HK$3.4 million renovation. Photo: Handout
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.

The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body holds a protest to call for a living wage and better working conditions for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, in front of the Central Government Offices, on May 1. Photo: Nora Tam
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.

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

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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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.

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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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The baby was taken to North Lantau Hospital for treatment. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
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.

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.

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.

The Immigration Department has been cracking down on illegal employment. Photo: Sun Yeung
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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Hundreds of domestic helpers participate in an activity on “Jie Jie Day” organised by students of Renaissance College Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li
Crime

11 domestic helpers among 20 arrested in Hong Kong crackdown on illegal labour

Six residents among those arrested are the owners or in charge of companies allegedly involved.

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Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong domestic helper jailed for 27 months over fatal runaway car accident

Reshielle Lagurin Magsino was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after her unsecured car rolled down slope, killing woman.

Li Ka-shing

Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Foundation gifts 5,000 Disneyland tickets to domestic helpers

Expanded charity scheme will treat workers from six nations to free day at the theme park with meals and transport covered.

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The Li Ka Shing Foundation and the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are providing 5,000 domestic helpers with a free visit to the theme park. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Death toll from Hong Kong fire rises to 168 after more remains identified

Security chief Chris Tang updates death toll from Tai Po inferno, saying remains of all victims have now been identified.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Sam Tsang
Doing Good

Meet the teen with a mission to help artists with his own brand of socks

Darren Lee, the founder of Sababu Socks, talks about providing a lifeline for under-represented artists from the Philippines to Tanzania.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Indonesian helper battles trauma, faces job insecurity after Hong Kong fire

NGOs say they are bracing for more terminations among helpers as families begin to count the cost of their losses.

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