Employers warned over treatment of stricken helpers

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong, revealed on Sunday that he has written to the Philippines consul general reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting and supporting foreign domestic helpers.

This follows widespread reports of domestic workers being kicked out of people’s homes after they were infected with Covid-19, or having nowhere to stay after their contracts ended.

Writing in his blog, Law said this is not just a local matter, but part of Hong Kong’s external affairs, adding that he needed to prevent it from becoming a diplomatic spat.

He said any abuse of the system, such as the recent “unreasonable and illegal” dismissal of helpers, would undermine Hong Kong’s reputation.

Law warned employers that they could be prosecuted for turning helpers out on to the streets, adding that such actions would make hiring of domestic workers more difficult for other families in future.