In the light of the above it is difficult to accept official claims that these arrangements are fair to both parties.
It is also difficult to accept that such an imbalance can be any justification for the prime reason given for the introduction of the two-week rule: to prevent "job-hopping."
JOB-HOPPING
The reasons for job-hopping can be divided into two major categories:
1. To obtain an increase in salary.
2. To obtain a better working environment.
Of course it is the former that the present rule was designed to prevent and it is difficult to imagine that any but the most intrepid foreign domestic helper would
undertake the extremely hazardous course of job-hopping just for a salary increase:
The recent increment in the minimum monthly wage was HK$ 200 per month. Let us say that a particular helper's contract has one year to run. She might say to herself:
"I will lose $2,400 dollars a year by staying with my present employer but if I resign I probably will not get a release letter so I will have to return home in order to process my papers. If I can find another employer (before I leave Hong Kong) he may agree to pay my expenses in order to avoid paying agent's fees. If not, my air fares will be about $2,500 dollars and I will have to spend my own money on other expenses as well. I will not have my food and accommodation provided for me as I do now, my new visa will also take time to obtain and there will be other expenses, airport taxes etc.
"Even if my new employer agreed to pay for all of this, my former employer could write to Immigration that I was wrong to resign - even though I gave one months notice - and I might not get another visa."
These are a lot of "if's" and coupled to the fact that she will almost certainly lose one month's wages (if not more) she would be well out of pocket by taking this course and not finishing her existing contract.
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So the two-week rule is certainly effective in preventing job-hopping. But can it be justified in the light of those wishing to change there employment for the other reason. obtain a better working environment? And we are not talking of a better view from a better apartment block!
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Appendix A