That many flout the very laws that allow them to do this concerns them not at all but it should be of great concern to the administration.
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The following story could well have been included in Appendix B The Case Histories - but it is very relevant in the context of what has been said in this section. It is a chilling example of a fundamental disregard for a human being's dignity.
The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers reports:
"We had a case of a 40 year old woman who, due to huge debts incurred to pay the employment agency in coming to HK, swallowed all her pride and followed all that her female employer demanded of her so that she wouldn't be dismissed.
"If the employer was not satisfied with her performance for the day she'd be told to stand under dripping laundry for hours.
"Her mistress would spit on her once in a while and allow her no dinner or breakfast if she failed to finish her job on time.
"She endured all this to keep her job because she knew that her resignation would mean 20,000 pesos lost as well as her job loss, with no certainty of getting another employer in two weeks time.
"What witness would she have if she reports the matter to the authorities? What medical record could she show that would qualify her case to fall under special consideration and be allowed to process a new contract should she be lucky enough to find a new employer?"
It is very difficult to comment on such a story it almost goes beyond the bounds of belief.
Can this society afford, on humanitarian grounds or in the limelight of international opinion, to continue with the very unfair system which allows this kind of thing to go unchecked?
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Appendix A