UNCLASSIFIED
702 MDLIA 9714
(C) IMMIGRATION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS.
FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS (FDHS) ARE PERMITTED TO STAY IN HONG KONG FOR 12 MONTHS OR FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER THEIR CONTRACTS ARE TERMINATED, WHICHEVER IS THE EARLIER. THE 'TWO WEEK RULE' IS A CONDITION OF STAY LIMITING THE PERIOD DURING WHICH FDHS MAY REMAIN IN HONG KONG AFTER TERMINATION OF THEIR CONTRACTS. IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1987 TO CURB THE PRACTICE OF JOB HOPPING' WHICH HAD BECOME A SERIOUS NUISANCE FOR EMPLOYERS. BUT FDHS WITH A GENUINE GRIEVANCE - FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY TREATED AND THEIR CONTRACTS TERMINATED PREMATURELY WILL NORMALLY BE GRANTED EXTENSIONS OF STAY IN ORDER TO PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST THEIR FORMER EMPLOYERS. SUCH EXTENSIONS ALLOW THEM TO APPROACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES A CONCILIATION SERVICE. IF THEY CANNOT REACH A SETTLEMENT, THEY CAN APPLY TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR ADJUDICATION.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
9
HKD
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
PAGE
2
UNCLASSIFIED
a