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First ODHC opens today
About 100 overseas domestic helpers were given the opportunity to spend their day off at an activity centre at the Clementi Secondary School in North Point today (Sunday).
The Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Mr Philip Chok, said the centre was the first of seven to be set up in the next six to eight months.
A non-profit making organisation, the Hong Kong Bayanihan Trust (the Trust) is responsible for the financing of the entire overseas domestic helper centre (ODHC) scheme and the operation and management of all the centres.
"So far the Trust has raised a total of $4 million, including a donation of $1 million from the Jockey Club, to finance the whole project," Mr Chok said.
A great deal of effort had been made to ensure that the centre would be used in an orderly and acceptable manner, he added.
Only those who participate in the activities would be allowed to go into the centre and passes were issued in advance.
To dispel fears of hygiene and traffic problems in the vicinity, Mr Chok pointed out that the Trust had employed a cleaning company to provide cleaning services to the centre and that transport was provided for the helpers to and from Star Ferry and the centre today.
As to the Steering Committee which will monitor the use of the ODHCs, Mr Chok said it was formed in November and a meeting had already been held.
Members of the Committee include the District Board member of the constituency concerned; representatives of relevant Government Departments, including the Police, the Urban Services Department, the Transport Department and the Education Department; as well as representatives from the Trust, Parent-Teacher Associations and relevant Consulates.
The formation of the Committee was to make certain that these centres run smoothly and to quickly resolve any problems that might arise.
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