Conditions of Employment. Some FDHs find the conditions of employment too restrictive, particularly with regard to job-changing. FDHs also complain of employers not providing adequate medical and dental care although these are stipulated in the standard contract.
STATISTICS IN RELATION TO THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
10
Statistically, the number of complaints brought to the attention of Government departments remains relatively low. In 1986, compared with 28,586 FDH contracts attested by the Labour Department that year only 382 disputes were referred to the
the Department for mediation. The Immigration Department received 96 complaints about malpractices of FDHs in 1984/85 financial year and 226 such complaints in 1985/86.
the
out
11
The Education and Manpower Branch has
has pointed that it is misleading to argue that the small number of complaints indicates that the great majority of FDHs are well treated and content with their lot. If FDHS need the work and are willing to borrow heavily to come to Hong Kong, they are likely to
to be extremely
extremely reluctant to complain to the Labour Department.
12
employers, syndicates
As
regards the employment of FDHs by fictitious the Immigration Department has unearthed eight which provided FDHS with false employers since a result 91 persons were prosecuted, including 61 FDHS. All those prosecuted were convicted.
mid-1985.
13
The Immigration Department has also investigated complaints of FDHS taking up employment other than domestic service, contrary to their condition of stay. As the result of 241 visits to bars, shops and restaurants between 1 April 1984 and 30 November 1986 there have been 64 successful prosecutions leading to 132 FDHs being repatriated from Hong
Kong.
14
To meet at least some of these problems it is proposed to introduce the following changes
to
(a) when a contract is terminated and not
renewed an FDH will not be permitted change employment while in Hong Kong;
(b)
a new condition of stay will be imposed to have the effect that if a FDH's contract is terminated the FDH will be allowed to stay in Hong
Hong Kong for the remainder of her current six months condition of stay or for
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.