TNAG-1665-FCO40-2314-Hong-Kong-employment-issues-and-ordinances-foreign-domestic-1987 — Page 7

But

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The reminder of the requirement to obtain insurance to cover employees' compensation should be well-received. there would be a reaction if employers of FDH were to be required to obtain medical insurance and insurance for accidents outside the ambit of the Employees Compensation Ordinance.

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Some operators of employment agencies may be forced to close because of the changes in the entry policy and conditions of service of FDHS and they can be expected to mount strong opposition to the proposals. They may join other agencies wishing to import domestic helpers from China to lobby the Government to allow domestic helpers from other countries, including China, to enter Hong Kong. Unscrupulous operators of employment agencies are likely

are likely to exploit the urgent need of employers for domestic help and arrange for illegal transfers of employment of FDHs. Critics of Hong Kong are likely to cite such a practice as another example of blatant exploitation tolerated by the Government and thus damage the image of Hong Kong.

PUBLICITY

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The announcement on changes in conditions of stay and other proposals in this Memorandum would be made at the same time as the announcement on changes in policy on entry of FDHs for employment in Hong Kong, in order to avoid any misunderstanding. The announcement will explain the proposed changes and the reasons for making these changes. The point to emphasise will be that the numbers already here are significant and the ceiling of 32,000 is high relative to the size of the population. They are affecting employment opportunities for Hong Kong labour, particularly part-time domestic helpers. Also, some FDHs have been found to be working in employment not covered by their conditions of stay in Hong Kong.

ADVICE SOUGHT

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Members will be asked to advise whether the recommendations in paragraph 14 should be adopted, subject to the OMELCO Security Panel being consulted on them.

(The Secretary for Security, Mr D.G. JEAFFRESON, the Political Adviser, Mr R.D. CLIFT, the Director of Immigration, Mr A. J. CARTER and the Commissioner for Labour, Mr J.C.A. HAMMOND, will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item.)

9 February 1987

(SCR 2/2091/78 VI)

COUNCIL CHAMBER

CONFIDENTIAL