TNAG-2085-FCO40-2970-Allegations-of-ill-treatment-towards-workers-from-the-Philip-1990 — Page 13

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In the event of any abuse or in the event of any foreign domestic helper feeling that she has been abused, she can seek assistance through various channels. If she thinks that the terms of the contract have been violated, she can appeal or resort to the Labour Department. If she feels that physical abuse is involved, she can and should report to the Police. In addition, assistance can be sought from the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong, the Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers, and various churches.

Although they are not allowed to change their employment at will, foreign domestic helpers may apply to the Immigration Department for a change of employer in certain circumstances, for example, when the employer is unable to continue with the contract because of external transfer, death or for financial reasons, or where there is evidence to show that the employer has abused the helper. Permission to change employers is normally given in such cases.

Because of the large number of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong (some 53,000), the Philippine Government has maintained close liaison with the HKG through regular meetings, visits and exchange of information. The Philippine Labour Secretary, after visiting Hong Kong to get first-hand information about HKG's policy on foreign domestic helpers, announced in March 1988 that he was satisfied with the legal and administrative measures Hong Kong had adopted to protect these workers.

For many Filipino domestic helpers, Hong Kong is one of the best places for employment. This is reflected by a significant increase in the number of such helpers in Hong Kong over the past eight years, ie from 10,120 at the end of 1982 to 52,868 at the end of 1989.

The Hong Kong Government does not condone any abuse or maltreatment of imported workers. It encourages such workers to come forward to report any such violations to the Police for possible legal action against the employers. In the past two years, about 60 such cases have come to the notice of the Immigration Department. The workers have all been granted permission to work for a new employer.