TNAG-2318-FCO40-3362-Petitions-from-members-of-the-public-regarding-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 104

4.

5.

The forms, documents and procedures required by the Immigration and Labour departments be simplified and include clear explanatory notes particularly with regard to the complaints mechanisms

6.

An independent inquiry be instigated into the situation of foreign domestic helpers with the participation (or under the auspices) of the International Labour Organization.

7.

(This inquiry should review the law, policy and practice of the Hong Kong administration and courts in relation to foreign domestic helpers in the light of current international human rights and labour standards.)

With the participation of the Consulates of the countries involved, a system of strict rules and regulations governing employment agencies and their fee structures be instigated.

Introduce a deposit system (similar to that used in the travel industry) to ensure that agencies assume greater responsibility for employees who may be left destitute by early termination of contracts and not prevent helpers, with tribunal or legal hearings pending, from earning a living during the waiting period.

CONCLUSION

We do not believe that the introduction of the above measures would greatly increase the costs involved in controlling migrant labour particularly as foreign domestic helpers contribute in no small measure to the economy of Hong Kong by enabling both parents to continue their careers after having their families.

We sincerely believe that the basic facts and allegations as set out in this Petition (and its Appendices) are true and accurate.

We have not formulated these proposals lightly. We believe, collectively and individually, that the abuses which the present Domestic Helper Contract, the two-week rule and the release letter requirement do nothing to discourage are unfair, unjust and demeaning to those who are obliged to suffer them and to our society in general.

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Petition