weekly
Written by: Wu Dongwei
2020-07-20 17:21
Last update date: 2020-07-20 17:23The new crown pneumonia epidemic continues to be severe, with more than 14 million infections recorded worldwide, and the Hong Kong epidemic has suddenly entered the third wave. In view of the certain risk of infection among people arriving in Hong Kong, in order to prevent community outbreaks, the SAR government has previously stipulated that all foreign domestic helpers arriving in Hong Kong must be quarantined in hotels or guesthouses for 14 days, with expenses and meals provided by employers; however, many media have revealed that there are employers In order to save money, foreign domestic helpers are arranged to stay in isolation places with poor environment and poor quality. In addition, employers use the chaotic space of policies under the epidemic to deduct wages and have no agreement.
Some foreign domestic helpers were arranged to live in unsuitable houses during the isolation period. (Profile picture/Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Epidemic prevention measures chaotic government employers shirking each other's responsibilities
The Secretary for Labour Affairs and Welfare, Luo Zhiguang, asked the relevant Filipino domestic helpers to isolate themselves to hotels or guesthouses for 14 days to reduce the risk of community transmission, and the intermediary companies and employers had to bear the costs. Some employers have limited financial capacity. It is recommended that the authorities arrange for foreign domestic helpers to stay in a unified quarantine center with lower fees. At a time when there is a great need to show the spirit of "watching and helping each other", the government and employers seem to want to shift the quarantine responsibility of foreign domestic helpers to each other-the SAR government continues to ignore the contribution of foreign domestic helpers to Hong Kong's economy, and the master and servant's reasoning disappeared without a trace. As soon as the two parties should do their responsibilities, they no longer pay attention to it.
Parichat Jaroennon, director of the Asian Domestic Workers Federation, told "Hong Kong 01" that since the new crown pneumonia epidemic has raged in Hong Kong, the union has successively received requests for help from different members, which all reflect that employers have encountered unfair treatment during the epidemic, including race. Discrimination and deduction of wages. The union analyzed different cases and believed that the cause may be related to the government’s failure to reach a consensus on the quarantine of foreign domestic helpers and the inability to provide specific quarantine guidelines.
Some foreign domestic helpers were dismissed immediately because of going out during the epidemic. (Profile picture/Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Do not seek "luxury" isolation, but only hope to be treated with "dignity"
"They were arranged to be isolated in a room with very poor sanitation. They could only eat instant noodles every day. Some helpers could not even get enough food and clothing for three meals." Parichat recalled the unfortunate experience of other workers and pointed out that some employers even provided accommodation. Isolation, but behind the scenes various small measures are used in an attempt to offset the additional expenses incurred by the isolation, including reducing the treatment and expenses of foreign domestic helpers in terms of living.
Recently, many foreign domestic helpers have turned to the union for help. (Profile picture/Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Burial of "employment friendship" The government has the responsibility to eliminate social discrimination
"The relationship between many foreign domestic helpers and their employers has deteriorated, and vacations have been unreasonably deducted. They are trapped at home every day. Naturally, their emotions will deteriorate and some quarrels may occur." Parichat sighed, the precious friendship between master and servant in the past. All were ruined with the raging epidemic.
Parichat reluctantly pointed out, "Many employers worry that foreign domestic helpers may easily catch the virus on the street after they leave the street. Therefore, they stipulate that they can only stay at home during holidays. They also warn them that if they are caught secretly going out, they will immediately terminate their contract." Why does this happen? Parichat pointed out that the government made an appeal earlier, suggesting that employers encourage foreign domestic helpers to reduce going out to avoid increasing the risk of contracting new coronary pneumonia. However, many employers often use this as an excuse to further exploit the labor rights of foreign domestic helpers, including restricting the personal freedom of foreign domestic helpers. The union did receive help cases, alleging that "workers went out on vacation and were fired immediately after returning home."
The above is excerpted from the 223th issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly (July 20, 2020), "The Epidemic Ripped the "International Metropolis" Mask, Foreign Domestic Helpers Experiencing Discrimination and Hardship During Isolation". To read the full text, please click here to subscribe to the weekly report, or click here to preview the weekly e-newsletter for more in-depth reports.
Xiang Xie's article: [Foreign domestic helper rights. 2) Salary and benefits have been stagnant for many years, and maids have become "modern slaves"?
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