The survey said that more than 80% of the minority workers interviewed were exploited and there was no help-seeking group to urge to strengthen support

The government issued its 2021 policy address last week, but there is still not much attention to ethnic minorities. Due to language and cultural barriers, ethnic minorities are generally weak in safeguarding labor rights.

A survey by a group found that more than 80% of the ethnic minorities interviewed did not seek any help when they encountered labor rights exploitation; and even though most of the interviewees had an education level above high school, more than 60 adults were "Not familiar.

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Labor Associations found that more than 80% of the ethnic minorities interviewed did not seek any help when they encountered labor rights exploitation.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

According to the government's 2016 mid-term census, the minority population in Hong Kong is as high as 260,000.

The Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labor Associations (Federation of Labor Unions) conducted a "Survey on Minorities’ Perception of Labor Laws" in conjunction with PEME, an ethnic minority organization, from June to July this year. It successfully interviewed 298 people over 16 years of age who were employed The period meets the requirements of "4.1.18" (that is, employees need to work for the same employer for 4 consecutive weeks, and work for no less than 18 hours per week to be fully protected by the Employment Ordinance).

In the survey, 65% of people have an education level of above high school, and more than half have an income of less than 10,000 yuan.

According to the labor law question test designed by the committee for the interviewees, the average score of the interviewees out of 18 full marks is only 8.57 points.

The questions that were answered incorrectly by the most people were about severance pay (correct rate of 14%), paternity leave for men (correct rate of 16%) and sickness allowance (correct rate of 18%).

In addition, 82% of people said they did not seek any help when they encountered labor rights exploitation.

Issac, a representative of ethnic minority workers, believes that all government departments, including the Social Welfare Department and EOC, should take the lead in hiring ethnic minorities in the form of long-term contracts.

(Photo by Lu Nuojun)

Urge government departments to take the lead in hiring ethnic minorities on long-term contracts

Issac, a representative of ethnic minority workers, said that he had served as an employment ambassador in the Labour Department in the past. During the period, he saw not many people from ethnic minorities who came to ask for help. I don’t know." "I thought I would have labor leave for three months, and I could resign at any time after three months... Many times, he would look at it in detail, and the contract would be written in Chinese, as long as If you are a man-made channel, you can just sign it.” Issac believes that all government departments, including the Social Welfare Department and Equal Opportunities, should take the lead in hiring ethnic minorities in the form of long-term contracts. There is no need for translators in the future. Workers will be happy if they encounter different situations. Direct assistance is available.

Lin Zhensheng, chairman of the AFL, pointed out that ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are prone to be at a disadvantage in the job market due to language barriers and other factors. Although the government mentioned the implementation of the "Multi-racial Employment Program" last year, as of the end of July this year, there were only 143 cases. Successful employment cases.

In addition to suggesting that the government speed up the expansion of service plans, he also pointed out that the government can make good use of technology networks to open up publicity channels, an application that allows minorities to access first-hand information and use public services, and increase the promotion of labor laws in the community.

In addition, Lin said that the two job centres of the Labour Department currently employ two employment assistants who are fluent in ethnic minority languages. It is suggested that the number of assistants can be increased in the future. At the same time, the "Special · Love Enhancement" program can help unemployed or underemployed minorities. People of descent improve their skills.

A worker representative expressed the hope that all government departments, including the Social Welfare Department and EOC, should take the lead in hiring ethnic minorities in the form of long-term contracts.

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