The government announced on Thursday (27th) that from February 5th, the number of days that overseas arrivals in Hong Kong will be forced to quarantine in hotels will be shortened to 14 days, and the other 7 days will be monitored at home.
The Labour Department said yesterday (28th) on the quarantine measures for foreign domestic helpers that the Employment Ordinance does not provide for the work arrangements of foreign domestic helpers during the period of self-monitoring. After completing the compulsory isolation for 14 days, the self-monitoring of foreign domestic helpers can be done at the employer's home for the remaining 7 days. Completed, or suggest the employer to arrange another non-designated quarantine hotel, and the salary can be based on the day when the foreign domestic helper officially provides service. Employers are encouraged to be compassionate and flexible.
Some employment associations are worried that not every domestic helper’s home can provide an independent space for foreign domestic helpers to isolate, which may pose certain safety risks. unfair.
It is suggested that the domestic helper should negotiate the entire quarantine arrangement through an intermediary before the foreign domestic helper arrives in Hong Kong.
Some industries also pointed out that when FDHs live in the employer's home, their salaries should be calculated accordingly.
Labour Department allows foreign domestic helpers to complete 7-day home surveillance outside the employer's home
The mandatory quarantine days for all people arriving in Hong Kong from overseas are 21 days in quarantine hotels, which can be shortened to 14 days from February 5, and then self-monitoring at home for the next 7 days.
If it is a foreign domestic helper, can I be paid for 7 days of home surveillance?
The Labour Department stated that at present, the Employment Ordinance does not stipulate the work arrangements of foreign domestic helpers during the self-monitoring period.
After completing the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine, the foreign domestic helper can complete the remaining 7 days of self-monitoring at the employer's home. The Labour Department said that it understands that some employers cannot arrange it directly due to considerations such as the home environment. Therefore, the government also allows the foreign domestic helper to self-monitor within 7 days. During the monitoring period, you can stay in non-designated quarantine hotels.
Employment Guild: It is difficult for foreign domestic helpers not to be assigned jobs when monitoring at home
Chen Dongfeng, chairman of the Hong Kong Employment Association, said that regarding the isolation arrangement of foreign domestic helpers in the employer's home, he is worried that not every family can provide enough independent space, and a little carelessness may affect other members of the family.
He worries that when the domestic helper is monitored at home for 7 days, it will be difficult not to be assigned to work at all, which may be unfair to both parties.
He believes that it is best for employers to arrange for another 7 days of hotel quarantine, and when the domestic helper has completed the entire quarantine period, they can officially start work.
"According to the philosophy of the Labour Department, if services are not provided for one day, in fact, one day is not counted as labor." Therefore, he suggested that employers should check with intermediaries and foreign domestic helpers in advance, rather than wait for 14 days of quarantine to make arrangements.
Chen Dongfeng, Chairman of the Hong Kong Employment Association (file photo/Photo by Huang Shuhui)
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Employment Agency Association: Foreign domestic helpers should be paid when they are quarantined at the employer's home
The chairman of the Hong Kong Employment Agents Association and the managing director of the Overseas Employment Center Company, Zhang Jiemin, believes that since the government has indicated that home surveillance can be carried out for 7 days, the salary should be calculated immediately when the foreign domestic helper lives in the employer's home.
"Of course, if you stay in a hotel, the hotel should be paid by the employer." He believes that the 7-day reduction is helpful for the industry and some employers. "Because you can save less money, the hotel is not enough. It is easy to book a lot of hotels, which is helpful for employers.”
Zhang Jiemin, chairman of the Employment Agents Association, said that the 7-day reduction in hotel quarantine is helpful for the industry or some employers.
(file picture)
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