MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKER'S ORDEAL

Death in migrant domestic workers not just happened with Filipinos but to other nationalities as well like Indonesians, Thais and etc.

Hong Kong authorities are investigating the death of 28-year-old Filipino domestic worker who fell from a building on mainland China after being sent there to work by her Hong Kong employer. The tragedy was classified as a “suspected case of human-trafficking”.

According to the report, the worker was employed since October and had been to the mainland four times. The aunt and sister of the deceased said that the late worker was worried every time she had to go to China because of language communication problem. Besides, she had no access on the internet or social media to communicate and that they had an argument with her employer over her rest time and holidays.

This kind of incident is commonly done by employers. They hired domestic workers not just to work in their households but to their extended families around even as far as mainland China which is a breach in contract. Other things they usually do after being caught when hiring a worker was changing the names of the employer's signatory, instead of their immediate name to sign in, they will ask their relatives to do the thing on behalf of them since they are on the blocklists in the Philippine Consulate General's Office.

DOMESTIC WORKERS ON THEIR DAY-OFF

EXPERIENCE SINCE 1983

In my opinion as an OFW since 1983, I would say this is a common practice here in Hong Kong with Chinese employers, although not all (no offence ). They don't follow the rules in the contract like 24 hours off-duty, instead they'd asked the worker to do things before going out in the morning and again when they arrived at night or they would ask them to report back home at an specific time earlier. So, a worker can't get enough rest on her day-off. I have said this because I have been a victim of such treatment with my first employer. Luckily at times, I have a better environment in the working place after my ordeal that lasted 22 years.

The recent accident is very suspicious. If taking a worker to work in another household is an offense, cleaning the windows of a household is also an offense. Domestic workers are forbidden to clean the windows because of the suspicious accidents that have had occured many times in Hong Kong and remained unsolved. The problem here is that most employers evaded questions as far as they can and made up stories that they wouldn't be blamed for. The poor victim's family can't do anything as it will cost them a fortune to do so. Discrimination existed in the workplace in Hong Kong. I heard and saw how employers treated their workers verbally. With that they will be affected emotionally and sometimes it ended up in physical abuse.

About five years ago, I have joined in PLUDW-HK, Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers Hong Kong. Our mission is to help migrant workers know their rights ( educate), organize (be united in one goal) and mobilize (get ready for any action). As we have noticed, many migrant workers didn't know what to do in situations like the above.

I am an active unionist and co-founder of a choir group, Deo Volente. We served the Lord as we have served our brothers and sisters who are in need of help.

"The police said they had no tolerance for any human-trafficking offense in Hong Kong.
According to the Labor Department, if employers make a false statement to the Immigration Department, they are liable to prosecution and could face a maximum fine of HK$150,000 (US$17,200) and imprisonment for 14 years."

I hope this policy will be implemented soon and accordingly.