Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla called on Hong Kong Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong on 30 August to personally convey her congratulations on the latter’s appointment and at the same time to raise concerns for the welfare of Filipino domestic helpers (FDH) and affirm the Consulate’s commitment to partner with the Hong Kong Government in improving living and working conditions.
Consul General Catalla discussed issues affecting the overall well-being of FDHs in Hong Kong, such as inadequate food, overfatigue due to poorly defined working hours, unsuitable accommodations, and poor health that generally remain unreported due to FDH’s fear of job termination.
Dr Law expressed sympathy over the issues raised, and reassured Consul General Catalla that the HK Labour and Welfare Bureau will continue to endeavor to protect Filipino workers and see that their rights are respected. He also described efforts to educate not just the FDHs but also the employers through publications or direct engagement.
Dr Law started his term as Labour and Welfare Secretary on 1 July 2017. A founding member of the Democratic Party, Dr Law served in the Legislative Council in 1995-2004 before joining the Commission on Strategic Development in 2005, the Steering Committee on Child Development Fund in 2008, and the Commission on Poverty in 2012.
In light of the death of Hong Kong-based Filipino worker Lorain Asuncion in Shenzhen last July, Dr Law expressed concern about FDHs going to China in violation of immigration and labor laws. “We have to work together to solve these cases,” Dr Law said in seeking the PH Consulate’s help in encouraging Filipino workers to report contract violations to authorities.
She added that domestic helpers are worried about having their contracts terminated as a consequence of reporting to authorities. Dr Law said he understood the FDHs’ dilemma so it was important to be flexible and to strike a balance between reducing the psychological barriers to reporting abuse and maintaining safeguards against false reporting.
Dr Law said the HK Government is doing its best for the FDHs and at the same time help Hong Kong avoid building a bad reputation that might discourage workers from coming here. He emphasized that Hong Kong will need more foreign domestic helpers to provide care for the elderly and to allow local women to join the workforce.
He assured Consul General Catalla that the HK Labour and Welfare Bureau will continue to work on initiatives to improve conditions for foreign domestic workers in HK. Both looked forward to a stronger partnership toward further improving the plight of foreign domestic workers and enhancing employee-employer relations in Hong Kong.
