The Philippine Consulate General organized a public dialogue between a leading advocate for migrant workers’ rights in the Hong Kong Legislative Council (Legco) and Filipino household service workers (HSWs) and the media at the Consulate Chancery on 24 March 2019.

“Kapihan with Kenneth (Kaffeeklatsch with Kenneth): A Talk on Migrant Workers’ Rights” featured Legco member Kenneth Leung and a foreign registered lawyer in Hong Kong, Ms. Louise Le Pla of Lewis Silkin law office, as speakers in an event held in celebration of National Women’s Month.

Mr. Leung is noted for having tabled, along with another Legco member, Dennis Kwok, the “Modern Slavery Bill”, which tackles all forms of modern slavery including human trafficking, forced marriage and sex tourism.

The talk focused on rights of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) – the local term for HSWs – in Hong Kong, who number over 390,000, more than 214,000 of whom are Filipinos.

“This event is a historic one given this is the first time a member of the (Hong Kong) Legislative Council will conduct a talk with the Filipino community,” said Consul General Antonio A. Morales during his opening remarks. “I also admire him for his sincerity in pushing for advocacies such as human rights, non-discrimination and resolution of labor issues, especially on migrant workers.”

Consul General Morales further noted that a recently released report by Enrich Hong Kong, in partnership with Frost & Sullivan, estimated the economic contribution of FDHs in Hong Kong at US$12.6 billion or 3.6% of Hong Kong GDP.

During his presentation, Mr. Leung discussed different issues that FDHs face in Hong Kong, including employment agencies, loan contracts, medical insurance, and remedies in case of complaints. He further stressed that he and the Legco welcome suggestions from the Filipino Community to improve the working conditions of HSWs and migrant workers in general.

Ms. Le Pla then proceeded to dissect and discuss each of the clauses of a standard Hong Kong employment contract for HSWs and gave practical tips on employment protection, such as fully understanding the provisions of the contract, to labor-related issues.

During the Q & A session, several audience members raised questions and their concerns to the speakers, with Mr. Leung promising to raise issues such as standard working hours, live-out option and medical insurance for HSWs, to the Legco.

More than 60 members of the Filipino Community, and mostly composed of OFWs, attended the talk.

Kapihan with Kenneth was held under the auspices of the Consulate’s Gender and Development program.