Letters | Accusing Hong Kong’s domestic workers of ‘job-hopping’ ignores their struggles
- Readers discuss accusations of ‘job-hopping’ directed at migrant domestic workers, and steps to improve fire safety awareness
I arrived in Hong Kong from the Philippines in 2007 to work as a domestic worker. Most of my duties involve caring for the elderly. In my free time, I am a unionist and advocate for worker and LGBTQ rights.
Over these 17 years, I was rejected by employers four times because of my gender expression. I also terminated my contract twice because my health had deteriorated due to long working hours. I was working from 5am to 11pm and on call for 24 hours.
I have major family responsibilities. I spend my food allowance carefully because my salary is not enough to support the needs of my parents and three siblings, two of whom are in university. My family and I suffered when I broke my contract as I needed to exit Hong Kong and wait for a work visa in my country. I had no income for two months.
Everyone should be allowed to seek better working conditions and wages. If we are treated well by our employers, why would we quit our jobs knowing that we would lose income when we go back to our place of origin to wait for our visa and that unscrupulous employment agencies would take advantage of us and make us pay illegal fees?
Moreover, some employers frequently terminate workers; some employment agencies even offer employers a “buy one, take one” deal which encourages them to change workers. This February, my union assisted two workers who only worked 10-15 days and were terminated by their employer. When employers do this, nothing much is made of it.
If there is a shortage of workers, isn’t it contradictory that the Immigration Department imposes the so-called job-hopping policy and denies experienced workers a visa? Why doesn’t the government help workers and employers find a better match? It is the employment agencies that make the most money and exert control over new workers who don’t know their rights.
I hope the Hong Kong government can also consider the workers’ side of the story. Migrant domestic workers who break their contracts in the hope of a better salary are not in the majority.
We aim for better, fair and safe working conditions. If people are loved, respected and recognised, they wouldn’t break their contracts.
Jec Sernande, executive committee member, Progressive Labour Union in Hong Kong
Require buildings to post fire safety notices at entrances
Can the government direct the community to where they can check whether a building is safe to enter, use and live in?
As a priority measure, I urge the government to require owners and managers to post all fire safety direction notices (not just fire safety-related court orders) issued by the government in conspicuous places inside and outside each entrance of the relevant building. Owners and managers must also be required to maintain each notice in readable condition until the government has confirmed that the direction has been complied with or the order has been lifted.
Separately, can the relevant government department ensure all fire safety directions and notices can be easily found on a website?
When I checked the homepage of the Buildings Department website on April 17, I found only 13 outstanding orders for 298-306 Nathan Road covering removal, repair and drainage issues. I could not find fire safety directions or orders.
Paul Zimmerman, CEO, Designing Hong Kong Limited
