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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (January 25) on proposed enhancement measures to protect the interest of foreign domestic helpers:
Reporter: ... protect those migrant workers
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We are very, very concerned about the case of course. We will be taking a number of measures. We are considering seriously a number of measures to protect the interest of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong and also to step up enforcement regulation on employment agencies. For domestic helpers themselves, we will certainly enhance dissemination of information to them, particularly in their own language, to make sure that they understand and know their labour rights, and also how to protect themselves and how to seek help in case of need, emergency, the hotlines, the Consulate, and so on. This is very important. They have to know their rights and exercise them. The second option we are considering is also requiring all new domestic helpers coming to Hong Kong to attend a half-day course arranged by the Labour Department. The objective is two-fold. First of all, it is through this course, we impart basic rights, knowledge, make sure they understand their rights under the labour law and also how to seek help, but more particularly, to enable us to know them, and also to inculcate in them basic occupational safety and health messages particularly at workplace at home. The other options we are considering include a number of measures concerning the operation of employment agencies. We are considering requiring the employment agencies to contact their helpers regularly to understand their situation, to see if they have run into any problem. If they do have problem, then help them. For example, mediate the dispute and also refer cases to the authorities concerned. We are also considering requiring the agencies, as a licensing condition, not to get involved in money lending business. It's very important. And also to remind them that they should not hold the passports of helpers. We are really serious in considering the way forward. But what we can do in the short term is to step up publicity and information efforts to make sure the helpers understand their rights in Hong Kong.
Ends/Saturday, January 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:53
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