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Live-in rule for HK domestic helpers under scrutiny
The high-profile case of foreigner domestic helper (FDH) Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has led to criticism of the mandatory live-in policy for FDHs
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T
he high-profile case of foreigner domestic helper (FDH) Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has led to criticism of the mandatory live-in policy for FDHs.
But academics and an employers' group expressed reservations about abandoning the policy.
FDH groups, assisting Erwiana in the legal battle against her abusive employer, blamed government policies, including mandatory live-in arrangements, for exposing domestic helpers to the risk of violence.
Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of Mission for Migrant Workers, said Erwiana was the victim of Hong Kong government's unjust policies such as mandatory live-in arrangements. She said this put migrant worker at risk of abuse.
However, academics and an employers' group disagreed. Professor of Sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Stephen Chiu Wing-kai said cancelling the live-in policy would reduce families' desire to hire domestic helpers.
Chiu said that without the live-in policy, Hong Kong family's dependence on domestic helpers would drop.
Support Group for HK Employers with FDH convener Joan Tsui Hui-tung also expressed strong objections to removing the mandatory live-in policy.
Tsui said ending these arrangements would hurt families with children. This was because most parents have to work until 8pm in the city.
'If the domestic helpers were not there to take care of children before parents return home, then what's the point of hiring helpers?' said Tsui.
Tsui also expressed concern over increased fees for employers if FDHs were allowed to live off-site. With current rent levels, the employer has to pay another HK$4,000 (US$516) to subsidise a helper's rent. This could raise the total cost of hiring a domestic helper to around HK$10,000 (US$1,300).
According to the Immigration Department, Hong Kong had about 330,650 domestic helpers living in the city by the end of 2014 - 5.8 per cent higher than at the end of 2012. If they were all allowed to live off-site, it could send already exorbitant rents to a higher level, said Tsui.
Professor Leung Cho-bun from Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong didn't seem to be optimistic about the idea of allowing FDHs to live off-site.
There is no clear evidence suggesting that the live-in policy was the cause of FDH abuse and living off-site would not reduce conflict, explained Leung.
He said the current mechanism was sufficient to deal with such crimes.
Still, Leung suggested FDH agents should conduct call-back interviews on families and helpers from time to time. This would help monitor the situation and prevent conflict.
The Labour Department said the live-in arrangement was a cornerstone of Hong Kong's FDH policy.
A department spokeswoman said the policy was there to protect local labourers. The department believes it is necessary to maintain the mandatory live-in arrangements considering all the risks. (***)
