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Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong
Since the 1970s, foreign domestic workers have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong to address the city's shortage of local, full-time live-in helpers.
An employers’ group says 30 per cent of the city’s more than 378,000 helpers are already caring for elderly people. Photo: Karma Lo
John Lee policy address 2026

Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn

Hong Kong will admit foreign carers with more advanced training and experience in elderly care under pilot scheme unveiled in policy address.

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Hong Kong society

Foreign carers for elderly to get 10 to 20% more pay than current helpers

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John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong launching pilot scheme to bring in foreign carers for the elderly

Indonesia

Up to 200 Hong Kong-bound helpers stranded in Indonesia after volcano eruption

Employment agencies association expresses concerns but says ‘contingency plans in place’ if Mount Anak Krakatoa erupts again.

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport resumed operations on Tuesday after being shut for several days. Photo: Reuters
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

3 helpers sacked, issued warnings over use of employer data to secure loans

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog highlights three cases and says helpers’ actions led to their employers being harassed by debt collectors.

Crime in Hong Kong

Domestic helper arrested after girl scalded by hot water in Hong Kong

Source says helper claimed the girl put her hand into a sink before she could test the water temperature, but child’s mother calls account a lie.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong employer groups call for helper wage freeze, warn of mass sackings

‘Many employers are themselves out of work or facing pay cuts or pay freezes,’ group representative says.

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Domestic helpers in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong society

Li Ka Shing Foundation, Disney gift 24,000 domestic helpers Toy Story 5 tickets

Registration on Klook to open at 9pm on Wednesday in latest collaboration between Hong Kong tycoon’s charity foundation and The Walt Disney Company.

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Hong Kong society

Filipino workers in Hong Kong allegedly recruited as surrogates for overseas couples

Consulate investigates alleged human trafficking cases, warns that women have been recruited through social media posts by former helpers.

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Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Court ruling gives employers and domestic helpers much to reflect on

If a helper contracts an illness that renders her unable to perform her duties, what options are available that are fair to both the helper and her employer?

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Baby Jane Allas (centre) after a hearing at the Labour Tribunal in Hong Kong on April 15, 2019. A Hong Kong court has awarded more than HK$251,000 to the family of Allas, who was dismissed by her employer in 2019 after being diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer and who later died. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Helpers’ union calls for raising food allowance to HK$2,770, citing inflation

Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally.

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Members of the Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions protest outside Harbour Building in Central. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong courts

Court awards HK$251,000 to family of late helper sacked during cancer battle

Years-long legal battle involving late Baby Jane Allas comes to end as District Court orders former employer, Jamil Bushra, to pay damages.

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Hong Kong courts

Watchdog seeks HK$250,000 for family of late helper sacked during cancer battle

District Court holds hearing to assess how much compensation should be awarded, five years after death of Baby Jane Allas.

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Hong Kong courts

HK$2,000 bind-over for helper who slapped employer’s child during meal

Hong Kong court imposes three-year good behaviour bond for assault charge after helper slapped girl for refusing to eat her dinner.

The Eastern Court building in Sai Wan Ho. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong

New shelter for Filipino helpers in Hong Kong awaits government green light

Philippine minister says Tai Po villa is bigger and more comfortable than previous shelter, while advocates for domestic helpers welcome facility.

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Domestic helpers gather in Central on their day off. A three-year lease for a new shelter for helpers in distress has been signed after the earlier site – a small three-bedroom flat in Kennedy Town – reached the end of its term. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong’s domestic helpers need safe places to work and play

As climate change intensifies and urban space dwindles, migrant workers’ needs must be prioritised.

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The Philippines

‘Number of missing rising’: Filipino helpers in Hong Kong rally for aid after quake

Community groups are seeking to raise HK$20,000 to supply victims in Philippines with food, water and medicine.

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Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Editorial | Hong Kong’s domestic workers deserve dignity and cool comfort too

Inclement weather is making life harder for domestic workers who already lack places to rest and face restrictions on using air conditioning.

Domestic workers gather around tents in Tsuen Wan on their day off on May 24. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong society

With fewer public spaces for Hong Kong’s helpers, where can they go to unwind?

Helpers are being driven out of areas where they host activities, with NGOs saying more resting places are needed and urging government review.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong helpers urge employers to relax ‘air-con ban’ in heatwave

Employer draws widespread online criticism for scolding domestic helper who switched on air conditioner an hour early in hot weather.

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Accidents and personal safety

Helper injured, 2 cats die in Hong Kong fire linked to pet water dispenser

Investigators suspect blaze was triggered by electrical fault – such as a short circuit or overheating – linked to pet water dispenser or its charger.

Firefighters try to revive the cats. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong

Hong Kong helpers cry out as popular garden in Central to close for underpass work

Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body says closure of Statue Square Gardens will affect helpers as it serves as vital social hub every Sunday.

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Statue Square, next to the garden, has been partially closed since early May for a HK$3.4 million renovation. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Tightened rules for Hong Kong’s money lenders will protect helpers

Moves to regulate the moneylender sector must be accompanied by strengthening law enforcement and stepping up education efforts.

Hong Kong

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

Hong Kong

‘Nowhere to go’: helpers pushed out of parks spend day off in tents at bus terminus

Helpers in Hong Kong describe difficulty of finding places they can gather after some online posts suggested visitors were setting up tents.

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Helpers gather at the Lohas Park Station Public Transport Interchange. Some said they were usually forced to leave other public spaces when they gathered in groups on their day off. Photo: Elson Li
Women and gender

Helping the families of the domestic helpers killed in Tai Po fire

Helping the families of the domestic helpers killed in Tai Po fire
Indonesia

Indonesia domestic worker law faces uphill battle against cultural attitudes

While the new law is a start, real changes will not happen instantly because of ingrained beliefs, women activists say.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly putting 2 young boys in dog cage

Mother alleges helper confined boys, aged two and three, in a cage in flat.

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