Migrant Workers

After 1 year of implementation of 〈Code of Practice〉, did the employment agencies become more clean? Since Jan 2017, in the name of improving monitor mechanism to employment agencies, the labour department launched the 〈Code of Practice〉. In order to assess Hong Kong employment agencies compliance with CoP, sister of FADWU and KOBUMI formed a survey team, we interviewed 452 migrant domestic workers. Union sister have also conducted 18 secret recording at employment agencies, to investigate how much does employment agencies charge for agency fee.

Nami was having her exam period at the Polytechnic University when I first interviewed her. We had 3 days before her final exam to review her 2 years’ experiences as an union organizer. She was 18 years old then, probably the youngest organizer in all HKCTU afflilated. She was one of the few organizers who love to show a smiling face and is optimistic. Having to deal with people as the job nature, she finds joy.

Filipino migrant domestic workers are charged illegal fees by unscrupulous employment agencies in both the Philippines and Hong Kong. The practice is widespread and government systems to prevent such illegal activities are not fit for purpose. As a result, many migrant domestic workers have little choice but to pay these exorbitant fees and are heavily indebted, making it difficult to leave exploitative and abusive employers.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place, a report and short documentary film published today by the Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers - Hong Kong (PLUDWHK) and Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Union (FADWU), documents the illegal activities of employment agencies in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the failure of both governments to protect the rights of Filipino migrant domestic workers.

"Our research clearly demonstrates that significant numbers of agencies are systematically charging Filipino migrant domestic workers fees well in excess of the legal maximum. Yet despite this, very few are ever charged and prosecuted in the Philippines or Hong Kong," said Shiella Estrada, Chair of the PLUDW-HK.

The International Migrants Day (Dec. 18th) this year, also marks the 25th Anniversary of the rectification of the “International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families” (alas International Migrants Convention).  Thus, we took to the streets to various consulate generals in order to fight for the rights of 300,000 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.  We urge the government to introduce regulatory measures to prevent excessive agency fee and eliminate all discriminatory policies against foreign domestic workers.