Abuse of Domestic Workers (Hong Kong)

Hong Kong is home to approximately 300,000 foreign domestic helpers. They make up 3% of Hong Kong's population. 48% of the domestic helpers come from the Philippines, 49.4% come from Indonesia, and 1.3% come from Thailand. They usually live in their employer's residence and perform household chores, including cooking, cleaning, washing clothing, and taking care of children. A survey conducted in 2012 has found that 58% of domestic workers faced verbal abuse, 18% has faced physical abuse, and 6% suffered sexual abuse. Many domestic helpers come to Hong Kong to help support their family. Some do not have enough money to send their children to school. According to a survey conducted by the Liberal Party, 40% of the domestic helpers deliberately misbehave to get themselves fired. I am very thankful that my helper has been patiently serving my family for more than 14 years.

Indonesian helpers fighting for justice

Domestic helpers are given rights and protection by the government. Currently, the minimum allowable wage (MAW) given to domestic helpers is $4,010 per month. These wages should not be paid any later than 7 days after the end of the wage period. If the domestic helpers are being underpaid, they have the right to report it to the Labor Department. They are given 1 rest day in every period of 7 days. Furthermore, every 2 months, domestic helpers are given at least 2 weeks off to visit their home country.

Erwiana before and after

However, some Hong Kong employees may neglect these rights and abuse domestic helpers. Have you read in the news lately about Erwiana Sulistayaniangsih? Currently 23 years old, she is a foreign domestic helper from Indonesia. Her employer 羅允彤 mistreated her in their home in Tseung Kwan O. Using sticks and hangers, Erwiana's employer beat her daily for "performing poorly" at her job. According to her employer, she poured hot water on Erwiana's hands and feet because she was lazy. Erwiana was only allowed 2 meals of plain bread and rice a day. Employer 羅允彤 threatened to kill her family if she spoke of this incident. Once, Erwiana tried to contact her employment agency, Chan's Asia Recruitment, but the agency told her that she must pay of her debt before they would listen. In addition to all this, Erwiana was only allowed 4 hours a day to sleep - from 1 pm to 5 pm in the afternoon. After 8 months of torture, Erwiana was no longer able to walk and was allowed to return home with $100. One of Erwiana's friends helped her in the airport. Another Indonesian domestic helper, on the same flight as Erwiana, noticed Erwiana's condition and was concerned. At first, Erwiana denied her torturing and said that it was a skin condition due to the dry weather. But, later on, she confided to the Indonesian domestic helper that she was beaten and tortured by her employer. The Indonesian stayed on to help Erwiana on her flight. Presently, she is resting in a hospital in Java. In response to Erwiana Sulistayaniangsih, over 5000 Indonesian domestic workers have rallied at the government headquarters on January 19, demanding justice for Erwiana. Two other maids, 31 year old Susi and 28 year old Bunga, have claimed to be abused by the same employer. They, too, suffered injuries, but were not in as poor condition as Erwiana.

Pictures taken by a friend at the airport

When I found about Erwiana and what she went through, I was furious. Why would someone do such a thing? This is a form of modern slavery. I hope that justice would be brought to this issue, and that similar incidents would not happen every again.

Prayer:
- Erwiana would quickly heal
- Justice would be brought to Erwiana and the other domestic helpers

Sites Used:
http://hklawblog.com/2013/10/09/who-is-the-victim-domestic-helpers-or-hk-employers/
http://hongwrong.com/maid-abuse/
http://hongwrong.com/tag/blog-2/
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2014/01/22/justice-erwiana-housewife-charged-abusing-three-indonesian-helpers
http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/FDHLeaflet_Eng.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_domestic_helpers_in_Hong_Kong
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/01/20/police-make-arrest-in-hong-kong-maid-abuse-case/
http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/faq/foreign-domestic-helpers.html#wages
http://hk.next.nextmedia.com/article/1246/17167773