Three Simple Demands
1. Scrap the 2-week and live-in rule
2. Enforce Maximum Working Hours
3. Stop Illegal Agency Fees
I wouldn't normally use Flickr as a platform for action/change, but this is subject that is very close to my heart and I would like to take a moment to share with you a problem that exists in Hong Kong and much of Asia and the Middle East. Yesterday on 27th February the employer of a young Indonesian Domestic Helper, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih was imprisoned for 6 years (a year less than the maximum of 7), charged on 18 of 20 counts of abuse and non-payment of salary. Erwiana endured routine and almost unspeakable physical abuse and humiliation at the hands of her employer Mrs Law Wan Tung, to the point where she was dressed in nappies and unable to menstruate due to the abuse, sleep deprivation and malnutrition she had suffered. The list goes on, and on, and on and you can read about the unspeakable cruelty the poor girl suffered here www.news.com.au/finance/work/indonesian-domestic-worker-r... Physical abuse of Domestic Helpers is not routine, but it happens and in many cases in Hong Kong Indonesian and Filipina women are treated like sub-class citizens. One of the laws that facilitates this abuse is the live-in law, whereby helpers need to stay in the family apartment, often in spaces no larger or any more glorified than a broom cupboard. It is the opinion of many that this law should be banished to allow helpers independence and time away from their employers. There are no maximum working hours. As long as helpers are given one day off a week there is no stipulation as to how many hours they can or should work. This must change. Finally, many agencies demand payment from their helpers, putting them into debt bondage that can last for years if not forever (almost 60% of workers are in debt). Almost all agencies withhold the passports of these girls/women until debts have been paid or contracts completed. These agencies must be held accountable for their actions and be forced to be more transparent in their dealings. I will not stand by on this subject and allow innocent young women to be victimized and exploited by others which is why I'm sharing my thoughts with you. If you feel the same and would like to effect change, you can find out more here hkhelperscampaign.com/en/
Three Simple Demands
1. Scrap the 2-week and live-in rule
2. Enforce Maximum Working Hours
3. Stop Illegal Agency Fees
I wouldn't normally use Flickr as a platform for action/change, but this is subject that is very close to my heart and I would like to take a moment to share with you a problem that exists in Hong Kong and much of Asia and the Middle East. Yesterday on 27th February the employer of a young Indonesian Domestic Helper, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih was imprisoned for 6 years (a year less than the maximum of 7), charged on 18 of 20 counts of abuse and non-payment of salary. Erwiana endured routine and almost unspeakable physical abuse and humiliation at the hands of her employer Mrs Law Wan Tung, to the point where she was dressed in nappies and unable to menstruate due to the abuse, sleep deprivation and malnutrition she had suffered. The list goes on, and on, and on and you can read about the unspeakable cruelty the poor girl suffered here www.news.com.au/finance/work/indonesian-domestic-worker-r... Physical abuse of Domestic Helpers is not routine, but it happens and in many cases in Hong Kong Indonesian and Filipina women are treated like sub-class citizens. One of the laws that facilitates this abuse is the live-in law, whereby helpers need to stay in the family apartment, often in spaces no larger or any more glorified than a broom cupboard. It is the opinion of many that this law should be banished to allow helpers independence and time away from their employers. There are no maximum working hours. As long as helpers are given one day off a week there is no stipulation as to how many hours they can or should work. This must change. Finally, many agencies demand payment from their helpers, putting them into debt bondage that can last for years if not forever (almost 60% of workers are in debt). Almost all agencies withhold the passports of these girls/women until debts have been paid or contracts completed. These agencies must be held accountable for their actions and be forced to be more transparent in their dealings. I will not stand by on this subject and allow innocent young women to be victimized and exploited by others which is why I'm sharing my thoughts with you. If you feel the same and would like to effect change, you can find out more here hkhelperscampaign.com/en/