22
Playtimes
W
hilst most of us are heavily
reliant on helpers to help
us care for our families,
homes and pets, we
may not realise that many of these
lovely ladies (and a few fine fellows) are
taken advantage of, suffer abuse or
are overworked. Without these foreign
domestic workers (FDWs) we’d struggle
to develop careers, manage our
households or live balanced lives.
Hong Kong has more than 320,000
FDWs, usually from countries with limited
opportunities, who sacrifice their family
life to help ours and earn money to
support dependants. Unfortunately,
many who are ill-treated don’t know their
rights or are afraid to complain for fear
of losing their income – which is even
more shocking given that FDWs earn only
$4,010 per month, often for 18-hour days.
A charity is born
Thankfully, our helpers have their own
helpers. Helpers for Domestic Helpers
(HDH) began in 1989 when a group of
lawyers who worshipped at St John’s
Cathedral recognised from their fellow
Filipino congregants a need for free
legal advice and assistance. Informal
Sunday outreach clinics at St John’s soon
mushroomed as demand for assistance
increased, resulting in the charity HDH
being formed. Despite the church
background, HDH isn’t concerned
with religion – helpers who require help
receive it, irrespective of race, nationality,
gender or religious belief.
HDH’s remit continues to protect
and empower FDWs by providing free
legal services, guidance and support.
The charity seeks justice for 1,500 new
clients annually on average – mostly
Filipino, but many Indonesian or South
Asian – all with a staff of just two (the
passionate manager, Holly Allan, and
an assistant manager) boosted by
weekday volunteers, plus lawyers who
assist on Sundays.
How HDH helps
Sadly, numerous helpers are exploited,
overworked, underpaid, wrongfully
dismissed, denied rest days or holidays,
or encounter criminal allegations or
immigration issues. Worse still, some
suffer physical or sexual assault, abuse
or ill-treatment. Many even experience
human trafficking or debt bondage.
HDH helps in many ways: it
explains workers’ contractual rights
and Hong Kong laws; helps resolve
employment issues; seeks the refund of
illegal placement fees; assists in court
cases; liaises with police, Labour and
Immigration Departments; and holds
educational seminars. The charity also
advocates for improvements to related
government policies.
Human trafficking and debt
bondage are amongst the most
common problems, with many helpers
compelled to pay excessive and
extortionate fees to obtain a job, often
with recruiters/agencies conspiring
with money-lending companies in
charging these illegal fees. HDH’s
ongoing struggle to stop rogue
agencies profiting at the expense of
desperate helpers led to a campaign
(with corporate legal support) to raise
awareness and educate FDWs. This
campaign, together with other local
NGOs’ efforts, has at least resulted in
fewer money-lending complaints.
How can you help?
For more than 25 years, HDH has
endeavoured to ensure that FDWs
are not only aware of their rights, but
also know how to protect and pursue
them. They’ve aided more than
25,000 clients thanks to committed
volunteers. Help those who help us by
fundraising, volunteering or donating.
Students can gain workplace
experience by interning, while
contributing to the community.
One fun way to get involved is by
joining the HDH annual sponsored walk,
where hikers visit St John’s Cathedral’s
associated churches from Discovery Bay
to Stanley. It’s a great family (and dog!)
day out, with walkers welcome for all or
part of the jolly journey. To find out more
about HDH, and to check details for
upcoming walks, click
about-hdh, or phone 2523 4020.
Helping
our helpers
When Hong Kong’s helpers suffer exploitation, encounter employment or
immigration issues, or even become the victims of assault or trafficking, who
can they turn to for advice and assistance?
Gillian Johnston
finds out.
news
