Covid rules on helpers unwelcomed by both sides

The government’s latest infection control requirements imposed on foreign domestic helpers have been met with strong criticism from both the employer and employee sides, with the helpers saying they feel discriminated against, and the bosses complaining about a lack of solutions for possible labour disputes.

After a Filipino helper who lives in Tung Chung was found to have been infected by a highly contagious variant of Covid-19, authorities swiftly ordered all foreign domestic helpers to get tested before May 9.

The government also said it’s considering whether to order those renewing their contracts or changing employers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The Mission for Migrant Workers – a group that assists and supports domestic workers – said while helpers are willing to comply, they feel the measures are discriminatory.

The group’s relations officer, Johannie Tong, told an RTHK programme on Monday that the government should explain why the decision was made despite the fact that the source of infection for the helper was unknown.

“Is it the case that after a helper was confirmed with the virus, everyone with the same profession or status would have to be tested? What is the basis of assuming they must have had contacts given the source of infection was unknown?” Tong questioned.

“Some helpers told us they felt upset and felt discriminated against.”

Tong said while some helpers weren’t against getting inoculated, they didn’t like the fact that they were forced to do so.

“For myself or for many helpers, we are not opposed to the vaccine. But they have to consider their health condition. Some told me they have chronic illnesses, like hyper pressure or other chronic conditions,” she said.

Chairwoman of the Association of Hong Kong Manpower Agencies, Teresa Liu, who is also a managing director of a recruitment agency for foreign domestic helpers, said the government’s hasty decision may give rise to labour disputes.

She said if a helper with underlying health conditions needs to undergo a body check to get an exemption from being inoculated, for example, employers should not be asked to shoulder the cost.

“What if any situation arises from the vaccination, in the worst case, what if they die? Is it going to be covered by the labour insurance? Is it to be considered a death arising from the course of the employment?” Liu questioned.

“If a helper says I would never get the shot, and would rather leave. If she’s worked here for many years, and is entitled to a long service payment. But the employer says I’m not firing her, and the helper says I’m not resigning. It’s the government that doesn’t allow the helper to stay. Then who should pay the long service payment?”

Meanwhile, Gilman Siu, an associate professor from the Polytechnic University’s Department of Health Technology and Informatics, defended the mandatory tests ordered by the government, saying the scope of the tests have to be large enough to stop any silent transmission.

“The Tung Chung helper has been in Hong Kong for a long time. Aside from being home, there are places she’d stay on her days off. Those occasions make foreign domestic helpers a high risk group. That’s why we have to see how to identify these cases and identify them quickly, because if we act too slowly, it may lead to a serious community outbreak,” he said.