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Hong Kong labour chief vows to ‘defend rights’, meet Indonesian consul general over rules requiring residents to pay more for domestic helpers

  • Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun says rule change should not ‘increase burden’ employers or affect prospects of domestic workers
  • Indonesia has revised placement fee rules for helpers heading abroad, increasing costs for Hong Kong employers, but many unaware of change

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There are about 338,000 foreign domestic helpers in the city, with Indonesians accounting for around 140,000. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong’s labour chief on Friday vowed to defend residents’ rights and meet the Indonesian consul general, after the country announced it would enforce rules requiring employers in the city to pay thousands of dollars more when hiring domestic helpers.
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Authorities would also approach the Cambodian and Bangladeshi consulates in Hong Kong as the city explored importing workers from other countries, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said.

“Any changes should not increase the burden on Hong Kong employers or affect the job opportunities of domestic workers from Indonesia. I will personally meet the Indonesian consul general and write to them to reiterate our stance,” Sun said.

“We hope that the Indonesian government can find a proper way to handle this. These measures should not only target Hong Kong but apply to all countries. We will defend Hongkongers’ rights and fight for an appropriate way to handle this matter.”

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun says he will reaffirm his stance to the Indonesian consul general in the city in person. Photo: Edmond So
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun says he will reaffirm his stance to the Indonesian consul general in the city in person. Photo: Edmond So
The rules governing fees for hiring domestic helpers from Indonesia have been revised twice by Jakarta, in 2020 and last year.
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