Domestic helper from Philippines sues Hong Kong employer after accusing them of pressuring her to quit when she became pregnant
New mother claiming HK$197,000 for distress and loss of earnings over incident in which boss reportedly called her ‘horrible’
A Filipino domestic helper has sued her Hong Kong employer for HK$197,000 after claiming she was pressured to resign because she fell pregnant.
Caling Pia Karen Sanchez, 37, said in a writ filed in District Court on Friday that Chan Hing-man called her “horrible” when she learned about the pregnancy last year.
Chan reportedly accused Sanchez of conspiring with her boyfriend to get pregnant, and told Sanchez’s mother the helper would have to pay a hospital fee of HK$50,000 to bring her newborn home if she gave birth in Hong Kong.
The helper’s pregnancy was confirmed on April 2 last year, and she was admitted to hospital seven days later after showing symptoms of a miscarriage. That was when Chan first discovered her helper was expecting.
On April 19, when Sanchez refused to resign, Chan’s husband gave her “a look of disapproval”, according to court documents.
Sanchez said she had intended to complete her contract, which was due to run until October 20, 2017, but felt that she had “no alternative but to resign”, given Chan’s continued pressure on her to do so.
