The High Court began hearing a judicial review on Tuesday filed by a Filipino domestic worker against the ‘live-in’ requirement for maids, alleging that it is unconstitutional.
The judicial review was filed by domestic worker Lubiano Nancy Almorin, Apple Daily reported. It said her lawyer Paul Shieh argued that the stipulation violates both the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Almorin did not show up in the court on Tuesday.
The live-in rule was introduced in 2003 and implemented through standard employment contracts and pledges when workers applied for visas.
But Shieh said the Director of Immigration does not have the power to restrict where foreign domestic helpers can live.
He said the legal challenge was aimed at giving helpers a choice on where they can live, and did not seek to force all helpers to move out of their employers’ homes, Radio Television Hong Kong reported.
Shieh quoted a survey conducted by Justice Centre on 1,003 domestic workers which found that maids in Hong Kong work more than 70 hours on average per week – and that one in three don’t have a weekly 24-hour rest day as required by law, Sing Pao reported.
The case is scheduled to last two days.
Very true..almost all of my friend is required to do things before going out and when they back from off day..i have a relative that she goes to bed very late and wake very early also..so this case is an eye opener to the real situation of fdh here in hk. ????
It should be 8-9 hours only not 20hours working in one day even our rest day they get some hours just to work.
Yahh..that’s also i’m doing much better if the court approve the 5workingdays and 2dayoffs
Much better also to gave the food allowance and also not work for 12hours..much better if stay out and work only 8hours..that’s my suggestion.. Thank you
Sharing a room with the kids is so disturbing also.though u want to sleep they keep on coming in n out of the room because they are still awake until midnight.
And its to stressful every day off need to rush back home to wash the dishes and clean the whole house even day offs
Praying for this to be impliment..
Pls let maids breath widely,
Give them time to relax,
Kaya po sa mga iba po na ng se send ng balik bayan box paka isipin po mabuti kung tama.ba ang gagawin na kukuha ka ng ano man things mula sa mga employer. Tama na po ung pinag hirapan mo na mapuno ang box ????
Pinsan Ko rin noon natutulog sa kitchen may folding bed sya malamig yun pag winter
Me too I’m sleeping in a store room type without any window and that makes me suffer from headache in early mornings….its really difficult especially there’s no air-con also just the fan, it’s suffocating, but I don’t have choice!!! ????????????????
Grabe,nman natutulog sa kitchen..,medyo ok lng pg sa living room,
…..and im the one sleeping in the living room and sometimes in the kitchen…poor!?!
17hours,yta ang trabaho dito,sa amo araw2,pag di kpa nka pag 3 mnths,di pa pwede mag stay out,sa amo..?
It’s,good if that is true,bcz.so difficult mostly the helper esp.Indian Employer is no own room.at sleep late and late go holiday at early come back.bcz.need to cook dinner same like me.and also my Sester,and I have more friends and cousin.same but we have no choice.need money.
full day of duty & 2days off day is fine;)
Some helpers share room with the kids and sleep on the floor or in the kitchen…
I 100% vote this because their are employers let their made to sleeo in the living room.
Oh my Golly youre a shame to our country! You supposed to take care of your employers house and not the one who abused their trust! You shamed all filipinos for doing that! Shame on you!
And also not good for maids to share room with kids or stay at a store room type which there’s no Windows for air circulations.
Ano ba yan …sumasahod naman ata at kumakain ng maayos bakit pa mangunguha ng hindi kanya. Sinira mo ang pangalan nga mga pinay dh at lalo kana nakakahiya sa pamilya mo pinas .