The Hong Kong government has urged employers to make sure that the medical-insurance packages they provide their foreign domestic workers cover personal accidents.
Such coverage means maids can seek medical treatment if they suffer injuries from non-work-related activities.
“We consider it reasonable to hold employers responsible for the medical expenses of foreign domestic helpers under their employment and do not see any strong justifications to abolish or revise such [an] arrangement,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said in a written reply to a Legislative Council member on Wednesday. “We will monitor the relevant situation to decide whether it is necessary to review the above arrangements.”
The written statement came after Law replied to a question raised by lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun in a LegCo meeting on November 15. Tien had asked the government whether it would amend the law so that employers are excused from paying medical costs if their domestic workers are injured on a rest day or during some high-risk activities such as cliff-jumping.
Law replied to Tien on the same day that the government had no plan to amend the law regarding the matter. He sent a written statement on Wednesday to the LegCo to provide more details.
Apart from medical coverage such as hospitalization, surgery, and outpatient clinic and dental care, there are insurance products that offer coverage for personal accidents, Law said.
“Employers should carefully compare the products offered by different insurance companies and examine the policy terms to have a clear understanding of the coverage, for example, whether the policy terms cover critical illnesses or whether the policy terms have made it clear that accidents occurring in inclement weather would not be covered,” he said.
If domestic workers require medical treatment because of injury arising from non-work-related activities or an accident on a rest day, employers may submit medical claims to insurance companies in accordance with the comprehensive insurance plan taken out, or submit personal-accident claims, including for death or permanent disability of foreign domestic workers caused by severe accidents, Law said.
According to the Standard Employment Contract, employers are required to provide free medical treatment and insurance for their domestic workers, except for maids who leave Hong Kong of their own volition and for their own personal purposes.
Read: Govt tells lawmakers no change to maids’ free medical treatment
Read: Cliff-jumping maids spark social media debate among employers
I hope this will be imposed… I have suffered anemia from my previous employer.. I gave her my bills.. But she never pay me back.. The main reason ive suffered anemia is poor nutrition… If i dont take care of my self.. Probably im dead by now.. Some employers never care about helper..
Employers must provide proper medical insurance to assure there helpers in good health and also provide accident insurance too
In my case every time that i got a clinic bill is worth 4hkd they said i need to refund them 220, when i ask them why i need to refund,they sai they applied my insurance jst 180 only,is it accurate?
I have also numb on my stomach.the doctor said need an ultrasound but my employer said no need because I will go home next year.thats why until now,i am worried about my health.since my employer doesnt care about me as her helper.
Tumpak kasi pansarili lang nila iniisip nila..lalo na sa pagkain sobra sila kakur
Nida Naz Laynes kya nga. Feeling nila mkina tyo d nagkakasakit..at d nagugutom.. Parang natatakot magpakain. Damot at walang pakialam
ang gagawin mo sis kumuha ka ng dalawang resibo para mahati ang bill…..o kaya instead na 3days ung gamot na ibibigay sbihin mo 2days nlng tapos balik ka nlng pag ubos mo.gamot para ung bayad mas less….
Guys comment in english.this a public post that some employers can read,so that they understand our sentiments.
May i ask favor ,
For the benefit of everybody,can the consulate and immigration be very strict in impliminting the rules of having everyone insurance coverage before,renewing rhe contracts,because mostly employers get the insurance at first time only of contract.
If the helpers renewed,they dont reapplied again.
Hope this cn be given attention so that employers are stress free in thinking about medical expences of their helpers.thank you
i feel you gnyn dn amo ko may anemia dn aq at may sakit nko ngyon s atay dahildn saknla pero ayaw dn mgbyad pra s pgppgmot ko kya shoulder ko gastos