The Hong Kong Labour Department has set up a 24-hour hotline to provide one-stop support services for domestic workers. The service, which begins operations today, is manned by operators of the government hotline 1823, according to a government release.
The hotline operators are familiar with Cantonese, English and Putonghua.
Meanwhile, an interpretation service in seven languages, namely Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Nepali, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, is to be available from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Sunday (excluding public holidays).
Domestic workers can use the service to seek advice on employment rights and obligations under the Standard Employment Contract and relevant labor laws.
If needed, their inquiries, requests for services or assistance and complaints on relevant labor matters, such as employment claims or complaints against employment agencies, will be referred to a relevant government department for follow-up.
Callers to the hotline can also seek advice on the appropriate law enforcement agencies to which they can file inquiries or complaints involving alleged exploitation or physical abuse.
Foreign domestic workers can also send emails to fdh@labour.gov.hk or use the online form on the Labour Department’s FDH Portal www.fdh.labour.gov.hk.
To report a crime or during an emergency when one’s personal safety is at risk, workers should immediately call 999 for help.
The hotline number is 2157-9537.