Press Statement

16 March 2020




Health and labour rights of migrant domestic workers, “at risk” with the COVID-19 outbreak

HK government should ensure comprehensive protection for all




The COVID-19 outbreak and the consequent actions by the Hong Kong government have put migrant domestic workers “at risk” due to lack of provision or access to protection, overwork and stress, and discriminatory policies including the mandatory live-in requirement.



(See attached Results of Online Survey on the Situation of Migrant Domestic Workers during COVID-19 outbreak)



Lack of provision and access to masks and sanitisers by a significant number of MDWs means many are left unprotected from the virus. As shown by the findings of the survey, over half of MDWs are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to total absence or very limited access to personal protective equipment that can minimize the risk of infection.



Financial assistance to help cope with additional expenses is also denied to MDWs. The announced cash assistance that can help Hong Kong residents excludes MDWs who have to continue to get from their meagre salary the extra expenses for masks, alcohol, sanitizers, and even supplements that can boost a person’s immune system.



The changes in the working and living condition of MDWs are also notable. The prevalence of stress among MDWs due to overworking, the added financial burden, lack of rest and sleep and the prolonged isolation from our community and family actually makes MDWs more vulnerable to various ailments. Discriminatory and exclusionary government policies such as the “mandatory live-in arrangements” for MDWs coupled with the social distancing policy make the situation all the more unbearable physically and mentally for the sector.



During the COVID-19 outbreak, labour rights violations are prevalent. The most common forms are the deprivation of weekly statutory rest day, the over-exposure to harmful chemical cleaning agents and the lack of access to redress and grievance mechanisms.



Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, policies and preventive actions by the Hong Kong government exclude household carers who are members of hundreds of thousands of households and a significant community in Hong Kong. The very nature of our work– working where we live – already makes us share the risk as the rest of the Hong Kong households.



In this time of the COVID-19, the vulnerability of MDWs require that protection of their health and rights be one of the major concerns. However, instead of concrete actions to help protect MDW as part of the all households, the government’s policies seem to be more directed on how to prevent MDWs to become vectors of the virus.



The current situation further exposes and magnifies the problems of MDWs arising from government policies especially in terms of wages, working hours, accommodation and other labour rights.



In the absence of a comprehensive policy to address the socio-economic, political, public health and cultural impacts of the COVID-19, the Hong Kong government practically passed the responsibility to private households and individuals to manage the virus risks. If public policies are made, they exclude migrant domestic workers that further render us invisible and vulnerable.



Ironically, if MDWs are left vulnerable, then households are also vulnerable. The government must embrace the belief that Hong Kong’s survival depends on the survival of all. No one should be left unprotected and uncared for.



Thus, we put forward the following demands to the HKSAR government to:



1.    Ensure a better and more comprehensive social, economic and public health policy to address the COVID-19 and include MDWs in national safety preventive and protection programs. The government should pro-actively support Hong Kong households and include MDWs and others in the care sector.

1.    保證一個更好及涵蓋性較高的社會、經濟和公共衛生政策，以回應19年冠狀病毒疫情，及將移工包括入香港社會的預防及及防護計劃之中。政府應該積極地支持香港所有家庭中的照顧者，包括移工。

2.    Include migrant domestic workers in the proposed financial assistance scheme by the HKSAR government to cope with the impacts of COVID-19.

2.  特區政府應在為處理19年冠狀病毒疫情而設的抗疫財政支援計劃中，包括移工。

3.    Conduct widespread information to households employing MDWs on their responsibilities to include them in the adequate provision of protective materials.   

3.   提供足夠廣傳的資訊給有聘請移工的家庭，告知其作為僱主的責任，是須為員工提供適切的防護物資。

4.    Ensure that MDWs have access and correct information on COVID-19 especially         those involving MDWs.

4.  保證移工可以接觸到正確的冠狀病毒相關資訊，特別是與移工相關的資訊。


5.    Curb overpricing and ensure adequate supply of affordable protective materials for all.

5.  為全港人民提保足夠及可負擔的防疫物資貨源，以及壓止防疫物資的價格飛漲。

6.    Withdraw the discriminatory advisory of the Labour Department “suggesting” MDWs to stay in their workplace during rest days       

6.   收回勞工署呼籲移工於休息日留在僱主家中的「建議」。

7.    Abolish discriminatory restrictions like the “Two- Week Rule” and make the “Live-In Policy” optional to lessen the vulnerability of MDWs and improve our living and working condition.

7.  廢除歧視性的限制，例如兩星期逗留規例，又例如可以將必須與僱主同住的政策鬆綁，讓僱主與移工自己商討。如此，則可以減低移工的易受傷害程度，以及改進移工的生活和工作條件。

Let us all FIGHT C.O.V.I.D.! – Coronavirus | Overwork | Vulnerability | Inequality | Discrimination

讓我們一起對抗冠狀病毒｜超時工作｜易受傷害度 | 不平等 | 歧視

About APMM

The COVID-19 Migrant Monitor is an urgent action campaign providing timely and appropriate information relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its impact on migrants.