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Danny Lee

Social activists have launched a campaign to fight for sweeping changes to the treatment of foreign domestic helpers amid anger over torture alleged to have been inflicted on an Indonesian maid by her employer.
The Hong Kong Helpers Campaign is pushing for an overhaul of laws that relate specifically to the more than 300,000 imported maids, which they say do little to protect the helpers' rights.
The launch came as the female employer alleged to have inflicted severe injuries on helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, 23, was arrested at the airport.
"The case of abuse towards Erwiana highlights a need for a campaign," group spokeswoman Meredith McBride said. "It highlights the fact that everyone needs to act to get the government on board."
Watch: Hong Kong maids march for better protection

The campaigners want to change three key arrangements.
One is the "two-week" rule whereby maids have only a fortnight to find a new employer after a contract or face deportation.
Another is the rule that requires the helpers to live with their employers, which activists say leaves them open to abuse and manipulation.
The group also wants maximum working hours to be set for maids. In a survey, human rights group Amnesty International found that Indonesian maids worked up to 102 hours in a six-day week.
“If employers are able to abuse their helpers for months and years on end without ramifications, the laws and policies that allow for this abuse must be changed,” McBride wrote in a recent op-ed for the South China Morning Post.
Another call is for an end to illegal agency fees that force domestic helpers into debt.
In September last year, Catherine Au Yuk-shan was sentenced to 5-1/2 years' jail and her husband, Tai Chi-wai, to three years and three months' jail for abusing Indonesian Kartika Puspitasari. The court heard the helper was attacked with a bicycle chain, fists, hot irons, a paper cutter, a hanger and a shoe.


Hong Kong employer jailed in 2015 for torturing Indonesian domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih declared bankrupt

Starved, beaten with hammer, forced to sleep with dog: worst domestic worker abuse cases of Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia

From Erwiana Sulistyaningsih to Baby Jane Allas, abuse of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong prompts calls for better protection

Beaten Indonesian domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih demands to know why Hong Kong abuser was released from jail early

Erwiana Sulistyaningsih

Campaign to push for changes to maid working conditions after Erwiana's case

A screen shot of Hong Kong Helpers Campaign's website. The group, launched on Monday, seeks to change employment rules on foreign domestic workers in the wake of the alleged beatings of Erwiana. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Hong Kong woman accused of abusing, torturing maids detained at airport on way to Thailand

The suspect is taken by officers from the airport police station to Tseung Kwan O and Indonesian domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih (inset) lies in a bed whilst being treated at a hospital in Sragen, Indonesia's Central Java province. Photo: Sam Tsang and Felix Wong

The suspect is taken by officers from the airport police station to Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Felix Wong

Chief Inspector Chung Chi-ming (centre) arrives at the hospital in Java. Photo: Sam Tsang

Indonesian domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih lies in a bed whilst being treated at a hospital in Sragen, Indonesia's Central Java province. Photo: Sam Tsang

Senior Inspector Candy Li Ka-yan (left) and Chief Inspector Chung Chi-ming arrive at the airport for their flight to Indonesia. Photo: Nora Tam


Indonesian domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih lies in a bed whilst being treated at a hospital in Sragen, Indonesia's Central Java province. Photo: Sam Tsang


Harry's view

New employee abuse victims emerge as thousands march for justice for Erwiana

Protesters march to support Erwiana. Photo: Nora Tam

Thousands have marched from police headquarters to central government offices in protest of the Indonesian domestic helper who alleges she was abused by her employer. Photo: Danny Lee

Protesters nearing the government offices. Photo: Danny Lee

Police at the protest march. Photo: Danny Lee

Hong Kong officers fly to Indonesia to meet maid at centre of torture probe

Senior police inspector Candy Li Ka-yan (woman in white top) and Chief police inspector Chung Chi-ming (man in the centre) depart for Indonesia to investigate the case involving domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih. Photo: Nora Tam

Indonesian domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih lies in a bed whilst being treated at a hospital in Sragen. Photo: Reuters

Domestic workers in Hong Kong were among protesters marchig through the city on Sunday in support of Indonesian helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih. Photo: SCMP

Indonesian maid at centre of 'torture ordeal' row could sue Hong Kong government

Protesters on the march to government headquarters yesterday in support of Indonesian helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih. Photo: Nora Tam

Helper Erwiana

News

Hong Kong

Social activists have launched a campaign to fight for sweeping changes to the treatment of foreign domestic helpers amid anger over torture alleged to have been inflicted on an Indonesian maid by her employer.


Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong