Domestic helper taken across border to mainland China and ‘leased out’ illegally for 10 days

A Filipino domestic helper was made to do 10 days illegal work in mainland China, while under the impression she was on a trip with her employer.

Rosgen, 23, who arrived in Hong Kong in early December, said she was taken by her employer to their friend’s home – almost a three-hour drive north to a place in Guangdong. Unaware even of the name of the town she was in, the helper was then asked to work there.

“My employer told me we were travelling to the mainland, but when we got to her friend’s place, she said I must work there,” Rosgen said. “I complained, but she said if I didn’t obey her, I would be sent back to the Philippines.”

A spokesman for the Immigration Department said the border official initially misunderstood Rosgen’s situation as the note had not fully illustrated her problem and she had not appeared to have had any dispute with her employer. A criminal investigation is now under way, he said.

The department assisted Rosgen to report to police later in the day after having clearly understood the case and carried out an internal check as to the way Rosgen’s query was previously handled.

The case comes amid escalating public concerns over the abuse of domestic helpers by some citizens who allegedly “lease out” their maids and send them to the mainland to work – without legal authorisation from either region.