SCORES of Filipino maids working illegally in Hong Kong are surrendering to immigration authorities in fear of harsh penalties after the handover.
An estimated 20,000 of the territory's 135,000 Filipinos do not have valid visas. Counsellors say some have been hiding from the authorities for nearly 10 years.
Filipino welfare agencies said the number of women overstaying their visas who approached them for advice had shot up in recent months.
There were also increasing numbers of long-term illegals whose visas had expired four or five years ago.
The Philippine Consulate-General has called for an amnesty for overstayers, but an Immigration Department spokesman said no deals would be made.
Overstayers face up to two years in prison and a $50,000 fine. But those who plead guilty usually receive less than six months.
Asian Domestic Workers Union spokesman Remy Borlongan said many maids were afraid of how they would be treated under the Special Administrative Region government.
