Domestic helpers sacked while away from Hong Kong could be denied re-entry, exposing a loophole in their legal protection.
Maids' advocacy groups say bosses are not paying money owed to workers, confident they will not face legal action because those sacked cannot get back into the SAR.
Nora Tundagui, who has worked in Hong Kong for five years, was questioned for 15 hours after being detained at the airport last week.
Her ordeal was triggered after her employer of three months terminated her contract during her annual leave and forwarded the letter to immigration authorities.
'They were relying on a letter sent by my employers to the department in making the allegation that my contract had ended,' said Ms Tundagui, 27, now in the SAR on a seven-day visitor's visa.
Ms Tundagui would like to take legal action claiming unfair dismissal, but her visa expires tomorrow and she will have to leave if she fails to find a new employer.
An Immigration Department spokesman said it encouraged employers to inform them of early contract terminations, but did not require them to supply salary receipts, maids' consent letters or other records.