A domestic helper whose former employer was convicted yesterday of assaulting her said she hoped the case would set a precedent for abused maids.
Carmelita Cadungog, 38, said she was satisfied with the court's decision. 'Justice has prevailed,' she said outside Western Court. 'I hope my case will give other domestic helpers hope in fighting for their rights against abusive employers.'
Ms Cadungog's former employer, Chu Sui-yee, 40, a nurse at Ruttonjee Hospital, was found guilty of one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Magistrate Katherine Lo heard that on May 18 this year, Ms Cadungog was ironing the family's clothes in their flat in Hing Hon Road, Western district, when Chu arrived home at 3.30pm.
Chu asked her to clean the oven, and Ms Cadungog had said she would do so after she finished ironing. But Chu held her left wrist and punched her arms with both hands. Ms Cadungog put up her arms in self-defence but Chu grabbed her neck before pushing her in the chest. The maid hit her back on an ironing board and fell to the floor. She struggled to close the door to her room while Chu tried to open it from the outside. When it was closed, Ms Cadungog fled the flat via a rear exit.
The maid sought help from Gloria Pascual, 32, a domestic helper in the same building. Ms Pascual told the court she saw scratches on Ms Cadungog's neck and arms and advised her to call the police.