THE letter from James Miller, which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on July 19, gives credence to a popular misconception by suggesting there is an absolute rule to the effect that a foreign domestic helper stuck in the queue to the Labour Tribunal is not permitted to enter into new employment while waiting for her claims to reach their conclusion. That is entirely contrary to the experience of many hundreds of helpers who have, to our knowledge, received approval to sign new contracts without being made to wait. The Immigration Department has discretion to grant approval and is not so blind or inhumane as to impose such an absolute rule. No helper facing Labour Tribunal delays should feel put off from finding an intending employer and applying for Immigration Department approval as soon as she finds herself in the queue. The foregoing attempts to correct the record on the point of principle involved. As to detail in respect of the practical application of that principle, we have to say it is regrettable that the Immigration Department almost invariably takes two months or longer to grant the approval without which it is illegal for the helper to work for the intending employer. Something ought to be done to cut down that delay. JOVITA O. LEANO Trustee United Migrant Workers Interim Trust
