Coronavirus fuels rise in Hong Kong domestic worker sackings
- Dozens of domestic workers in Hong Kong have been fired amid the Covid-19 crisis, say migrants and advocates
- The time they are allowed to spend outside their employers’ houses on their days off has been the most contentious issue cited for dismissal
“I was staying mostly at home because I was afraid,” she said. “But I wanted to go to a church service on February 1, which was my day off, so I told my employers that I would be gone for only a couple of hours.”
Jennifer, who gave only her first name, said she was away from her employers’ home in Sai Kung from 10.30am to about 12.30pm. “When I returned, they asked for my smart card [to enter the flat] and told me to pack my things right away.”
She did not have a place to go. But “luckily I had friends who were off that day too and they helped me”, said the migrant, 46, who is now living in a church-run shelter.
In some cases, workers were required to self-isolate in boarding houses, which goes against the mandatory living-in rule.
Reasons cited for their dismissal ranged from arguments over the time they were allowed to spend outside the house on their days off, to employers claiming they had lost their jobs or were leaving the city.