Migrant workers decry discrimination after police crackdown on Sunday gatherings

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Hong Kong Police along with other government authorities enforced social distancing measures Sunday, Aug. 9 in areas frequented by foreign domestic workers. (Hong Kong Police/Facebook)

Migrant worker groups on Friday claimed Hong Kong police discriminated against them after they enforced social distancing measures on Aug. 9. 

Police stepped up patrols last weekend amid a string of COVID-19 cases among domestic workers staying in boarding facilities. 

In an online press conference, the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body claimed some policemen told domestic workers to leave their hangout spots and go home. 

“Hong Kong police ordering on Sunday the foreign domestic workers to go home at 5 p.m. to vacate their place of stay is not only [violative] of our rights but also discriminatory, singling out the foreign domestic workers,” AMCB Spokesman Sringatin said in a statement she read aloud. 

AMCB presented testimonies from Indonesian and Filipino domestic workers. Hong Kong News has sought official comment from the police on these claims.

Sringatin said domestic workers could only gather in streets for lack of suitable places to stay in during their days off. If they went home, Sringatin said their employers will force them to work. 

AMCB said they will file a complaint should the acts continue on Sunday. 

Hong Kong has a two-person limit to public gatherings. Those found violating this rule are fined HK$2,000.

Lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung called on the police to be more “instructive” than “punitive” in enforcing the law. The lawmaker pointed out that police gather in groups of 10 or more during operations. 

“Why are they not afraid of this COVID-19 and their congregation of more than two does not make it more conducive?” Cheung raised.

Cheung also proposed opening up community halls to give migrant workers a place to stay. Earlier, he suggested the government should assign holiday camps for transient accommodation. 

The lawmaker said he will write a letter to the Home Affairs Department to outline his proposals.