EOC: Public should be more understanding of domestic workers’ rights amid pandemic

Domestic workers in Central. (FILE PHOTO)

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) reminded the public to be understanding of foreign domestic workers’ rights and needs amid the pandemic.

The commission’s remarks come in the wake of allegations from migrant workers that their rights were violated after police officers told them to go home earlier on their rest day.

Labour laws stipulate domestic workers are entitled to 24-hour rest days.

“Although rest day arrangements and how to spend leisure time would likely fall outside the remit of the anti-discrimination ordinances enforced by the EOC, the EOC urges members of public to be more understanding of the needs and rights of foreign domestic helpers, particularly in these difficult times,” the EOC said in a statement sent to Hong Kong News.

But the commission also reminded foreign domestic workers, and all Hong Kong citizens must follow guidelines issued under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance.

The EOC enforces four Hong Kong anti-discrimination ordinances on sex, race, disability and family status. It earlier explained to Hong Kong News that contracting COVID-19 falls under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.

It issued clarifications however that the act of discrimination will be deemed “not unlawful” only if the act was “reasonably necessary” to protect public health.

READ MORE: Five Filipina domestic workers terminated after testing positive for COVID-19

Concern over Hong Kong’s domestic workers grew following some confirmed COVID-19 cases in boarding facilities they stayed in while changing employers.

Police have strictly enforced the social distancing measures a weekend earlier. Nine Filipinos were fined $2,000 for violating the two-person limit on gatherings on Aug. 9, and similar operations were conducted in Tseung Kwan O.