Hong Kong domestic helpers: Doubts expressed about viability of government code of practice for maid agencies
Critics argue that the code lacks teeth and it would be rendered redundant if agencies adhered to existing laws and practices
The rights of the city’s vulnerable domestic helpers were back in the spotlight this week as politicians debated how to regulate the employment agencies that bring them to the city from around Asia.
Legislators discussed the merits of a 100-page draft code of practice for the agencies, but campaigners said it lacked teeth.
They said it was unclear how the code would be enforced, and insisted it would be rendered redundant if agencies just adhered to existing laws and practices.
There are also concerns that the code would not sufficiently regulate the agencies’ relationship with their overseas counterparts.
There are between 1,200 and 1,300 domestic helper agencies in Hong Kong, according to the
not-for-profit recruitment organisation Fair Employment Agency (FEA). Only a small proportion of these are accredited, it estimates, and it warns accreditation does not automatically mean firms will adhere to good practice.
