Fed up with human trafficking, Hong Kong migrant workers hold vigil demanding justice

Protest over ‘rampant’ problem comes two weeks after Indonesian domestic helper died in Malaysia reportedly following torture by her employer

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There are about 250,000 domestic workers in Malaysia, mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines. Hong Kong has about 370,000. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:01am, 25 Feb 2018Updated: 10:14pm, 25 Feb 2018

Almost 500 people, including migrant workers from Indonesia and several Hongkongers, gathered in Causeway Bay on Sunday for a candlelight vigil and prayed for victims of human trafficking after the shocking death of a young Indonesian domestic worker in Malaysia.

During the gathering on Paterson Street, they also demanded justice and voiced outrage over recent high-profile cases.

Organisers said 490 people attended the one and a half hour protest, which was sparked by the death of Adelina Lisao, a domestic worker in Penang, reportedly following torture by her employer.

“This is another Erwiana case. It shows the level of abuse and violence domestic workers face,” said Eni Lestari, chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance. “How many more victims have to suffer and die?”

The NGO leader was referring to Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, a former Indonesian domestic worker in Hong Kong who in 2014 revealed she had been subjected to six months of physical abuse at the hands of her local employer.

“We want to express our outrage and call for action. Despite of all the conventions and international treaties, it seems the situation is declining,” Lestari said. “Human trafficking is rampant.”