Filipino ultra runner aims to inspire Hong Kong domestic helpers to take control, as community grieves window cleaning death
- Dolores Vargas Sales is an ultra runner and hopes she can persuade more of her fellow domestic helpers to take part in sport
- Her message comes after the death of a domestic helper in Hong Kong who fell while cleaning the outside of a window of an 18th-floor flat
Ultra runner Dolores Vargas Sales wants to inspire her fellow domestic helpers in Hong Kong to take control of their lives through running and other sports.
“I always share with them that they must take care of themselves – whatever happens, get involved with different outdoor activities like hiking or running,” Sales, 44, said.
The government has outlawed asking domestic helpers hired or retained from January 2017 to clean the outside of windows above ground level, unless they are fitted with a grille and no part of the body but the arms is beyond the ledge. However, there have still been deaths of women who were asked to clean upstairs windows.
“It’s really sad recently,” Sales said. “I hope you know, because there’s no one that will help us.”
