Recently, many employers have posted on online and social platforms and claimed that helpers still insist on going out on holidays during the severe epidemic. Some family involves children, elders or pregnant woman. They are worried that the infection of the maids will infect their family members. Sunlight Employment Agency has recently received many inquiries from employers and Filipino maids and Indonesian maids to inquire about the latest epidemic prevention information and measures. There are also differences between the employers and helpers on the epidemic prevention requirements and request for translation services.
Helpers who ignore the gathering restrictions or fail to wear masks will be fined $5,000, which is equivalent to one month's wages for their working in Hong Kong.
10th February : "After the restriction on gatherings was tightened, many foreign domestic helpers still gathered in the areas around Statue Square in Central, Chater Road Pedestrian Area, Hong Kong City Hall and Tamar Park."
18th February : "The gathering restriction order has been tightened to two people, and there are still foreign domestic helpers having dinner together on holidays. The government emphasizes that the law enforcement will no longer be merciful and will be strictly enforced. If anyone violates the law, a fine of $5,000 will be issued. ”
19th February and 20th February : "The Labour Department has issued a fine of $5,000 to 10 foreign domestic helpers who violated the gathering restriction order."
13rd March: "More than 10 foreign domestic helpers were found on the stream at Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O. They were gathered by the stream to play with water, eat and drink. They even set up tents not far away, and put garbage in black plastic bags on the back mountain."
Share real-time epidemic information with helpers, including the number of confirmed cases, mandatory testing, gathering restrictions, etc., so that helpers can understand the development of the epidemic in Hong Kong.
The consulate of their country in Hong Kong also issued a document calling on helpers to abide by the Hong Kong government's epidemic prevention measures, so that helpers understand the importance of staying home during holidays.
Employers should set an example by not going out unless necessary during the anti-epidemic period, avoiding cross-family gatherings, not going out to eat, drink and have fun, and communicate with friends through video tools or other communication programs. Consider working from home if feasible.
Maintain good communication between the employer and the helper, so that they could understands the importance of staying at home to fight the epidemic not only for the individual, but for the whole society.
What if the domestic helper has to go out?
a. Understand the reasons for the helper to go out and give advice, such as making good use of online communication, or using online financial services to send money back home.
b. Assist the helper to plan the itinerary in advance, complete the affairs in the shortest time, and avoid unnecessary stay;
c. Wear a mask at all times, observe the gathering restriction order and maintain social distance, and remind you of the consequences of breaking the law.
d. Tell the FDHs which are high-risk areas, high-risk activities and the latest policy information, so that the FDHs can understand the latest government measures
e. When you return home, you must first disinfect it yourself, especially the soles of shoes are easy to stick to viruses and bacteria, followed by clothes, rucksacks, handbags, mobile phones, Octopus keys, etc.
Many helpers used to go out to meet relatives and friends or attend church meetings on their rest days to reduce stress and maintain physical and mental health. Under the epidemic, foreign domestic helpers are required to stay at home on rest days to fight the epidemic, miss relatives and friends and have no entertainment, which may lead to depression. Sunshine Maid Center has the following suggestions for employers, or to help foreign domestic helpers maintain physical and mental health.
1. Encourage maids to stay home on weekends and use video apps to meet friends, such as Whatsapp and Zoom.
2. The monthly fee for some wonderful TV or movie channels is between $60 and $70. Employers may consider installing such entertainment tools to increase the fun of helpers at home.
3. Purchase some recreational equipment so that foreign domestic helpers can have fun with their family members when they stay at home to fight the epidemic. Such as chess, flying chess or checkers etc. At the same time, it can promote the employment relationship.
4. Consider purchasing karaoke equipment or a "karaoke artifact" to add entertainment to your home. Some brands only need less than $1,000, which can make fighting the epidemic more fun at home.
5. In terms of exercise, consider buying a rope for the domestic helper and the young master to skip rope together, buy a yoga CD and yoga mat to do yoga.
We understand that both employers and helpers will be affected physically and mentally under the epidemic. Keep health and fight the pandemic together!!
Other relevant useful links:
How foreign domestic helpers handle various differences with employers during the epidemic (Chinese)
How foreign domestic helpers handle various differences with employers during the epidemic (English)
The Government's Anti-epidemic Special Page
