Hong Kong: Treatment of Domestic Helpers Studied

It is very encouraging to see the recent comments on the importance of knowing your rights, even though not having to defend them would be a much more hopeful scenario. Still, the reality of being a domestic helper in Hong Kong is not always promising.

For those of you who have the time, an easy to read academic study of how Filipino domestic helpers in particular are treated in Hong Kong Hong, including social attitudes towards them and how the justice system treats them, has recently been made available free online.
Estelle Kennelly’s ‘Culture of Indifference: Dilemmas of the Filipina Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong’ covers the situation until 2007, but mainly focuses on the period from mid-1999 to early 2001. Kennelly worked with and around migrant women’s shelters, including those associated with the Mission for Migrant Workers.

Her major finding, which is obvious to many but should be stated openly, is that a culture of indifference towards foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong fosters abuse.

HONG KONG: Work Permit Application Procedures

CANDIDATES in HK - you must have employer support - read through before contacting our office,

Click here for Application procedures and requirements for Live-in Caregiver applicants.

Click here for Photo Specifications (Photos which do not meet these specifications will be rejected)

Click here for Instruction - Use of a Representative

Click here for Application kit if applying in Hong Kong

Click here for Processing Fee

NEW OPENING HOURS FOR VISA SECTION EFFECTIVE 15 JULY 2008

Monday to Thursday 08:00 - 10:00:

The Immigration Post will accept in-person temporary resident visa, student visa, temporary work permit and permanent resident travel document applications.

Applications will be accepted ONLY if the person submitting the application is the applicant.

Monday to Thursday 13:15 - 14:00:

Pick-up of in-person applications ONLY. Application result will be returned ONLY if the person picking up the result is the applicant.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Work permit, study permit or immigrant applications, status enquiries, submissions/pick-ups or additional document submissions by agents will NOT be accepted at the window in the Immigration Section at the Consulate. Kindly note, submitting your application directly in Hong Kong will not reduce the processing time of your visa.