Helpers shortage not eased amid 'skyrocketing' cases in Philippines: Law Chi-kwong

The shortage of domestic helpers in Hong Kong has not been eased since cases continue to surge in the Philippines, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said.

Law wrote in his blog on Sunday that although the government has seen progress in increasing the number of quarantine facilities for helpers since mid-December last year, outbreaks in both the Philippines and Indonesia have worsened rapidly due to the mutant strain Omicron. 

The Philippines' Department of Health reported 17,382 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday. The country reported the highest single-day tally on Jan 15, with 39,004 new cases. 

There were 400,000 foreign domestic helpers as of the end of January 2020. The number dropped from 353,000 last September to fewer than 340,000 in the end of December – or 60,000 fewer than when the pandemic started two years ago, Law wrote. 

He also said that many helpers were stranded in the Philippines due to flight bans, after they returned home to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Law added that two more hotels - O'Hotel and iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel - will be set aside for newly arrived helpers to complete their mandatory quarantine from next Sunday, providing an additional 491 rooms in total.

The duration of compulsory quarantine will also be shortened from 21 to 14 days for overseas arrivals from next Saturday.

In addition, Law said the vaccination rate in Hong Kong is still low, especially the elderly that need to be taken care of.

He said the city has to fight for a significant increase in the vaccination rate before gradually relaxing the disease prevention rules.