The government said on Saturday that employers illegally firing foreign domestic workers infected with Covid-19 would never be tolerated and is against the law.
“The SAR Government does not and will not tolerate any employers illegally dismissing foreign domestic helpers who have suffered from Covid-19 and in violation of the Employment Ordinance,” a spokesman said in a statement issued this afternoon.
“Under the ordinance, an employer is prohibited from terminating the contract of employment of a domestic helper on her paid sickness day, except in cases of summary dismissal due to the latter's serious misconduct,” he continued.
The employer commits an offense if one does so and would face a maximum penalty of HK$100,000 upon conviction, the spokesman added.
He stressed that employed helpers, who test positive for Covid-19 or are listed close contacts of confirmed patients, will “receive support like any other citizens of Hong Kong.”
“For helpers currently without employment in Hong Kong, the Labour Department has been assisting in their admission to suitable facilities with the support and assistance of the relevant Consulates General,” he also said.
The spokesman also thanked helpers for their support in the anti-pandemic fight by staying at home on their rest days to minimize people flow.
The spokesman noted that some 330,000 foreign domestic helpers, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, are serving local families in Hong Kong and said both the government and the local community greatly value their contribution.
“The SAR Government will stay vigilant in taking enforcement actions against any violation of law in liaison and collaboration with the relevant Consulates General,” he added.
