Mandatory vaccinations of domestic helpers to be reviewed

Hong Kong policy requiring foreign domestic helpers to be vaccinated for the coronavirus disease as a precondition for contract renewal will be reviewed, the Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said today at her regular briefing.

She said the Secretary for Labour Law Chi-kwong will be asked to undertake a review. Consular representatives would be asked for their views.

Referring to the testing order for domestic helpers, Lam said she was “aware that the two measures targeting foreign domestic workers'' have caused concern. But the measures are “from a public health standpoint,'' and not discriminatory.

The risks of coronavirus infections need to be assessed she said.

All domestic helpers are required to undergo testing for the coronavirus disease by May 9. The testing order was made last Friday.

Domestic helper groups have alleged discrimination after helpers were ordered to be tested.

The Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Ricky Chu said on Monday that the testing order is not discriminatory.

The Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, has also said that testing "aims to protect foreign helpers, their employers' families, including elderly people and children, and family and friends.''