Employment agents slam monopoly of helpers' quarantine hotel

Employment agents slammed the government for allowing only one hotel to house domestic helpers in quarantine, saying the bill of HK$17,000 is a big burden on employers. 

Foreign domestic helpers who received vaccination in Indonesia or the Philippines can return to Hong Kong starting next Monday. 

They must test negative for Covid-19 72 hours before boarding the plane and present a booking for a room at the Silka Tsuen Wan – the only hotel where helpers can undergo 21-day quarantine. 

Thomas Chan Tung-fung, the chairman of the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies, slammed the monopoly of only one hotel.

The hotel charges HK$800 for a room per night, and the 21-day quarantine will cost employers almost HK$17,000, according to Chan. Chan said employers will have no choice but to pay the price, which would be a huge financial burden for them. 

He also said he presumed employers will “fight” for the 409 rooms when the hotel opens reservation tomorrow, due to the limited number of helpers arriving in the city per day. The shortage of helpers has  persisted for a whole year, he noted. 

Chan estimated around 6,000 to 7,000 workers are now waiting to come to the city, and it would take around a year for Hong Kong to take them all in. 

He suggested finding two more quarantine hotels for helpers, offering around 1,000 to 1,200 rooms, which can keep up with the dire need of helpers in the city.