Ombudsman seeks stricter oversight of boarding facilities for foreign domestic helpers

Hong Kong authorities must step up oversight on foreign domestic helpers’ boarding facilities to ensure reasonable accommodation for the helpers and stipulate the standards for compliance by operators, the city’s Ombudsman has recommended.  

The move came as the office’s investigation revealed that the boarding facilities operated by employment agencies may fall outside the ambit of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance or the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance.  

The investigation also found that authorities have no systematic data on the demand and supply of such boarding facilities, nor is there any dedicated legislation for regulating those facilities.  

Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin on Thursday made 10 suggestions to the Labour Department, the Home Affairs Department, and the Immigration Department.  

Among which the Labour Department is recommended to first adopt short- and medium-term administrative measures, including the compiling and publishing of a list of foreign domestic helper boarding facilities for better information transparency and to facilitate informed choices of the helpers.  

It was suggested that the government should explore the feasibility of introducing a statutory regulatory regime through legislative amendments in the long run if the result of the relevant short- and medium-term administrative measures is unsatisfactory.  

The office also recommended expediting the approval procedures for the helpers, thereby minimizing the potential demand for boarding facilities arising from their stay in Hong Kong pending visa approval.  

A spokesperson for the Labour Department said on Thursday that the department welcomed and accepted the recommendations put forth by the Ombudsman.  

The spokesperson said the department will explore strengthening the monitoring of boarding facilities on the foundation of the existing regime and enhancing the transparency of information.  

The department will also strengthen its liaison and collaboration with relevant government departments to facilitate checking, exchange of information, referral of complaint cases, and follow-up actions, said the spokesperson.  

“Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Labour Department has repeatedly reminded employment agencies to keep their boarding facilities hygienic and observe the relevant health guidelines in order to minimize any infection risk. We will continue our efforts in this respect,” the spokesperson added.