HKSAR Govt strongly rejects US trafficking report

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has vehemently opposed what it called "groundless remarks" about Hong Kong in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, an HKSAR Government spokesman said: "We vehemently oppose and resolutely refute the categorically false and baseless remarks in the Report on Hong Kong's efforts to tackle trafficking in persons. TIP has never been a prevalent problem in Hong Kong, and there has never been any sign that Hong Kong is being actively used by syndicates as a destination or transit point for TIP."

The spokesman criticized Hong Kong's Tier 2 (Watch List) rating as "utterly unfair, without basis in fact, and a blatant attempt to smear Hong Kong's reputation."

The government highlighted its anti-TIP efforts, noting it conducted approximately 11,300 initial screenings in 2024 - a 3% increase from the previous year - and identified eight TIP victims. Seven were Hong Kong residents involved in employment fraud in Southeast Asian countries.

Regarding foreign domestic helpers, the spokesman emphasized the comprehensive protections for approximately 375,000 FDHs in Hong Kong, including legal safeguards under the Employment Ordinance and additional benefits through Standard Employment Contracts.

The statement also addressed the "two-week rule" for FDHs, explaining it allows sufficient departure preparation time while permitting flexibility for exceptional circumstances. The "live-in requirement" was described as necessary to ensure employment priority for local workers.

On legal frameworks, the spokesman defended Hong Kong's approach of using over 50 legal provisions against TIP rather than composite trafficking legislation, stating "there is simply no one-size-fits-all solution."

Law enforcement achievements cited included 102 anti-vice operations in 2024 (a 46% increase from 2023), resulting in 254 arrests. The government also reported actions against abusive FDH employers and employment agencies.

The statement concluded by reaffirming Hong Kong's commitment to combating TIP through its high-level steering committee and comprehensive action plan established in 2018.