Agencies stirring instant trouble by exaggerating skills of helpers, says lawmaker

Some agencies are exaggerating the skills of domestic helpers by claiming they can cook sumptuous cuisines when they can only cook instant noodles, a lawmaker says.

The Legislative Council panel on manpower yesterday reviewed the revised Code of Practice regulating employment agencies, which had been proposed by the Labour Department to prevent job-hopping among domestic helpers.

Assistant commissioner for labor (policy support) Drew Lai Sai-ming said the government aims to prevent helpers from abusing their right to terminate contracts early and switch employers.

Employment agencies should enhance transparency by clearly listing in the contract whether they will offer a refund or send another helper if their worker ends the contract early.

Lawmaker Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai said some agencies exaggerate helpers' working abilities.

"The agencies claim the helpers can cook sumptuous cuisines, but it turns out they only know how to cook instant noodles," he said.

In response, Lai said the Code of Practice requires employment agencies to provide truthful information about its helpers, including their abilities.

They also have the responsibility to verify the information with helpers themselves and overseas agencies and will be subject to penalties if they deliberately conceal the truth.

Agencies cannot provide helpers' ID and passport information to employers due to privacy issues, Lai said. But employers can contact helpers' former bosses to learn about their working situation.

Liberal Party lawmaker Michael Lee Chun-keung suggested employers be allowed to pay agency commissions in installments to ease the financial sting caused by job-hopping.

The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions said it is disappointed by the revised Code of Practice.

"We are concerned some new revisions will undermine migrant domestic workers' rights and lead to widespread abuse and exploitation," it said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com