Fired Filipina cancer patient exposes plight of Hong Kong’s foreign maidsBy The Manila TimesHONG KONG: The case of a Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who was sacked after being diagnosed with cervical cancer—leaving her without healthcare—shines a light on the exploitation of tens of thousands of foreign women who toil as maids in the wealthy city. Then came a new gut punch—a letter from her employers terminating her service, and with it any hope of getting her medical expenses covered under Hong Kong law. Local rights group Justice Centre Hong Kong estimates as many as 1 in 6 maids work in conditions that constitute forced labor. Last year, the US State Department placed Hong Kong on par with Thailand and Afghanistan in its annual human trafficking rankings partly because of the lack of protections offered to maids. Under Hong Kong law, employers must cover helpers’ medical expenses and are advised to take out insurance.

Source: Manila Times March 07, 2019 05:26 UTC