Getting allergies from additional cleaning work, not being able to afford masks and hand sanitisers, losing their jobs after going out on a day off to meet friends and transfer money back home... these are only some of the reasons why foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are taking a harder hit from the fallout of COVID-19 than others in the city. Acknowledging these issues, EOC Chairperson, Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin published an article in am730 on 4 March 2020 and urged employers of FWDs to take the initiative to learn about their needs.

“Hong Kong is home to nearly 400,000 FDWs, who toil away at household tasks, help raise our children, and look after elderly members of the family on a daily basis,” wrote Mr Chu. “Indeed, their well-being is tied to that of the families they serve. Employers therefore need to put themselves in the shoes of FDWs, rather than alienating them out of unfounded anxiety and panic.”

• Read the full article (Chinese only)