Hong Kong asylum seekers returning to blaze-hit New Lucky House denied aid over lack of ID cards
- Asylum seekers say they did not receive financial and other help given to New Lucky House fire victims
- Some help agencies say they provided aid regardless of whether victims had Hong Kong identity cards
- Asylum seekers from as far away as Pakistan and East Africa head to mainland China, where they cross illegally into Hong Kong, sometimes in treacherous conditions
- Critics question validity of claims and efficiency of processes, with about 14,700 asylum seekers waiting to hear from city’s unified screening mechanism or appeal system
- Sri Lankan women make up less than 1 per cent of foreign domestic workers and don’t have strong networks, in contrast with some other groups of helpers
- In a small community without full consular representation, Sri Lankans ‘don’t know where to get help’, NGOs say
Branches of Hope’s STOP team is thrilled to have collaborated with SCMP journalists in highlighting Gita’s story and the growing challenges faced by the Sri Lankan community of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
In our experience, economic hardships and limited job opportunities back home often leave Sri Lankan workers vulnerable to exploitation. They are frequently deceived or coerced into illegal employment arrangements, unpaid labor, and debt bondage. Fear of deportation, language & information barriers, combined with the absence of consular presence, further hinder their access to support.
While Gita’s case may not have resulted in the justice she deserved, it has only fueled her determination to speak up for her community, to warn others about the unscrupulous practices of unethical brokers, and to encourage those trapped in difficult employment situations to seek assistance. We are immensely proud and inspired by Gita’s strength and compassion.
Alongside Gita and all those who have experienced exploitation, Branches of Hope will continue our efforts to bring about positive change and strive for a future where all workers are treated with dignity and fairness.
「人們最後一次看到我，會是在（原居地）機場，但當我被捕後，我會被消失。在此之後，不會再有我的消息。」
– ‘Exceptional and complicated’ asylum cases take longer to be processed, says Security Bureau
After escaping exploitation, trafficked domestic workers in Hong Kong face another hurdle – legal recognition
Research carried out by Justice Centre Hong Kong in 2016 found that 17 per cent of the migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong were in forced labour, and 14 per cent of those had been trafficked.
After escaping exploitation, trafficked domestic workers in Hong Kong face another hurdle – legal recognition – Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (hongkongfp.com): Hong Kong Free Press: Sep 2022Asia’s Human Traffickers Target New Victims
