“I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for all the support you have provided me. Your generosity and kindness have made a profound difference in my life. I am especially grateful for the transportation support you provide, which has enabled me to participate in various activities that are essential for my growth and healing. I am truly thankful for your unwavering support and belief in my potential. You have not only provided resources but also hope and encouragement, which means the world to me.”
This message was conveyed to STOP by *Anna* when she left Hong Kong after months of emotional and financial struggle while waiting for her case to be heard.
Anna was arrested at the Hong Kong airport on her way to the Philippines to process a new employment visa. She was handcuffed at the airport departure area and taken to a police station where she was detained for 24 hours before she was allowed to leave after posting bail. She was charged with money laundering; a matter she knew nothing about. Her identity had been used by scammers to deposit HKD289,000 into an online bank.
Anna arrived in the office trembling and very distraught. She relayed that being handcuffed by the Police affected her sleep and caused anxiety attacks. STOP referred her to counselling and offered her ongoing support for daily necessities, transportation allowance and visa extension fees. Despite being on bail, which prohibited her from leaving Hong Kong, Anna was still made to regularly pay $230 to extend her visa.
After eight months of receiving counselling and support from STOP, the Police dismissed all charges and allowed her to return home. STOP provided her with an air ticket home and some financial support for repatriation.
Without support from STOP, Anna may have felt that she had no choice but to accept a plea bargain for crimes that she didn’t commit. The emotional and financial support provided by STOP gave Anna the time and the strength to fight her case. Equally, without the visa extension money provided by STOP, Anna risked being further arrested for overstaying her visa, despite also being prohibited by her bail conditions from leaving Hong Kong.
「我想藉此機會，衷心感謝大家一直以來給予我的所有支持。你們的慷慨與善意，為我的生活帶來深遠影響。特別感激團隊提供的交通支援，讓我得以參與各種對我成長和康復至關重要的活動。對於你們堅定不移的支持，以及信任我的潛能，實在萬分感謝。你們不僅提供了資源，更帶給我希望和鼓勵，這對我而言意義非凡。」
這番話是 Anna 離開香港時向 STOP 團隊傾訴的心聲。此前，她經歷了數月情緒和財務困境，等待其案件審訊。
Anna 在前往菲律賓辦理新工作簽證時，於香港機場被捕。她在機場離境區被戴上手銬，被帶到警署拘留 24 小時後，才獲准保釋離開。她被控洗黑錢，但她對此毫不知情。原來她的身份遭騙徒盜用，將一筆 289,000 港元的款項存入一網上銀行戶口。
Anna 來到 STOP 辦公室時，全身顫抖，情緒極度不安。她憶述，被警方戴上手銬的經歷令她夜不成眠，更引發焦慮症。STOP 團隊為她轉介心理輔導，同時持續提供日常生活必需品、交通津貼及簽證延期費用等支援。儘管Anna在保釋期間被禁止離開香港，她仍需定期支付230港元以延長她的簽證。
在接受 STOP 團隊輔導和支援八個月後，警方撤銷了所有控罪，允許她返回家鄉。STOP 團隊為她提供了回程機票及一些遣返經濟援助。若沒有 STOP 團隊的支援，Anna 可能會覺得別無選擇，只能就自己未曾犯下的罪行接受認罪協商。STOP 團隊提供的情緒支援和經濟援助，給予 Anna 時間和力量去為自己抗辯。重要的是，若沒有 STOP 團隊提供的簽證延期費用，即使保釋期間不准離港，Anna 仍可能因逾期滯留而再次被捕。
Ms X has been a STOP client for over 2 years, whilst awaiting the trial of her former employer who was charged with her rape. As this necessitated the termination of her employment contract, and move to a tourist visa, she was not allowed to undertake employment during the course of the criminal trial. Without employment and yet still facing housing, food and travel costs, had she not received vital financial support for her daily needs, she would not have been able to remain in Hong Kong to serve as a witness and the case would have been dismissed. STOP has supported her with housing, food and transport allowance, totalling $2,900 per month for over 2 years. STOP has also supported Ms X through helping her access medical and dental care, medications, and physiotherapy.
STOP was present to lend emotional support throughout the legal process and was present every time she gave testimony at the trial. STOP was with Ms X as she learned of the outcome of the case, and again after the verdict on sentencing.
Now, after two long and emotionally painful years, her former employer has been found guilty and is serving his sentence. Ms X has found a new employer and looks forward to restarting her life.
過去兩年多，X 女士一直是 STOP 團隊的服務對象。在此期間，她正等候其前僱主涉及強姦罪的審訊。由於案件性質，X 女士被迫終止原有僱傭合約，轉為持有旅遊簽證逗留香港。根據現行法例，在刑事審訊過程中，她不獲准在港合法工作。然而，在沒有工作的情況下，她仍需面對住房、食物以及交通等日常開支。如果沒有獲得基本生活所需的關鍵經濟援助，她便無法留在香港作為證人出庭，而這宗案件亦很可能因此被撤銷。STOP 團隊每月為 X 女士提供 2,900 港元的資助，包括住房、食物及交通津貼，並持續支援超過兩年。此外，我們亦協助她獲取醫療、牙科護理、藥物及物理治療等服務。
在整個法律程序中，STOP 團隊均在場為 X 女士提供情緒支援。每當她需要出庭作證時，我們都有同事在場陪伴；當她得悉案件裁決結果，以及後來法庭宣判刑期時，我們亦伴隨在側，與她一同面對。
經過漫長而情緒煎熬的兩年後，X 女士的前僱主最終被裁定罪名成立，現正服刑。X 女士現已覓得新僱主，重新開始她的生活。
As a single mother striving for a brighter future for her children, Allison decided to come to Hong Kong to work as a migrant domestic worker. Unfortunately, her journey was marred by mistreatment and abuse from her former employer. However, amidst the hardships, Allison discovered a glimmer of hope within the supportive community of STOP and Branches of Hope.
While pursuing legal justice, Allison navigated various government departments and endured a lengthy wait of over a year for her court hearing. Throughout this challenging period, the medical assistance and referral to physiotherapy provided by STOP proved invaluable to her.
Additionally, STOP’s financial and livelihood assistance enabled Allison to secure safe accommodation. Actively engaging in the diverse range of activities offered by STOP and Branches of Hope, including English classes and wellness workshops enriched her waiting time and provided solace within the community.
Beyond being a recipient of service, Allison actively contributes to the community through her involvement in STOP’s outreach efforts and accompanying and offering translation assistance to clients in need. Allison also dedicates her time to assisting with Sunday service at the Vine Church. Prior to joining STOP, Allison described herself as a reserved individual who faced her case alone. However, her involvement with STOP and Branches of Hope empowered her to discover her own capabilities and find a meaningful way to contribute to the community—which became an integral part of her healing process.
“I have been blessed to be a part of this organisation that I could spend such a good time with you people. It has brought a lot of good changes in my life… I’m really grateful for physiotherapy service, which has improved my health a lot… It wasn’t an easy journey but you have been there for me through thick and thin.”
作為一名單身母親，Allison為了給孩子一個更美好的未來，決定離鄉別井來到香港擔任外籍家務工。不幸的是，她被前僱主虐待及辱駡，令其心理蒙上巨大陰影。然而，在困難中，Allison在 STOP團隊和希望枝子的支持下，找到了一線希望。
在尋求法律公正的過程中，Allison周旋於各政府部門之間，忍受長達一年多的漫長審訊。在這段充滿挑戰的日子裡，STOP項目所提供的醫療協助和物理治療轉介，對她而言非常寶貴。此外，STOP項目所提供的經濟和生活援助，使Allison能獲得安全的住所。在這一年間，她積極參與 STOP項目和希望枝子提供的各種活動，包括英語課程和身心健康工作坊，充實了她的等待時間，並讓她在社區中得到慰藉及鼓勵。
除了接受服務外，Allison還透過參與 STOP項目的外展服務，陪伴並提供翻譯援助給有需要的人，積極為社區做出貢獻。Allison亦抽出時間，致力協助葡萄藤教會的主日崇拜。在加入 STOP義工團隊前，Allison形容自己是一個內向的人，經常獨自面對她的案件。 然而，在參與 STOP項目和希望枝子的活動中，發現了自己的能力，並找到了一種有意義的方式來為社區做出貢獻，這成為了她康復過程中不可或缺的一部分。
Allison表示：「我很幸運成為這個機構的一員，和大家一起度過美好的時光。這為我的生活帶來很多變化，尤其感謝STOP團隊轉介的物理治療服務，這大大改善我的健康狀況。這一路走來並不容易，但你們一直在我身邊，陪伴我度過重重難關，衷心感謝大家的支持及鼓勵。」
Mary is a committed outreach volunteer and Sunday workshop participant of STOP since 2021. Despite her busy weekday schedule as a migrant domestic worker, Mary dedicates her precious free time on Sundays to empower her fellow migrant community.
Over the past year, alongside her involvement in STOP’s Programme, Mary referred four cases to STOP and has worked closely alongside the team in providing casework support. Among these cases, three involved agency overcharging, while one related to labour exploitation. Mary connected with these individuals through social media and guided them to seek assistance from STOP. She also accompanied them to the STOP office to meet with the caseworker, providing them support as they filled out forms, and assisting them in organizing the chronological events related to their cases together. Her dedication and determination instiled hope in these clients, assuring them that it was possible to seek compensation and justice. In the end, all cases were successfully settled through the consulate and the Labour Department.
“I feel accomplished that the knowledge I was equipped with from the workshops could be applied in serving the community. I appreciate the trust and recognition placed in me by the STOP team, which further fuels my motivation to empower fellow migrant workers in the communities.”
自2021年起，Mary成為了STOP項目的社區成員領袖和周日工作坊參與者。 作為一名外籍家務工，儘管平日工作繁忙，Mary仍會抽出寶貴的周日時間來幫助她的外籍家務工社群，保障他們的權益。
在過去的一年裡，Mary在參與 STOP項目的同時，也向 STOP團隊轉介了四宗個案。並與團隊密切合作，提供個案工作支援。在這些案例中，有三宗涉及中介機構過度收費，另一宗涉及勞工剝削。Mary透過社交媒體與這些個案事主聯繫，並引導他們尋求 STOP團隊的幫助。她還陪同他們前往 STOP團隊辦公室與個案工作員會面，幫助他們填寫表格，並協助他們將案件相關的事件按時序整理。她的奉獻精神和決心為這些倖存者帶來了希望，讓他們相信尋求賠償和伸張公義是可能的。 最終，所有案件均透過領事館和勞工處成功被解決。
Mary表示：「我感到非常滿足，因為我能將工作坊中所學到的知識應用於服務社區。我感謝STOP團隊對我的信任和認可，這更加激勵了我為社區中的其他外籍家務工提供幫助。」
I come from the Phillippines. Through a local recruitment agency, I applied to work in Hong Kong as a migrant domestic worker and arrived the city in late 2017. I was immediately taken to a boarding house by the agency and told to stay there. I finally left on the fifth day, and I thought I could finally start working and earn money. Who knew I would be brought to the airport and boarded a flight to Taiwan instead?
I sensed that something wasn’t right and became anxious. To console me, my employer said that the ticket I was given is for a round trip, and promised that I would return to Hong Kong in ten days. In reality, I was sent to Taiwan to work for my employer’s sister, an arrangement I had no prior knowledge about, lest to say consented to.
In Taiwan, I was ordered to work from 6am to 12am every day with no breaks between, and was forbidden to leave the house at all times, unless it was for taking out the trash. I wasn’t allowed to contact anyone using my phone, and was made to place it in a prominent position in the living room. My new employer also frequently insulted me, and always smacked me in the head.
Was I able to return to Hong Kong ten days later, you ask? That did not happen. I stayed and worked in Taiwan for three months, against my will. I didn’t know what to do, but after much contemplation, and recognizing that my experience was human trafficking, I contacted an NGO for help while my employer was away. Later, when she discovered that I had sought help from others, she immediately purchased a flight ticket to the Philippines, and sent me home.
*All names & identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of the survivor. The photo is not of the actual victim.
Indicators of trafficking for labour exploitation:
- Deceptive recruitment – employer varied working location and people served unreasonably
- Exploitation – excessive working hours around 18 hours; no respect of contract signed and laws i.e. Zoe was sent to Taiwan while she held FDW visa for working in HK
- Coercion at destination– verbally and physically abused by legal employer’s sister
- Abuse of vulnerability – dependency on exploiters due to lack of knowledge of Taiwan and Hong Kong, economic reasons
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BEING TRAFFICKED?
Is human trafficking happening in your community? Recognizing potential red flags and knowing the indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
To reach out or report suspected cases of human trafficking in Hong Kong, please visit our get help page
I am a daughter to aged parents, an older sibling to a sister who is still at school, and a single mother to a young son. Like most migrant domestic workers, I left home to work in Hong Kong in order to provide for my loved ones.
I have previously came to Hong Kong and worked for a great employer until I fell sick. When my contract ended, I returned to Sri Lanka to undergo treatment. Once I recovered, I found work again in Hong Kong through an agent. To pay for the expensive agency fee, I used up all my meagre savings.
This time, I was not as lucky. When I arrived in Hong Kong, the agency confiscated my identity documents “for safety reasons”. My new employer made me work long hours – I wake up at 4 every morning, and I stay up till 12:30 to cook late-night snacks for the husband. I was constantly tired from the lack of rest. The wife would also make unreasonable demands – she commanded that I change my clothes because she thought I was acting and dressing “like a princess”; I was also made to care for plants in an outdoor greenhouse, which was not part of my job description.
The most distressful part of all was the verbal abuse. She would insult, scold and mock me incessantly. I often felt anxious and frightened at work, but was not ready to give up this job. I complained to the agency about my work conditions, but they did not care and instead, accused me of being the one at fault. They would never know how much courage it took for me to open up to them. I might’ve looked fine, but deep down I was very scared.
The situation continued until a serious accident happened at work that sent me to the ICU, and I was forced to resign by my employer. After a short break in Sri Lanka, I once again came to Hong Kong to work, and sought help from lawyers to claim damages from the agency and my previous employer. I earnestly hope that my story can promote awareness and help others avoid the ordeal I suffered.
*All names & identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of the survivor. The photo is not of the actual victim.
Indicators of trafficking for labour exploitation:
- Deceptive recruitment – Sithara was deceived about the nature of the job.
- Exploitation – excessive working hours and poor working conditions.
- Coercion at destination – her personal documents were confiscated.
- Abuse of vulnerability – dependency on exploiters due to economic reasons and family situation.
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BEING TRAFFICKED?
Is human trafficking happening in your community? Recognizing potential red flags and knowing the indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
To reach out or report suspected cases of human trafficking in Hong Kong, please visit our get help page
My husband and I worked day and night to provide for our daughter and elders at home in Sri Lanka. Later, when my husband fell ill, I became our family’s main breadwinner. To keep our finances afloat, I needed to find a long-term job.
I approached an agency and was very quickly matched with an employer in Hong Kong. They demanded payment for a fee of HKD$15,000 up front, which they claimed would cover for my insurance and other miscellaneous fees. After payment, however, I was not given a receipt, and was not even asked to sign my employment contract. It was strange, but to secure the job, I did as I was told.
Upon my arrival in Hong Kong, the agent immediately took away my contract and passport. I finally got to meet my employer four days later, and only then did I learn that in addition to cooking meals for their family, I was also expected to care for my employer’s physically disabled father. When I asked about food arrangement, I was told that in Hong Kong, employers have no obligation to provide food or food stipends to their migrant domestic workers. Since it was my first job in Hong Kong, I did not question my employer’s words, and bought food out of my own pocket.
My work begins at 5 every morning and I rest at 9 at night. The hours may sound reasonable, but the truth is, I had to get up every two hours during the night to help my employer’s father use the bathroom. The fatigue, however, was not my breaking point. What I could not tolerate was the constant sexual harassment committed by my employer’s father. He often demanded sexual favours and would intentionally touch me without consent. Whenever I expressed my refusal, he would hit me with nearby objects. I was left with multiple scars, from my head and neck to my back and limbs. It was a hellish nightmare. But because I needed the money for my daughter’s education and my husband’s medical treatments, I clenched my teeth and tried to endure.
Finally, as the abuse escalated and the torment more unbearable, I ran away. I reported my situation to the police, but regrettably, they did not further investigate. After that, my case was referred to STOP through another NGO. It was then that I realized I was a victim of forced labour. With assistance from STOP and a human rights lawyer, I pursed a case against my former employer to claim damages. Yet, as there is currently no anti-human trafficking law in Hong Kong, it’s a long battle ahead. To this day, I am waiting for justice to be done.
*All names & identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of the survivor. The photo is not of the actual victim.
Indicators of trafficking for labour exploitation:
- Coercive recruitment – debt bondage by high agency fee; she was deceived about work nature
- Exploitation – excessive working hours and no respect of labour laws i.e. no food or food allowance provided by employer
- Coercion at destination – Kasuni’s HKID and passport were confiscated; employer’s parents physically abused and sexually harassed her
- Abuse of vulnerability – dependency on exploiters due to economic reasons and family situation
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BEING TRAFFICKED?
Is human trafficking happening in your community? Recognizing potential red flags and knowing the indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
To reach out or report suspected cases of human trafficking in Hong Kong, please visit our get help page
I was 19 when I was deceived and trafficked to Hong Kong with 15 other men from the same village in India.
We met Mr B in 2017, who claimed to be a recruitment agent. He painted a beautiful picture of working in Hong Kong and lied about being able to arrange for us ‘asylum visas’. Unknown to us that no such traveling document exists, he said it was a type of working visa, and we believed in him.
Before leaving for Hong Kong, we were asked to pay an agency fee of roughly HK$15,000 each, which supposedly covered the plane ticket, accommodation and work arrangement etc. It was no small amount for many of us, including myself. To facilitate my trip to Hong Kong, I sold my family properties and even borrowed money from loan sharks. We were also coached to tell the Hong Kong Immigration Office that we came to ‘visit relatives’ if we are asked for our reason for visit. Dreaming that we could work in the city and provide a better life for our families, we suspected nothing.
Yet, it soon dawned upon us that we were being trafficked for forced labour. Mr B’s connection in Hong Kong, Mr C, picked us up at the airport. Immediately, he confiscated our passports and claimed that he would “keep the documents in a safe place”. The group was then taken to a tiny village house in Yuen Long. None of us knew where we were and no one dared to disobey Mr C. Hygiene in the house was poor and its size spatially suffocating – all 16 of us slept on the floor, cramped up, sharing a thin mattress.
Some days later, we were assigned to work in a nearby parking lot, taking apart old electronics. We finally struck up the courage and demanded to be paid. Unfortunately, Mr C not only disregarded our request, but accused us of owing him money, because he paid for our ‘extortionate’ traveling expenses.
In the midst of it all, one of us from the group managed to get in touch with a hometown friend who lived in Hong Kong at the time. We were found, led back to safety and introduced to STOP.
*All names & identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of the survivor. The photo is not of the actual victim.
Indicators of trafficking for labour exploitation:
- Deceptive recruitment –claimed there are job opportunities in Hong Kong but applied for them visitor visas
- Abuse of vulnerability – dependency on exploiters due to economic reasons, family situation and lack of knowledge about Hong Kong
- Coercion at destination – confiscation of passports, confinement
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BEING TRAFFICKED?
Is human trafficking happening in your community? Recognizing potential red flags and knowing the indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
To reach out or report suspected cases of human trafficking in Hong Kong, please visit our get help page
I grew up in a remote village in the Philippines. When my elderly mother fell ill, because I needed extra income for her medical bills, I began thinking about working overseas. Through a close friend of mine, I was connected with an employment agency in Hong Kong, who charged a training fee of HKD8,000. The amount was more than what I could afford at the time, so I agreed to letting the agency deduct the fee from my monthly salary once I started working. After training, I was excited for the new journey ahead, ready to pave way to a better life, or so I thought…
As soon as I entered my employer’s flat, already I realized that the work conditions were drastically different from what I had agreed upon. The employer also gave my salary to the agency instead of paying me directly. As a result, for two months, I did not receive a single penny.
Thereafter, through the agency, I was introduced to another employer who lived in the New Territories. The conditions there were terrible. At my new place of employment, I was demanded to work from 4am everyday to 2am the next morning. Other than cleaning the employer’s house and garden, I was instructed to clean and take stock of the inventory at their produce store in the wet market, which is actually illegal. Every night, I must wait until the family is done with their meal to be allowed to start preparing my own. By then, it’s usually around 9:30 already. After dinner, I would still have to finish the daily chores until past midnight.
Having persisted for four months, I finally reached my limit and filed a complaint to the agency. They, however, claimed that I still owed them money, and tried to force me to go back. Confused, I explained that the training fee had already been repaid in the first two months when the first employer gave them my salary, which totaled up to HKD 8,000. To my disbelief, the agency said, “You can’t prove that you only owe us 8,000 dollars, could you?” At that point, I knew there’s no hope in expecting any assistance from them. In the end, I successfully escaped after connecting with a local NGO, and was identified as a victim of human trafficking by the International Organization for Migration.
Miles away from home, I came to Hong Kong to work and earn money for my mother’s medical expenses, only to be deceived and exploited. Why should I be treated this way?
*All names & identifying information have been changed to protect the identity of the survivor. The photo is not of the actual victim.
Indicators of trafficking for labour exploitation:
- Deceptive recruitment – working nature was different from that stated on the contract
- Exploitation – long working hours of 17 hours per day; no respect of labour laws and contract signed i.e. employer forced her to work illegally outside residence, no food allowance
- Abuse of vulnerability – dependency on exploiters due to economic reasons and family situation
- Coercion at destination – debt-bondage by huge training fee
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BEING TRAFFICKED?
Is human trafficking happening in your community? Recognizing potential red flags and knowing the indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
To reach out or report suspected cases of human trafficking in Hong Kong, please visit our get help page