The Ombudsman as a government agency that has the authority to oversee the implementation of public services, will conduct direct investigations into boarding houses or dormitories or boarding houses for migrant domestic workers (PRT), because some of them have contracted Covid-19 while living in that place. Thursday (15/1/2021).
“Whether the facilities of these places have met the requirements of public safety or not has caused a lot of concern among the public. The government is obligated to ensure a decent living environment for migrant domestic workers working in Hong Kong, as well as to maintain public safety,” Ombudsman spokesman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin was quoted as saying by The Standard.
Currently, migrant domestic workers can stay in a boarding house or dormitory provided by their agency for two weeks or more, after they lose their job and start looking for a new one. However, the accommodation was accused of not being a good place to live, because it was too crowded and had poor hygiene, and violated building use.
There are no specific laws or mechanisms in place to regulate migrant domestic workers’ boarding facilities, and ensure that they meet rescue requirements in the event of a fire, or other steps required for rescue from buildings.
So far, as many as 465 migrant domestic workers have been confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus, and 212 of them are local infections. Covid-19 cases involving migrant domestic workers account for about five percent of the total cases in Hong Kong.
The investigation will examine regulations regarding boarding houses by relevant government departments, including the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration. The Ombudsman invites information and views from members of the public. Written submissions must reach the Office of the Ombudsman no later than 14 February 2021
