I've terminated my contract as a domestic helper with an employer for whom I started to work on October 20, 2006. From the start, I've had no food allowance and was told to eat only the leftover food from the family's three-year-old child. I needed to rise at 5 a.m. and work so long that I couldn't sleep until after midnight. I've been feeling sick and weak for lack of food and rest. My employers constantly insulted me and a few times threatened me with death. It became impossible to continue working under these conditions.
A previous girl who endured two years with these employers returned home extremely ill. An Indonesian who works upstairs for my employer's relatives receives equally bad treatment and lives in fear too. I've written to the Labor Department asking that someone make this employer respect the human rights of any future domestic helpers.
Only with the prospect of a new employer by January 1, 2007, can I be assured of soon returning to Hong Kong.
Suzette, Hong Kong
(Temporary email: johncairns@cairnsmedia.com)
(December 26, 2006)
ARCHIVES |
