Café de Coral denies Filipino DH ban, threatens lawsuit

By The SUN 

Cafe de Coral is threatening to sue people behind the rumor that it is banning Filipino DHs

Hong Kong’s largest fast food chain, Café de Coral, has denied “rumours” which began circulating overnight that it is banning Filipino domestic helpers from entering its restaurants.

A statement released by the company today, May 7, says the matter has been reported to the police and that it reserves the right to file a lawsuit against those spreading the false news.

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“The (Café de Coral) Group is highly concerned about rumours regarding Café de Coral banning Filipino domestic helpers from entry, which are absolutely unfounded and untrue. We have reported the case to the Police and reserve the right to pursue further action against relevant parties,” said the statement.

The claim first came out as a post by a certain “John Richards,” - apparently a fictitious account - that Café de Coral has started banning Filipino DHs into its restaurants, purportedly to help China shift the blame for Covid-19 onto foreign domestic workers.

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The post said helpers are being asked by Café de Coral staff if they are Filipinos before being allowed entry.

Despite no definite incident being cited, or pictures or testimonies to back up the claim, the post was shared extensively by members of the Filipino community.

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Some of those who fell for the rumor called for a boycott of the fastfood chain, which is highly popular among FDHs because of its affordably priced meals.

Others who were more discerning warned of being taken to court for spreading false information on social media.

Many Filipina DHs posted photos of them eating in Cafe de Coral to dispel the rumor 

Under Hong Kong’s Racial Discrimination Ordinance, it is unlawful to hold up any group for vilification or contempt, or treat them less favorably, because of their race or ethnicity.

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Any offender may be liable to a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

On the other hand, anyone who maliciously publishes any defamatory allegation, knowing the same to be false, shall be liable to imprisonment of up to two years, and in addition, pay such fine as the court may award.

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The rumor was circulated in the wake of news that a number of Filipina DHs had been found to carry the mutated form of the coronavirus after gathering in a flat in Sham Shui Po.

The Café de Coral group was in the news recently after reportedly posting a near fivefold increase in annual net profit despite the pandemic.

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The group’s parent company operates about 450 restaurants in Hong Kong and the mainland, including some 150 Café de Coral outlets, The Spaghetti House and Oliver’s Super Sandwiches.

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