Labour again tells FDWs to avoid gathering during long weekend

By The SUN

 

Even the beaches will be patrolled over the next 3 days, says Labour (File)

We will be watching you again this coming long weekend. This appears to be the message sent out by the Labour Department to foreign domestic workers in a statement released today, Jun 2.

Tomorrow is Tuen Mun Festival, one of the 13 statutory holidays enjoyed by FDWs in Hong Kong. Many of them will also be spending their weekly day-off either on Saturday or Sunday.

In its statement, the LD said it will conduct joint operations with other government agencies such as the HK Police, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department over the next three days to enforce social distancing measures.

Under the current regulations, no more than four people could gather together and everybody should wear a mask while in public. Violators will be meted a fixed penalty of $5,000.

Among the places that will covered during the joint enforcement operation are the Peak, beaches in Southern District, Edinburgh Place, the pedestrian zone on Chater Road and Statue Square in Central, Tamar Park in Admiralty, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay; the North Point Promenade, Quarry Bay Park, the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui and Lo Tak Court in Tsuen Wan.

The statement reminded FDWs to strictly observe the regulations and avoid gatherings, even in boarding houses; and avoid the sharing of food and other social activities during their holidays.

They are also urged to stay at home to rest “as far as possible in order to safeguard their personal health and reduce the risk of infection.”

At the same time, the statement called on employers to explain the pandemic situation to their FDWs when discussing rest day arrangements.

Under the Employment Ordinance, the employer could assign a different rest day for the FDW who should, however, give consent. The new rest day should be within the same as the original day-off, or within 30 days after it.

The LD also reminded employers that they should not require their FDWs to work on their rest days. If an employer requests the helper to work on a rest day, a substitute day should be set for the worker to take a day-off.

The employer must also inform the FDW about the alternate day-off within 48 hours after the latter is required to work.

Any employer who forces a FDW to work on a rest day is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000. Any inquiries on FDW employment may contact the dedicated hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823), by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk or through the online form on the dedicated portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk).