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| AMCB says HK must introduce reforms to better protect migrant domestic workers (File) |
A coalition of migrant domestic workers groups has expressed anger and sorrow over the tragic death of a 25-year-old Indonesian domestic worker whose body was found at the foot of a waterfall in Pokfulam early on Monday.
A charge of murder was filed in court today against British national, Jamie Tzewee Chapman, who is accused of killing Indonesian migrant worker Mevi Novitasari.
Chapman, described by police earlier as Novitasari's lover, was not required to enter a plea and he was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance in January next year.
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| Murder suspect Jamie Chapman appeared in court today (SCMP photo) |
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| I-CLICK DITO |
In a statement issued yesterday, Oct. 31, the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body called on both the Hong Kong and Indonesian governments to speed up the investigation into the migrant worker’s death and ensure impartiality.
"She was a domestic worker. She came here to work. She did not deserve this death. Hong Kong and Indonesian governments must investigate this case and bring those accountable to justice,” said AMCB.
The
group added that the case involved violence against migrant women in Hong Kong,
which the police and the courts are duty-bound to look into, regardless of the
immigration status or job of the victim.
It
also hit out at the Indonesian Consulate for being “silent and passive” toward
the case, indicating its alleged lack of sense of accountability toward its own
nationals. The Indonesian government must also provide support to the family of
the deceased, said the group.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
AMCB
said many migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong often choose not to report any abuse
committed against them, for fear of losing their jobs.
The
city’s “exploitative” policies such as the live-in requirement for migrant
domestic workers and the two-week limit to the stay of terminated workers are
said to make the workers vulnerable to abuse, maltreatment and even foul play.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
AMCB
called on the Hong Kong government to introduce reforms that will ensure the
well-being and safety of the nearly 400,000 MDWs working in the city.
It
also demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the Indonesian worker’s
death, and if murder is proved, for the perpetrator to be punished to the
fullest extent of the law.
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