DDHK.ORG - The Fair Employment Agency, last Sunday, July 4, 2021, provided legal education to Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) at the office Dompet Dhuafa Hong Kong (DDHK). The activity entitled "Casual Chat" which was conducted in Cantonese was attended by 19 people and was attended by the General Manager of DDHK, M. Imam Baihaqi.
“Fair Agency is a non-profit agency. They do not charge any fees to workers aka zero cost. Friends can chat about their rights and obligations as employees in Hong Kong," said Imam Baihaqi in his speech.
Rusmi, a member of the DDHK Volunteer Team who was also present at the event, said that several PMI issues were the subject of a question and answer session held at the event. Kasey Tai and Elaine Chau, resource persons presented by Fair Agency, answered several questions from PMI who were present.
Among them are the issue of the right to weekly holidays, the right to cash in lieu of plane tickets when the work contract ends and does not return to Indonesia. “Because there are some employers who make it difficult for the gift to be given, even delayed. Also, the problem of workers who are not allowed to pray at the employer's house," said Rusmi.
Regarding the right to weekly holidays, the Fair Agency explained that the Hong Kong Government stipulates that the holiday lasts 24 hours. However, the employment contract also prohibits domestic workers (PRT) from staying overnight outside the employer's house.
“This can be discussed in a good way with the employer. If there is a problem with the employer, the agency can help him," said Rusmi, imitating the answer given by the Fair Agency.
Regarding the right to pray and fast, the agency needs to understand it first, so that it can explain it to the employer properly. "Alhamdulillah, yesterday's event was very useful, it could add insight about our rights as PMI," said Rusmi.
Fair Agency Provides Services to Domestic Workers Free of Charge
From the presentation materials that were delivered alternately by Kasey Tai and Elaine Chau, it was stated that the agency, which was founded about 7 years ago, was determined to improve the standards of recruitment and placement of domestic workers which was much better for workers. Fair Agency promises services without any fees or without deductions from wages for workers, as well as friendly and professional services.
“To date, we have helped more than 5000 domestic workers find good jobs in Hong Kong, and we are known as a friendly and helpful recruitment agency or company. We are happy to start working with Indonesian domestic workers too,” said Kasey.
Then, where do the agency's operational costs come from? Elaine explains how the Fair Employment Agency works. “We do not charge any agency fees and no salary deductions for domestic workers, and only charge HK$7,000 to HK$10,000 to employers. We are not related to money lending institutions,” he said.
Fair Agency cooperates with PT Parco Laut based in Sidoarjo, East Java, which declares itself as a PT that does not charge salary deductions and is free of charge. "In Hong Kong, the Fair Employment Agency has 2 branches, namely in Sheung Wan and Tsuen Wan," said Kasey.
On that occasion, the two sources also educated PMI about the work contracts of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong during the Covid outbreak. He emphasized that there was no requirement for a Covid-19 test or vaccine for domestic workers' work contracts.
So, are employers currently recruiting domestic workers? “Signing in workers is difficult for employers because of travel restrictions and hotel quarantine requirements. However, Hong Kong families still need support from domestic helpers to manage household tasks," said Kasey.
He also said that the main concern so far is whether domestic workers can process in Hong Kong without having to go home? Kasey also explained that domestic workers need to get permission from the Immigration Department to do this.
“We have seen that Immigration is getting stricter about visa acceptance and refusal. If a domestic worker has more than 2 short contracts in a 2 year period, it is very likely that the visa will be refused,” he said. [DDHKNews]
