Our reaction to Migrant Exploitation

Hong Kong We launched our programme as a response to the growing need of legal advice for migrant workers. Migrant workers seldom have a solid understanding of laws in Hong Kong, so disputes often arise with employers and recruitment agencies. Because their language skills are limited, migrant workers often experience difficulties seeking redress through official channels. It is precisely these issues that we address. The demand for our services is high - last year we provided 14,832 consultations - and with the growing number of migrant workers in Hong Kong, we expect it to increase.

Our key services include:

1.Paralegal advice at our DMW office
2.Emergency accommodation in our shelters
3.Skills training at our To Kwa Wan Service Centre

Foreign domestic workers are one of the most vulnerable social groups in Hong Kong. Their situation is particularly weak because they have been given misinformation by recruitment agencies in their home countries: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. We play a crucial role in the dissemination of correct information about immigration and labor laws in Hong Kong. Our service provides free paralegal advice, guidance and counseling to migrant workers regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds. Our objective is to ensure that migrant workers understand their legal rights and obligations in Hong Kong and that they use this information to protect themselves against exploitation, mistreatment and abuse.

The Domestic Helpers and Migrant Workers Programme currently provides consultations in the following languages: English, Indonesian, Sinhala, Hindi and Nepalese.

How you can help

We do not receive funding from government sources, so we are dependent on outside funding and donations. If you have information about potential funding sources, please contact us at hsd-hk@christian-action.org.hk or alternatively, on 27396197. If you would like to make a one-off donation, use our on-line donation interface.