The group Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB-IMA), a coalition of migrant organizations based in Hong Kong, called on the territory’s Department of Labor to provide sufficient protection for all migrant domestic workers who lost their homes and jobs from the large fire last month.

The Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, burned down on November 26. It was home to around 4,000 people, 201 of them were migrant domestic workers. Most of the domestic workers were Indonesian (119) and Filipino (82). The death toll reached 146, including one Filipino domestic worker, while 79 were injured. Seven Filipinos remain missing.

The coalition sent a letter to Department of Labor secretary Chris Sun acknowledging the swift action in addressing the needs of domestic workers affected by the fire, including the $20,000 subsidy and a hotline. However, the department must assist the surviving domestic workers to secure their employment and visa status, AMCB spokesperson Shiela Bonifacio said.

The coalition called for assurance that all domestic workers receive financial and social support. It also urged authorities to allow them to stay in the city until they find new employment if their contracts have ended. Under Hong Kong law, migrant workers are given only a two-week grace period to find new jobs before they are deported.

The coalition also called for social workers experienced in migrant affairs to assist the fire survivors. It requested the government to release information in languages other than English and Cantonese, which migrants find difficult to understand. The coalition also suggested establishing a mechanism to expedite the processing of monetary claims or recovered payments for those who lost their jobs.

“We hope that the Hong Kong government can develop a more comprehensive response to address the systematic oppression experienced by migrant workers, in cooperation with consulates, migrant organizations, and affected citizens,” Bonifacio said.

___
* The Hong Kong chapters of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Gabriela, and Migrante are part of AMCB.