HELPmatters
Selling A Better Life
Human Trafficking in Hong Kong
Sukhi* was excited. Coming from a South Asian country, Sukhi thought she had got an opportunity of a lifetime.
This would be the first time she would be leaving her home country to go work abroad. The prospect of visiting, and working in Hong Kong bore promises of a fresh start and good economic prospects.
After a few months of employment, Sukhi was asked to work in the employer’s beauty salon in addition to working as a domestic worker.
“My employer told me that it’s the duty of a domestic worker to work in the employer’s business and that their previous domestic workers did it. I felt something was wrong but didn’t know what to do or where to go” said Sukhi.
She worked at the beauty salon and completed household chores tirelessly from 7 am to 2 am without a break. This violated the employment ordinance in Hong Kong where domestic workers are only allowed to perform duties related to household work.
“The worst part (of the ordeal) was that there was no rest, I worked long hours, skipped meals and slept in a cramped space. There was no going out and no days off. After the salon shut, I had to cook meals and clean the house before going to bed. Once my employer yelled at me for not completing the client’s beauty treatment,” she remembered.
Sukhi was only paid HKD 3,400 for her work at both the salon and household duties. This too was paid irregularly and with unexpected deductions. During the pandemic, this was further reduced to HKD 1,500.
Every time Sukhi thought of escaping the grip of the employer, she felt guilty and anxious thinking of how she would earn a living to support her family.
“I often thought of telling my family back home about my circumstances but I did not want them to worry about me so I had to pretend that I was happy in Hong Kong,” said Sukhi.
Finally, unable to bear the intolerable working conditions anymore, Sukhi reached out to HELP for support.
Hong Kong’s 370,000 migrant domestic workers are acutely vulnerable to labour exploitation in its worst form - human trafficking. Migrant workers are targeted because they often can’t speak the local language, have few friends and family, fear exercising their rights and depend on their employers for their economic and social well-being.
In the case of Sukhi, HELP supported her in filing a labour claim, filing a police complaint and renewing her visa so that she can pursue her fight for justice. HELP will also continue to support her with case counselling, and support her basic needs and mental health so Sukhi can achieve a just and equitable resolution to her troubles.
Supporting victims like Sukhi is a time and resource-intensive endeavour. However, it is also vital to protect those vulnerable to this kind of exploitation.
Today, 30 July, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons pledge your support for victims of trafficking and ensure that survivors get the justice they deserve. DONATE NOW.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality
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