HONG KONG/MANILA – The rapid rise in COVID-19 in Hong Kong has brought the plight domestic workers in this global financial center under the spotlight. Some were made redundant or homeless after they test positive for coronavirus.

Hong Kong employs around 340,000 domestic staff, with most of them hailing either from Indonesia or the Philippines. With the minimum wage at HK$4,630 ($593) per mo, many families rely on the help of live-in workers to care for their children and housekeeping.

Hong Kong law stipulates that domestic workers who are migrant must reside with their employer. This means they often live in small rooms and share bedrooms with the children they look after.

Local media and helper support groups reported that these workers were fired or kicked out. This has prompted appeals by Philippine authorities to the Chinese-governed city of Manila for support and protection.

Last week, the Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions reported to Reuters that more than 20 domestic workers tested positive for COVID had been dismissed.

Employers in Hong Kong have been warned by the Labour Department that they could be fined up to HK$100,000. Someone who breaks the law may face a fine up to HK$100,000. Reuters requested comment from the department but it did not immediately reply.

Two domestic workers who claimed they had been abandoned by their employers after being tested positive for COVID were left homeless by their employers told Reuters that they felt helpless, traumatized and out of control.

A helper said, “I felt hopeless and depressed.” She declined to identify herself due to the sensitive nature of this issue. Although she claimed her employer gave her the medicine, her bosses told her that they would not allow her to infect any family members.

She said, “All that I thought about was where to get food. And where to stay. It was so cold out.” The woman has worked in Hong Kong for over a decade as a domestic assistant.

One of her helpers, who was in Hong Kong four years ago, stated that she felt discriminated and would prefer to return home than remain in Hong Kong.

Both helpers sought shelter through HELP for Domestic Workers, a nongovernmental organisation that offers shelter and basic supplies for people in crisis.

The demand is outpacing the supply at the moment. Manisha Wijesinghe is the executive director at HELP Domestic Workers.

The government is trying to control the COVID epidemic. Authorities have blocked flights from 9 countries including the Philippines and tightened entry restrictions. This has led to an increase in domestic workers.

Domestic helpers often work very long hours. They are allowed to take one day off each week.

The public hospitals of Hong Kong have struggled to handle an influx in COVID patients, including elderly people who have resist vaccinations.

Hong Kong has had more than 171,000 coronavirus-related infections since its outbreak and more than 650 deaths. This is significantly lower than the average number of major cities.

The government is scrambling for new facilities to handle the influx of patients and hospitals.

“I was waiting in a taxi to get information about my next destination. It was hard to believe that I could do it alone, and that there wasn’t anyone who can help me. “But at that point, I was already crying,” one of the domestic helpers shared her experiences.

($1 = 7.8122 Hong Kong dollars)