The Government today (March 25) announced that the measures to assist foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended.
Extension of validity period of existing contracts
The Government will continue to implement the previous measure to enable employers to extend the validity period of the existing contracts with their outgoing FDHs. For all FDH contracts that will expire on or before June 30, 2022, the Commissioner for Labour has given in-principle consent for extending the employment period stated in Clause 2 of the Standard Employment Contract for a maximum period of six months, on the basis that such variation is mutually agreed upon by both the employer and the FDH concerned. However, applications for further extension of contracts which have already been extended under the previously announced flexibility arrangements will not be considered.
If arrangements cannot be made for a newly hired FDH to come to Hong Kong within the above-mentioned six-month extended period and the employer needs to continue to employ his/her FDH beyond the six-month extended period, the employer should consider applying for contract renewal with the existing FDH.
Deferral of return to the place of origin
Under the prevailing mechanism, an FDH on a renewed contract with the same employer, or due to start a new contract with a new employer upon the expiry of an existing contract, may apply to the Immigration Department (ImmD) for deferring return to the place of origin for not more than one year after the existing contract ends, subject to the agreement of his/her current employer or new employer.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government will further extend the current flexibility arrangement. If an FDH is unable to return to his/her place of origin within the aforementioned one-year period, he/she may, upon agreement with the employer, apply to the ImmD for a further extension of the limit of stay until the end of his/her contract such that he/she may return to the place of origin within that period. Such applications are acceptable within eight weeks prior to the expiry of the existing limit of stay of the FDHs (i.e. same as those for contract renewal).
The Government reminds employers and FDHs that the above flexibility arrangement must be mutually agreed between the employer and the FDH, and that the requirement of FDHs returning to their place of origin continues to be in place. Employers should arrange for their FDHs to return to their place of origin within the extended limit of stay.
The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation and review the above measures and flexibility arrangements as and when necessary.
To tie in with the disease prevention measures and reduce the flow of people, the Government appeals to members of the public to submit visa applications for FDHs and further employment of FDHs through online means or the ImmD mobile application. Apart from setting up a dedicated "Online Services for Foreign Domestic Helpers" webpage at www.immd.gov.hk/fdh, the ImmD further enhanced the visa application service through better use of digital technology and launched electronic services for visa application and an "e-Visa" arrangement on December 28, 2021. Upon approval of their applications, the applicants may pay the visa fee through various means and download the "e-Visa" on their personal mobile devices or print the "e-Visa". Please refer to the relevant press release for details (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/22/P2021122200489.htm). Members of the public may also enquire about the application status and submit supplementary documents and notification of premature termination of employment contract via the above dedicated webpage. The process does not require them to attend an office of the ImmD in person to go through the formalities, which is both convenient and time-saving while reducing the need to travel and contributing to the efforts to fight the virus together.
The Government also urges employers and their FDHs to be mindful of the limit of stay and the passport validity of the FDHs and arrange for applications for visas and replacement of passports in advance.
For enquiries on employment rights and benefits of FDHs, please contact the LD at the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk. The dedicated FDH Portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) set up by the LD also provides information and useful links relating to the employment of FDHs. For enquiries on FDH visa applications, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or by sending email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.
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