A friendly reminder to Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong.
As stated on every domestic helper visa, it is forbidden to take up jobs other than the household tasks as mandated by law and violators will be persecuted.
A case involving a Filipina who “only wanted to help” was construed as involved in retail selling and therefore breaching her condition of stay, according to Hongkong News.
Andora (real name withheld), pleaded not guilty to charge of breaching her condition of stay at Shatin Magistrates Courts on January 29.
“Para sa akin po, tumutulong lang ako duon sa customer,” the domestic worker said, adding that she went to her employer’s shop to bring lunch and stayed while waiting for her employer. She further said that she was on her way to fetch her employer’s son from his English tutorial later.
But the prosecution argued that Andora was at her employer’s shop in Tung Chung in the afternoon of July 19, 2015 when she was arrested. An undercover policewoman reportedly bought a bikini from her.
“Wala po akong ginagawa maliban sa nakaupo at naglalaro ng cellphone,” Andora said. When the undercover policewoman entered the shop and asked, Andora responded at her.
“Tumingin ako sa kanya. I said in English, ‘Yes?’ Tinanong niya ako kung may maliit na size yung nakahang sa wall.
“Sinabi ko in English, ‘Have a see.’” Andora said, without the intention of making extra income from her gesture.