THE Hong Kong government has revised its order on safety provisions in the contracts of foreign domestic helpers in cleaning the exterior of windows in high-rise buildings.
In a revised provision which will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2017, the Hong Kong government has included requiring all employers to put locked grills in windows when they ask their helpers to clean the exterior of the windows not located on the ground level or adjacent to a balcony or a common corridor.
The provision added that only the helper’s arms should be extended beyond the ledge.
“In view of the community’s concerns about the safety of FDHs when cleaning outward-facing windows, the LD has over the past weeks consulted various stakeholders including the consuls general of FDHs’ home countries in Hong Kong, FDH employer groups, FDH groups and employment agencies associations,” the Labor Department stated.
The new provision which will be included in the contract is made to ensure the occupational safety of the foreign domestic helpers.
The order was made after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office announced that it will no longer be allowed to clean the windows of flats of their employers in high-rise building.
This after Filipino domestic helper Rinalyn Dulluog fell to her death in August while cleaning the windows of her employer’s flat on the 48th floor of a high-rise building in LOHAS Park, Hong Kong.
In POLO’s memo signed by attaché Jalilo dela Torre stated that employers must ensure to implement this and clause banning them from cleaning the exterior of windows and should include in the written contracts of all Filipino household workers in Hong Kong.
“Please ensure that employers read this part and understand it before they sign the contract you will submit to us for verification and authentication,” Dela Torre said in a memo dated October 1.
The clause in the contract should state that “for safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not part of the domestic helper’s duties.”
Dela Torre said the memo was issued to all accredited employment agencies in the city “pursuant to POLO’s mandate to protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.” The new rule was supposed to be enforced last October 15 but was moved to January 1.