The Government said today the Philippine Consulate-General has agreed to suspend the inclusion of a clause in domestic helpers’ contracts that would prohibit the cleaning of exterior windows for households in Hong Kong.
The clause revision will be suspended for a month.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said he asked the Philippine Consulate-General in Hong Kong to suspend the inclusion of the clause to ensure more time for discussion among various stakeholders before implementation.
Speaking to the media today, Mr Cheung noted that individual circumstances such as windows located on the ground floor of a house or those with iron grills, should be taken in consideration when revising the present clause.
The Government has attached great importance to the work safety of all workers in Hong Kong, including foreign domestic helpers, but must also strike a balance between workers’ safety and the interest of employers, he said.
