勞工處籲外傭避免公眾場所聚集 Helpers urged to stay home

勞工處再度呼籲外籍家庭傭工避免在公眾場所聚集，在休息日盡量留在家中，以保障個人健康，減低2019冠狀病毒病在社區傳播的風險。

因應近日本地疫情變化，政府進一步加強防疫抗疫的措施。政府注意到，外傭來源國的總領事館同樣呼籲其國民盡量留家，避開擠擁地方，保持社交距離。

勞工處表示，外傭可考慮與僱主商討休息日安排，包括另定休息日。根據《僱傭條例》，如僱主要求外傭在休息日工作，必須在原定休息日後30天內安排另定休息日予外傭，僱主並須在原定休息日後48小時內通知外傭另定休息日的日期。

該處呼籲僱主與外傭商討休息日安排時解釋當前的特殊情況，互相體諒。若僱主強迫外傭在休息日工作或不給予外傭休息日，均屬違反《僱傭條例》規定，最高可被罰款五萬元。

衞生防護中心設專題網頁，提供預防肺炎和呼吸道傳染病資訊和健康建議。

外傭及其僱主可通過外傭事宜專屬電子郵箱和專題網站的網上表格，向勞工處尋求協助。

The Labour Department today again appealed to foreign domestic helpers to refrain from gathering and crowding in public places and stay at home on their rest days to safeguard their personal health and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the community.

In view of the recent changes in the epidemic's circumstances in Hong Kong, the Government announced on March 23 further enhancements to its anti-epidemic measures.

The Government notes that the consulates-general of foreign helpers' home countries have similarly appealed to their nationals to stay at home whenever possible, avoid crowded places and practice social distancing.

Foreign helpers are advised to consider discussing rest day arrangements with their employers, including substituting another rest day.

Under the Employment Ordinance, if an employer requests a foreign helper to work on a rest day, the employer must substitute another rest day for the foreign helper within 30 days after the original rest day. The employer must also notify the foreign helper of the arrangement within 48 hours after work.

The department urged employers to explain the special circumstances when discussing rest day arrangements with their foreign helpers.

It also reminded employers not to compel foreign helpers to work on their rest day, or they will be in breach of the Employment Ordinance and liable to a maximum fine of $50,000.

https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2020/03/20200327/20200327_123510_781.html?type=category&name=covid19&fbclid=IwAR0MEaztyd5565ivbxU2wblIBXMyqt556lSBUKllGJ5YiYOfcIUCoWvXrfk