With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, many migrant domestic helpers are stranded in Hong Kong due to delays in getting work permits, canceled flights, or the inability to purchase an air ticket back home. The Mission for Migrant Helpers, which has helped more than 300 domestic workers during the pandemic, said most have trouble just meeting basic needs. 

Stranded workers often have no income. With free shelters at full capacity due to the increased demand caused by the pandemic, they have to pay for food, accommodation, as well as visa renewal fees. 

Sally Garcia (pseudonym), told Mingpao that since she was fired in June, she’s only had around HK$5,000 from her termination pay to live on. Even though she’s secured new employment within the same month, she has yet to receive her work permit. It’s been almost two months, and she’s now down to her last HK$300. 

Labour Party legislator Fernando Cheung Chiu-heung estimated that about 6,000 migrant domestic helpers are currently stuck in the city.

The Mission for Migrant Workers currently can afford to sponsor around 20 migrant domestic helpers with HK$400 a week. Seeing that there are hundreds more that need help, the mission launched an emergency appeal for donations earlier this week.

To donate, you can do so via Simplygiving or HSBC’s PayMe platform. The goal is to raise HK$150,000 up to the end of September. 

Learn more about The Mission for Migrant Workers here. 

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