The SUN HK : Bethune House in early-morning rescue of FDW

28 May 2023

Fe with her rescuer from Unifil-Migrante (Bethune's FB post)

Early on Sunday, May 28, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge posted on Facebook about rescuing and taking in a Filipina domestic worker who had to call 999 because her employer did not want to allow her back into the house unless she took a bath outside.

According to the post, the helper named “Fe” took her usual day-off earlier on Saturday, and got back to the employer’s house at about 9pm.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

The employer reportedly refused to let Fe in, and said she should take a bath in the estate’s club house. When Fe said the clubhouse was already closed, the employer insisted on her finding a public toilet where she could shower. Fe said she could not be sent out as it was already too late and as a live-in worker she should be allowed to use the employer’s toilet and bath.

Instead of giving in, the employer “told Fe to pack up and go,” said the Bethune post.

PAPAANO SUMALI? PINDUTIN ITO!

After Fe called 999 an officer of United Filipinos in Hong Kong rushed to her employer’s house in Tuen Mun to pick her up and take her to Bethune House where she was assisted by two of its clients with pending labor cases.

The post says Fe is from Bacolod and is a mother of a nine-year-old child. She had been with her employer for less than seven months.

Magkano? Pindutin ito!

“I did not expect this sudden dismissal from my work,” Fe was quoted as saying.

However, no additional details were given as to why her employer had suddenly demanded that she took a shower first before returning to their home.

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Rescuing domestic workers in distress is nothing new to Bethune House, which has given shelter to hundreds of migrants in the nearly 40 years of its existence.

At the height of the pandemic and amid a typhoon signal no 8 warning about two years ago, Bethune staff also had to rescue another Filipina who was being made to sleep inside a toilet by her male employer. Bethune managed to secure a substantial settlement for "Grace' who has since gone home.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Apart from providing them with a roof over their heads, the shelter also assists its clients with their court cases, taking them to the police or other government authorities as necessary, and helping them cope with their problems through rights empowerment and wellness programs.

Migrant workers who need help may contact Bethune House through their hotline, 9338 0035.