Migrant Domestic Workers Seeking Justice Face Ordeals — Discrimination is Widespread, Government Must Not Neglect
The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU) welcomes the court’s ruling in the case of Baby Jane Allas, who suffered disability discrimination (Case No. DCEO 11/2020). However, her employer, Jamil Bushra, disappeared ever since, from the mediation at the Labour Department, to hearing at the Labour Tribunal in April 2019, to the hearing of the discrimination case. For seven years, her whereabouts remain unknown. Baby Jane passed away in 2021. The judgment is delayed. Baby Jane’s family has been suffering a lot emotionally. Our federation, together with our affiliate, the Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers in Hong Kong (PLUDW-HK), represented Baby Jane in her labour tribunal case. We feel that although Baby Jane won both the labour and discrimination cases, the pain endured by her and her family throughout the process was disproportionate. On one hand, we acknowledge that the long struggle has reached a stage of closure; on the other hand, the ordeal for migrant domestic workers is unbearably long and painful.
We leave our homes only to support our families back home. When exploited, most of us can only suffer in silence. Very few dare to stand up for our rights. Even with union, NGO, and public donations, the endless procedures, loss of income, and lack of government support for basic living mean that pursuing legal rights feels like punishment itself. We are disappointed. We are saddened.
Last year, FADWU also assisted Noelyn Patricio Arzaga, who was illegally dismissed after being diagnosed with cancer. Her entitlement to public healthcare was immediately terminated, and the cost of critical treatment (such as chemotherapy) skyrocketed overnight by 64 times. For migrant domestic workers, this is an unbearable financial burden. The shock of illness, dismissal, and loss of income to support family is overwhelming. Most workers fear that the lengthy legal process will prevent timely treatment, so they dare not file claims. As a result, most dismissed workers either return to their home countries for treatment or await the end of life without proper care.
Among the 67 documented cases assisted by the Filipino Migrants Cancer Support Society HK (FilMCaSS-HK) last year, only 10 workers received labour protection and medical support from employers as required by law. Public awareness of Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination ordinances is generally low, and migrant domestic workers often do not know their rights. Labour and public education in this area urgently needs improvement.
We demand the Hong Kong government to:
We especially thank Jessica Cutrera, the employer of Baby Jane’s sister, for fully supporting Baby Jane during the process — providing accommodation, raising funds for medical expenses, and enabling Baby Jane’s children to come to Hong Kong to accompany their mother for surgery. Showing compassion, understanding workers’ situations, and offering support without hesitation is truly precious and moving.
We also hope the government, especially the Equal Opportunities Commission, will remain steadfast, not idle, and fulfill its duty to protect workers’ rights to equality and actively promote anti-discrimination and equal opportunity education.
We thank our partner groups Rights Exposure and Oxfam for their assistance in 2019 in producing the documentary The Price of Justice, which brought Baby Jane’s situation and feelings to the public and served as evidence in court.
Hong Kong still owes Baby Jane — and other migrant domestic workers in similar situations seeking legal rights — fair treatment and justice.
Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU)
3 July 2026
We leave our homes only to support our families back home. When exploited, most of us can only suffer in silence. Very few dare to stand up for our rights. Even with union, NGO, and public donations, the endless procedures, loss of income, and lack of government support for basic living mean that pursuing legal rights feels like punishment itself. We are disappointed. We are saddened.
Last year, FADWU also assisted Noelyn Patricio Arzaga, who was illegally dismissed after being diagnosed with cancer. Her entitlement to public healthcare was immediately terminated, and the cost of critical treatment (such as chemotherapy) skyrocketed overnight by 64 times. For migrant domestic workers, this is an unbearable financial burden. The shock of illness, dismissal, and loss of income to support family is overwhelming. Most workers fear that the lengthy legal process will prevent timely treatment, so they dare not file claims. As a result, most dismissed workers either return to their home countries for treatment or await the end of life without proper care.
Among the 67 documented cases assisted by the Filipino Migrants Cancer Support Society HK (FilMCaSS-HK) last year, only 10 workers received labour protection and medical support from employers as required by law. Public awareness of Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination ordinances is generally low, and migrant domestic workers often do not know their rights. Labour and public education in this area urgently needs improvement.
We demand the Hong Kong government to:
- Support workers discriminated against due to health reasons can access public healthcare at “eligible person” rates by public hospitals during claims processes.
- Strengthen enforcement of existing labour laws and anti-discrimination ordinances to protect migrant domestic workers from illegal termination and exploitation.
- Raise awareness among employers, workers, and the public about rights, and provide accessible legal support.
We especially thank Jessica Cutrera, the employer of Baby Jane’s sister, for fully supporting Baby Jane during the process — providing accommodation, raising funds for medical expenses, and enabling Baby Jane’s children to come to Hong Kong to accompany their mother for surgery. Showing compassion, understanding workers’ situations, and offering support without hesitation is truly precious and moving.
We also hope the government, especially the Equal Opportunities Commission, will remain steadfast, not idle, and fulfill its duty to protect workers’ rights to equality and actively promote anti-discrimination and equal opportunity education.
We thank our partner groups Rights Exposure and Oxfam for their assistance in 2019 in producing the documentary The Price of Justice, which brought Baby Jane’s situation and feelings to the public and served as evidence in court.
Hong Kong still owes Baby Jane — and other migrant domestic workers in similar situations seeking legal rights — fair treatment and justice.
Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU)
3 July 2026
Reference:
- Judgement https://legalref.judiciary.hk/doc/judg/word/vetted/other/en/2020/DCEO000011_2020.docx
- Documentary [The Price of Justice] https://youtu.be/smDf8NBApZs
- FADWU Research in 2019[The Price of Justice] https://www.hkfadwu.org/files/theme/files/research-report-the-price-Justice-en-cn.pdf
- Executive Summary of [The Price of Justice] Research https://www.hkfadwu.org/files/theme/files/leaflet-price-of-justice.pdf
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