Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Immigrant domestics in Hong Kong barred from cleaning exterior windows
A little under a month ago Cleanzine broadcast an item about how immigrant domestic workers - mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia - marched in protest against being forced to clean the exterior windows of high rise buildings following the falls - and deaths - of fellow workers (www.thecleanzine.com)
We're happy to report that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office is supporting the movement and that in a memo dated October 1st, issued to all accredited employment agencies in the city, labor attache Jalilo dela Torre said that starting October 15th, all contracts for Filipino domestic helpers should include a cause banning them from cleaning the exterior of windows.
The memo said that the clause in the contract should state that "for safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not part of the domestic helper's duties" and it went on to say: "Please ensure that employers read this part and understand it before they sign the contract you will submit to us for verification and authentication".
Jalilo dela Torre said that the memo, was "pursuant to POLO's mandate to protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers." It was issued almost two months after Filipino domestic worker Rinalyn Dulluog fell to her death while cleaning the windows of her employer's flat on the 49th floor of a high-rise building in LOHAS Park.
6th October 2016