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Tucked away in an unassuming building next to St. John’s Cathedral at Garden Road, Central, is the warm and welcoming office of HELP for Domestic Workers.

 

When you go in, you are greeted with smiles and a feeling of hope. They have definitely earned their place in the hearts of domestic workers.

 

They opened their doors in Hong Kong in the 1980s, originally called, Helpers for Domestic Helpers, to ensure that Hong Kong is a fair and just place for every domestic worker irrespective of race, nationality or religion. They are an outreach programme formed by a group of lawyers who worshipped at St. John’s Cathedral, where Filipino domestic workers are a substantial part of the congregation. They found there was a widespread need for free legal counselling and practical assistance for domestic workers, who seldom afford the professional services of a private lawyer.

 

The operation soon became full time, operated by a small core of dedicated staff as the demand for HELP’s services increased beyond the capabilities of a few volunteers.

 

Betty Wagner, the centre’s Case Manager, and Danilo Reyes, their Caseworker, greeted us. We had a friendly conversation about how to better serve the domestic worker community. Their experience and passion is apparent and inspiring. Their insight and advice is invaluable to us here at PANGYAO.HK , so we can bring our dedication and care to the community in the best way we can.

 

If you require legal advice, contract disputes, employer mediation, etc. you can visit HELP for Domestic Workers at St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central. Their telephone number is 2523 4020 and their email address is

info@helpfordomesticworkers.org.