Domestic helper who abandoned toddler in a Hong Kong park gets prison sentence
A Foreign Domestic Helper Faces Jail for Child Neglect and Illegal Employment
A domestic helper, identified only as Khotijah, 43, has been sentenced to over a year in prison for child neglect and illegally working in Hong Kong. The verdict was handed down by West Kowloon Court on Thursday.
Khotijah had admitted to neglecting a two-year-old girl, who was left alone in a park back in June 2024. The court heard that the girl's 31-year-old mother approached Khotijah, originally through a man known as John, in May the previous year. The mother offered Khotijah HK$300 (US$38) per day to take care of the child.
According to the current laws regulating domestic helpers in Hong Kong, foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) can only work for the employer specified in their contract and are prohibited from undertaking any additional employment, including part-time domestic duties for other people. Additionally, they must strictly adhere to the domestic duties outlined in their contract.
If a domestic helper's contract is terminated before its end, they can remain in Hong Kong for 14 days afterward or until the conclusion of their permitted stay, whichever occurs earlier. During this period, they must secure new employment or depart from the territory. Extending their stay as visitors does not allow them to work legally.
Violating employment regulations can lead to severe legal consequences, such as a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. There have also been cases where FDHs have made false allegations against employers in an attempt to secure a visa extension and engage in illegal employment. Such actions can result in legal repercussions.
To combat illegal employment, the Hong Kong government regularly enforces operations aimed at apprehending offenders who have violated their immigration conditions.
In light of these laws, it's essential for FDHs and employers alike to abide by contract terms and immigration regulations to avoid legal complications. Employers and FDHs should also be aware of the potential consequences of making false accusations or engaging in unauthorized employment. Thorough investigations may be conducted by the government to address such incidents.
Khotijah, the foreign domestic helper sentenced to over a year in prison for child neglect and illegally working in Hong Kong, had been offered a position as a babysitter by the girl's mother, who found her through a man known as John. This incident highlights the importance of FDHs adhering to the laws regulating their employment, as violating these regulations, such as undertaking unauthorized employment or neglecting their duties, can lead to severe legal consequences, including jail time. Furthermore, falsely accusing employers to secure a visa extension or engage in illegal employment can also result in legal repercussions.
