HK resident barred from hiring Filipinos after assaulting maid

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople says the assaulted domestic worker has a new employer and is “doing well.”  (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — A Hong Kong resident who was sentenced to jail for assaulting a Filipino maid will be barred from hiring domestic helpers from the Philippines for life, Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople said on Tuesday.

Chow Ching-yee, 65, recently pleaded to a count of common assault against Ruby Funa Caman.

Chow slapped Caman and pulled her hair pulled for refusing her order to massage her hands, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

“I have instructed [Undersecretary] Bernard Olalia who is in charge of adjudication to ban HK employer Chow Ching-yee and her entire household from hiring a Filipino domestic worker for life,” Ople said in a statement.

According to Ople, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) had spoken to Caman, who now has a new employer and is “doing well.”

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio has also been instructed to provide financial assistance for the schooling Caman’s 10-year-old child, according to Ople.

“The DMW commends Ruby for standing up for her rights,” she said.

Other overseas Filipino workers who are subjected to abuse are urged to notify their family or closest friend and the Hong Kong emergency hotline 999.

—JOSHUA GO (TRAINEE)

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