Helpers advocacy

Is there an overall ombudsman for helpers rights?


When we sometime in the future hire a helper, I'd like to think that I'll be the kind of employer that treats the helper very well and makes them feel appreciated but I hear through this forum of some shockingly mistreated helpers and it makes me sad for them and angry at the perpetrators.


I know there are various church groups that give advice but is there actually a 'legal' outlet for safely voicing these kinds of issues for helpers?


Also, when anyone comes to HK as a helper, is it compulsory for them to have been informed of their rights to things such as privacy, time off, freedom from abuse? I really think it would be wonderful for helpers to have a compulsory 2 hour lecture on arrival to empower them to not be abused....perhaps the same too for anyone hiring a helper, so that they know from the beginning what they are and aren't allowed to do. What their rights AND responsibilities are.


...kind of like when you take a learners permit, you have to learn the theory before you are allowed on the road.


Thoughts?

While it is of course admirable to want to help helpers, and many are in fact abused, it is their responsibility to be aware of their rights.


Look at it this way: When you took a job, did anyone go through your legal rights with you? Probably not.


Same with helpers who do not carefully read their contract, but sign it anyway, and then complain.



For what it's worth, I think most helpers are more or less aware of their rights. They don't live in a vacuum and are typically quite gregarious with other helpers. However, I think many feel that they would rather take some abuse and keep their jobs. That is a sad state of affairs, but I don't think informing them of their rights will change the substance of the matter. Instead, there should be easier ways of reporting abuse and tougher consequences for the abusers.