放大圖片
■涉虐待印傭女僱主被探員押返富康花園搜證。資料圖片
一名印傭懷疑在本港工作期間被僱主殘酷虐待,引起國際媒體關注,16日有多個外傭組織發起抗議。香港作為法治文明的國際都會,虐待外傭事件令香港蒙羞。警方必須徹查事件,有關方面應協助受虐事主返港指證無良僱主,令其受到法律的制裁。本港對外傭需求大,當局應進一步重視保障外傭權益,加強對本地僱傭中介公司的監管,防範虐待外傭事件一再重演,切實維護香港的聲譽。
事件受害者受非人的對待,被僱主打到體無完膚。這種虐待行為完全違背本港社會的法治精神,亦為道義所不容。本港絕大多數僱主和外傭的關係良好融洽,特區政府重視保障外傭的僱傭權益,外傭享有「規定最低工資」,根據本港勞工法例,外傭與本地僱員獲得一視同仁的僱傭保障和權益。
此次虐待外傭事件被《華爾街日報》及《紐約時報》等國際媒體廣泛報道,甚至連聯合國經濟、社會和文化權利委員會也介入,要求港府處理,一時間在國際上,香港成為了「外傭地獄」。為免讓極個別的害群之馬令香港顏面掃地,警方必須展開全面調查,將犯事者繩之以法。當局應提供一切必要的協助,彰顯本港維護法治、鋤惡懲奸的決心,為受害者討回公道,亦在國際上還香港清白。
Thorough investigation into domestic helper abuse scandal needed to protect the reputation of Hong Kong
An Indonesian domestic helper was allegedly abused by her employer brutally while she was working in Hong Kong. The case has captured attention of media around the world, and on 16 January, a number of foreign domestic helper groups organized protests in the territory. Hong Kong's reputation as a civilized international city that upholds the rule of law is tainted by this alleged case of abuse. The police must probe into the case thoroughly and relevant parties should assist in bringing the victim back to Hong Kong to testify against the wilful employer and bring the employer to justice. Hong Kong has a high demand of foreign domestic helpers. It is necessary for Hong Kong authorities to place greater emphasis on the protection of the rights of these foreign helpers. Regulations governing domestic helper agencies in the city should be tightened in order to prevent any recurrence of abuses and effectively protect the reputation of Hong Kong.
In this incident, the victim, being treated inhumanely, was badly beaten up by her employer. Acts of cruelty like this totally contravene not only the rule of law in Hong Kong, but also the spirit of righteousness. In Hong Kong, most of the employers and foreign domestic helpers are in very good terms. The HKSAR government has actually put great emphasis on protecting the employment rights of foreign domestic helpers. Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong enjoy "minimum allowable wage" and are given the same employment protection and rights as local employees under local labour legislation.
The alleged abuse was widely covered by international media like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Even the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has intervened, asking the HKSAR government to deal with the matter. In an instant, Hong Kong turns into a "living hell for foreign domestic helpers" in front of the world. To save Hong Kong's reputation from being ruined by very rare evil individuals, the police must conduct a comprehensive investigation and bring the offender to justice. The authorities should provide all necessary assistance to demonstrate their determination in upholding the rule of law as well as in punishing crimes and criminals in Hong Kong. They should seek justice for the victim and clear Hong Kong's name in the international community.(節自香港《文匯報》2014年1月15日)■English Translation by Tung-ming
[ tungming23@gmail.com ]
隔星期三見報
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