轉自：亞洲移住人士聯盟（Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body（AMCB）
Staying home and no day off for MDWs will not resolve the problem on 2019-nCoV
移工沒有休息日留在所服務的僱主家中並不能解決2019年新型冠狀病毒的問題
‘Why are migrant domestic workers being singled out in response to the novel coronavirus?’ This is the reaction of Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, spokesperson of Asian Migrants Coordinating Body in response to a press statement released by the Labor Department yesterday. To quote, ‘The Labour Department yesterday appealed to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to stay home during their rest days in order to safeguard their personal health and to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community.’
就勞工處於一月三十日發出的新聞公告當中所提到的「勞工處今日（一月三十日）呼籲外籍家庭傭工（外傭）在其休息日留在家中，以保障個人健康並減低新型冠狀病毒在社區傳播的風險。」，亞洲移住人士聯盟的發言人 Dolores Balladares-Pelaez回應說「為甚麼回應新型冠狀病毒疫情，移工會被單獨特別地點名？」。
‘Asian Migrants Coordinating Body finds it unacceptable. It is unfair, unjust, and discriminatory. If the government is asking the MDWs to stay home but the rest of household members can go out, it does not make sense because there is still a possibility for those able to go outside to be infected by the virus. There is the case of the Filipina domestic worker who is in quarantine at the moment because of her employers’ relatives from Wuhan who are infected, and stayed with them.’ Balladares-Pelaez recounted.
Balladares-Pelaez提出「亞洲移住人士聯盟認為這不可接受。這是不公平，不公義，及歧視性。如果政府叫移工們留在僱主家中但家中的其他家庭成員又可外出的話，這並不合情理，因那些有外出的家庭成員有機會被病毒感染。現在那位菲裔就好移工需接受隔離的個案就是因為他僱主從武漢來及受感染的親戚住到他們家中。」
Balladares-Pelaez also explained that under the employment ordinance, it is a criminal offence for employers to prohibit MDWs to take their day off. The LD actually advises employers to commit the said offense.
Balladares-Pelaez進一步解釋，根據僱傭條例，如僱主不允許移工於休息日放假是刑事罪行。勞工處此舉就好像是叫僱主去犯法。
‘It is also counterproductive because having no rest day means having no rest at all. For MDWs who work 6 days a week and 12-16 hours a day, it will cause MDWs high levels of stress and exhaustion, making them vulnerable to sickness. It is also contradictory to the announcement What you and your FDWs need to know to prevent the influenza pandemic released by Centre for Health Protection on No. 3: ‘Unless otherwise directed by the government, allow your helper to take statutory holidays and rest days as usual and advise him/her to avoid visiting crowded or poorly ventilated places during peak season of influenza.’ Balladares-Pelaez explained.
Balladares-Pelaez進一步解釋「這亦會有反效果，因為沒有了休息日就好像完全沒有休息一樣。移工許多每周工作六天，每天十二至十六小時，這只會加劇移工的壓力和疲累，令他們更易染病。這亦與由衛生防護中心的防備流感大流行外籍家傭與僱主須知有矛盾，當中第三點提到「除非政府另有指示,否則應讓家傭如常享有法定假期和休息日,但提醒他/她應在流感高峰期避免到人多擠逼、空氣流通欠佳的地方,」。
‘What the LD should be focused on is giving MDWs and other employees proper information we can use in our work. LD should ensure that employers provide needed materials, such as mask, vitamin C, enough rest, and that appropriate precautions are taken, such as avoiding places prone to the virus – China, market, etc. And if unable, the LD (and HK authorities) should provide whatever the HK people (MDWs, etc) need in order to prevent getting sick. If we do get sick, it should be ensured that we are accorded the same medical treatment as other HK people.’ Balladares-Pelaez insisted.
Balladares-Pelaez強調「勞工處應聚焦的應該是，為移工及其他受僱人士提供在我們的工作上有用的恰當資訊。勞工處應確定僱主們會供應有需要的配備，比如口罩、維他命C、充足的休息，及作出適當的防備，比如避免前往可能受病毒影響的地方，如中國、街市之類。如不能避免前往，那勞工處（及香港政府）需為保障香港人（包括移工）可避免染病的所需。如我們不幸染病，亦應為我們提供如所有香港人一樣的醫療。」
‘This is not the first time migrant domestic workers dealt with an epidemic. Remember SARS in 2003? We were here, yet we survived’, added Balladares-Pelaez. ‘Migrants still had their days off then and mingled with fellow MDWs and other friends, and organized activities. While we understand the importance of taking the novel coronavirus seriously, it should not be detrimental to the rights of migrant domestic workers. MDWs and ethnic minorities are part of Hong Kong workforce and community. Our health is important to ensure the health of employers and society.
Balladares-Pelaez進一步說「這已不是第一次移工們需面對疫情。記得2003年的非典型肺炎嗎？我們已在這裡，我們都活過來了。當時移工們仍有在休息日放假，跟其他移工和朋友們聚會，亦有進行組織活動。我們當然明白認真處理新型冠狀病毒的重要性，但這亦不至於要侵害移工的權利。移工及其他少數族裔都是香港的勞動力量及社會的一份子。我們的健康亦是保障僱主們以至全社會的健康的重要一點。
*港人慣稱不同種族移民家務工（移工）為外傭，港府則慣用外藉家庭傭工，然而我們認為，他們不少為香港辛勞服務多年，對香港的社會以至經濟發展，功不可沒，更是香港勞動人口的重要一員。而這些稱呼帶有不必要的內外區間及排拒性，所以我們選擇了以不同種族移民家務工（移工）的稱謂，以表勞動者共行之志。特此說明。
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