‘Best PRACTICES’ to Guide Proposed Window Cleaning Ban
The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) and the Labour Department has agreed on two principles that would guide them in reaching a compromise on the proposed window-cleaning ban for Filipino domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong.
In a statement released this afternoon, the PCG said they agreed on two “international best practices” that would guide both parties in formulating a provision to be included in FDH contracts in less than a month’s time.
“Both parties agreed to revisit the exclusion of window cleaning from the domestic helper’s tasks guided by the following international best practices… which strike a balance between occupational safety and the employers’ concerns,” the PCG said in a statement released early this afternoon.
The two principles are: 1. The employer or a responsible adult representative of the employer is physically present to supervise the worker; and 2. Window grilles have been installed and are locked at all times during the cleaning process.
“It was also agreed that programs for education, training, and public awareness on occupational safety will be undertaken by the Labour Department on this matter,” the PCG said.
The PCG said it will continue to engage the Labour Department in “constructively addressing this matter to achieve shared objectives of domestic workers’ safety.”
The agreement on the “international best practices” was reached after PCG officials, led by Consul general Bernardita Catalla, met with Labour Commissioner Carlson Chan yesterday morning (October 17) to discuss the total ban on the cleaning of the exterior of windows for Filipino domestic helpers.
The PCG said that they agreed that the safety of the workers “is paramount, and under no circumstances should an employer subject a domestic worker to unsafe working conditions and tasks.”
Labor Attaché Jalilo Dela Torre earlier announced that, starting October 15,new contracts for Filipino domestic workers should include the following clause: For safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not a part of the domestic helper’s duties.”
The PCG came out with the policy after several incidents of FDHs falling to their deaths while cleaning the exterior of the window of their employer’s flat. But on October 14, the PCG postponed for 30 days the implementation of the new policy following a request from the Hong Kong government.
Both sides are expected to reach a “compromise” clause that would be included in FDH contracts in less than 30 days.
(Source: HongKongNews.com.hk)