What should you do if your foreign domestic helper is missing?
It's not uncommon to see employers on online forums asking for advice when their foreign domestic helper goes missing. They worry about the helper's safety and fear the helper might have "job-hopped." So, what can you do if your foreign domestic helper disappears? This article shares some useful tips.
1. Report to the Police
If you can't reach your helper by phone, WhatsApp, or other method, you should report the disappearance to the police. Provide them with relevant details like your helper’s photo, passport number, contact details, and places they often visit. This information can help the police in their investigation. Remember to get a case number from the police.
2. Contact the Employment Agency
Inform the agency you hired the helper through about the disappearance. Since agencies often have extensive networks, they might be able to gather information or offer further assistance.
3. Check the Passport and Other Documents
Check if your helper’s passport and other documents are still with you. If they’re missing, it could indicate that the helper has "job-hopped." If the documents are still there, it could mean there’s a safety concern.
4. Contact the Helper’s Family
If you have contact information for the helper’s family, reach out to them immediately to inform them of the situation. They might provide useful information.
5. Be Cautious of Scams
If someone contacts you claiming they’ve found your helper, be cautious. Ask for proof like documents or photos to ensure the person is trustworthy. There have been reports of helpers collaborating with others to scam employers.
6. Offer Assistance
If the helper went missing due to an accident and you re-establish contact, try to assist them as much as possible. This could include covering medical expenses, transportation costs, and helping them contact their family.
7. Notify the Consulate
Inform your helper's consulate about the disappearance, including the police report number. The consulate might assist in locating the helper or help with contract termination matters.
8. Inform the Labour Department
If your helper went missing to "job-hopping," legally they owe you one month's salary as a notice payment. Report the incident to the Labour Department.
9. Notify the Immigration Department
If you confirm that your helper has "job-hopped" or decide to terminate the contract due to the disappearance, fill out the ID407E form or write a notification letter to the Immigration Department through the following methods:
By Mail: 3/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, Foreign Domestic Helpers Section
Fax: (852) 2157 9181
In person: 2/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
10. Contact the Insurance Company
Inform the insurance company that you’ve terminated the contract with the helper and discuss how to handle the remaining insurance period. Most domestic helper insurance policies allow you to change the insured helper's name and other details mid-term. Some insurance policies even offer coverage if a foreign domestic helper resigns within a short period of time or is dismissed, allowing the related re-employment costs to be claimed under such coverage.
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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use
