The Government’s plan to provide $200,000 as a token of solidarity to the families of each deceased victim in the Wang Fuk Court fire will also apply to the families of foreign domestic helpers who passed away in the fire.
Speaking to media after appearing on a radio programme today, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak said social workers from the Social Welfare Department will contact the families of the deceased foreign helpers to facilitate distribution of the relief.
Addressing media alongside Miss Mak, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the Labour Department is working with the consulates-general in Hong Kong of the Philippines or Indonesia, to look for foreign helpers who went missing in the blaze.
“That includes a visit on-site to Tai Po so that they could look for, and also help, the foreign domestic helpers on-site. We are receiving more information from the two consulates-general, including confirmed deaths of at least two Indonesian foreign domestic helpers, and also a number of them are still missing.
“I have to thank the foreign domestic helpers at Wang Fuk Court. We understand many of them took care of elderly people and children at the court. We know (that) many of them stayed inside together with their employers, taking care of them even at the height of the fire.
“You can rest assured, we will provide all the necessary assistance to all the foreign domestic workers and make sure their stay in Hong Kong is safe, and to cater to their needs.”
