2015 Annual Spring Workshop- Domestic Workers Roundtable

24 April 2015 2:00pm – 5:15pm Academic Conference Room, 11/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Issues affecting Domestic Migrant Workers have recently come to the fore with various cases that highlight just how serious and complex the circumstances impacting the rights of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong are. As populations age and incomes rise, the demand for domestic workers is increasing. Yet the problems domestic workers face, including predatory and illegal lending practices, abuse by employers, falling prey to human trafficking, and vulnerability to violent crime, as well as cruel and inhumane treatment, persist without satisfactory protection of their interests and rights.

To explore these issues, and particularly what sending and receiving governments can do to address the situation more comprehensively to ensure enhanced protection of domestic workers against exploitative practices and vulnerability to ending up in such situations, the Centre for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Public Interest Law and Advocacy Society (PILAS) are co-sponsoring a one-day structured dialogue.

Whilst the morning session will be closed-door, a limited number of places are available for registration on a first come first serve basis (details below) for members of the public who wish to attend and participate in the following sessions:

2:00 PM – 2:10 PM Review of Morning Proceedings & Introduction to the Afternoon Panels Speakers/Moderator: Allan Bell (Director of PILAS) and Hon. Emily Lau (Member of LegCo)

2:10 PM – 2:35 PM Presentation: Indonesian Consulate Speakers/Moderator: Hon. Emily Lau (Member of LegCo)

2:35 PM – 3:00 PM Presentation: Philippines Consulate Speakers/Moderator: Hon. Emily Lau (Member of LegCo)

* 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Tea Break *

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Inspirational Leaders Moderator: Archana Kotecha (Head of Legal, PILAS)

4:15 PM – 5:10 PM The Way Forward – Outcomes and Recommendations Moderator: Hon. Emily Lau (Member of LegCo)

5:10 PM – 5:15 PM Closing Remarks Puja Kapai (Director of CCPL)