Home and Youth Affairs Bureau: Token of Solidarity and Special Subsidy for Foreign Domestic Helpers Affected by the Tai Po Fire

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has launched a notification to the foreign domestic helpers affected by the Tai Po fire to apply for a special subsidy. The following are the English, Tagalog, and Bahasa Indonesia versions of the notification.

English version:

In support of foreign domestic helpers affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the government will provide a special subsidy of $20,000 to those employed at Wang Fuk Court. Additionally, the government's injury grant ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, as well as the token of solidarity of $200,000 and funeral grants of $50,000 for the families of each deceased, are also applicable to foreign domestic helpers impacted by the fire. For more details, please refer to the information provided in English, Tagalog and Bahasa Indonesia below. We also urge employers and the public to help disseminate this information to the foreign domestic helpers they employ or know, to ensure the message reaches the foreign domestic helper community.

Tagalog version:

Bilang suporta sa mga dayuhang kasambahay na napinsala ng sunog sa Wang Fuk Court sa Tai Po, magbibigay ang pamahalaan ng espesyal na subsidya na $20,000 sa mga nagtatrabaho sa Wang Fuk Court. Bukod pa rito, ang tulong pinansyal ng pamahalaan para sa mga napinsala ay mula $50,000 hanggang $100,000, pati na rin ang mga pagpapakita ng pakakaisa na $200,000 at tulong pinansyal sa libing na $50,000 para sa mga pamilya ng bawat namatay, ay naaangkop din sa mga dayuhang kasambahay na napinsala ng sunog. Para sa karagdagang detalye, mangyaring sumangguni sa impormasyong ibinigay sa Ingles, Tagalog at Bahasa Indonesia sa ibaba. Hinihimok din namin ang mga tagapag-empleyo at publiko na tumulong sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyong ito sa mga dayuhang kasambahay na kanilang pinagtatrabaho o kilala, upang matiyak na ang mensahe ay makakarating sa komunidad ng mga dayuhang kasambahay.

Bahasa Indonesia version:

Untuk mendukung para asisten rumah tangga asing yang terkena dampak kebakaran di Wang Fuk Court di Tai Po, pemerintah akan memberikan subsidi khusus sebesar $20.000 kepada mereka yang bekerja di Wang Fuk Court.
Selain itu, bantuan cedera dari pemerintah yang berkisar antara $50.000 hingga $100.000, serta tanda solidaritas sebesar $200.000 dan hibah pemakaman sebesar $50.000 untuk keluarga masing-masing korban yang meninggal, juga berlaku bagi para asisten rumah tangga asing yang terkena dampak kebakaran. Untuk keterangan lebih rinci, silakan merujuk pada informasi yang tersedia dalam bahasa Inggris, Tagalog, dan Bahasa Indonesia di bawah ini. Kami juga menghimbau para pemberi kerja dan masyarakat untuk membantu menyebarluaskan informasi ini kepada para Asisten rumah tangga asing yang mereka pekerjakan atau kenal, untuk memastikan pesan ini sampai ke komunitas Asisten rumah tangga asing.

A theft occurred recently at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, with three workers involved in reinforcement work arrested for suspected of stealing valuables from a unit. Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, stated that security at Wang Fuk Court will be strengthened, including requiring workers to undergo body searches upon leaving.

Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow stated that the police suspended all reinforcement work at Wang Fuk Court immediately after the theft. Following a review, four new security measures will be introduced. These include increased police patrols, requiring workers to store personal valuables—such as jewelry, watches, and cash—in lockers before heading upstairs, and limiting each worker to carrying no more than HKD $500 in cash on-site (mobile phones are permitted). Additionally, police will first document any visibly valuable items inside the units, and workers will be subject to body searches and metal detector checks upon exit. The reinforcement work is scheduled to resume on Monday (9th).

Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow noted that during previous work periods, police had registered workers' personal information—including ID card numbers and phone numbers—before officers escorted them to their work floors. Workers were also prohibited from carrying backpacks or bags upstairs. He added that only the three arrested workers have been implicated in the case so far, with no involvement of others found. As of 5 p.m. on March 7, police had received approximately 81 related reports, most of which expressed concerns from residents about unit security. Police will follow up on each report to determine whether theft was involved.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow also stated receiving a report from a resident who suspected credit card theft. He urged residents worried about credit or bank cards left in their units to contact their banks immediately to report the loss and arrange for replacements. When asked whether the incident pointed to possible police negligence, Mr. Chow said an internal review would be conducted. If human error is identified, disciplinary action may follow.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post