One of Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fires in decades has brought global attention to the often-overlooked risks faced by migrant domestic workers, after at least 160 people were killed in a massive blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
Among the victims was 42-year-old Indonesian domestic helper Sri Wahyuni, who was found by rescuers still holding her 93-year-old employer in their fourth-floor flat. Wahyuni was one of 10 migrant workers who lost their lives in the inferno that swept through seven of the estate’s eight residential blocks on November 26.
Fire spread linked to renovation materials
Preliminary investigations have indicated that foam boards and substandard scaffolding nets used in a prolonged renovation project may have significantly accelerated the fire’s spread. The blaze exposed how domestic workers, commonly perceived to be safe while working inside homes, can face life-threatening hazards during emergencies.
Esther Tse of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims said the tragedy underlined deep structural vulnerabilities. Wahyuni, she noted, was the sole breadwinner for her three children in Indonesia, including a six-year-old.
Grief worsened by delays and barriers
For families of the deceased, grief has been compounded by language barriers, procedural delays, and scams promising false assistance. Wahyuni’s family waited four days for DNA confirmation of her death. Islamic burial customs, which require quick funerals, have added emotional distress as badly damaged remains slowed identification and repatriation.
The Hong Kong government has announced compensation of about HKD 8 lakh per deceased worker, including statutory payments and emergency aid. However, Johannie Tong of the Mission for Migrant Workers warned that lengthy approval processes may delay crucial support for families dependent on remittances.
Survivors forced back to work
Many surviving domestic helpers returned to work within days, despite trauma and loss of belongings. Fita, an Indonesian helper who escaped the fire, said no alarm sounded, preventing timely evacuation and neighbourly warnings.
Cases like Filipino worker Vame Mariz Wayas Verador, who saved a toddler and grandmother but later lost her job, highlight what advocates describe as a “double whammy” of trauma and unemployment. Groups such as Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge and HELP for Domestic Workers are urging authorities to relax visa rules and provide longer-term support.
Call for lasting reforms
As Christmas approaches, families are appealing for faster repatriation of bodies and flexible labour policies. Advocates say the tragedy must prompt reforms recognising the essential yet risky labour migrant domestic workers perform daily.