Exploitative Loan Practices Persist Against Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong

June 23, 2024 - Hong Kong is witnessing a concerning trend of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) falling victim to predatory lending schemes. Loan sharks are employing deceptive tactics to trap these vulnerable workers into spiraling debt.

According to reports, FDHs are initially enticed with seemingly attractive loan offers, such as borrowing HK$500 and repaying HK$1,000 within 7 days. Other schemes involve loans of HK$1,000 with a repayment of HK$2,000 in 10 days, or HK$1,500 loans that require HK$3,000 in repayment within 12 days.

These financial arrangements often ensnare FDHs through the mere act of filling out an inquiry form, with the loan companies then depositing funds into their accounts without explicit consent. The workers are then subjected to relentless demands for repayment under strict terms, accompanied by threats and harassment.

The fallout extends to the employers of FDHs, who face their own share of harassment. Loan companies have resorted to tactics like threatening property damage, using AI-generated indecent images for blackmail, and even vandalizing workplaces with red paint. Employers have reported being held liable for debts exceeding HK$100,000, with loan sharks continuing their aggressive collection efforts despite police intervention.

This crisis highlights the urgent need for tighter regulations on lending practices targeting vulnerable populations like FDHs in Hong Kong. Community and advocacy groups are calling for immediate action to protect these workers and their employers from such exploitative schemes.

對外籍家庭傭工的剝削性貸款做法仍然持續存在於香港

2024年6月23日 - 香港正目睹外籍家庭傭工(FDH)陷入剝削性借貸陰謀的令人不安的趨勢。黑心貸款公司正採用欺騙性策略,將這些脆弱的工人拖入無法自拔的債務漩渦。

根據報告,FDH最初被誘以看似吸引人的貸款優惠,例如借500港元並在7天內償還1,000港元。其他計劃包括1,000港元貸款,須在10天內償還2,000港元,或1,500港元貸款,須在12天內償還3,000港元。

這些金融安排往往是通過填寫查詢表格來陷害FDH,然後貸款公司在未經明確同意的情況下將資金直接存入他們的賬戶。工人隨後被迫在嚴格的條款下進行無休止的還款,並受到威脅和騷擾。

影響也延伸到FDH的僱主,他們也面臨自己的騷擾。貸款公司已經採取諸如威脅破壞財產、使用AI生成的不雅圖像進行勒索,甚至用紅漆破壞工作場所等策略。僱主報告稱,他們被要求對超過100,000港元的債務負責,即使報警,貸款公司仍在繼續其咄咄逼人的催收行為。

這場危機突出了迫切需要對針對香港FDH等弱勢群體的借貸做法實施更嚴格的監管。社區和倡導團體呼籲採取即時行動,以保護這些工人及其僱主免受如此剝削性的計劃。