HONG KONG - The closing of the Mainland China border in Shenzhen since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, since the end of December 2019 has made it difficult for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to leave Hong Kong in order to activate visas, or commonly known as jutking. Unrest has been rolling in among the Hong Kong PMI in the past week, as well as Macau closing its borders. At the same time, Indonesia is also being hit by the Corona virus outbreak.
Responding to these concerns, the Hong Kong Immigration Department, on Saturday (21/3/2020) issued a policy containing flexibility for migrant domestic workers (PRT) who had their contracts expired or had their contracts terminated. This was published by the Government of Hong Kong through its official website, news.gov.hk, through an announcement entitled "Helpers may apply to extend stay".
By the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Hong Kong, the announcement was translated into Indonesian, and published on its official Facebook page. "On March 21, 2020, the Hong Kong Government through the Immigration Department announced that in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic situation," wrote the Consulate General.
The announcement contains 5 points. Namely:
1. Hong Kong Immigration can provide visa extensions for migrant workers who expire or end their contracts before 31 July 2020.
2. The visa extension is granted for a maximum of one month and can be used for the purpose of finding a new employer in Hong Kong.
3. For migrant workers who renew their contract with the same employer or change employers, Hong Kong Immigration can give permission to postpone leaving Hong Kong (home leave / cutking).
4. Permission to postpone leaving Hong Kong (home leave / cutking) is given a maximum of one year, and can be extended for six months according to the agreement with the respective employer.
5. Relevant migrant workers are welcome to apply to the Hong Kong Immigration office to obtain the policy. The Immigration Department will implement the policy on a case-by-case basis according to its authority.
[DDHKNews / source: news.gov.hk/KJRI Hong Kong]
