Question: We often see photos and videos of domestic workers (PRT) cleaning the windows of their employers' houses. The problem is that the house is on a certain floor which is very high and the domestic worker cleans it from outside the window without security. Many friends told me that their employers often told them to do things like that. Because we have to, we cannot refuse it. Actually, how are the rules?
Answer: As stated in the standard employment contract (ID 407, the work contract document which is usually in green) and its appendix, foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong may only perform household duties at the Employer's residence. These include: cleaning the house, cooking, caring for the elderly who live in the employer's house, babysitting, or looking after and caring for children.
Regarding the work of cleaning the outside windows of the employer's house at high altitude, the work contract specifically emphasizes the existence of arrangements that guarantee the safety of domestic workers. That is: “When asking the helper to clean the outside of any windows that are not located on the ground floor or adjacent to the balcony (which should be safe enough for the helper to work) or public corridors (“ outside window cleaning ”), cleaning exterior windows must be carried out in accordance with the following conditions: (i) Windows being cleaned are equipped with iron bars that are locked or in a safe condition to prevent the iron trellis from opening; (ii) No part of the body of the helper that extends beyond the edge of the window, except the hands / arms. " [AR]
