Freshfields are supporting HELP for Domestic Workers in Hong Kong

HELP was founded in 1989 to help migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong access justice, by way of enabling them to acquire a better understanding of their rights. To that end, HELP administers a weekend clinic that seeks to provide the relevant information to any member of the community who encounters difficulties while working in Hong Kong.   

During many weekends since the beginning of 2024, Freshfields lawyers based in Hong Kong have assisted HELP counsellors in relation to a wide spectrum of issues concerning employment, discrimination, immigration, and disputes with money lenders. According to Ms. Rachel Li, the Head of Case Management and Research at HELP:  

“Our partnership with Freshfields has been invaluable in enabling HELP to provide crucial support to Hong Kong’s migrant caregivers. The Freshfields team’s dedication has been evident in everything from their involvement in our Sunday Clinic, where we offer tailored information on employment, loan, immigration and other legal matters to migrant domestic workers, to their generous pro bono research and case support.

In the aftermath of the Tai Po fire, the Freshfields team stood beside us during our outreach to affected workers, ensuring vital information and assistance reached the community. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which continues to strengthen HELP’s mission to empower the migrant domestic worker community in Hong Kong to thrive.” 

In addition to discharging our professional responsibilities, our pro bono engagement with HELP also provides an invaluable opportunity to the next generation of lawyers. In the words of Mr. Ethan Tudehope, a future trainee: 

“During my summer internship at Freshfields, the pro bono work that I participated in with HELP for Domestic Workers stood out as a highlight. Migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong face unique challenges that have serious implications on their lives. The opportunity to help was a true privilege and is something that I am looking forward to continuing when I begin my training contract.  It is great to be joining a firm that has such a longstanding commitment to helping the community around them.” 

For more information on HELP, please refer to: https://helpfordomesticworkers.org/