DOMESTIC WORKERS AMONG THE MISSING
Dozens of domestic workers from the Philippines had been caught up in the disaster and 19 were still missing, said Edwina Antonio, executive director at migrant women refuge association Bethune House.
Indonesia’s consulate said two of the dead were its nationals also working as domestic helpers. Hong Kong has around 368,000 domestic workers, mostly women from low-income Asian countries who live with their employers.
Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, said the government would set up a HK$300 million (US$39 million) fund to help residents, while some of China’s biggest listed companies announced donations.
Hong Kong, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, is scattered with high-rise housing complexes. Its sky-high property prices have long been a trigger for discontent and analysts say the tragedy could stoke resentment towards authorities despite efforts to tighten political and national security control.
Even those not directly affected spoke of how it had affected them. “Hong Kong is very small. Even if at this moment we don’t personally know anyone there, friends of friends definitely do. So the people affected … this incident feels really close to us,” 22-year-old student Crystal Ho said.
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