Domestic Workers Arrested in Hong Kong Amidst Illegal Abortion Allegations

A police investigation in Hong Kong into illegal abortions has resulted in the arrest of eleven domestic workers, with five charged and severe penalties awaited for those found guilty.

Eleven foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong have been apprehended by police over allegations of involvement in illegal abortions, sparking a growing concern in the region. The arrests followed the discovery of a deceased foetus, estimated to be around 28 weeks old, at one worker's employer's residence. This grim find prompted a broader investigation, during which law enforcement also uncovered medications believed to be abortion pills.

The operation resulted in the detention of eleven women, aged between 30 and 40, with varying outcomes—five have been charged, another five are on bail, and one has been placed in custody for ongoing investigations. If convicted of the most serious charge of "child destruction," the accused could potentially face life imprisonment.

The probe was initiated in June when paramedics responded to a call regarding a domestic worker who had collapsed at work. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the foetus hidden in a laundry basket in the worker's room. Following further questioning, the worker revealed she had sourced the abortion pills from a fellow foreign domestic worker.

In the course of the ensuing investigation, authorities executed raids between July and early August, leading to the detention of eight additional domestic workers. Inspector Lam Ho-yin of the Yuen Long district crime squad commented that the investigations do not point towards a formal crime syndicate but indicate individual circumstances involving the 32-year-old foreign worker who is suspected of importing the pills from overseas.

While abortion remains legal in Hong Kong under stringent conditions, including a cut-off at 24 weeks, the penalties for illegal abortion-related activities are harsh, with offenders possibly facing up to seven years in prison. In light of these incidents, police have urged employers to direct their domestic workers to seek medical guidance if they suspect they are pregnant.

According to government statistics, Hong Kong is home to around 368,000 foreign domestic workers, predominantly hailing from the Philippines and Indonesia, with many on fixed monthly wages of HK$4,990 (approximately US$636).