HONG KONG, June 2 — The Hong Kong government announced a robust compensation package today for the victims and survivors of the recent Ng Fuk Court residential fire in Tai Po, which claimed the lives of 151 people and injured 79, including numerous foreign domestic workers.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun met with Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac at government headquarters this afternoon to address the tragedy and outline support measures. Mr. Sun confirmed that the families of deceased foreign workers would receive nearly HK$800,000 in combined compensation, covering statutory payments and special relief funds.
Financial Relief Detailed
The extensive support package aims to provide immediate financial stability for the affected workers and their families. For each foreign domestic worker who perished in the blaze, the compensation includes HK$500,000 in statutory indemnities and an additional HK$200,000 as a one-time compassionate grant.
Injured workers admitted to hospitals will receive compassionate grants of either HK$50,000 or HK$100,000, depending on the length of their hospitalization. Furthermore, all survivors deemed safe will be given a one-off payment of HK$20,000. In an immediate practical measure, both injured and safe foreign workers will also receive an Octopus stored-value card pre-loaded with HK$2,000.
Secretary Sun confirmed crucial data regarding the foreign workforce cohort operating at the Ng Fuk Court location. “Based on current information, 235 foreign domestic workers were employed at Ng Fuk Court,” Sun stated. “Tragically, 10 workers have died, 3 have been injured, and 192 are confirmed safe. Regrettably, 30 individuals remain unaccounted for.”
He further detailed the nationalities of those involved: 94 workers hailed from the Philippines, and 141 were from Indonesia. No other nationalities were reported in this group.
Bilateral Cooperation and Repatriation Efforts
Secretary Cacdac emphasized the strong coordination between Manila and Hong Kong authorities to assist the impacted Filipino workers and their families. The Philippine consulate has been actively providing necessary resources and logistical support.
“Our mission has ensured temporary accommodation and essential supplies for the survivors,” Cacdac said. “We are also helping them replace immigration and identity documents lost in the fire, working closely with the Hong Kong Immigration Department to expedite these procedures.”
Cacdac offered a glimmer of positive news, noting that a Filipino woman who had been previously in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit is now stable. Arrangements are reportedly underway for her eventual repatriation to reunite with her family in the Philippines. For the families of those who died, the Philippine government has extended financial and material assistance.
The government’s rapid deployment of resources underscores the significant impact foreign domestic workers have on Hong Kong’s society and the critical need for robust welfare safety nets during crises. The ongoing effort to locate the 30 missing workers remains a priority for emergency services as the community attempts to process the scale of the tragedy.
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