Good morning

There’s a heatwave currently passing through my area and it’s not fun. It’s like Hong Kong temperatures but no one has air-con. This is not what I meant when I said I wanted to go home for summer.

~ Kyna

Domestic workers speak on physical, sexual abuse from their employers during COVID-19

TW for sexual assault and violence.

Levels of exploitation faced by domestic workers have increased over quarantine. The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) identified several instances of helpers being subjected to sexual assault and physical abuse – this includes rape, beatings and sleep deprivation. Mission for Migrant Workers found that reports of domestic workers experiencing sexual assault and harassment tripled in 2020.

Putri, a domestic worker from Indonesia, was groped and raped by her male employer multiple times. She tearfully recounted that she only discovered she was pregnant after being taken to a doctor; her employers then demanded that she have an abortion. Putri’s attacker has since been charged with assault and rape.

“All other workers in Hong Kong do not have to live in fear. Instead, if their job is not safe they can give notice and find safer work conditions. [Migrant domestic workers] deserve the same right.”

— A statement from the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body

Share

COVID news

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating one additional #COVID19 case involving a 43-year-old man who arrived from the UK

news.gov.hk1 imported COVID-19 case foundThe Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating one additional COVID-19 case involving a 43-year-old man who arrived from the UK.

11:35 AM ∙ Jun 29, 2021

Coronavirus in Hong Kong

• New cases: 1 (imported)

• Total cases: 11,922 cases so far (83 active cases, 211 total deaths, 11,628 total recovered)

In other news…

• A man in a Chai Wan estate was arrested for sedition after protest stickers with the slogan “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” were found on his security gate. The man has since been released on bail and his case is being investigated by the force’s national security unit.

• Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security in HK, asserts the city's independent judiciary should reflect national interests. Zheng has previously emphasised national security as a core necessity (paywalled) in continuing to develop the “one country, two systems” framework.

Share High Tide

Event teasers

Calling all opera fans! Musica Viva’s 2021 production of Bellini’s Norma opens Friday night. The bel canto opera was last staged in HK about 30 years ago. Both productions were directed by Lo King Man, dubbed the “Father of Hong Kong Opera”.

Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall

When:

• 2 - 3 July (Friday & Saturday) @ 7:30pm

• 4 July (Sunday) @ 2:30pm

HT is sending a representative – stay tuned for our review! Find more information and preview photos on Musica Viva’s Facebook page.

Treat yourself to opera

Join TakeOut Comedy for a night of laughter as they fundraise for victims of the fire that ravaged Aberdeen on 27 June, sinking or damaging over 40 boats. The charity comedy show is happening on 7 July at 8pm, and entry is HK$300 per person.

Get your tickets here!

Our Paid Tide subscribers get daily reminders for upcoming events and cultural activities. Let us know if you’d like a shout-out!

You’re reading Free Tide.

Subscribe for more updates and event advertisements like these, seven days a week. If you want to help us out even further, consider joining us on Patreon or leaving a tip on PayPal!