Photo by Connor McManus
Hong Kong police have arrested eleven foreign domestic workers in connection with suspected illegal abortions and the serious offence of child destruction, a crime that carries a potential life sentence upon conviction.
The arrests, involving women in their 30s and 40s, came after a disturbing discovery at a private residence. Authorities were alerted when paramedics responded to a medical emergency in June, involving a 39-year-old domestic worker who had collapsed at her employer’s home. Inside her room, a foetus, later determined to be at least 28 weeks old, was found hidden in a laundry basket. It was confirmed that the baby had not been born alive.
Following questioning, the woman admitted to using abortion pills she had allegedly obtained from a friend—another domestic worker. She was arrested in July, which prompted a wider investigation.
Between 29 July and 8 August, police launched a series of raids that led to the arrest of eight additional domestic workers, bringing the total to eleven. Five women have been formally charged, one remains in custody under investigation, and the remaining five have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Inspector Lam Ho-yin of the Yuen Long district crime squad told reporters that current evidence does not suggest a coordinated criminal syndicate. Instead, initial findings indicate that a 32-year-old foreign domestic worker may have brought the pills into Hong Kong from another country and was allegedly selling them to others.
Authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the arrested women, and the specific charges faced by each have not yet been made public.
While abortion is legal in Hong Kong, it is tightly regulated. It is permitted only under specific conditions, such as when the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother’s life or health, or in cases of severe foetal abnormalities. Abortions must be carried out before 24 weeks unless the mother’s life is in danger. Violating abortion laws, including using or distributing abortion-inducing drugs, can result in prison sentences of up to seven years.
The most serious charge of child destruction, which applies when a viable foetus is deliberately ended after 28 weeks of gestation, carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment under Hong Kong law.
Speaking at a press briefing, police urged employers of domestic workers to ensure that pregnant employees seek medical advice rather than resorting to illegal or unsafe methods.
Hong Kong is home to approximately 368,000 foreign domestic workers, according to official government data. The vast majority come from the Philippines (55%) and Indonesia (42%). Domestic workers in the territory are typically employed under strictly regulated contracts, earning a government-mandated minimum monthly wage of HK$4,990 (US$636; £473).
The case has ignited broader concerns over access to reproductive healthcare, the working conditions of foreign domestic workers, and the pressures they face, particularly those involving pregnancy and job security.
As investigations continue, the case is expected to reignite public debate on Hong Kong’s abortion laws and the welfare of its foreign domestic workforce.
