The Government welcomed today’s Court of Appeal ruling on an appeal of a judicial review upholding the legality of the requirement that foreign domestic helpers work and reside in their employers' home.

In a statement, the Government said the judgment confirms that the live-in requirement is lawful, adding the regulation underpins the long-established government policy that priority in employment should be given to the local workforce.

Importation of foreign workers should only be allowed when there is a proven manpower shortage in specific trades that cannot be filled by local workers.

It added that it is along this policy objective that live-in foreign domestic helpers have been imported since the 1970s to meet the shortage of local live-in domestic helpers.

The statement also noted that foreign domestic helpers agree to the terms of the Standard Employment Contract - which states that they must work and reside in the employer's home - by signing the contract.

They are also required to give an undertaking in the visa application forms that they would only work and reside in the employer’s home. They are fully aware of the live-in requirement before signing the contract and they are admitted to Hong Kong on such basis.

The Government spares no effort in safeguarding the rights and benefits of Hong Kong's 370,000 foreign domestic helpers.

Helpers can seek assistance from the Labour Department or the Immigration Department if they feel their employers do not provide them with suitable accommodation, it added.