Support Migrant Worker Victims of the Tai Po Fire
The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) joins Hong Kong and the world in mourning the tragic loss of lives and homes caused by a huge fire that engulfed the Wong Fuk apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong on November 26, 2025. As of December 11, 160 people have died from the fire, including 11 migrant domestic workers, while 79 have been injured and approximately 4,000 people displaced.
The announcement of the Hong Kong government to provide a special subsidy of HK$20,000 to migrant domestic workers affected by the Tai Po fire is a gesture welcomed by the APMM as this support will help MDWs in obtaining essentials like warm clothes, toiletries, communications and other needs as they recover with their employers from the tragedy.
The impact of the Tai Po fire on those affected will linger as they slowly rebuild their lives. MDWs are not exempted from the impact as they continue to serve their employers and their families during these trying times.
It is in this regard that the APMM APMM recommends the following:
For the Hong Kong government to extend health and psycho-social support to MDWs. This may include extending support for fees MDWs may incur during medical check ups in relation to impacts of the fire as well as providing a range of specialised care like counselling, including provision of language interpretation.
For the Hong Kong government to extend special consideration for MDWs of Tai Po-affected families who may lose employment during this period and intend to look for new employers in the territory. Such support may include relaxing the Two-Week Rule and considering visa extensions for said FDWs.
For the governments of origin-countries such as Indonesia and Philippines to extend financial, material and psycho-social support to their nationals who have either survived the fire or have succumbed to it. Those who have survived will need support such as issuance of new documents like passports, financial assistance, temporary shelter, counselling, among others while those who have passed will need repatriation of their remains and financial, psycho-social support to families back home.
The road to recovery will surely be long and all who have been affected by the Tai Po fire, both host and migrant, will need everyoneβs support.
