Nine days following the devastating five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, advocacy groups are urgently calling on authorities to accelerate the process of repatriating the remains of foreign domestic workers killed in the blaze. The delay is causing acute distress and anguish for families abroad, particularly given the customary requirement among many Indonesian families and the Islamic faith to hold funerals swiftly. The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV) is currently managing 13 affected cases involving migrant workers, comprising nine confirmed fatalities, one pending identification, and three hospitalized individuals.
Customary Requirements and Delayed Timelines
Under typical Indonesian customs, burial rites are often held within seven days of death. This timeline is even more imperative under Islamic practices, which dictate burial should occur as rapidly as possible. According to ARIAV case officer Tse Yan-yin, the absence of a firm schedule for the transport of remains is preventing families from beginning the crucial psychological process of grief and closure.
“Memorial rites marking the seventh day have already been conducted here in Hong Kong, yet families in Indonesia remain unable to proceed according to their traditions,” Tse noted. She highlighted a prior case involving a deceased Pakistani Muslim whose burial was arranged at the Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery within a week, demonstrating that expedited processes are possible. Tse underscored that while meticulous handling of remains following a major disaster is essential and mortuaries are operating continuously, authorities must move quickly to provide clarity. ARIAV estimates that between 20 and 30 migrant workers remain unaccounted for following the incident.
Support and Coordination Efforts Underway
ARIAV and partner organizations, including Beranda Migran and the Returning Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Alliance (KOPPMI), have actively provided support both locally and abroad. Volunteers have visited three bereaved families in Indonesia, offering immediate financial aid and supplies, though the definitive concern remains the transport of their loved ones’ remains.
In Hong Kong, ARIAV is offering various forms of assistance. They have constructively engaged with the employers of the deceased, helping them navigate statutory reporting requirements—which must be completed within seven days—and maintaining close communication with the Labour Department. Employers are also receiving emotional support.
For the three injured workers, the association is prepared to assist with practical needs should they choose to remain in Hong Kong post-discharge, including visa applications, securing renewed accommodation, and finding new employment. ARIAV is also reaching out to families of potential Filipino victims. For those wishing to travel to Hong Kong, the group is prepared to provide financial aid for accommodation, transportation, and meals, anticipating relatively straightforward visa processing.
Calling for a Clear Schedule
To alleviate the current uncertainty, Tse urged stronger coordination across government departments to establish a clear and public timetable for repatriation. This schedule is considered vital to allow affected families and communities the crucial time needed for psychological preparation.
The uncertainty deeply affects individuals like Yayuk, an Indonesian domestic worker who traveled to Hong Kong in search of her sister, who is highly likely among the fire victims. Providing clear information on Hong Kong’s complex procedural systems has helped ease the anxiety of relatives who cannot travel and are unfamiliar with local protocols. Many civil society organizations, notably the Mission for Migrant Workers, are actively offering comprehensive aid. The public is encouraged to contact these groups to consolidate resources and support for the affected community.