Hong Kong employment agencies delay booking Indonesian domestic helpers after volcanic disruption

Hong Kong employment agencies are holding off booking flights for domestic helpers from Jakarta despite the reopening of Indonesian airports, citing fears that airlines will struggle to clear a backlog of cancelled flights after a volcanic eruption.

Chu Shek-yin, founder and director of GLC (Manado) Employment Service, said he would not rush to book tickets for his client's helper even though all eight Indonesian airports resumed operations on Tuesday.

"I won't book an air ticket until Jakarta's airport operations stablilise. Otherwise, my heart will beat like a roller coaster," Chu said.

Helpers' arrivals delayed by a week or more

The helper was scheduled to receive a work visa for Hong Kong around this week, but the string of flight cancellations meant the helper's arrival would be delayed by a week or more.

Chu recalled an "upsetting" experience over a year ago when a sudden airport closure due to another volcanic eruption left a helper stranded, forcing him to share some of the losses with his client by buying another air ticket.

Financial risk for agencies

An employment agency typically charges about HK$18,000 (US$2,296) to bring over an Indonesian helper, including a one-way air ticket that could cost roughly HK$1,800 for an indirect flight, Chu said.

The cautious approach by employment and travel companies reflects concerns that air traffic in Jakarta could continue to face disruptions as airlines work through the backlog caused by the volcanic eruption that spewed ash into the sky.

Source: South China Morning Post