Hong Kong, Mar 25 : Hong Kong's top court ruled against two Filipino domestic helpers seeking permanent residency on Monday, the final decision in a case that affects tens of thousands of other foreign maids in the southern Chinese financial hub.
The Court of Final Appeal was unanimous in its ruling, siding with the government's position that tight restrictions on domestic helpers mean they don't have the same status as other foreign residents.
Lawyers for the two had argued that an immigration provision barring domestic workers from permanent residency was unconstitutional.
The decision means Evangeline Banao Vallejos and Daniel Domingo are not allowed to apply to settle permanently after living at least seven years in Hong Kong.
Vallejos has worked in Hong Kong since 1986 and Domingo since 1985. Neither appeared at court.
