In Oct 2011, Hong Kong’s High Court has ruled that a domestic worker from the Philippines should be allowed to apply for permanent residency in the city. 

The case was brought by Evangeline Banao Vallejos, who has worked for the same Hong Kong employer for more than 25 years. Until now, foreigners could apply for permanent residence after living legally in Hong Kong for 7 years; however, this did not apply to domestic workers. 

The ruling could lead to many migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong (estimates speak of 300.000 people, of whom around 1.000 have been living in HK for more than 7 years) winning rights to residency. 

You can listen to a short radio feature by Banyar Kong Janoi (Asia Calling) on why the case is so import to the lives of thousands of people here (radio1812 website).