An initial group of 1,000 Cambodian domestic helpers will arrive in Hong Kong in September, helping to ease its maid shortage, after the city’s relaxation of visa requirements for the country under the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.
The Cambodian Human Resource Development Association of Hong Kong signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday to promote, train and protect the rights of Cambodian maids in the city, Sing Tao Daily reported.
Simon Liu Wing-hing, chairman of the Association, said the first batch of Cambodian maids permitted to Hong Kong will come with junior secondary level education and prior work experience as domestic helpers in Malaysia.
Starting this May, they will undergo a three-month course that involves Cantonese language training, caring for the elderly and children, and cooking Chinese cuisine.
Given that the average salary of Cambodians is only US$153, working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong – where they can earn US$550 – will be attractive, added Liu, who believes the number of Cambodian maids im the city may reach 10,000 annually in the long run.
The association has already set up a training center in Kwun Tong and will provide Cambodian maids with services and support.
Prospective employers will be able to visit 10 employment agencies collaborating with the association from June.
Elain Fung Siu-ling, director of Indo Indah Employment Agency, one of the partner agencies, told Apple Daily that Cambodian domestic helpers will be able to arrive in the city within two week of their visas being issued.
More slaves forced to work for 6 days a week and then having to stay outside for there day off, so they don’t have to work on a Sunday. It’s a disgrace Hong Kong.
If the worker decides to also take part time job to supliment crap wages or ask to stay outside of there bosses home and there caught, there thrown in jail and deported.
Hong Kong needs to start treating domestic workers as having the same rights as there own people. Shame on you Hong Kong.