In highlighting the contribution of Hong Kong’s foreign domestic workers to the local economy, a popular HK columnist explained how the generosity of employers can encourage maids to provide a higher level of service.
The Apple Daily columnist, who goes by the pen name “Jor Ding-san”, on June 12 recounted how his friend, a semi-retired journalist and public relations consultant, encountered her former domestic helper and a young man, whom she did not recognize, in front of her apartment in Sha Tin in the New Territories.
The former helper, Karen, 53, was, in fact, accompanied by her son. They, together with Karen’s husband, three other children and a grandson, had traveled from the Philippines to Hong Kong for sight-seeing.
Karen explained that she wanted to visit with her former employer to thank her for treating her as a family member during her employment.
Jor said his journalist friend had earned the gratitude of Karen, and other helpers over the years, by giving them generous “red packets”, gifts of cash that are traditionally given at festivals and special occasions. He said she also shared expensive food with them and sponsored visits to Hong Kong Disneyland.
Jor further recalled how he once discovered his Filipino maid had taken some mooncakes without asking, but instead of being angry with her, he gave her some more to share with her friends. His neighbor criticized him for being “too generous” with the maids, but he stressed that this was the wrong perspective.
He said employers who are generous with their domestic workers will encourage better work performance from them and build more productive relationships in the long run.
It is true and agree …
True
correct
Yes very true
Once never be forgotten.Everyone will dreamed to get the same employer as her.
What you give is what you also recieve… As simple as that….
We seldomly can find generous Chinese employers here in HK… Even red colored calendar activities which are not for us , they will not allow us to go out a supposed to be a simple kind of generosity to be given to helpers.
true,treat your maid and will serve you unconditional.like my employer in singapore for 17 years we keep intouch
True
True
I agree with Sir Jor, being a domestic workers in Hong Kong, i respect their opinions, as a helper we’ll all do our best to fulfill our jobs.
Yes ofcoarse…treat helpers good and they will definitely treat you even better
True
I do agree…my employer are very kind person that’s make me think twice for doing bad things.i learn a lot from them and tried my self be a better person.soo now ..instead of just having fun with a friend during my off day i tried to upgrade my self by going back to school and take some courses.Thankyou soo much to my employer.may God bless your family always.
Absolutely correct ,i tgankscto God he gave me a good /generous host family 2ndly thanks to my boss thy treaten me as a family member
True
Indeed…
This is true.
It’s true because mostly employer are stingy
Commom sense…