Domestic workers have been an integral part of Hong Kong’s community for a long time but the city has been facing a shortage of household helpers in recent years, and a key factor is employers’ poor treatment of their maids.
A commentary published in Apple Daily on Friday blamed local employers cause such shortage.
In the newspaper column, journalist Fan Wing-shum said domestic workers from the Philippines made up half of the 352,000 foreign workers in the city.
However, despite increasing demand, employment agents said fewer Filipinos were willing to come to Hong Kong. Part of the reason was the tightening labor export policy implemented by the Philippine government – but the main reason was the way local employers treat their workers, Fan said.
One female employer, purportedly is a “freak” about cleaning, would not allow an outsider to use the washing machine and told her maid to wash her own clothes by hand or at a laundry.
She also asked if the domestic could wash her clothes on her days off – and bear the fee on her own if she washes them at a laundry.
Another case involved a family of six living in a flat that was too small and had little space for the domestic worker, so the employer arranged for her to sleep in the kitchen, which was dangerous.
On top of that, the employer was a shift worker who went to the kitchen to make late-night snacks and thus disrupted the maid’s ability to get a decent night’s sleep.
Fan said there were too many troubling cases, such as the worker hit by her employer’s children and others involving maids who were overworked.
However, most domestic workers came to Hong Kong to work for a family and they had little choice but to tolerate as much as they could.
The writer appealed to employers not to be too harsh on their domestic workers.
That’s really happen true
Madam Fan Wing-shum,I will thank you a lot more for giving a good view for us,as I read the column,you gain our hearts(we the helpers),you showed great compassion and valued our sacrifices,I praised you and thank you once again!
I am blessed to have a considerate employer. But sadly i knew a lot of people with unlucky situation here. Kung di pa expire di ibibigay. Mas maganda pag cash nalang ang mga allowance para makakain natin ang gusto natin. I hope the government of HK will realize that healthy foods and enough sleep are needed for an effective workers no matter what kind of job. Minsan kasi parang di na makatao ang trato dito sa mga helpers. Sad reality
In fact it is us who helped them..without helpers they are messirable…but in return of our kindness they give us salary that is always late and treat us like a savage… They must think twice, we Filipinos not just working but working with a heart of our job..
yung isa kung friend hnd allowed mag washing damit nya pinalaundry pero amo nya ngbabayad sa laundry every Saturday
Salamat sa amo ko Pwede ako gumamit washing machine
Yup its true!
It is TRUE, Filipino Domestic Helpers are NOT ILLITERATE, we know the Hong Kong Law better than the employers.
Prejudice is the culprit as employers look down on the menial job of their helpers. They think helpers don’t deserve a right to reason, a right of sleep, right to rest and so forth.
Pinpkain ko sa knila luft over nila kinbukadsn wag nm as n ung one week ng nkaraan.
That’s true.
100%True..
Thats true..base on my experience before my employers house is too small and i can sleep in corner beside the refrigator
Absolutely true….
Thats true… My current employer dont allow me to use washing machine.. So i handwash my clothes even my blankets.. Its quite heavy and tiring to wash… My old employers… Allow me to use washing machine.. But my problen with them is my place to sleep and food..
All we can do is to have patience.. We need the job.
But on the other hand.. The employer should also take care of us. Because we are the one who takes care of their family.. If we are physically and emotionally stress how can we serve them well… Life in hk is so tough and stressful
And don’t forget the food allowance, it should be given to the helpers in cash because many employers don’t mind the needs of the helpers when it comes to food and health. Lots are starving themselves just to save their salary. It is in the contract. Feed your helpers with healthy foods. Noodles are not enough and leftovers are just too much. Common! Be a human being.
Very well said. Employers need to know the value of the helpers in their household. They applied as a human being who paid a lot during the processing and yet they thought they just picked them up on the streets like they are
some stray animals and yes, many of the employers here in Hong Kong are treating them as one. Wake up people! Know the real meaning of a helper! They are not slaves!!! Nor a robot. May God bless your cruel heart.
Bili na lang tayo nang sarili nating pagkain. Tiis lang hanggat kaya.
True you clean the mess make their house neat and tidy cook their fond and still treat you like the dirtiest person in the house
That is true
Thats really happen true…one of my friend ngtitiis n lng s amo dhl mtanda n hrap mkahanap work tinitiis …may sakit xa wla pakialam amo pinapawork p xa.s 1 taon stay nya puro lugaw at tig 10 n gulay everyweek may lakas ka b nyan ..late p pinapasahod ito lumapit s agency nla wla kwenta snbhn lng mgtiis