Domestic workers are a crucial part of Hong Kong’s economy. They help with household chores, childcare and elder care. They also send a significant proportion of their wages home to support their families. But they are often subject to abuse and exploitation by their employers. Samantha, a Filipino domestic worker, has worked for three local households in her 10 years here. She says her life is generally good, and the size of the Filipino and Indonesian communities in Hong Kong helps to overcome homesickness.
Employment center
If you’re thinking about hiring a Filipino maid, there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll need to meet the income requirements set by the Hong Kong government. Also, you’ll need to follow strict immigration procedures. In addition, you’ll need to make sure that the agency you choose is reputable.
FEA is a nonprofit social enterprise that matches foreign domestic workers with local household employers. The agency was founded in 2014 by a business school lecturer and two cofounders with the aim of addressing the problem of unscrupulous agencies that charge workers exorbitant fees and force them into debt bondage, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and overwork.
The government requires that domestic helpers be paid at least the minimum allowable wage, currently HK$4,630 per month. Employers may pay salaries by cheque, bank transfer, or cash, but it is important that records are kept. In addition, the employer must provide a living space and food for the helper.
Employer
In Hong Kong, many families employ Indian maid to take care of their children and elderly relatives. These workers often live in the same house as their employers, and are required to follow a standard employment center. They are also protected from discrimination by the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance and Disability Discrimination Ordinance.
Employers are required to provide their domestic helpers with suitable accommodation and a private room, as well as a reasonable amount of privacy. They must also pay their helpers a monthly allowance of at least HK$3,800. They can make payments via cheque, bank transfer or cash, and it is best to keep records of these transactions.
However, some domestic workers are subject to abuse by their employers. For example, one woman recalled being forced to stay up until 2am in order to prepare breakfast at 6am. She was also ordered to stop wearing her religious garments. She said her employer threatened to revoke her work visa if she didn’t comply.
Helper
Foreign domestic helpers (henceforth abbreviated to DWs) are a part of Hong Kong’s multicultural society. They come from a wide range of countries and cultures, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. They are employed by families to perform a variety of tasks, from cooking and cleaning to taking care of children and elderly family members. Many employers also send their DWs to classes to learn cooking, first aid, and child care skills.
In order to become a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong, a person must be aged 18 or over and have completed at least one year of full-time employment. A person who wishes to hire a foreign domestic helper must be a permanent resident of Hong Kong with monthly household income of at least $15,000 or assets of comparable amount and must agree to provide a living allowance and a free passage home for the helper upon termination or expiry of her/his contract.
The government introduced the rule to prevent abuse of foreign workers and ensure that they are provided with adequate accommodation. It specifies that a domestic helper should live at her employer’s place of residence and be given “suitable accommodation” with a reasonable level of privacy. The rule also stipulates that employers should provide three meals a day and a minimum food allowance.
Contract
Domestic helpers in Hong Kong are an important part of the city’s economy, but they are also one of its most vulnerable groups. Activists say that they face abuse and inhumane treatment at the hands of their employers. In addition, many are not properly trained to meet the needs of a family.
To protect these workers, the government has strict employment procedures in place to ensure that they are not exploited. For example, all foreign domestic helps must sign a contract and have it registered with the Immigration Department. They must also be paid the minimum allowed wage. They are also entitled to weekly rest days, statutory holidays, sick pay, annual leave, and maternity leave.
The employer must also provide a suitable living space for the helper, and must take out a mandatory insurance policy. The cost of the insurance will be deducted from the worker’s wages, and the insurer must refund any money that is not used up by the end of her contract. In addition, the employer must provide food and transportation for the helper’s return to her home country. Get to know about this 尋找外籍女傭 in the link.
