360,000 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong make contribution to families, society

Experts say Hong Kong's 360,000 foreign domestic helpers, who support nearly one-eighth of local households and account for some 10 percent of the local workforce by engaging in childcare and elderly care, are making special contributions to families and the society.

The history of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong dates back to the 1970s, when the city's rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization led to busier lifestyles and a rise in dual-income families, creating substantial demand for live-in domestic support. In response, the local government introduced policies allowing employees to hire foreign domestic helpers when local labor could not meet household needs.

At around 6 am, Erlinda, a 29-year-old foreign domestic who has lived in Hong Kong for years, rises quietly to prepare breakfast, tidy the home and escort her employer's children to school. After finishing her morning housekeeping, she heads to the market to shop for ingredients for lunch and dinner.

Erlinda now speaks fluent Cantonese. By 10 pm, she concludes her daily duties, checks the doors and windows, and finally rests. The next morning, she will begin the cycle all over again, right on time.

Erlinda's daily routine is emblematic of the experiences of foreign domestic helps in Hong Kong, who are enabling many local residents to pursue their careers.

The majority of these helpers come from the Philippines and Indonesia, though in recent years, their numbers from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand have also grown. It has been learned that those like Erlinda, who are fluent in both Cantonese and English, tend to be more competitive in the employment market.

Many employment agencies note that foreign domestic helpers have become a vital part of Hong Kong's household services sector. Their presence not only alleviates pressure on local families in terms of child-rearing and elderly care, but also contributes significantly to the shaping of communities.

As the number of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong has continued to increase, the helpers' terms of employment have become increasingly standardized.