About

Helper defined
A domestic helper is a person who is employed by Hong Kong citizens and she works within the employers
household. Domestic helpers perform various household services, which include cooking, dishwashing,
cleaning, laundry, and taking care of children or elderly. In the employment contracts made by Hong Kong
Labour and Welfare Bureau on and after 1 October 2015, domestic helpers are entitled to their Minimum
Allowance Wage of HK$4,210 per month, given a 40 hour work week and 160 hour month. They receive free
medical treatment, food and accommodation during their employment. Apparently, the conditions of
employment applicable to domestic helpers seem to be explicitly specified in the employment contract to
maintain the their interest.

Population larger than the 3rd most populated section in Hong Kong.
The social status of domestic helpers in Hong Kong should not be overlooked because the domestic helpers
take up to a large portion of the Hong Kong population. According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics
Department, the population of domestic helpers in Hong Kong is 330,650 (as of 2014), which takes up 5% of
the total population (which is 7, 241,700 as of 2014), and this number of people is greater than the third most
populated section in Hong Kong, Tsuen Wan (with 288,728 residents) after Hong Kong (Central & Western)
and Kowloon City. Domestic helpers originate from many different countries, but mainly from underdeveloped countries. According to the South China Morning Post, 50% of them originate from the
Philippines, 47% of them originate from Indonesia, and the rest originate from other various Asian countries.
This indicates that the domestic helpers now take a large part in not only Hong Kongs labour force, but also
its modern ethnicities and everyday cultures.
% of domestic helpers in Hong Kong
population

Home countries of domestic helpers

3%
4%

47%

50%

96%

Domestic helpers
Rest of Hong Kong citizens
320,000 domestic helpers make up to 4% of the
population in Hong Kong.

Philippines
Indonesia
Other countries
50%, 47%, and 3% of the domestic helpers in Hong
Kong originate from the Philippines, Indonesia, and
various Asian countries respectively.

Domestic helpers are now a part of Hong Kongs everyday lives

When one walks around in Hong Kong, it is no longer difficult to spot a Southeast Asian woman holding
hands of young students helping them to get on a public transport during the weekday, or see a group of
women toting blankets and cardboard crowding the citys parks, underpasses, as well an open plaza at the
bottom of HSBCs Hong Kong headquarters on Sunday afternoon. They share snacks and McDonalds
sundaes and play music on their phones. Some dance or play sports. Whether it is under the favourable
eyes of Hong Kong citizens or not, undeniably the domestic helpers have become a part of Hong Kongs
culture.

Domestic helpers gathering on Sunday afternoons and taking care of the employers children respectively.
Sources of images: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/07/20/national/osaka-zone-a-litmus-test-of-foreign-worker-policy/
#.VtMBO8fiTzJ and http://honisoit.com/2014/03/who-raises-your-children/