(Updated on April 27, 2023)
Searching for the right helper is not always an easy task as there is a lot of contradicting information out there that can cause confusion among employers-to-be. It can be difficult to distinguish between urban myths and actual truths. Whether a helper’s nationality matters when hiring a helper to give us a hand at home depends on your needs and requirements.
It is important to avoid falling into stereotypes by linking certain personal attributes – such as honesty, reliability, hard work or even a caring attitude – to certain nationalities. It is never possible to ascertain those based on nationality only. It is worth keeping in mind that they vary across individuals and nationality is hardly the only cause. Everyone has their working style and a unique personal attitude – and, as such, no generalizations can (nor should) be made.
Should You Choose Filipino Maids Or Indonesian Maids?
In Hong Kong, most families opt for Filipino domestic helpers or Indonesian domestic helpers.
However, what matters the most is how well you identify your needs and how clear you are about your expectations. Based on these, you will be able to establish criteria – and on these only – against which to assess helper profiles:
- Overall, it is right to say that Filipinas tend to have a stronger education background than helpers from Indonesia or Myanmar and as such have a better command of the English language.
- Domestic workers from Indonesia often have better Cantonese skills as their three-to-six-month pre-deployment training includes Cantonese classes. So, if you are finding a helper to care for an elderly who only speaks Cantonese, an Indonesian helper is more likely to be a better fit – as long as she actually speaks Cantonese!
Keep in mind that this is by no means a rigid rule. The main consideration when hiring should be experience and training.
While nationality doesn’t really matter when it comes to personal attributes, it does matter when certain rules and regulations are concerned.
- Certain things such as the lead time necessary to process the paperwork to hire a new helper or a helper’s contract renewal, transfer procedures or even procedures to take your helper on holidays with you may vary depending on a helper’s country of origin.
- Besides, as your helper will be staying with you, it will be crucial to understand cultural differences – personal beliefs being one of them – and acknowledge them to ensure that things are smooth. There is no general rule – but, zooming out, the majority of Filipinas are Christians; Indonesians are Muslims, and Burmese, Buddhists. Based on their personal beliefs, they might have preferences when it comes to rest days for example or even follow a specific diet. It is important to take into consideration those aspects and discuss them during the interview stage.
Need To Hire A Domestic Helper?
If you are looking for a helper in Hong Kong, you may create an account on HelperChoice platform and review verified helper profiles by their work experiences, availability, contract status, salary expectation and so on. HelperChoice online platform provides helper matching service that allows you to find a domestic helper through direct hire, which is more affordable and flexible compared with hiring a domestic worker through traditional maid agencies. More importantly, HelperChoice is an ethical and fair employment agency that does NOT charge helpers any placement fees.
Found A Helper?
After you found a suitable helper, you may contact us to process helper’s contract and visa for you. Our visa processing service is currently applicable for Filipino maids only. It includes all mandatory paperwork and visa process fess and the document delivery fee to your door. Our dedicated customer support team will regularly report the progress to you. Meanwhile, you may relax and chill at home.
If you become our Premium member and have found a domestic helper from HelperChoice platform, you may also enjoy a 10% off on visa processing service.
See also: Visa Processing Service Fees