(Updated on September 7, 2023)
Foreign migrant domestic helpers in Hong Kong, like any other group of individuals, can experience a range of emotions and stress levels depending on various factors. Their experiences can be influenced by factors such as their working conditions, job duties, relationship with their employers, living situation, financial concerns, cultural differences, and social isolation.
Causes of stress and emotional challenges for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong include:
- Isolation: Many foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are far from their families and home country, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Domestic helpers who feel isolated and lonely are more susceptible to love scams. Earlier this year, HelperChoice and Pathfinders co-hosted a webinar sharing the tips of how to avoid falling prey for love scams with domestic helpers, including the red flags of love scams, what scammers want and how to protect themselves.
- Long Working Hours: Domestic helpers often have demanding schedules with long working hours. This will lead to physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion.
- Cultural Differences: Cultural differences between domestic helpers and their employers will lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in communication.
- Employment and Financial Concerns: Domestic helpers may be stressed about job security, job duties, salary, time management, relationship with the employer family and sending money back to support their family.
- Lack of Privacy: Domestic helpers living in their employer’s house may be deprived of privacy and personal space. They may feel being monitored around the clock, leading to their frustration.
- Discrimination and Exploitation: Some domestic helpers may face discrimination, exploitation, or abuse, which will lead to heightened stress and emotional distress.
- Concerns About Family: Concerns about family members back in their home country will also contribute to emotional stress. Some domestic helpers have not seen their family for years, especially during the pandemic.
See also: 62.5% of Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong Haven’t Been Home For More Than 3 Years
It’s important to note that while some foreign domestic helpers may experience stress and negative emotions, many others have positive experiences and build strong relationships with their employers and the local community. Various support networks, organizations, and groups exist in Hong Kong to provide assistance, resources, and a sense of community for domestic helpers.
The Employer’s Support
Employers can play a crucial role in helping to relieve stress for their domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Here are several steps employers can take to create a more supportive and positive working environment:
- Clear Communication: Maintain open and clear communication with your domestic helper. Regularly check in to discuss their workload, any concerns they might have, and to provide feedback.
- Realistic Expectations: Set realistic expectations for their job tasks and workload. Avoid overloading them with excessive household chores and work responsibilities. Clearly outline their job responsibilities, expectations, and any changes that might occur. This prevents misunderstandings and reduces unnecessary stress.
- Reasonable Working Hours: Ensure that your domestic helper’s working hours are reasonable and provide them adequate breaks and sleeping time. Encourage domestic helpers to take their rest days and days off to relax, pursue personal interests, and connect with other domestic helpers in the neighbourhood. The employer may suggest their domestic helper outdoor picnics and yoga classes. There are free yoga classes for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong organised by these groups: Andiappan Yoga Community (AYC) and HelperChoice Community Group.
- Respect Privacy: Respect their privacy and personal space within your home. Provide them with a separate area to rest and unwind. Do not install surveillance camera in their personal area, for examples, their bedroom and the toilet.
- Training and Skill Development: Employers may support and provide domestic helpers training and skill development opportunities, for examples, language classes, cooking workshops, first-aid training course, elderly care pilot programme and so forth.
See also: Free Classes For Foreign Domestic Workers In Hong Kong
- Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts or misunderstandings promptly and respectfully. Listen to their concerns and work together to find solutions. Show respect for their cultural background and traditions, and encourage them to share their experiences and perspectives.
See also: How To Handle Disputes With Your Maid? - Appreciation and Recognition: Celebrate important milestones, birthdays, and achievements to show your appreciation and make your domestic helper feel valued.
- Counseling Services: Offer your domestic helper access to counseling services or helplines for emotional support if they’re facing difficulties. Show genuine concern for their well-being, ask about their day, and make an effort to build a supportive employer-employee relationship.
- Health Care Access: Ensure your maid have medical insurance covered and able to access health care facilities when necessary. According to the recent occupational health survey conducted by HelperChoice, around 66% domestic workers in Hong Kong got injured due to work. Out of 213 responses, most of the respondents got injured or suffered back pain (62%), shoulder pain (46%), muscle strain (32%), hand/wrist pain (30%). More than a half of domestic helpers in the survey were not aware of the healthcare coverage of their domestic helper insurance. Therefore, as the employer, you may communicate with your maid about their medical insurance coverage and claim procedure and support them to seek medical help when necessary.
Remember, creating a positive work environment will benefit both the domestic helper and the employer. It enhances their job satisfaction, performance, and overall well-being, contributing to a harmonious living arrangement.
Community Care For Domestic Helpers
Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong can seek emotional support from various sources within the community. Here are some options:
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Several NGOs in Hong Kong are dedicated to providing support and services for foreign domestic helpers. These organizations offer counseling, workshops, legal advice, and community events. Examples include:
- HELP for Domestic Workers: This organization offers legal assistance, counseling, and support for foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.
- Enrich HK: It focuses on empowering foreign migrant domestic workers through financial education, personal development, and empowerment programmes.
- PathFinders Hong Kong: While primarily focused on assisting pregnant migrant workers, PathFinders also offers support services and resources for foreign domestic helpers facing difficulties.
- Counseling Hotlines: Some organizations provide confidential counselling services and help over the phone:
- Open University of Hong Kong’s Migrant Domestic Workers Online Counseling: This platform offers online counseling for foreign domestic workers.
- Christian Action’s Migrant Domestic Workers 24-hour Helpline: A helpline providing counseling and support for domestic helpers.
- Religious and Community Centers: Many religious institutions and community centers offer places for gatherings, counselling, and emotional support. These can provide a sense of community and belonging.
- Social Media Groups and Forums: There are online communities, like HelperChoice Facebook Page, where foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from others who may have faced similar challenges at work or in their neighbourhood.
- Local Embassies or Consulates: Embassies or consulates of their home countries may provide assistance and support for their citizens working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
- Wellness Workshops and Events: Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, and events organized by NGOs or community groups that focus on well-being, stress management, and personal development.
- Mental Health Professionals: If needed, domestic helpers can seek the help of mental health professionals in Hong Kong. Counsellors, psychologists, and therapists can provide therapeutic support.
- Peer Support: Encourage domestic helpers to connect with each other and form peer support groups. Sharing experiences and learning from one another will provide emotional comfort. Uplifters provides an online platform, where domestic workers can learn for free and at the same time, become peers to support and care about each other.
You might also be interested in:
- Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
- How To Hire A Domestic Helper Online?
- 10 Tips To Help Your Helpers Deal With Emotional Distress
- Relieve Shoulder Pain: Effective Stretching Exercises for Domestic Helpers
- Relieve Sciatic Pain: Effective Stretching Exercises for Domestic Helpers
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency In Hong Kong
About HelperChoice
HelperChoice is a reputable maid agency that holds a valid license approved by the Labour Department Hong Kong. The agency offers an online platform for direct hiring of domestic helpers and facilitates visa processing service specifically for Filipino maids. With a vast network, HelperChoice has successfully served over 75,000 employers in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing employers access to a pool of more than 20,000 domestic worker profiles. The agency maintains collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, including Enrich Hong Kong, Help For Domestic Workers, and PathFinders, organizing workshops and webinars to support the welling being and the employment rights of foreign migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
Employers are required to renew the employment contract and visa for foreign domestic helpers every two years at the Immigration Department and the respective Consulate. If you need assistance with processing the contract and visa for a Filipino maid, you can reach out to the HelperChoice team via Whatsapp. Normally, the visa renewal takes around two weeks to complete. Most visa processing packages include a mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic workers. For more info, pleasecontact us via Whatsapp.
See also: Visa Processing Service For Filipino Domestic Workers
Did You Know?
Premium Members (members who subscribed to the paid service on HelperChoice platform) can get a 10% discount on visa process service, including both local hire and overseas hire. Register now!