Domestic workers in Hong Kong

At the beginning of 2018, I did an internship at the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Before I went there, a friend told me to read the book Maid to Order in Hong Kong, written by Nicole Constable. This book was full of stories about migrant workers seeking new jobs in Hong Kong for a better life. One particular chapter attracted my attention. It was the story about how domestic workers come together on Sundays, which is their only day off per week. They gather around on the Hong Kong Island and at other places in Hong Kong. The streets are filled with the so- called, domestic workers, most of them coming from the Philippines or Indonesia. When I visit these streets on Hong Kong Island I was overwhelmed by what I saw. Groups of these migrants were sitting on the ground, playing games, eating, laughing and dancing. Although it was interesting seeing people with so little, making the best way out of their life, there, is a whole different side to their lives. These groups...Show moreAt the beginning of 2018, I did an internship at the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Before I went there, a friend told me to read the book Maid to Order in Hong Kong, written by Nicole Constable. This book was full of stories about migrant workers seeking new jobs in Hong Kong for a better life. One particular chapter attracted my attention. It was the story about how domestic workers come together on Sundays, which is their only day off per week. They gather around on the Hong Kong Island and at other places in Hong Kong. The streets are filled with the so- called, domestic workers, most of them coming from the Philippines or Indonesia. When I visit these streets on Hong Kong Island I was overwhelmed by what I saw. Groups of these migrants were sitting on the ground, playing games, eating, laughing and dancing. Although it was interesting seeing people with so little, making the best way out of their life, there, is a whole different side to their lives. These groups are very vulnerable to exploitation and violation. There are so many stories of domestic workers being physically beaten or being exploited by their employers, but also how domestic workers cannot escape these awful situations through debt bondage of their recruitment agencies. However, over the last few years’ domestic workers are becoming more and more aware of their rights. NGOs are emerging to support these workers in foreign countries, but also several governmental interventions show increasing interest in the protection of migrants. Therefore, this thesis aim is to get a better understanding how multiple actors, like private institutions, recruitment agencies and NGOs impact the scope and frequency of migration, but more importantly how these actors create better opportunities for domestic workers to empower themselves.Show less

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Domestic workers in Hong Kong