weekly
Written by: Wu Dongwei
2020-07-20 17:21
Last update date: 2020-07-20 17:21Sitting at the corner of the pier, Selina was counting with reporters, only to wake up to work in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. "My daughter was only three years old, and I started to think of ways to make more money. I only hope that she can enjoy better living conditions." After many years, she still remembered her original intention to work in Hong Kong, which was 3,000 that day. Monthly salary in Hong Kong dollars. However, after more than two decades, that is, under the current "Required Minimum Wage" in 2020, the legal monthly minimum wage and meal allowance for foreign domestic helpers are only 4,630 yuan and 1,121 yuan. If salaries have not improved significantly over the years, it is hard to imagine whether their salaries can keep up with local inflation, let alone support the high prices and living expenses in Hong Kong.
In fact, many foreign domestic helper unions have insisted on striving for better labor treatment for many years. For example, some foreign domestic helper organizations have requested that their remuneration package be included under the "Minimum Wage Ordinance" and reviewed the remuneration of local workers on the same basis. Most of the appeals were not answered. The wages of foreign domestic helpers are not included in the relevant protection, and they have to bear extremely low wages for a long time. If calculated by working 10 hours a day, the average hourly wage is only less than 17 yuan, even a meal in the American fast food chain. Cheap packages are not affordable.
The work and living conditions of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong have not been improved for many years. (Photo by Li Zetong)
Work around 60 hours a week
Over the years, many FDH unions have reported that the actual working hours of FDHs are too long, far exceeding the 10 hours used in the above analysis. Selina said that her employer has two sons, 9 and 4 year old children in school. The two small employers cried from time to time, and often fought for robbing toys. Even if Selina is on a break, she must intervene immediately.
As early as 2018, the Center for Foreign Labor Ministry issued a related survey report and found that there are about 210,000 foreign domestic helpers working more than 11 hours a day in Hong Kong, accounting for about 56% of the total.
In 2018, the Foreign Labor Ministry Center issued a related survey report and found that there are about 210,000 foreign domestic helpers working more than 11 hours a day in Hong Kong. (Photo by Huang Shuhui)
The pros and cons of living together
Another point of contention is that under the current system, foreign domestic helpers are required to live with their employers. The relevant arrangement was formally implemented in 2003. The purpose was to prevent foreign domestic helpers from "secret fishing".
Selina does not resist the co-living arrangement and believes that the employer's accommodation will undoubtedly alleviate the troubles of life. And she is also very fortunate that her employer is friendly and get along well with her, and she has prepared a room with good hygiene and ample space. However, Selina understands that not all foreign domestic helpers are as lucky as her, and some employers may not be able to provide a reasonable living environment. She explained that she had heard that some sisters from the same hometown were asked to "sleep" in an unsuitable residence. The space could only accommodate a child's bed. The overall living environment was extremely crowded, and there was no place for personal belongings.
"Purple Sister" Li Zixin was kicked out in the early years for allegedly forcing Lisa, the Indian servant, to live in the toilet, and was severely criticized by a large number of netizens. (Online pictures)
What Selina has seen and heard is by no means rare, and related evils have been exposed from time to time. For example, Li Zixin, known as the queen of children’s songs in the music world, was kicked out in the early years for allegedly forcing Lisa, an Indian servant, to live in the toilet. As a result, she was severely criticized by a large number of netizens, accusing her of taking the "kind and amiable" route, but her personality behind her was very poor. It also provokes the Association of Indian Domestic Helpers to publicly accuse her of being "like an animal" to the workers.
The above is excerpted from the 223th issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly (July 20, 2020) "Salary and Benefits have been stagnant for many years, foreign domestic helpers have become "modern slaves"". To read the full text, please click here to subscribe to the weekly report, or click here to preview the weekly e-newsletter for more in-depth reports.
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