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Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong
OpinionComment
Ricky Chu Man-kin
Ricky Chu Man-kin

Opinion | In improving Hong Kong’s mental health, do not forget domestic workers

  • The city should protect the mental well-being of over 300,000 migrant domestic workers who contribute to Hong Kong
  • As a society, Hong Kong must recognise that domestic workers’ unique work situations make them vulnerable and provide appropriate interventions

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The slanting afternoon sun lights up a bus station in North Point where domestic workers shelter on their day off on June 11. While these workers contribute to the wellness of many Hong Kong families, they are often left out of discussions on mental wellbeing. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Ricky Chu Man-kin
Never before has mental health been in the spotlight as much as it is now. In the month of June in the Post alone, there have been over a dozen articles, opinion pieces and letters to the editor on the topic. Hong Kong is not alone in this. Mental health is a growing worldwide concern, as recognised by the World Health Organization.
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According to a large-scale review, nearly a billion people – including 14 per cent of the world’s adolescents – were living with a mental disorder in 2019. Suicide accounted for more than 1 per cent of deaths, and 58 per cent of suicides occurred before the age of 50.

The full force of this situation has hit home for Hong Kong after tragedies involving mental health struggles. As the government marshals its forces to deal with the growing incidence of mental ill health, I would like to put in a word for a vital community of Hong Kong who must be included in any interventions.
There are over 300,000 migrant domestic workers who contribute to the comfort and wellness of many Hong Kong families but who are often left out of discussions on mental well-being.

With International Domestic Workers Day falling in June, there is no better time to discuss how we can protect the mental well-being of these important contributors to Hong Kong in their roles as caregivers and helpers.

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According to a 2020 study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, migrant domestic workers have worse general self-rated mental health than the general adult Hong Kong population due to their financial circumstances, living conditions, work pressure, negative job-related experiences and socio-demographic characteristics.

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