My Hong Kong | Hey, Hong Kong – how about we stop being racist and include foreign domestic workers in the consumption voucher scheme?

Hong Kong’s consumption voucher scheme has been extended to non-permanent residents – but that does not include the 400,000 foreign domestic workers in the city

This move is class-conscious and, to be blunt, racist. The positive impact these overseas workers’ contributions have on our economy should not be overlooked

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In 2018, Hong Kong’s domestic workers contributed an estimated US$12.6 billion to the city’s economy. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:15am, 18 Jun 2022Updated: 1:36am, 21 Apr 2023

When I heard the news that the Hong Kong government would be extending the consumption voucher scheme to non-permanent residents, I thought “Great! Finally, they are being more inclusive.”

It became clear, however, that the extension would not include some of the most deserving residents in our community: the 400,000 foreign domestic workers, most of whom are from Indonesia and the Philippines.

The consumption voucher scheme, dispensed in two instalments worth HK$5,000 (US$637) each, is intended to boost spending in the local economy.

The first instalment was disbursed in April this year.

Having the second round of the scheme expanded to benefit non-permanent residents and people with “talents” (e.g., entrepreneurs and overseas students) but not overseas domestic workers is obviously class-conscious and – to be completely blunt – racist.

And to add insult to injury, these eligible non-permanent residents require no minimum period of stay to qualify for the bursary (they could have arrived in the city only days earlier).