TOPIC

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong
Since the 1970s, foreign domestic workers have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong to address the city's shortage of local, full-time live-in helpers.
Security footage circulating online shows a domestic helper allegedly abusing a struggling 81-year-old woman. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police hunt for helper who allegedly assaulted cancer patient, 81

Security footage circulating online shows helper restraining bedridden elderly woman and stuffing a towel into her mouth.

Indonesia

Indonesia, Saudi Arabia agree on new labour protections

Hong Kong society

‘About 60 domestic helpers in Hong Kong fired over critical illness since 2020’

videocam
21
Hong Kong politics

Duterte tells Filipinos in Hong Kong he never committed crimes against humanity

Ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte delivers fiery speech amid speculation over whether International Criminal Court will issue arrest warrant.

29
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is the subject of an ICC investigation into his controversial anti-drug campaign. Photo: Sam Tsang
Crime in Hong Kong

Domestic helper in Hong Kong charged with child abuse after 1-year-old scalded

Woman accused of running hot water over one-year-old boy’s body, with police saying child has second-degree burns.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong minimum wage rise to benefit working poor

While proposed first hourly increase is a modest one, every little bit helps for Hong Kong’s cleaners and other low-paid workers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Crime in Hong Kong

Helper’s Hong Kong court win in sexual harassment case ‘rare but encouraging’

Helpers face huge challenges in even filing sexual abuse or harassment cases, let alone prevailing, advocates say.

The District Court on Friday ruled that Lam Yui-sang had created a “hostile and threatening” workplace for Indonesian helper Sri Wahyuni by demanding sex. Photo: Warton Li
Hong Kong courts

Helper wins case against Hong Kong employer who repeatedly asked her for sex

Lam Yui-sang, 63, created ‘hostile and threatening’ workplace for his helper, District Court rules and awards her HK$182,387 in damages.

Art

Hong Kong domestic helpers’ refuge to benefit from charity art auction

Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge is struggling to survive, and local artists and migrant workers are donating nearly 50 works for auction.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong unions say some domestic workers being underpaid and abused

Unions highlight case of helper who received no salary or rest days for four months, and was abused before she ran away and at one point attempted suicide.

videocam
5
One of the domestic workers who spoke at Sunday’s press conference. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Where do Hong Kong’s domestic workers sleep? 3 personal stories

Personal stories of three migrant workers in Hong Kong and their grim accommodation

Hong Kong’s domestic helpers and where they sleep – a visual diary
Swimming

Hong Kong resident Kruse hoping to make HK$100k splash with around island swim

American Brett Kruse will attempt to become just the eighth person to swim the 45km around Hong Kong Island in aid of Splash Foundation.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 46 over illegal money lending to domestic helpers

Syndicate suspected of providing HK$39 million in high-interest loans with rates starting at 100 per cent.

Climate change

Letters | Spain’s deadly floods another wake-up call for Hong Kong

Readers discuss the urgent need to manage climate risks, the real danger on MTR escalators, and paying attention to domestic workers’ mental health.

Residents remove mud and debris in Benamargosa, Spain, on November 11, after deadly flash floods. Photo: EPA-EFE
Cop29

Letters | Conflict of interest should have ruled out Azerbaijan as Cop29 host

Readers discuss protecting the legitimacy of the COP climate talks, how a hit film is tapping Hong Kong’s rich traditions and the sales of phone subscriptions to foreign domestic workers.

A driver uses his mobile phone at the electric charging station as Baku city hosts the United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop29), in Azerbaijan, on November 14. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Helper gives back to Hong Kong charity by taking part in 45km swim relay at sea

Splash Foundation, organiser of Make Waves relay, aims to raise HK$3.5 million to fund free swimming lessons for the underprivileged.

Crime in Hong Kong

British businessman charged with murder of Indonesian helper in Hong Kong

Woman found at bottom of waterfall in Pok Fu Lam park after venturing to area with suspect night before.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Crime in Hong Kong

2 arrested over suspected murder of helper found dead at Hong Kong waterfall

Police say Southeast Asian victim believed to have drowned after she was hit with a hard object.

19
The body was found in Waterfall Bay Park. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Video | Domestic ‘helpers’ battle 2-week rule to stay in Hong Kong

If terminated early by the employer or employee, domestic workers only have two weeks to find a new job.

videocam
4
Wellness

Baby massage relieved her postnatal depression. Now she teaches it

Baby massage classes helped Hong Kong-based Jen Cooper beat severe postnatal depression. Having seen their benefits she became an instructor.

Salaries

Opinion | Hong Kong’s underpaid foreign domestic workers deserve a living wage

Beyond survival, a fair wage would keep them away from unscrupulous money lenders and make Hong Kong more attractive to skilled workers.

videocam
21
Foreign domestic workers are seen on a flyover in Admiralty, Hong Kong, on July 28. Photo: Jelly Tse
Lunar

Hong Kong’s Bethune House puts out call for help

Hong Kong’s Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge is calling for donations to keep its doors open.

Hong Kong’s Bethune House puts out call for help
South Korea

Filipino helpers earn US$1,340 per month in South Korea. In Hong Kong? US$642

Those willing to work up to 52 hours a week could earn as much as US$1,700 under Seoul’s domestic worker pilot programme.

videocam
10
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong shelter for migrant women to close without urgent HK$1 million donation

Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge says donations have dried up, and urgently needs HK$1 million and more to stay open next year.

9
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Hong Kong raises minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers by 2.5%

Minimum wage for helpers increases from HK$4,870 to HK$4,990, but concern groups say salaries remain far too low.

4
Domestic helpers enjoy their Sunday off in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

Video | Helping Hong Kong’s domestic helpers tackle mental health issues

When those who care for others need help themselves: mental health for Hong Kong’s domestic helpers
11:02
China's population

China’s birth rate unlikely to benefit from Filipino helpers, analysts say

The use of foreign domestic helpers in China to lower the costs of child care, mirroring a move by South Korea, would not do much for the declining birth rate, analysts say.

videocam
9
South Korea

Why will Filipino helpers earn more in South Korea than Hong Kong, Singapore?

Foreign domestic workers will enjoy high wages under a government pilot project – raising affordability concerns among Korean families seeking care.

videocam
20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement