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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Pandemic takes toll on helpers
Three out of 10 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are in need of urgent financial and emotional support, with 43.7 percent feeling isolated due to the pandemic, a survey has found.
The poll was conducted by HelperChoice, an employment platform that links domestic helpers and employers, and local charity Enrich HK, which promotes the economic empowerment of migrant domestic workers.
A total of 546 foreign domestic helpers were polled in June and July.
Almost 40 percent of the respondents did not feel positive about their life and half of them recalled their last happy moment being more than one month ago.
However, only one fifth are aware of a need to seek emotional support.
When domestic helpers feel unhappy, 63 percent turn to their friends and family back in their hometown, nearly half talk to their friends in Hong Kong, and only 12 percent turn to their employers.
However, more than 70 percent said their work performance is not affected by their mental health.
Despite the strict anti-epidemic rules during Hong Kong's fifth wave, over 80 percent said they are willing to stay in the city and continue working.
But the pandemic greatly affected their ability to work, with 17 percent losing their jobs. Of this number, 44.3 percent had their job terminated as a result of their employers relocating, 31.7 percent had bad relationships with their employers, 19.8 percent were let go due to their employers' financial difficulties, while the remaining 4.2 percent were fired due to them contracting Covid-19.
Financial aid was a top urgent need, with 40 percent of respondents feeling stressed about their situation.
Tynna Mendoza, director of programs at Enrich HK, said the financial challenge for foreign domestic workers may remain as the pandemic lingers.
"Remitting more money and incurring greater expenses have been the top financial challenges of the community since the start of the pandemic," she said.
Mendoza urges the employers to continue supporting their helpers especially during these times.
The research also shows that most employers supported their helpers during the pandemic, with 90 percent of respondents saying they received care supplies, including rapid antigen test kits, masks, vitamins and hand sanitizers.
Among those tested positive for Covid-19 - 10 percent of respondents - most received their salaries and were provided with care.
Currently there are about 330,000 foreign helpers, mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia, working in the city.
A total of 546 foreign domestic helpers were polled in June and July.
Almost 40 percent of the respondents did not feel positive about their life and half of them recalled their last happy moment being more than one month ago.
However, only one fifth are aware of a need to seek emotional support.
When domestic helpers feel unhappy, 63 percent turn to their friends and family back in their hometown, nearly half talk to their friends in Hong Kong, and only 12 percent turn to their employers.
However, more than 70 percent said their work performance is not affected by their mental health.
Despite the strict anti-epidemic rules during Hong Kong's fifth wave, over 80 percent said they are willing to stay in the city and continue working.
But the pandemic greatly affected their ability to work, with 17 percent losing their jobs. Of this number, 44.3 percent had their job terminated as a result of their employers relocating, 31.7 percent had bad relationships with their employers, 19.8 percent were let go due to their employers' financial difficulties, while the remaining 4.2 percent were fired due to them contracting Covid-19.
Financial aid was a top urgent need, with 40 percent of respondents feeling stressed about their situation.
Tynna Mendoza, director of programs at Enrich HK, said the financial challenge for foreign domestic workers may remain as the pandemic lingers.
"Remitting more money and incurring greater expenses have been the top financial challenges of the community since the start of the pandemic," she said.
Mendoza urges the employers to continue supporting their helpers especially during these times.
The research also shows that most employers supported their helpers during the pandemic, with 90 percent of respondents saying they received care supplies, including rapid antigen test kits, masks, vitamins and hand sanitizers.
Among those tested positive for Covid-19 - 10 percent of respondents - most received their salaries and were provided with care.
Currently there are about 330,000 foreign helpers, mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia, working in the city.
