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

Ricky Chu Man-kin

Published: 6:15am, 28 Jun 2023

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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.

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.

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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While most migrant domestic workers enjoy good working relationships with their employers, there are the unfortunate few who are exposed to unfavourable work conditions, cultural insensitivity or discrimination, all high-risk factors for mental ill health.

Stress and helplessness are the emotions we at the Equal Opportunities Commission commonly see in migrant domestic workers who come to us with discrimination complaints. In our observation, discord related to work conditions, lack of awareness of employee rights and ignorance of employer obligations are the root causes of conflicts which may sometimes lead to ill-treatment and unlawful acts.

When will Hong Kong shift from its mandatory live-in rule for helpers?

Without doubt, employers have legal and custodial obligations, including under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and anti-discrimination ordinances. Beyond the legal requirements, it is reasonable to expect an employer of a migrant domestic worker, just like any corporate employer, to provide the worker with a safe and humane work environment including privacy, proper rest arrangements and the necessary healthcare.

It is also essential that employers are mindful of the mental well-being of domestic workers, which can be impacted by all these factors and more. Migrant domestic workers are vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination arising from their socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Being separated from their families and not having a supportive network can adversely affect mental well-being and also hinder access to help in cases of mental distress.

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Prevention is key. In cases involving unlawful behaviour towards domestic workers, enforcement is essential to worker protection and also acts as a deterrent to employers. Enabling impacted domestic workers to report their case and duly sanctioning their employers would send a clear message on the importance of upholding rights and fulfilling obligations in an employment relationship. Employment agencies should be enlisted as partners to educate employers about essential laws and recent cases.

Orientation training for first-time employers and those who change domestic workers frequently is one of the hiring requirements that have to be met in certain foreign countries. In the Hong Kong context, using an online training kit may be a first step.

There is no denying the role that migrant domestic workers play not just in Hong Kong homes but also in the city’s economy, especially with regard to the labour force participation of women. That apart, they are Hong Kong residents who should rightfully enjoy good mental and physical health just as all others here do.

We as a society must recognise that their unique work and living situations make them vulnerable in different ways and provide appropriate interventions. Any mental well-being blueprint for the city must include this under-represented, though significant, army of carers.

Ricky Chu Man-kin is chairperson of the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission

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