Hong Kong could face a maid shortage by 2017
Growing economies may see Indonesia and the Philippines urge citizens to pursue skilled jobs
Domestic helper agencies in Hong Kong say there could be an acute shortage of maids by 2017 as the Indonesian and Philippines governments plan policies to discourage their citizens from doing such work overseas.
Two factors are at work: the economies of Indonesia and the Philippines, which suppy the vast bulk of Hong Kong's 300,000 helpers, and rising demand for maids among the city's families.
Indonesia set a target in January for the number of migrant workers sent abroad to reach zero by 2017.
The situation in the Philippines is less clear. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported last week that the government is considering a plan to end deploying domestic helpers abroad by 2017 but a spokesman for the country's consulate in Hong Kong said ''it is not the intention''.
Both countries, however, are seeking better conditions and more clearly defined terms of employment for their overseas workers, while encouraging skilled citizens to work at home.
The number of domestic helpers in Hong Kong continues to grow but the growth has slowed, statistics from the Immigration Department show. The increase was 17,903 in 2010 but it dropped to 14,280 last year.
At the same time, agencies say, an illegal trade is growing in the hiring of mainland helpers on two-way visit permits, which forbid them from working.