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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.
Friends Irena Leung (left) and Valerie Kwok, both 15, hug in front of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, on November 28. Photo: Alexander Mak
Hong Kong

What does a city do after the unthinkable? It shows up

Near Wang Fuk Court, volunteers from across the city gathered to offer help, lay flowers and turn Tai Po into a place of shared care.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Domestic helpers deserve praise for heroism in Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino helper on her second day of work when Tai Po fire hit; escapes with baby

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Judge-led panel to probe deadly blaze as Hong Kong goes ahead with election

Death toll from Wang Fuk Court inferno rises to 156 after five more bodies found.

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The charred buildings of Wang Fuk Court seen through flowers left by mourners. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire will not deter Filipino helpers from working in city: minister

Philippines Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac says his government will also provide financial assistance to affected helpers.

Indonesia

‘She asked me to forgive her’: Indonesian helper in Tai Po fire makes last call

Erawati leaves behind a six-year-old son who cannot understand why ‘mummy doesn’t call any more’.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Groups warn of bogus donation calls exploiting helpers’ deaths in Hong Kong fire

Workers’ rights organisation, three other concern groups urge public to refrain from donating directly to victims’ families, citing fraudulent appeals.

Domestic helpers mourn victims of the Tai Po fire at a prayer gathering in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Students, workers, domestic helpers hit by Hong Kong fire get HK$20,000 payout

Injured residents will receive HK$50,000 if they spent up to six days in hospital, or HK$100,000 for seven days or more.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire death toll among Indonesian helpers rises to 9

Consulate makes announcement as government says 1,760 affected households have received HK$10,000 emergency cash handouts.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino helper who fled Hong Kong fire with girl anguished over dead neighbour

Reinalyn Niere, who shielded girl from falling embers as they fled, says she wishes she had been able to persuade neighbour to leave.

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Domestic helpers say prayers at their usual Sunday gathering spot on Chater Road in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Portraits of courage: helpers who stayed with their wards during Hong Kong fire

More than 200 domestic helpers worked in Wang Fuk Court, with nearly 80 missing and many more displaced along with employers.

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Domestic helpers have lost friends and been displaced along with their employers. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong steps up voter turnout efforts with video targeting minority residents

Indonesian-Chinese bomb disposal chief Raymond Suryanto joins officials in launching bilingual appeals to boost voter turnout on December 7.

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Hong Kong society

Philippines pledges bigger consulate-run shelter for helpers in Hong Kong

Community ‘very, very happy’ over promise to open larger facility than current 652 sq ft, three-bedroom unit that is often crowded.

Hong Kong

For Hong Kong’s outsiders, zines offer what the city doesn’t – space, dignity and voice

At workshops and festivals, some are embracing DIY publishing as a slower, more human way to find connection and tell their stories.

A zine in progress by singer-songwriter Cheryl Chow, aka Cehryl. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Hong Kong society

Financial education stepped up for Hong Kong’s helpers to avoid dodgy loans

Advocacy groups note rising number of helpers taking high-interest loans, as NGOs, firms seek to provide more programmes in money management.

Advocacy groups have warned of a rising trend in vulnerable helpers being scammed into taking high-interest loans, partly due to their limited financial literacy and money management skills. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

The lives of Hong Kong’s foreign helpers – and the challenges they face

Nearly 400,000 foreign domestic workers serve in Hong Kong’s households, far from their homes and loved ones. But when faced with difficulties such as pregnancies, help is not always within reach. From cramped living spaces to limited access to health and social services, the Post looks at their experiences and examines the laws and policies that shape their lives.

Crime in Hong Kong

Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly stealing HK$520,000 from employer

Employer living in luxury Happy Valley flat finds money missing and suspects helper.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong immigration authorities arrest 21 in crackdown on illegal workers

14 suspected illegal workers and seven alleged employers rounded up in eight-day operation targeting 47 locations.

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Officers searched 47 locations across the city in the eight-day operation, combing through locations such as restaurants, retail shops and entertainment venues. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

No place to call home: plight of Hong Kong’s pregnant domestic helpers

Support groups say helpers who become pregnant often face losing their jobs, separation from babies.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong steps up awareness of money laundering, scam risks for migrant workers

Lack of understanding of law, rather than language barriers, cited as main reason members of ethnic minority groups fall victim, police say.

Hong Kong society

Filipino helpers found after search in Hong Kong fired, face being sent home

Aleli Perez Tibay and Imee Mahilum Pabuaya have so far refused to tell police where they were for two weeks, sources say.

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Imee Mahilum Pabuaya (left) and Aleli Perez Tibay were found in Sha Tin. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Letters | It’s the business of Hong Kong to support domestic helpers’ well-being

Readers discuss how to support domestic helpers’ mental health, why schools should keep pets, and elder care.

Children play with their carers at the East Coast Park Precinct in Fortress Hill on July 11. Migrant domestic workers make up 9.6 per cent of Hong Kong’s labour force and have a vital role in caregiving. Photo: Elson Li
Crime in Hong Kong

16 arrested in Hong Kong in crackdown on domestic helpers breaching work terms

Suspects include 10 illegal workers and six employers rounded up over three-day period, authorities say.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong authorities reviewing strategy in search for 2 missing Filipinos

Search called off on hiking trail near Tsuen Wan where Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24, and Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, went missing.

Accidents and personal safety

Indonesian consulate helps family of domestic helper killed in Hong Kong crash

2 killed in Tai Po crash were domestic helper, employer, while private car driver has been arrested.

A car hit a stationary van, prompting the second vehicle to mount the pavement and strike the two women. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Man plunges to death after alleged knife attack on helper at Hong Kong estate

Man, 31, found on terrace of Cheung Fat Estate building in Tsing Yi, after allegedly attacking domestic helper with box cutter.

The incident occurred at Leung Fat House in the Cheung Fat Estate. Photo: Google
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Domestic helper pay rates show balance emerging in Hong Kong market

Employer requirements for skills and experience are increasingly finding a match with helper demands for better pay and conditions.

Hong Kong economy

Domestic helpers’ average wage rises 7.9% to HK$5,722 in 2025: Hong Kong survey

Employers willing to offer higher wages for helpers with Hong Kong experience, childcare or elderly care expertise, HelperChoice’s survey finds.

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