Hong Kong’s domestic workers are everyday heroes. Don’t treat them like second-class citizens
- Advocates are launching a Helper Appreciation Day on May 30, and such an initiative couldn’t come at a better time, says Raquel Carvalho
- The city’s domestic workers have long faced ingrained racism and sexism – and the pandemic has only made the discrimination worse
Throughout the years, I have conducted dozens of interviews with domestic workers and advocates, highlighting the mistreatment of the city’s migrant workers.
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Surely the government understands that its singling out of one group sends a message to the whole of society, and will only instigate more distrust and discrimination.
“To roll out a policy for 370,000 domestic workers in the city requires a well coordinated, well thought-out and justified approach,” said Manisha Wijesinghe, executive director of the support group HELP for Domestic Workers.
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But this is only the tip of the iceberg. In a recent interview, Godden echoed the opinion of many of those who have researched or provided support services to domestic workers. The discrimination they face goes well beyond isolated cases – and the coronavirus crisis. Instead, it runs deep in a city that is heavily reliant upon its “helpers”.
It’s time to acknowledge this. Some will argue that domestic workers have a better situation in Hong Kong than they do in Middle Eastern countries, say. But as a tolerant and generous city, Hong Kong can and should do a lot better than that.
As a start, social enterprises including Migrasia and EmpowerU are launching a campaign that will culminate on May 30 with a Helper Appreciation Day – envisaged as an annual event.
“Why not take a day to simply say ‘thank you’ to the domestic workers in Hong Kong who quietly allow this great city to not only function but thrive? We are all better off because they are here, and it’s time they had a day where we recognise their sacrifices and hard work,” said David Bishop, an academic who is also co-founder of Migrasia and EmpowerU.
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Bishop argued that everyone can do more to improve the lives of domestic workers in the city. “Even well-meaning families often break the law or facilitate mistreatment,” he said, noting that employers should take the time to learn their responsibilities and act accordingly.