Letters | Hong Kong should strike a balance between domestic workers’ rights and employers’ needs

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.

I strongly believe that domestic workers in Hong Kong should have the freedom to switch jobs, but as a Hong Kong resident and an employer of domestic helpers, I understand the challenges and issues that come with this.

The original purpose of hiring domestic workers was to provide a stable environment for families and release women to participate in the workforce. However, the purpose of hiring domestic helpers has become muddied over the years.

Some employers have had negative experiences with helpers who borrow large sums of money and then run away back to their home country, or who engage in behaviour that leads to their termination. Some agents also encourage helpers to change jobs frequently, which causes inconvenience and cost to employers. Furthermore, despite the high cost of hiring a helper and the long wait, the government provides little support or protection for employers.