Editorial | Education needed for domestic helpers in Hong Kong to avoid loan sharks
- Often on low salaries, many such workers in Hong Kong face intense pressure to send money home to family and friends as well as fees to secure jobs
Domestic helpers are rightly credited with providing the backbone of the “hidden” side of Hong Kong’s economy. The estimated 340,000 migrant workers in the city offer affordable childcare, housekeeping and other services that allow a much larger segment of the population to join the workforce.
Unfortunately, helpers are far more visible to money lenders who often use deception to push high-interest loans and then threaten workers and their employers while demanding repayment.
Authorities, advocacy groups and helpers’ employers must counter such exploitation by raising awareness and improving oversight.
An NGO focusing on family and helper issues recently warned about a disturbing rise in deception cases. At least 30 Hong Kong employers sought help after their helpers were deceived into taking out loans at exorbitant rates.
The Coalition of Global Home Service Sustainable Development said it had been receiving almost daily inquires about such problems and was aware that employment agencies were handling more cases.
Coalition president Chrystie Lam Hau-yiu related stories of “red paint being thrown on employers’ homes” – a common strong-arm tactic used by debt collectors – and a domestic helper being beaten by loan sharks.
