Domestic helpers should be allowed to seek better jobs
I arrived in Hong Kong from the Philippines in 2007 to work as a domestic worker. Most of my duties involve caring for the elderly. In my free time, I am a unionist and advocate for workers’ and LGBTQ rights.
Over these 17 years I was rejected by employers four times because of my gender expression. I also terminated my contract twice because my health had deteriorated due to long working hours. I was working from 5am to 11pm and on call for 24 hours.
I have major family responsibilities. I spend my food allowance carefully because my salary is not enough to support the needs of my parents and three siblings, two of whom are in university. My family and I suffered when I broke my contract as I needed to exit Hong Kong and wait for a work visa in my country. I had no income for two months.
The accusation of “job-hopping” against us is a form of discrimination that deprives us of our right to change employers, despite the Employment Ordinance giving workers and employers an equal right to terminate their contract.
Everyone should be allowed to seek better working conditions and wages. If we are treated well by our employers, why would we quit our jobs knowing that we would lose income and that unscrupulous employment agencies would take advantage of us and make us pay illegal fees?
Moreover, some employers frequently terminate workers; some employment agencies even offer employers a “buy one, take one” deal, which encourages them to change workers. This February, my union assisted two workers who only worked 10-15 days and were terminated by their employer. When employers do this, nothing much is made of it.
If there is a shortage of workers, isn’t it contradictory that the Immigration Department imposes the so-called job-hopping policy and denies experienced workers a visa? Why doesn’t the government help workers and employers find a better match? It is the employment agencies that make the most money and exert control over new workers who don’t know their rights.
I hope the Hong Kong government can also consider the workers’ side of the story. Migrant domestic workers who break their contracts in the hope of a better salary are not in the majority.
We aim for better, fair and safe working conditions. If people are loved, respected and recognised, they wouldn’t break their contracts.