Thursday, August 2, 2012

Filipino Maids in HK - Why Filipino Maids Prefer Western employers

By Alice Sy


Most Filipino maids in Hong Kong would prefer Western employers over Chinese employers. Whenever they inquire from our employment agency for job opportunities, they are more likely to ask, "Do you have Western employers available?"

Our employment agency caters to an international market. We receive inquiries from expatriates who need domestic helpers from time to time which results from our internet marketing endeavor.

Out of my curiousity, I often ask why filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong prefer to work with Western employers rather than Chinese employers. It is interesting to note that the former tends to be more understanding and are willing to pay higher than the minimum salary set by the Hong Kong government.

There are four major areas where Western employers show an edge over the Chinese employers in terms of their treatment of Filipina domestic helpers. They are atmosphere of work environment, consideration, socio-psychological distance and personal space. This study has been conducted by Chinese University of Hong Kong on how maids in Hong Kong are treated by their employers.

The data were based on in-depth and structured interviews of Filipino helpers who have served both types of employers. A few Western and Chinese employers were also interviewed.

The results of the study indicate that the Filipino maids, in general, are more satisfied with their Western employers, who tend to provide them with easier and more comfortable work environment, over their Chinese employers. Their Western employers are also more considerate and are more likely to treat them equally, allowing them more personal space.

Lastly, in terms of variations in treatment of maids, Western employers are more homogeneous and they tend to concentrate on the positive side. On the other hand, Chinese employers are more diversified. There is no single pattern on how they treat their Filipino maids. This is a basis why Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong prefer Western employers.




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