Helper Shortage in HK

[hullexile]

16 hours a day? I better start cracking the whip with mine then since I'm not getting anywhere near that mileage.

It is unfortunately too common. Get up to get breakfast ready, to clearing up after dinner and getting kids to bed.

[Mcdavid]

It is unfortunately too common. Get up to get breakfast ready, to clearing up after dinner and getting kids to bed.

Mine is generally on the clock from 7-7 but she has at least three or four hours every afternoon where she has nothing to do. About 6-7 hours a day of actually working, I reckon (which she could probably do in 4-5 hours if she was more efficient/could multitask better).

[D.YU]

"Fucking these people?"

Or maybe your joke/delivery just sucks?

Fucking Karens.

[Mcdavid]

Fucking Karens.

Ha ha... You obviously don't even know how that term is used. You better check out Reddit to get an idea.

(*Hint* Karens are the complainers and, in fact, saying "fucking these people" makes you sound like the Karen... The irony is rich here.)

[DonDiego]

Mine is generally on the clock from 7-7 but she has at least three or four hours every afternoon where she has nothing to do. About 6-7 hours a day of actually working, I reckon (which she could probably do in 4-5 hours if she was more efficient/could multitask better).

It is interesting how I read here that quarantine in cushy hotel rooms with plenty of entetainment options was inhumane, torture etc... Yet helpers in many cases have to remain in the home particularly in Covid times, often in tiny rooms and sometimes shared and are not free to roam around when they want even if not on the clock. Now that may not be the case at your home but I would say it's true for many if not most helpers. The movement restrictions and living accommodations are what I find most objectionable in the helper situation in many countries like HK and there is little to no checks. The attitude is basically: Consider yourself lucky we employ you, it's better than the shithole you come from so anything goes and if you're not happy, we'll ship you back.

[Mcdavid]

It is interesting how I read here that quarantine in cushy hotel rooms with plenty of entetainment options was inhumane, torture etc... Yet helpers in many cases have to remain in the home particularly in Covid times, often in tiny rooms and sometimes shared and are not free to roam around when they want even if not on the clock. Now that may not be the case at your home but I would say it's true for many if not most helpers. The movement restrictions and living accommodations are what I find most objectionable in the helper situation in many countries like HK and there is little to no checks. The attitude is basically: Consider yourself lucky we employ you, it's better than the shithole you come from so anything goes and if you're not happy, we'll ship you back.

Yeah, I like to think our helper gets a better deal than most. We hired her after she had been with another family for 8 years and she gets a higher wage and seems to have a lighter workload now. Her room is decent/normal sized, although there isn't a separate toilet. We don't leave her a pile of dishes and whatnot on Monday since we feel she shouldn't be responsible for the mess on her day off. Overall it seems to work for all of us, and that's the main thing.

[East_coast]

The only shortage is that of decent employers.Having a DH should be seen as a privilege not a right.

The minimum wage for DH should be at least doubled. All the terms of a standard DH contract should be enforceable and live out shouLd be officialLy endorsed with contractual requirements for employers to pay live out rates plus expenses plus 10 per cent. Oh and while we are at it a maximum hours per day should be added.

The minimum live in standards should also be enforced. If only there was a technology that you could take photos of living conditions get the employer and employee to sign with some sort of obligation requirement that it is reconfirmed each year. Some sort of simple software workflow application. Unfortunately it seems too difficult for developers to get it to work with HK Govs preferred operating system Facsimile 2.1 for non NSL matters.

[hullexile]

The minimum live in standards should also be enforced. If only there was a technology that you could take photos of living conditions get the employer and employee to sign with some sort of obligation requirement that it is reconfirmed each year. Some sort of simple software workflow application. Unfortunately it seems too difficult for developers to get it to work with HK Govs preferred operating system Facsimile 2.1 for non NSL matters.

You could even send the photos by fax

And enforce all the other laws with stiff penalties and significant compensation to the helper

[East_coast]

You could even send the photos by fax

And enforce all the other laws with stiff penalties and significant compensation to the helper

I don't think the penalties need to be very stiff. If minimum standards not met people should be barred from employing a domestic helper and compensation paid to the current employee for poor quality living conditions.

The problem really is a lack of land released for residential use driving people to make bad choices.