Creating a positive and supportive environment for domestic workers is crucial for their well-being, especially in Hong Kong where many face unique challenges. Below are strategies employers can adopt to ensure fair treatment, support, and respect for their domestic workers:
1. Enforcing Reasonable Work Hours and Breaks
Domestic workers in Hong Kong often work long hours, sometimes being on-call 24/7. While Hong Kong law mandates a 24-hour rest period each week, employers should go beyond this by incorporating breaks during the day and ensuring that the work schedule allows time for rest. Encouraging workers to fully utilise their day off by attending community gatherings, social activities, or spending time with friends can prevent burnout and promote mental well-being.
2. Allowing Communication with Family
Being separated from family for long periods can be emotionally taxing for domestic workers. Regular communication with loved ones is critical for maintaining emotional health. Employers should ensure that domestic workers are given ample opportunities to communicate with their families through phone or video calls. These moments of connection can provide emotional relief, reduce homesickness, and foster a sense of belonging.
3. Providing Personal Space and Privacy
One of the most important aspects of treating domestic workers with dignity is ensuring they have personal space. Many workers in Hong Kong do not have private rooms, which can add to their sense of isolation. Employers should make every effort to provide a comfortable and private area where workers can rest. Even if a private room isn’t available, allocating space for storage, sleep, and personal activities is essential for their well-being.
Establishing clear boundaries is also key to maintaining mutual respect. Employers should discuss privacy concerns, such as whether it’s acceptable for the worker to take photos of children or share family-related information. These open dialogues help foster an environment of trust and respect.
4. Addressing Emotional and Mental Well-Being
The emotional well-being of domestic workers is often overlooked, yet many struggle with homesickness, isolation, and the pressures of demanding work environments. Employers should be mindful of these challenges and offer support by encouraging workers to join social groups, attend religious services, or participate in activities during their time off. Social interaction and support networks play a significant role in alleviating loneliness.
Additionally, organisations like HELP for Domestic Workers provide free 1:1 and group counselling through their MeHeal programme, which can be an invaluable resource for workers in need of emotional support.
5. Protecting Against Mistreatment
Overwork, constant on-call duties, and unfair treatment are serious issues some domestic workers face. Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure fair treatment, which includes not only adhering to the 24-hour rest day mandate but also respecting the domestic worker’s time off by not assigning tasks during this period. Ensuring fair compensation for work done, adhering to the Minimum Allowable Wage, and avoiding unnecessary overtime demands are ways to prevent exploitation.
Additionally, it’s important to provide a work environment that safeguards the domestic worker’s mental and physical health. Simple gestures like appreciation, respect, and recognising their contributions can help workers feel valued and respected.
6. Supporting Their Future Goals
Many domestic workers sacrifice time with their families to provide financial support for their children’s education and future. Employers should appreciate these sacrifices and support their workers in their personal development. Giving them the time and opportunity to pursue self-care, education, or skill development can significantly impact their long-term prospects.
HELP’s Helping Hands Programme offers training on the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers, while the HELP Circle Programme empowers them to become advocates for their own community, giving them the knowledge and confidence to protect their rights.
7. Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Working Environment
Employers should go beyond legal requirements by providing comprehensive health insurance for their domestic workers. Regular health checks, including screenings for breast cancer, pap smears, dental check-ups, and general wellness visits, help ensure the long-term health of the worker.
Maintaining a safe and healthy working environment isn’t just about physical safety—it’s also about supporting the worker’s overall well-being. Encouraging workers to undertake regular health screenings is a sign of care and responsibility from the employer.
8. Respecting Privacy and Boundaries
Privacy is an essential aspect of human dignity, and domestic workers are entitled to the same level of respect. Open dialogue about privacy and boundaries should be encouraged, covering topics such as whether workers can take photos of their employers’ children or the appropriate times to make personal calls. Employers who engage in these conversations openly and respectfully create a more harmonious working relationship.
9. Promoting Inclusivity and Equality
Employers should strive to create an inclusive work environment that respects the domestic worker’s religion, sexual orientation, and cultural background. In addition to complying with Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination laws, employers can foster inclusivity by celebrating cultural differences and acknowledging the unique perspectives their domestic workers bring.
This respectful environment promotes a healthier workplace where domestic workers feel seen and appreciated for who they are as individuals, not just as employees.
10. Ensuring Legal Compliance
Employers and domestic workers alike must be fully aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. For employers, this means complying with Hong Kong’s labour laws, ensuring fair wages, reasonable working hours, and providing a safe work environment. For domestic workers, understanding their rights, including their right to rest days, fair pay, and protection from mistreatment, is critical to ensuring they are treated fairly.
HELP’s HELPLine Programme is available to answer queries on labour laws, loans, agency issues, immigration concerns, and other matters, ensuring both parties have access to the support they need.
For more information, employers and domestic workers can contact HELP for Domestic Workers:
- Phone: 2523 4020
- WhatsApp: 5936 3780
- Website: HELP for Domestic Workers
Creating a positive and supportive environment for domestic workers requires employers to go beyond minimum legal obligations. Through clear communication, empathy, and a commitment to fair treatment, employers can significantly improve the quality of life for their domestic workers. By addressing their workers’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being, employers foster a respectful relationship that benefits both parties, ensuring a safe and dignified working environment for everyone involved.