Financial and Social Well-being of Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong

The Center’s Director, Professor Albert Francis Park moderated a lively discussion involving Professor Sujata Visaria, Associate Professor of Economics at HKUST, Professor Lucy Porter Jordan, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong, Ms. Lucinda Pike, Executive Director of the NGO Enrich, and Mr. Roberto B. Mabalot, Jr., Vice Consul and Commercial Attache at the Philippine Consulate General.

Professor Visaria focused her remarks on her academic research on the financial constraints and choices of this population, emphasizing especially the financial demands from their social networks. Professor Jordan discussed the negative impact of prolonged separation from families, and highlighted that domestic workers have limited private space, with some even having restricted use of communications technology. Ms. Pike discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these stresses. She highlighted the role of Enrich’s financial empowerment workshops in changing workers’ financial behaviour. Mr. Mabalot described the Philippines government’s seminars and business funding opportunities, and emphasized the need to focus on investing in return migration and reintegration.