Uplifters, together with NGO serving MDW, met with the HK Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Written by
Adrien Guerrero
Last week, together with 18 organisations serving the Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) community and their employers, we joined a meeting with the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun and his team.
There are over 350,000 MDWs in Hong Kong today, who significantly contribute to our city. With a rapidly ageing population, it is anticipated our already heavy reliance on this community will significantly increase over the coming years.
Currently MDWs represent 10% of the labour force and are employed by some 13% of households. They enable many Hong Kongers – especially those with young children and elderly parents – to maintain dual income households. In 2018, MDWs were estimated to contribute 3.6% GDP. Recent research also suggests hiring a MDW facilitates the choice by many families to have a second child, which is important given our falling birth rate.
Our meeting presented a key opportunity to share, discuss and pave the way for future collaboration with the Labour Department on important areas of mutual interest – not only for the betterment of Hong Kong, but also towards enhancing mutual care and understanding, as the cornerstones of an amicable family and employment relationship.
There are over 350,000 MDWs in Hong Kong today, who significantly contribute to our city. With a rapidly ageing population, it is anticipated our already heavy reliance on this community will significantly increase over the coming years.
Currently MDWs represent 10% of the labour force and are employed by some 13% of households. They enable many Hong Kongers – especially those with young children and elderly parents – to maintain dual income households. In 2018, MDWs were estimated to contribute 3.6% GDP. Recent research also suggests hiring a MDW facilitates the choice by many families to have a second child, which is important given our falling birth rate.
Our meeting presented a key opportunity to share, discuss and pave the way for future collaboration with the Labour Department on important areas of mutual interest – not only for the betterment of Hong Kong, but also towards enhancing mutual care and understanding, as the cornerstones of an amicable family and employment relationship.
Asian Migrants Coordinating Body | Branches of Hope Ltd | Bethune House | Caritas AMP | Christian Action |EmpowerU | Enrich HK | Equal Justice 平義社 | Fair Employment Agency Limited | HelperChoice | HELP for Domestic Workers |Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU) | Justice Without Borders | Migrasia |Mission for Migrant Workers | Pangyao | PathFinders Hong Kong 融幼社 | TCK Learning Centre | Uplifters