Overview The
Philippines was one of the first countries to send workers through the
foreign domestic helper program beginning in the 1970's. This allowed helpers to work for a single employer, working for at least a minimum allowable wage. Most of these workers were mothers, grandmothers or eldest daughters, working to save money for their children, seeking better living standards with higher wages than in the Philippines. According to
CNN, Filipino migrant workers are legally required to live in their employers' homes. Because Hong Kong does not have laws limiting the maximum working hours per day or week, workers can perform tasks for as long as sixteen hours a day six days a week. Filipino domestic workers report that their families back home make demands for money and have unrealistic ideas about finance, but, many state their main responsibility is to provide for their families through migration. They are also labelled as "apathetic" about Hong Kong in addition to being poor and uneducated from a "backwards country."
Sundays According to
The Guardian, migrant workers have been congregating on their one day off each week since the 1980s. Sundays are a lifeline for Filipino workers, giving them the ability to rest, run errands for themselves, and to recreationally enjoy activities such as picnics and dances. They are also able to use their free time to join protests.
The 2019–20 Hong Kong Protests affected on the Filipino community. In 2019, many Filipino domestic workers voiced their opinions on the protest. Some expressed their sympathies towards the protestors, because many protestors grew up in households where these workers had taken care of them growing up. Many have supported the protest, disagreeing with the proposed extradition bill, and even joining peaceful marches throughout Hong Kong. Others however, have expressed their reluctance to support because of the work and visa status in Hong Kong, concerns about losing their occupation, the relocation of employers because of the impeded violence, and their overall safety. Psychologist Nelson Yeung suggests that workers are subjugated to anxiety and mental exhaustion due to the increase of responsibilities in the household as many public facilities are closed. There is also an increase of fear for the loss of jobs during the pandemic, yet some workers are grateful to still have employment. Filipino domestic workers would seek emotional and material support from others in the community, but due to the pandemic, opportunities to publicly gather on Sundays are reduced. ==Community life==