Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn
A new pilot scheme to bring in foreign domestic carers for the elderly to deal with an ageing population could disrupt Hong Kong’s existing helper market, driving up wages and putting care beyond the reach of low-income older residents, some employers and agencies have warned. They said the measure, announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in his policy address on Wednesday, was likely to…
A new pilot scheme to address Hong Kong's ageing population by importing foreign domestic carers could inadvertently disrupt the current helper market, employers have warned. The measure, announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, is expected to raise wages for carers, potentially pushing prices beyond the reach of low-income residents who rely on such assistance.
The minimum wage for helpers under the pilot scheme would be 10 to 20 per cent higher than that for existing helpers, currently set at HK$5,100 (US$654) per month. The Hong Kong Employers of Domestic Helpers Association's Betty Yung Ma Shan-yee expressed concern that the scheme might only benefit the well-off, leaving low-income families unable to afford care.
She questioned the need for a separate category of workers, noting that about 30% of Hong Kong's 378,000 foreign domestic helpers already care for the elderly. Existing helpers might be forced to demand higher pay or leave the profession to apply for the new roles, adding to families' financial burdens. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun Yuk-han, dismissed these concerns, stating that helpers seeking to switch to the new role would have to return to their home countries for training and meet additional requirements before returning to work in Hong Kong.
Thomas Chan Tung-fung, chairman of the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies, predicted that carers admitted under the new scheme would earn more, citing the additional skills required for elderly care. However, he acknowledged that it could lead to unequal pay for equal work, prompting some helpers to demand a pay rise or quit the industry.
The Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions, led by Phobsuk Gasing, emphasized the need to recognize current helpers' skills through better wages, rather than creating a new scheme. Despite the concerns, experts and NGOs acknowledge the potential benefits of the scheme in meeting elderly care needs, but urge the government to provide support for low-income families who might struggle to afford carers under the new system.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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