What do you think Hong Kong would look like in a hypothetical scenario where there are no Filipino workers? Imagine, for some reason, there are no Filipinos in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) at all. This is purely a “what if” situation. For the sake of this scenario, let’s assume that the jobs left vacant by Filipinos won’t be filled by workers from other countries.
Labor shortage in domestic services
Filipino workers make up a significant portion of the domestic helper workforce. Without them, there would be a severe shortage in the availability of domestic workers, especially for elderly care and child-rearing. This will also have deeper repercussions in families and households that typically employ them:
- Children will have to be looked after by a parent or grandparent. This might mean mum and dad will have to give up his or her job.
- Housewives must learn how to budget HK$200 for a week’s food if this is what they hand over to their household helpers.
- Parents must learn how to care for babies for extended hours, and reduce time on other activities such as spending time on social media.
- Parents must spend more time tutoring their kids English, otherwise spend more money for a private tutor.
- Housewives or husbands must learn how to cook or end up spending time queueing at a popular restaurant.
- Husbands try to explore the web if there is an automatic way to clean the toilet bowl.
Impact on elderly care
Many elderly Hong Kong residents rely on Filipino caregivers. Without them, families might struggle to find workers with the same level of experience and dedication to elderly care. Hong Kong’s population is rapidly aging, with elderly numbers hit 29.1% of total population by 2033.
Without Filipino carers, the government must look for alternatives that might be much more expensive than the current setup.
Increase in labor costs
With a reduced labor pool, especially in domestic work, the demand for workers would likely push up wages for domestic helpers, making it more expensive for Hong Kong families to hire help.
Many families in Hong Kong rely on Filipino domestic workers to help with household chores and childcare. Without Filipino workers, families may need to hire more expensive local workers or even consider automation options, both of which could increase overall labor costs.
Strain on healthcare system
Filipino workers often fill critical roles in healthcare, including as caregivers in hospitals and private healthcare facilities. Their absence could cause gaps in staffing and strain the healthcare system. With fewer foreign workers available to take on caregiving roles, local healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses, aides) may be required to fill in, increasing their workload.
Service and other industry gaps
Many Filipino workers are employed in the hospitality and retail sectors. Without them, businesses in restaurants, hotels, and shops may struggle to maintain their level of service or face staff shortages. Hong Kong also employs a significant number of architects, interior designers, and engineers from the Philippines.
More than just skyscrapers, Hong Kong also takes pride in its beautiful landscape architecture and interior design. If there are fewer people who will work on these types of projects, the quality of work might be compromised or we might see less of these artistic works of art.
Social and cultural impact
Filipino workers contribute to the multicultural fabric of Hong Kong, and their absence would diminish the cultural diversity in the city. Events, community support networks, and social clubs would be less vibrant without their involvement.
Filipino workers play a key role in organizing and participating in Filipino cultural celebrations, festivals, and national holidays. Without them, these events might be less frequent or impactful, affecting the city’s cultural vibrancy.
Decrease in household productivity
Many families rely on Filipino workers to help with household chores, child care, and other duties. Without these workers, family members may have to take on these responsibilities themselves, reducing overall productivity and work-life balance.
Increase in foreign worker recruitment costs
Without Filipino workers, employers may turn to workers from other countries, which could lead to higher recruitment costs and increased competition for foreign labor.
Impact on Filipino communities abroad
Filipino workers in Hong Kong are often key to supporting their families back home. The absence of this workforce would disrupt financial support to families in the Philippines, impacting many households.
Loss of expertise in domestic work
Filipino workers are known for their high level of expertise in domestic work. Without them, employers may struggle to find workers with the same skills, work ethic, and experience.
Tourism and travel impact
Many Filipino workers in Hong Kong are involved in tourism-related services. Their absence could affect the experience of tourists and the overall tourism economy. With the absence of Filipino performers who comprise a good percentage of the entire Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean Park workforce, the man behind the Mickey Mouse mask may be commissioned to do acrobatic stunts to make up for lost entertainment packages.
Rise in employment competition
With fewer workers in certain sectors, local workers or foreign workers from other countries might fill in the gaps. This could increase competition for jobs, potentially leading to wage stagnation or even higher unemployment rates for locals.
Decline in Filipino-owned businesses
Many Filipino workers in Hong Kong support Filipino-owned businesses, such as restaurants, stores, and remittance centers. Without this workforce, these businesses may face economic hardship or closure. Worldwide House in Central will lose many of its current tenants. Ditto for Lidong Building, Yatfat Stationers, Sunny House, Lik Sang, Nan Fung, and other establishments where Filipino products or services are served.
There will be virtually no demand for services offered by money remittance centers, door-to-door delivery services, Pinoy food dealers, and many more. No one will buy Filipino delicacies that most Filipinos can afford to eat like daing or balut. Giordano and Bossini will have to adjust their marketing strategy to focus on other market segments.
Emotional and psychological impact
The loss of a trusted, dependable workforce may create emotional strain for both employers and employees who have relied on Filipino workers. Filipino workers form close bonds with families, and their absence could lead to feelings of stress and loss.
This is especially true to young and elderly people who receive long-term care from the same Filipino care worker.
Decrease in remittances to the Philippines
A significant portion of remittances from Filipino workers in Hong Kong supports the Philippine economy. Without these workers, the Philippines would experience a reduction in remittance inflows, which could negatively impact its economy and development.
Impact on Sunday church activities
Filipino workers are highly active in religious communities in Hong Kong. Without them, church services and other religious activities may face reduced participation, leading to a less vibrant faith community, particularly on Sundays.
You’ll notice that the choir is composed of mostly Filipinas.
- Church usherettes are mostly Filipinas.
- Church layperson who assists in communion are sometimes Filipinos.
- Church cleaners and decorators are most likely Filipinos.
- Church lectors and altar servers are sometimes Filipinos.
Less litter on Sundays
Filipino workers often congregate in public areas, especially on Sundays, during their days off. Without them, public spaces might experience less litter and less crowded areas, potentially altering the social landscape and atmosphere on weekends.
This will be a relief for the sanitation crew who are assigned to take the rubbish out of HSBC Headquarters in Central at 8 in the evening. Central will be much quieter too.
Closing of Philippine consular services
Filipino workers in Hong Kong frequently use consular services for various matters like passport renewals and documentation. The absence of this workforce could result in less demand for these services, potentially leading to a reduction in operational hours or even the temporary closure of consular offices.
Although jobs occupied by Filipinos can easily be replaced by those of other nationalities, the main point is that as Hong Kong progresses and establishes itself as a financial hub in Asia, behind the people who make this happen are those who work in the backstage. Filipinos are part of them as domestic helpers, architects, engineers, musicians, and other types of jobs that locals may not be willing or unable to do.