Each year, many Filipinos make the difficult decision to leave their homes and families in search of better income abroad.
Among the most common destinations is Hong Kong, attractive for its higher wages, proximity to the Philippines, and a strong network of fellow Filipino workers. For domestic helpers, it offers the promise of financial stability, but the day-to-day reality is often far more complicated than expected.
But behind the facade of opportunity lies a harsher truth. Some domestic helpers are living in conditions that many would find unthinkable—forced to sleep in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, or even storage rooms, without privacy or comfort.
While this isn’t the case for every employer, it is a reality that too many helpers have to endure.
Cramped housing and shared space
One major factor that contributes to this situation is Hong Kong’s infamous housing crisis. With sky-high rents and limited space, even middle-class families often live in apartments no larger than 400 to 600 square feet.
In these tight living quarters, accommodating a full-time live-in helper becomes a challenge.
Under Hong Kong law, foreign domestic helpers must live in their employer’s residence. This “live-in” rule was implemented to protect helpers from being exploited by working multiple jobs.
However, in practice, it means helpers are squeezed into the smallest, most inconvenient parts of the house—on the floor next to the washing machine, in kitchens, or behind curtains separating them from the rest of the home.
According to surveys and reports from NGOs like Mission for Migrant Workers and Justice Centre Hong Kong, many helpers do not have a proper bedroom. Some are not even given a bed, sleeping instead on thin mattresses, foldable mats, or couches.
Why does this continue to happen?
There are several factors at play:
1. Lack of regulation enforcement
While Hong Kong law states that employers must provide “suitable accommodation (PDF, page 4),” the term is vague and open to interpretation. As long as the employer can argue that the helper has a place to sleep and some degree of privacy, it’s often accepted—even if the conditions are far from humane.
2. Economic pressure
Some employers genuinely cannot afford a larger home, yet still need help caring for children, elderly relatives, or maintaining the household while working full-time jobs. In their view, hiring a helper is a necessity, and the sacrifice of comfort—on the part of the helper—is simply part of the arrangement.
3. Cultural and social norms
Unfortunately, there remains a social hierarchy in many households, where helpers are not viewed as equal members of the family. This mindset leads some employers to feel justified in assigning substandard living spaces to their helpers.
The emotional and physical toll on helpers
Sleeping in a kitchen or storage room is not just uncomfortable—it affects one’s health and dignity. Helpers in such situations often face:
- Sleep deprivation from bright lights, heat, or lack of quiet
- Poor ventilation, leading to respiratory issues
- Lack of privacy, which affects mental health and emotional well-being
- Exposure to danger, especially when sleeping near electrical appliances or chemical cleaning products
This environment can lead to long-term physical problems, stress, and a feeling of dehumanisation.
How domestic helpers cope and adjust
Despite these hardships, many helpers show remarkable resilience. Here are some ways they try to cope:
Building emotional support networks
Filipino helpers often form tight-knit communities in Hong Kong. Sunday gatherings in Central, church groups, online forums, and support from NGOs provide comfort, friendship, and guidance. Talking with others who understand the same struggles can ease the emotional burden.
Knowing your rights
Awareness is powerful. Helpers who educate themselves about their legal rights such as entitlements to rest days, humane treatment, and fair living conditions are better equipped to speak up or seek help when needed. Organisations like Mission for Migrant Workers and the Philippine Consulate offer assistance in legal or abusive situations.
Setting healthy boundaries
Some helpers quietly endure poor conditions to keep their jobs, but others find ways to respectfully communicate their needs to employers. With careful and calm conversations, some employers are open to small compromises, like adding curtains, fans, or letting the helper sleep earlier without disruptions.
Planning for the future
Many helpers endure harsh conditions with the mindset that their sacrifices will pay off in the future. Saving for a small business, children’s education, or building a home back in the Philippines helps give meaning to their everyday struggles.
What needs to change
To make a real difference, action is needed from both the Hong Kong government and society as a whole.
Stronger regulations and inspections
Clearer definitions of “suitable accommodation” and regular inspections could prevent the most extreme cases.
Education for employers
Encouraging employers to see their helpers as individuals with human rights, not just workers, can shift attitudes.
Support from the Philippine government
Better pre-departure training and post-arrival monitoring can help protect helpers abroad.
A reminder of dignity
For many domestic helpers, sleeping in a kitchen is not a choice but a consequence of economic necessity and limited options. While they quietly wash dishes, care for children, and send money back home, they also deserve comfort, respect, and dignity.
Raising awareness of this issue among both Filipinos and non-Filipinos is the first step. These are not just stories, they are daily realities for real people, doing essential work under challenging conditions. As a global community, we must continue to listen, support, and push for change.