It’s a mandated by law that domestic workers in Hong Kong are granted days off so they can spend time on other matters besides their usual daily routine.
This includes attending church services, send remittance money to family, or spend time with friends at the park, beach or wherever convenient and enjoyable.
However, spending time outdoors can also be expensive. At the moment you board any means of transport, you already spend your hard-earned dollars. What’s more, summers in Hong Kong can be hot and humid so if going out was intended for relaxation, the weather may not be so cooperative.
In short, there are instances when domestic workers would prefer to stay indoors at the comfort of their own rooms during their days off.
That’s easier said than done for some helpers whose overzealous employers expect more privacy within the family — that means no helper is around at home. In other cases, helpers are not permitted to stay indoors because they
This is the case of Bhel, a married Filipina helper who hails from Western Visayas. She lives with her Chinese employer in Tai Wai, Hong Kong.
Noticing that the helper stayed at home on her day off, the employer knocked on her room.
“Bhel, it’s your day off, you need to go out. If you don’t go out, you need to pay me for using your room during your day-off,” says her employer.
Maybe it’s a rare occasion that an employer would wish their helper to stay outdoors.
On many instances, employers like their helpers stay at home during days off because sometimes they ask small favors such as look after the children or wash the dishes.
No wonder many helpers at the end of their day off stay just outside their estate blocks and wait until the curfew hours before heading upstairs.