Domestic Workers: How well do you treat them?

Most of the problems faced by domestic workers can be avoided if their rights are better understood. For a reality check, we have made a checklist so that you can assess how well to treat domestic workers. If they do more than three things on this list, then you mistreat workers and should consider doing things differently.

Note: This is a self-help test list, so please note these points as they will help in deciding how best to treat your workers.

When you or your family can’t find something at home, the first thing to think about is whether the domestic worker took it.

You think that your domestic worker is lucky to have a job in Hong Kong and do not pay more than the minimum legal wage, even when the worker is putting in so much hard work.

You or your family expects the domestic worker to always eat alone in the kitchen or room during meals.

You or your family members wake up your domestic worker at night, no matter what time of the day it is, for example, 2 or 3 in the morning.

When you or your family goes shopping with the employee, you let her carry all the bags, even if her hands are full and she’s in intense pain.

The domestic worker is made to sleep in the kitchen, storehouse or even on the bare floor.

How you treat your domestic worker physically, especially if the worker accidentally breaks something, or you deduct costs from their next salary.

Usually, you or your family members enter the domestic worker’s room without knocking, or you knock but open the door almost immediately without waiting for their permission.

You or your family members call/describe the domestic worker as “lazy”, “stupid” or “useless” in their absence, presence, or in front of others.

You or your family members have created a program for your domestic worker that is full of homework because you expect her to be busy and productive during the day.

How do you empower your worker(s)? According to the ILO, there are approximately 53 million domestic workers, and 83% of them are women. Training domestic workers are essential to protect them as they are sometimes overlooked and exploited.

Here are some ways to empower domestic workers:

Fair wages:
This is perhaps one of the biggest obstacles to empowering domestic workers, as they are prone to illegal working hours and low wages.

Skills development:
This goes beyond knowledge in one’s area but is attributed to personal growth and better participation in society.

Access to free (or reasonable) health services :
Household tasks are physically demanding and concern the body. It is an excellent key to improving the physical and mental well-being of domestic workers.

Appropriate hours of work :
Improves the quality of life and must comply with international labour laws and standards.

Access to financial aid and financial support :
Information on pension funds, life and funeral policies and access to family care services are essential for long-term planning and savings.

These and many more are things you can do to treat your domestic workers properly as well as empower them to be better and to lead better lives. Make sure you treat your helper like a human being, and you will receive a good experience in return.