Filipino Maids HK - Why Filipino Maids Prefer Western Employers
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Most Filipino maids in Hong Kong would prefer Western employers over Chinese employers. Whenever they inquire from our employment agency for job opportunities, they are more likely to ask, “Do you have Western employers available?”
Our employment agency caters to an international market. We receive inquiries from expatriates who need domestic helpers from time to time which results from our internet marketing endeavor.
Out of my curiousity, I often ask why filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong prefer to work with Western employers rather than Chinese employers. It is interesting to note that the former tends to be more understanding and are willing to pay higher than the minimum salary set by the Hong Kong government.
A study has been conducted by Chinese University of Hong Kong on how maids in Hong Kong are treated by their employers. Comparisons between Western and Chinese employers on their treatment of Filipina helpers are done in consideration of four major areas namely atmosphere of work environment, consideration, socio-psychological distance and personal space.
The data were based on in-depth and structured interviews of Filipino helpers who have served both types of employers. A few Western and Chinese employers were also interviewed.
The results of the study indicate that the Filipino maids, in general, are more satisfied with their Western employers, who tend to provide them with easier and more comfortable work environment, over their Chinese employers. Their Western employers are also more considerate and are more likely to treat them equally, allowing them more personal space.
With the treatment of Filipino maids, homogeneity of expectations, attitudes and actions is also a trait of Western employers, as the study shows. Unlike the Chinese employers who are more detailed in expectations and diversified, Western employers tend to concentrate, generally, on the positive side. To sum it up, Filipino maids are more likely to know what Western employers are expecting of them and how they would be treated versus the Chinese whose treatment would greatly vary from one employer to the other.
