Many Filipino maids looking for job opportunities in Hong Kong would usually inquire from our agency if we have Western employers available. Why do Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong prefer Western employers?

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.

But out of curiosity, I usually interview those Filipino maids why they want to work for Western employers more than the Chinese employers in Hong Kong. They said that the former tend to be more understanding and generous in terms of compensation compared with the latter.

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.

Based on the study, it has been found that Western employers tend to provide their filipino domestic helpers with easier and comfortable work environment. Western employers were found to be more considerate and are more likely to treat their domestic helpers equally and allow them more personal space, thus giving the helpers more work satisfaction.

Lastly, in terms of variations in treatment of maids, Western employers are more homogeneous and they tend to concentrate on the positive side. On the other hand, Chinese employers are more diversified. There is no single pattern on how they treat their Filipino maids. This is a basis why Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong prefer Western employers.