Talks needed to clear air over extra fees for Indonesian helpers in Hong Kong
- Placement costs are a concern for both Hong Kong employers and workers, and cast a shadow over the city’s relations with an important trading partner
Foreign domestic helpers are the backbone of Hong Kong’s workforce – cleaning and cooking as well as caring for children, the elderly and pets.
Their efforts support more than 300,000 households, allowing Hongkongers to take jobs that added about US$12.6 billion to the economy in 2018, according to the latest research.
So, it is worrying to hear about the apparent mishandling of the recruitment of helpers from Indonesia, a main source of such workers. Recruitment agencies are accused of failing to comply with Jakarta’s rules requiring employers, rather than helpers, to pay placement fees.
Indonesian agencies warned last Wednesday that Jakarta would stop processing applications that did not adhere to the regulations, amended in 2020 and last year, to reduce indebtedness among workers.
Helpers in Hong Kong are now required to pay only for their training, and employers have to shoulder full recruitment costs of up to HK$20,000.
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An official from the Indonesian recruitment association Aspataki said there was “still confusion”, with only some experienced workers and few employers or agencies in the city aware of the update.
There is no penalty for non-compliance, but Jakarta says it may stop sending domestic workers here.
Recruitment agencies have opposed the regulations, raising concerns about employers who are unable to afford the extra placement costs.
The several thousand dollars in additional fees are no small amount for families on lower incomes. Hiring a helper does allow both parents to work, and elderly employers often seek those from Indonesia, who are known for their skills in Cantonese.
Authorities want to know whether the city is the only target of the new measures and are seeking assurances that they will not burden employers or diminish opportunities for helpers.
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Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said he would meet the Indonesian consul general about the issue.
Indonesian workers are also understandably concerned and they have urged the governments in Hong Kong and Jakarta to standardise training for helpers to minimise potential disputes with employers.
One workers’ group said bosses may expect recruits to do more after being asked to pay higher fees.
It is embarrassing that Indonesian officials had to point out the overdue compliance so soon after a Hong Kong delegation visited Jakarta to strengthen ties with an important trading partner.
Officials should quickly enter good-faith negotiations to establish a clear position on strategies and bargaining points. The Hong Kong government’s reputation is at stake. The fee policy debate must not snowball into a larger diplomatic issue.
