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Labor Code of 1974
Then-Filipino president Marcos implements a law that encourages Filipinos to migrate and work abroad and send remittances back home in order to boost the Filipino economy and reduce unemployment rates. -
China's "opening up" reform
As China undergoes economic reforms, Hong Kong moves its labor-intensive industries to the Mainland and faces a shortage of skilled workers in the colony. Mobilization of its local female workforce becomes necessary to build up the service sector and thus, HK Government permits foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to work in Hong Kong to meet shortage of local full-time domestic helpers -
Period: to
Demand for FDHs increases steadily
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Asian Financial Crisis 1997
Indonesia and Thailand follow the Philippines’ model of exporting labor and some immigrate as foreign domestic helpers to Hong Kong. -
Majority of domestic helpers are Filipina
At the end of 2001, the Hong Kong Population Census reports that there were 126’305 Filipina domestic helpers compared to 45’694 Indonesian domestic helpers. -
Indonesian domestic helpers surpass Filipinos
At the end of 2011, the Hong Kong Population Census reports that Indonesian domestic helpers outnumber their Filipina counterparts with a record 130’115 Indonesian domestic helpers and 117’529 Filipina domestic helpers. During our research, we found out that many Filipina domestic helers will use Hong Kong as a stop over to gain working experience before migrating to Canada, where they seek a better life. -
Abuse case of Kartika
Reports surface of an Indonesian maid that was beaten and abused by her employers and eventually, tied to a chair, left without food and forced to wear a diaper while employers go on vacation. -
Abuse case of Erwiana
Another Indonesian maid, who was brutally abused and tortured by female employer for several months. She escaped and travelled back to Indonesia, where she is now being hospitalized.
