Filipina domestic workers have contributed significantly to solving the caregiving gap in Hong Kong, thus benefiting the local economy. Yet, the research on career mobility of this population during the contract periods in Hong Kong remains open. This study was a thematic analysis of first-hand qualitative interviews to investigate their career mobility within Hong Kong, and the features associated with their decision-making about employment choices. It also explores how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced their working conditions, job satisfaction, outside options, and employment decisions.

The main findings are the following. Firstly, when they first arrive in Hong Kong, Filipina domestic workers face an inevitable commodification and loss of initiative due to a compromise on...[ Read more ]

Filipina domestic workers have contributed significantly to solving the caregiving gap in Hong Kong, thus benefiting the local economy. Yet, the research on career mobility of this population during the contract periods in Hong Kong remains open. This study was a thematic analysis of first-hand qualitative interviews to investigate their career mobility within Hong Kong, and the features associated with their decision-making about employment choices. It also explores how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced their working conditions, job satisfaction, outside options, and employment decisions.

The main findings are the following. Firstly, when they first arrive in Hong Kong, Filipina domestic workers face an inevitable commodification and loss of initiative due to a compromise on time and money, pressure from employment agencies, and the fact that Hong Kong offers a stepping stone to work abroad in wage attractive destinations. Secondly, after entering Hong Kong, they gain access to multiple employment channels and gradually develop clearer job selection criteria. Notably, they reported a hierarchy of criteria–where a good employer-employee relationship comes first, followed by decent working conditions of basic needs like a private room, and freedom over food choices and quantity, with salary as the last consideration. Thirdly, despite accessibility to employment channels and knowledge, they make their initial choice of employer primarily based on intuition. After working and living with the family, they begin to form a holistic judgment of the employers. Lastly, their short-term decisions of whether to continue or terminate contracts are driven by whether their survival conditions are guaranteed or not. In comparison, the long-term decision to renew the contract or leave the family depends on whether they are treated as workers with respect in the employment relationship and feel a sense of belonging in the family.