A recent survey conducted by the HK Helpers Campaign shows that 72 percent of foreign domestic workers interviewed in Central and Victoria Park prefer the term “domestic worker” to “domestic helper”.
According to organisations and activists, as well as the majority of the women questioned, the term “domestic helper” suggests an unequal, lower role than “worker”, despite its widespread use by the local media and the government.
Most domestic workers said they preferred the term “worker” because “helper” is degrading, and “worker” suggests more equality with the employer.
Some said they preferred “helper”, however, because it specifically refers to the role they played in the household. Those in this camp also stated that the term doesn’t have to be negative if you’re treated well by the family you work for.
Interestingly, a follow-up study found nearly all of those who preferred the term “helper” and who could provide a reason reported good experiences with their employers.
Many of those surveyed, however, dismissed the notion that the two terms are different at all.
Photo: Rex Pe via Flickr
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