Harsh Realities of Immigrant Workers in Hong Kong

Today John Gravely took us around Hong Kong. He was an American Baptist missionary for 9 years and now works for Central. In the subway areas, there were a lot of Filipino and Malay women sitting around together, talking and laughing. John told us that these women were live-in domestic helpers. Their day off is Sunday, and therefore they are required to leave where they live. They congregate in parks, subway sidewalks, etc. They will be outside on Sundays all year long, subject to weather elements.

While John said some of their employers were kind and allowed women to stay at their homes on their day off, many were not. Their wages are such that they cannot afford housing (even temporary), and are often outside until 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.

I know some Hong Kong Christians reach out to these domestic laborers. Hong Kong Christians, while a small percentage of Hong Kong as a whole, have a prominent influence with regard to education and social services. I wonder how Christians in the United States can partner with what Hong Kong Christians and churches are already doing to provide these women with some kind of shelter, even if it is in the winter months, on their days off.