Essay On Foreign Domestic Helpers

Foreign domestic helpers are workers or housemaids originating from another country employed by the people living in Hong Kong, mostly families. More than 300,000 foreign domestic helpers are working in Hong Kong at the moment. The majority of these domestic workers leave their home country such as Philippines and Indonesia due to insufficient job opportunities available, which forces them to put their family and friends behind in order to support their family by working as domestic helpers.

Most of these domestic workers live with their employers and perform basic housework such as cleaning and cooking.

Due to differences such part time and full time working, food allowances and such, domestic helpers are paid in various ways and amount.

For instance female or younger employees. Therefore by having a minimum wage, this will eliminate the effects of discrimination of poorly paid employees.

Increase productivity: One of the theories of minimum wage is that higher wages will make the workers work harder and therefore increase labor productivity.

Reduce poverty: Minimum wage also aim to reduce relative poverty as it will increase the wages of the poorly paid workers. Increased income may also help to improve the standard of living for these workers.

Increased investment : One of the disadvantages of minimum wage is that it will increase the cost of production for firms, therefore firms may try to look for and invest in alternative methods for production such as machinery.

Although most governments have established its minimum wage within its country, many people especially economists may argue that minimum wage has its disadvantages as well.

Competitiveness and Jobs: If labour markets are relatively competitive, by establishing a minimum wage, there is a possibility that firms may lay off workers since labor will be more expensive which will increase the cost of