By Dr. Kevin Lau
Recently, there was news about "Zero Placement Fee" for domestic helpers, and rumors suggest that Indonesia will introduce new measures where the administrative and recruitment fees of around HKD 5,000 for Indonesian domestic workers will be borne by the employers. This has caused concern among many employers. The original purpose of introducing foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong was to release labor within families, allowing them to pursue opportunities outside the home without having to worry about childcare and household chores, thereby contributing to economic prosperity.
Currently, Hong Kong faces a shortage of manpower in various industries, and many individuals have to give up job opportunities to take care of their children. To release this segment of the workforce, the government must ensure the provision of quality childcare services. When parents see their children receiving excellent care, they will feel assured and naturally seek employment opportunities to improve their family's economic situation. This cause-and-effect relationship is evident.
Not every family can afford or is willing to hire foreign domestic helpers, so the government can make good use of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) scattered throughout the community and subsidize them to provide diverse daycare services. Since the working hours and nature vary for adults, government-funded services should be diversified, including daycare centers, temporary childcare facilities, extended service hours, and even after-school care services, to cater to the needs of working parents, single-parent families, ethnic minority parents, and children with special learning needs.
In addition to NGOs, support from neighbors in terms of childcare can also contribute to this matter. In this regard, the government has already subsidized operating agencies to provide home-based care services, commonly known as "community nannies," for children under the age of 9. By the end of last year, nearly 1,800 community nannies were providing related services, with representatives in every district. Community nannies not only provide more flexible daycare services within neighborhoods but also enhance mutual assistance and care among community members, fostering a stronger network within the community. It's a win-win situation.
Furthermore, the government mentioned last month that it would launch a pilot scheme called the "School-based After School Care Service Pilot Scheme" on a trial basis, aiming to help families from disadvantaged backgrounds by allowing primary school students in need to stay in schools for supervised care and learning support after classes. It is reported that this program will be implemented in five districts: Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, and Kwai Tsing Tsuen Wan, with the participation of 50 primary schools and approximately 60 students per school. This initiative could benefit around 3,000 young children. If the parents of these primary school students are willing to join the workforce due to their children receiving proper childcare, it could inject at least 3,000 to 5,000 laborers into the local job market, helping alleviate the shortage of manpower in various industries.
I have come across a research report that indicates foreign domestic helpers have effectively alleviated women's childcare responsibilities during pregnancy and postpartum periods, playing a crucial role in increasing female labor force participation in Hong Kong. The released workforce ultimately enables these families to achieve higher incomes and improve their overall financial situation. I believe that by providing quality childcare services, we can achieve similar benefits. Therefore, the government should invest more effort in this area to unleash more labor force potential.
The author is a specialist in radiology with a Master of Public Health from the University of Hong Kong, and an adviser of Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Comment