香港的国内帮手工资危机：剥削

香港的国内助手面临工资危机，尽管经济贡献至关重要，但工资停滞，债务束缚和剥削，破坏了他们的福祉。

Hong Kong's reliance on foreign domestic helpers is well-known, but the grim reality behind their contributions is often overlooked. These workers, predominantly women, prop up the city's economy while facing stagnant wages and exploitative conditions. The situation has reached a critical point, demanding immediate attention and systemic reform.

香港对外国国内助手的依赖是众所周知的，但是他们贡献背后的严峻现实经常被忽视。这些工人，主要是妇女，在面对停滞的工资和剥削条件的同时，促进了城市的经济。情况达到了关键点，要求立即关注和系统性改革。

The Stark Reality: Low Wages and High Costs

鲜明的现实：低工资和高成本

The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions has been vocal about the "hungry and malnourished" conditions many helpers face due to current government policies. Despite generating an estimated HK$989 billion annually for Hong Kong's economy, domestic helpers struggle to make ends meet. Their minimum wage of HK$4,990, coupled with a HK$1,236 food allowance, barely covers basic needs, especially when adjusted for inflation. As Phobsuk Gasing, chairwoman of the Federation, aptly puts it, "Token adjustments are insulting almsgiving."

亚洲家庭工会的香港联合会一直对“饥饿和营养不良”的条件发声，许多助手由于当前的政府政策而面临。尽管估计每年为香港的经济产生989亿港元，但国内助手仍在努力维持生计。他们的最低工资为4,990港元，再加上1,236港元的食品津贴，几乎不能满足基本需求，尤其是在适应通货膨胀时。正如联邦主席Phobsuk Gasing恰当地说：“象征性的调整正在侮辱施舍”。

Debt Bondage and Predatory Practices

债务束缚和掠夺性实践

Wage is not the only problem. Many domestic helpers are trapped in a cycle of debt due to exorbitant agency fees. A staggering 83% of helpers carry debt, a rate three times higher than in Singapore. Many are forced to pay illegal commissions, sometimes exceeding 10% of their first-month wages. The financial strain begins even before they start working, with some helpers like Maricel (anonymized for privacy) needing to spend months repaying loans before earning a single penny.

工资不是唯一的问题。由于高昂的代理费用，许多国内助手被困在债务周期中。惊人的83％的助手承担债务，比新加坡高三倍。许多人被迫支付非法佣金，有时超过其第一个月工资的10％。金融压力甚至在他们开始工作之前就开始了，像Maricel（匿名为隐私）这样的帮助者需要花几个月的时间偿还贷款，然后才能赚取一分钱。

Policy Priorities and Systemic Issues

政策优先和系统问题

The root of the problem lies in government policies that prioritize "employer affordability" over ensuring a living wage for domestic helpers. This approach, dating back to colonial-era calculations, has created a system where a significant portion of households, including those with dual incomes below the median wage, rely on affordable domestic help. However, this affordability comes at the expense of the helpers' well-being and fair compensation.

问题的根源在于政府政策优先考虑“雇主负担能力”，而不是确保对家庭助手的生活工资。这种方法可以追溯到殖民时代的计算，它创建了一个系统，其中很大一部分家庭（包括低于中位工资的双重收入的家庭）依靠负担得起的家庭帮助。但是，这种负担能力是以助手的福祉和公平赔偿为代价的。

The Economic Impact and Demographic Consequences

经济影响和人口后果

The undervaluation of domestic helpers' labor has far-reaching consequences. Local studies reveal that many families outsource childcare and elderly care, with employers spending minimal time on these responsibilities themselves. Furthermore, the low wages and poor working conditions are deterring workers from choosing Hong Kong as their destination. As source countries like Indonesia prioritize markets with fairer conditions, Hong Kong faces a potential shortage of domestic helpers, especially as its aging population requires more support.

低估国内助手的劳动会产生深远的后果。本地研究表明，许多家庭外包托儿和老年护理，雇主本身花费很少的时间。此外，低工资和较差的工作条件正在阻止工人选择香港作为目的地。随着像印度尼西亚这样的来源国家对市场的优先级，香港面临着潜在的国内助手的短缺，尤其是因为其衰老人口需要更多的支持。

Breaking the Cycle: Reforms Needed

打破周期：需要改革

To address this crisis, systemic reforms are essential. An immediate wage increase to HK$6,500 is a crucial step towards providing basic sustenance. Agency fee caps, aligned with Singapore's model, are necessary to eliminate exploitative practices. Mandatory rest provisions should also be implemented to prevent exhaustion and injuries among helpers. Ultimately, recognizing the value of domestic helpers' labor and ensuring their fair treatment is not just a matter of social justice but also vital for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity.

为了解决这一危机，系统改革至关重要。立即增加6,500港元是提供基本寄托的关键步骤。与新加坡模型保持一致的代理费用上限是消除剥削实践的必要条件。还应实施强制性的休息条款，以防止助手之间的疲惫和伤害。最终，认识到国内助手劳动的价值并确保公平对待不仅是社会正义问题，而且对香港的长期繁荣也至关重要。

So, next time you're sipping your latte in Central, remember the women who make it all possible. It's time Hong Kong steps up and gives these incredible individuals the respect and compensation they deserve. Otherwise, those Sunday gatherings of helpers might just become a permanent fixture of the city's conscience.

因此，下次您在中央饮用拿铁咖啡时，请记住那些使一切成为可能的女人。现在是时候香港加紧努力，给这些令人难以置信的人以应有的尊重和赔偿。否则，那些助手的周日聚会可能只是成为城市良心的永久性。