Domestic workers in Hong Kong are forced to use cardboard boxes for shelter on their only day off due to restrictive housing rules. This situation highlights a troubling aspect of the wealth gap in one of the world’s richest cities, where thousands of women from the Philippines and Indonesia find themselves effectively homeless for the day.
According to recent reports, these domestic helpers are required by law to live in their employer’s residences, a ‘live-in’ rule that leaves them with few options when they are not working. On Sundays, their designated day off, many congregate in public areas, using cardboard boxes as makeshift shelters—an unsettling image that has gone viral.
A viral video captures women sitting and sleeping in large cardboard boxes scattered across parks and under bridges. The boxes provide a modicum of shelter, allowing them a brief escape from the demands of their employers and the city that relies heavily on their labor.
Rapha, an influencer who has drawn attention to this issue, referred to it as ‘The Invisible Labor Crisis’ of Hong Kong. She states, “Every Sunday, thousands of women from the Philippines and Indonesia are forced out of the luxury apartments they clean and the nurseries where they raise the city’s elite.” This stark contrast raises questions about how a society can thrive on such labor while neglecting those who sustain it.
These domestic workers congregate on bridges and in underpasses, building makeshift ‘rooms’ out of cardboard boxes just to find a shred of privacy from the eyes of a city that depends on them. Yet, despite their crucial role in maintaining households and caring for families, they remain invisible to many residents.
The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing wealth gap in Hong Kong. While some residents enjoy lavish lifestyles, others struggle for basic dignity and shelter. The plight of these women serves as a reminder of this disparity, raising awareness among those who may not have previously considered the conditions faced by domestic helpers.
As observers continue to highlight these issues, it remains unclear what concrete measures will be taken to address this crisis. Officials have not confirmed any plans for reforming housing regulations that affect domestic workers.
