As previously mentioned, foreign domestic helpers are the major type of informal care workers. In 2018, they consisted of 5.2% of the Hong Kong population as well as 9.7% of the labour force (Census and Statistics Department, 2019j). Nevertheless, it is important to note that the admission policy of foreign domestic helpers of Hong Kong does not allow those helpers to permanently migrate to Hong Kong even if they continuously reside in Hong Kong for more than 7 years (i.e., the main eligibility criteria for the right of abode in Hong Kong). Their period of stay is always subjected to the employment contract. Regarding their home country, Philippines (54%) and Indonesia (44%) have been the major sources of supply of informal care workers. The remaining foreign domestic helpers come from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (2%) (Legislative Council Secretariat, 2017).

References:

Census and Statistics Department. (2019j). Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics 2019 Edition. Hong Kong Retrieved from https://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11303032019AN19B0100.pdf

Legislative Council Secretariat. (2017). Research Brief Issue No. 4 2016 – 2017: Foreign domestic helpers and evolving care duties in Hong Kong. . Hong Kong: Legislative Council Secretariat, HKSAR Retrieved from https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1617rb04-foreign-domestic-helpers-and-evolving-care-duties-in-hong-kong-20170720-e.pdf.