Hong Kong is expecting around 2.37 million population aged 65 years old and older by 2036 from 1.16 million in 2016.
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With this, it said that the city-state will be needing around 600,000 domestic helpers in the next three decade to care for their elderly.
But due to complicated hiring policies of Hong Kong, it may face shortage on the demand due to better wages offered to domestic workers from mainland China.
According to Dr. Law Chik-kwong, Hong Kong, secretary for Labour and Welfare needs a fresh wave of 240, 000 domestic helpers in the next three decades to take care of the rapidly aging population.
He said this demand may not meet as mainland opens the opportunity to workers from the Philippines. He warned that if wages for a domestic helper on the mainland were double compared in Hong Kong, half of 190,000 Filipino helpers would leave to seek work across the border.
According to report, China is planning to hire Filipino workers for HK$15,500 a month. The amount is four times higher compared to minimum wage for domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
He said this demand may not meet as mainland opens the opportunity to workers from the Philippines. He warned that if wages for a domestic helper on the mainland were double compared in Hong Kong, half of 190,000 Filipino helpers would leave to seek work across the border.
According to report, China is planning to hire Filipino workers for HK$15,500 a month. The amount is four times higher compared to minimum wage for domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
As of now, only foreigners, as well as people from Hong Kong and Macau, are allowed to hire foreign domestic helpers in some mainland cities.
With this, they are exploring the possibilities of hiring the bulk of domestic helpers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
They are also looking for possibilities of hiring from Vietnam, in spite of concern and hesitation regarding illegal Vietnamese immigrants in the city.
Currently, there are 360,000 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, but according to Law due to an aging population, 30 years from now, the demand will grow up to 600,000. It means, additional 240,000 foreign domestic helpers are needed for elderly care.
Source: South China Morning Post
With this, they are exploring the possibilities of hiring the bulk of domestic helpers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
They are also looking for possibilities of hiring from Vietnam, in spite of concern and hesitation regarding illegal Vietnamese immigrants in the city.
Currently, there are 360,000 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, but according to Law due to an aging population, 30 years from now, the demand will grow up to 600,000. It means, additional 240,000 foreign domestic helpers are needed for elderly care.
Source: South China Morning Post
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