Considerations When Hiring Foreign Domestic Helpers: Differences Between Filipino and Indonesian Helpers

Before hiring a foreign domestic helper, besides assessing your financial capability and accommodation arrangements, it is advisable to understand the background and characteristics of helpers from different nationalities. This knowledge can help you make an informed decision when hiring a helper through an agency or on your own. In this article, we objectively compare the main sources of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong—Filipino and Indonesian helpers—on various aspects. It's important to note that the quality and service of a helper largely depend on individual personality, attitude, and experience, and cannot be generalized. The following information serves as a reference before hiring a helper. If you decide to use an agency to hire a helper, please refer related articles - Things to Consider When Using Foreign Domestic Helpers Employment Agencies.

Comparison of Education Levels

The Philippines was once governed by the United States, making English one of the official languages. The education system in the Philippines follows the American model, resulting in a higher English proficiency among Filipinos compared to other nationalities. Many Filipino helpers even have college or university degrees. In contrast, most Indonesian helpers typically have only a secondary education and lower English proficiency. Employers should be prepared to spend more time teaching and adjusting if hiring an Indonesian helper who is working in Hong Kong for the first time, unless they have previous overseas experience.

Personality Traits

From our interactions with employers, many have noted that Filipino helpers tend to be smarter, likely due to their higher education level and the influence of American style of education, which makes them more outgoing. However, this also makes employers worried that they may pick up bad habits. With their higher education, Filipinos generally have more confidence and stronger opinions, making communication easier but potentially increasing conflicts with employers. On the other hand, Indonesian helpers, typically with lower education levels, tend to be more obedient but more passive. They are often more willing to learn Cantonese, which facilitates communication and can enhance their employability in the future.

Religious Beliefs and Taboos

Most Filipinos are Catholic, usually requesting Sundays off to attend church. Even non-religious Filipino helpers prefer having the same day off as most of their compatriots. Apart from this, there are few religious restrictions. Most Indonesians are Muslim, and pork is considered unclean, so they usually do not consume pork. Additionally, during the annual Ramadan, which has varying start and end dates each year, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and pray at specific times. Employers must respect their helper’s religious practices and make appropriate work arrangements during Ramadan.

Work Experience and Capabilities

Filipino helpers have experience working in various countries, including Canada and Australia, and are generally more experienced in cooking Western cuisine. Due to language barriers, Indonesian helpers often work in Southeast Asia, potentially making their cooking style more suited to Hong Kong employers’ tastes. It's noted that some Filipino helpers are more resistant to taking care of infants, whereas Indonesian helpers, who are generally younger and more energetic, have no issues with night-time baby care. Filipino helpers have been in Hong Kong longer than Indonesian helpers, and this group is generally more knowledgeable about local laws and their rights, which may lead to behaviors like “job-hopping” and “job abandonment”.

Conclusion

The information provided is based on objective background and employer experiences. Regardless of nationality, a foreign domestic helper's personal character, attitude, and experience are the main factors affecting work quality. Whenever possible, arrange for face-to-face or telephone interviews to understand the helper’s work experience and background better. Establishing a good employer-helper relationship from the start is crucial. For more details, refer to 5 Ways to Building Harmonious Employer-Employee Relationships with Foreign Domestic Helpers. Whether renewing a contract or hiring a new helper, remember to purchase the required insurance as mandated by law to avoid legal issues.

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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use