DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)

At Rotary, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership.

We strive to create a society where every person is valued and respected for their individuality, regardless of age or background. In this month’s issue, as part of our “Why DEI Matters?” series, we address the challenges of underprivileged groups. Human rights are an integral part of this discussion, and we emphasize the importance of ensuring fairness and opportunities for immigrant workers and refugees.

“WHY DEI MATTERS?” SERIES

Migrants & Refugees in Colonial

Unknown to many, large proportion of Hong Kong’s citizens are descendants of refugees and migrants who fled persecution, famine, regional political instability, seeking better economic opportunities. Between 1930s to 1970s, millions of people flooded into colonial Hong Kong, increasing population fivefold from about 800,000 to almost 4 million. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, over 200,000 Vietnamese refugees came to Hong Kong, but the majority resettled in other countries, an estimated 70,000 were repatriated back to and, ultimately less than 1,500 were eventually granted right of abode.

Definitions: Migrant or Refugee?

“Migrants” and “refugees” are frequently used synonymously, but there are distinct legal differences and using them interchangeably can lead to wider misunderstandings.

Migration implies a voluntary process associated with the search for better economic prospects, but they may also be victims of human trafficking, or family separation. While there is no globally accepted definition of “migrant”, specific groups are addressed by international treaties, such as migrant workers, forced migrants and international students.

United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) defines refugees as people forced to flee due to war, violence, conflict or persecution, and have crossed an international border seeking safety in another country. This may be due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, and they cannot return due to risks to their lives or freedoms. Since HK is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees, they are considered asylum seekers until their status has been evaluated, but the process in HK is particularly harsh and lengthy.

Numbers at a Glance: Migrant Workers & Refugees in Hong Kong?

Official statistics from 2021 indicate there are over 15,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, only 1% have been accepted – and 65% of those were on appeal, suggesting the initial process was problematic. This is compared to 67% globally, or 38% in Europe. According to Christian Action Centre for Refugees, asylum seekers can wait 15-20 yrs. in desperate conditions for their application to be processed. Meanwhile it is illegal for them to work, and the assistance they receive is barely enough for survival. In 2023, over 70% of asylum seekers were struggling to buy food, and about 60% were unable to buy other necessities such as toiletries, as reported by Refugee Concern Network.

As of 2022, there are about 340,000 migrant workers in Hong Kong, majority are women from Philippines and Indonesia hired for domestic work. They represent 10% of HK’s labour force and 1 in 3 families depend on them for household and caregiving duties. In a 2019 report, it was estimated that migrant domestic workers (MDW) have increased married women’s labour participation from 49% to 78%, and contributed US$12.6bn to the city’s economy, making up 3.6% of the GDP.

Legal Status

Despite the clear social and economic and benefits MDW have contributed to the city, they do not enjoy the same legal rights and protections as local employees. The government’s stipulated minimum monthly wage for MDW (HKD4,730/USD603) is only a quarter of HK’s median wage (HKD19,100/USD2,433), which is equivalent to less than half of the statutory minimum wage (HKD40/USD5.10/hr). Gabriela Hong Kong, a local alliance of Filipina Women Migrants Organisations, described it as “a slave wage.”

MDW are also excluded from permanent residency after 7 years residence, inclusive of any child birthed to them in the territory. Pregnant MDW are often illegally terminated despite their rightful entitlement to maternity leave, according to Pathfinders. Under the “two week rule”, MDW must leave HK within 14 days of contract termination or completion, unless they find another employer, otherwise risk imprisonment or deportation. Children born are, thus, like children of refugees, left undocumented.

MDW are also exposed to unreasonable recruitment fees, withholding of passports, and coercive debt collection practices, unjustly long work hours, and vulnerable to physical abuse, sexual exploitation and labour trafficking, including restriction of movement and threats and physical violence.

Recommended Actions

In March 2023, the UN Economic and Social Council issued its fourth period report on Hong Kong and recommends that Hong Kong and Macao ensure the “effective and equal application of labour legislation to migrant workers in order to guarantee their right to just and favourable conditions of work”, and “extend minimum wage protection to domestic and increase the effectiveness of labour inspectorates”, “… as well as by increasing measures to prevent and combat trafficking.”

Both migrants and refugees represent some of the most marginalized and vulnerable people in society. They are frequently abused, exploited and mistreated, with limited access to basic necessities – such as food, shelter, education, health care, and subject to xenophobia and stigma generated by misinformation and ignorance. As Rotarians, our mission is to provide service to others and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace – helping and understanding the most marginalized and vulnerable people among us is an ideal way to achieve those goals.

Sources: UNHCR Sub-Office in Hong Kong, Justice Centre, Refugee Union, South China Morning Post, Branches of Hope, HKSAR Census and Statistics, Enrich HK, Aljazeera, International Organization on Migration (UN Migration Agency), Gabriela Hong Kong, Refugee Concern Network, Time Magazine, Christian Action Centre for Refugees.

TRUE COLORS CONCERT – A CONCERT THAT TOUCHED OUR SOULS

he two main performers shared the same sentiment when it came to their struggle. At one point they were on the verge of giving up, and at one point later, with support and love from family and friends, they stood back up, found a way out and continued their journey. They told on stage the moment they believed they would never pursue music again and what later brought them back to it.

As a vocalist who can’t hear, Mandy takes off her shoes to feel the floor vibration the background music creates and thus follow the rhythm. She can’t hear her own pitch, so she practices with an electronic tuner which indicates a right pitch, and she remembers how her muscle feels for each single note.

While other “mainstream” orchestras always stage an instructor in front of the whole crew for them to actually “see” his/her instruction, in True Colors you see a visually challenged percussionist to perform with another crew member tapping on his shoulder the whole time to communicate the instructions.

These are just examples among many other very creative ways to embrace diversity, respect everyone’s need, and appreciate everyone’s effort, which all together make the performance truly happen with colors.

Mark Your Calendar

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