At Arm's Length: The Filipina Domestic Helper‐Chinese Employer Relationship in Hong Kong

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims at examining the influence of the migrant‐host group relations on migration networks by analyzing the case of Filipina migration as domestic helpers to Hong Kong. Since the stability of the migrants' relationship with their host group members is a crucial factor in the formation of migration chain, focus is put on the face‐to‐face relationship between Filipina helpers and Chinese employers.In regard to the type of helper‐employer relationship, two different aspects have been suggested; one is exploitative and the other genial. The exploitative relationship develops when employers take advantage of 'the migrants' less protected legal status, but it is a threat to sustaining stable, long‐term employment of the helpers. The genial relationship develops from concern, but it also has the danger of deteriorating the basic employer‐employee relationship. In order to avoid these two extremes, the adjusted form of relationship develops, which reduces the strain in the employment relationship by the genial atmosphere, and prevents it from collapsing by providing employers with senior authority in their quasi‐familial relationship with their helpers.This transformed relationship keeps the helper‐employer relation stable. preventing it from being endangered by its limited geniality, while encouraging them in mutual trust through moderate friendship. Being based on mutual trust, it also facilitates the development of migration networks by duplicating itself through the kinship networks of both parties.