It was a Sunday and we were crossing Queensway Bridge to go to our restaurant for dinner……
and we saw this… In Hong Kong, Sunday is the day when the domestic workers are given a day off
At first i could not believe it….then I had mixed feelings- first ashamed… they built their own picnic grounds using cardboard boxes, some removed their shoes and put up their feet, and they had food which they brought with them and you could smell different kinds of smell from the food….then later on I felt pity….but then again I looked at them and they seemed to be having a good time. I regret not talking to any of them and asking them….
Could this be the reason why others look down on us Filipinos? Could this be the reason there are no chairs/couches in the malls to avoid circumstances like this? Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
Central (the main business district) and the surrounding area becomes a little Manila on Sundays. There are much larger number in Central. The government closes some roads to traffic to give them more space.
Keep in mind that most people in Hong Kong live in tiny apartments because the cost is so high. I am right now moving my wife into a new apartment because the rent on the one we are in has almost doubled again. The actual usable floor space in the new apartment is about 18 square meters and the rent is about 42,000 pesos per month. Many of the maids work for employers in apartments that are not much bigger and many of those employers don’t want the maids at home of their day off.
Most of them do enjoy meeting all there friends on Sundays even if they are just sitting in the road.
Hi Frank,
It’s good to know that the government is accomodating them and are aware. I still wish they would be given a proper place to stay and hang out in during sundays and not let them “squat” on the roads and walkways. Maybe the church can help? They sometimes have gathering rooms.
I am still hoping something can be done about this. I pity our countrymen. They deserve a proper rest day in a proper environment