Freda at home with the Ha family

 (This story is reprinted from the Migrant Focus newsletter of the Mission for Migrant Workers. It tells the story of Freda, a Filipina migrant worker who has nominated  the Ha family she works with, for MFMW’s Happy Homes award this year).

 

Freda enjoys an outing with the Ha family

On an early fall evening, Freda Lyn takes the bus back to her home, where the Ha family she cares for awaits her. She then narrates her story over the phone – of a caring, happy home.

Originally hailing from the Philippines, Freda has been working with the Ha family for a decade. Aside from her duties of cleaning their home and cooking dinner, a big part of Freda’s job is to care of the two young children of the family.

Freda takes immense pride in the fact that the Ha parents have given her the responsibility to discipline their children. When the parents are stuck on a solution, they often tell their children to “Ask Aiyee.”

I-CLICK DITO

Freda has also cultivated a trusting and close relationship with the daughters of the family. It is not uncommon for Freda and the eldest daughter, Sarah, to catch up after school. While Freda cooks dinner, Sarah completes her homework. Their daily routine always consists of chats about crushes, academics, and much more, with no secrets between them.

When asked why she nominated the Ha family for the Happy Homes award, Freda said: “With them, I feel like I am part of their family.”

Freda (in red) with the Ha girls

Freda tells a story where at school, Sarah was asked to draw a family portrait. When she drew her sister, her parents, and Freda as well, she was chastised by her teacher, who didn’t allow her to include her domestic worker as part of the family. The girl was then reduced to tears, insisting that Freda was part of the family.

Furthermore, when the family goes on vacation, whether it's a cruise trip or to China, Freda is always included, and she emphasized that she ate the same food and stayed in the same rooms as the family, never isolated or separated.

“Freda is very considerate,” Mr. Ha explained. “We see her as part of the family.”

PINDUTIN DITO

Freda knows that while the Ha family is very loving towards her, many in the community of domestic workers in Hong Kong do not receive the same treatment.

“Many workers aren’t treated as a person, but lower than a person,” Freda explained.

She made special mention of the kind of food provided by employers to some migrant domestic workers. She said many are given leftover dinners, which at times, may just be a fish head. If there are no leftovers, the workers are forced to eat instant noodles. Some workers are even made to spend for their own food.

Freda knows a strong connection rarely exists between employer and worker, but she is lucky because she feels the love and respect of the Ha family.

Basahin ang detalye!

Mr. Ha explained that to ensure the rights of  migrant workers in Hong Kong are protected, there should be better protection for them in the laws.

Freda expressed her gratitude for the wonderful treatment she is getting by telling this to the Ha family: “Stay as humble as you are now. Even if I won't be forever with you, in the future, whoever the new domestic worker is, treat them the same way as you treated me; do not change.”

Call us!