Improvements in the Philippine’s economy is causing “maid drain” in Hong Kong and Singapore, according to reports.
With the World Bank predicting six percent annual growth over the next three years and Filipino President Benigno Aquino pushing billions into development projects in the country’s provincial towns, many of the country’s most desirable women (we’re talking skills and experience here) are choosing options at home.
According to a recent report in the SCMP, Hong Kong has been working to counter the loss with women from poorer nations like Bangladesh and Myanmar. However, where families used to have three or four maids to choose between, now it’s generally a one-option, ‘take it or leave it’ situation.
After growing rapidly over recent years, the number of Filipinos working in Hong Kong declined slightly last year and has plateaued in Singapore. However the Commission on Filipinos Overseas says nearly 10 percent of the population, equating to 10.5 million, were working abroad in 2012.
Photo: Wikimedia
