‘Pinay FDHs support more relatives’

UNLIKE their Indonesian peers, Filipino domestic workers here in the territory are more likely to support a bigger number of family members, highlighting the need to educate them about prudent financial management.

Lenlen Mesina, executive director at Enrich, told Hong Kong News that, based on the organization’s survey of 100 Filipino respondents, 14 percent are still supporting their parents, siblings, and their siblings’ children even if they already have their own family.

“Kasi sa Indonesians, what I observed is that kapag may pamilya na sila, mayroon na silang anak o asawa, naka-focus na sila on supporting their own family, hindi na sa sa parents or siblings nila.

“Unlike sa atin, doon lang sa survey natin, talagang sobrang extended [ang sinusuportahan]. Last year, akala namin na ang average na sinusportahan ng Filipino migrant workers ay four to five members of the family. We found out that 14 percent of the respondents are supporting nine or more members of the family,” Mesina said.

This trend, she said, could be traced to the Filipino culture of excessively loving and valuing our family to the point of spoiling them.

Enrich, she said, has developed a new set of workshops to address proper budgeting and managing the finances and expectations of the family of the migrant domestic workers.

Here is the schedule of Enrich’s workshops for September:

September 13 – Financial Health Desk – Indonesian language (10 a.m.- 12 p.m.)

Mentoring Session – English language (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

September 20 – Money Wise Migrants -English and Filipino language (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

September 27 – Speak Up – Indonesian language (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Speak Up – English (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information email Enrich at info@enrichhk.org or call 2386 5811.