Amber

“No, mother! Please, let me stay in Indonesia. Please!”

“I thought you wished for a better living, didn’t you? Do you really think working in Jakarta will give you what you want?”

“But–”

“You must go to Hong Kong! I insist!”

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There was this small village nestled far from the bustling megacity - Indonesia, a girl named Amber was born in an agricultural family of 5 with dreams of living independently. She was sure that her road wouldn't be paved with gold, but she was absolutely determined to create a better living for herself.

“I wanted to make my own money and live on my own,” Amber once claimed.

Little did she know that her journey would bring her to a life that was completely opposite to what she had planned.

Amber wanted to work locally, however the twist arrived when she was being persuaded in becoming a domestic worker overseas under the pressure of her mother - in order for higher salaries. With only limited formal qualifications – a high school graduate degree, which was already considered as high education among the locals, she embarked on her journey in 2011. Her destination: domestic worker. Immediately, Amber contacted an agency and started learning Cantonese.

“She could speak Cantonese very well!” The Cantonese teachers claimed.

The agencies then immediately assisted Amber to get a working visa and arranged a job for her. It might sounds attractive when the Cantonese lessons and plane tickets were “free”. Unusually, she was not allowed to bring her phone when she came to Hong Kong. Amber then could not contact her family. She doubted about changing agencies, but it would be complicated once the agency was chosen.

With no glamorous job offers on the horizon, Amber started off by being a cleaner, using her hands to scrub dusts and grime, making sure everything was “shiny”. The work was physically exhausting and required long working hours, but Amber's spirit remained unbroken. She approached every task with dedication. Amber got her first salary of $3740 hkd a month, while $3000 was returned to the agency every month which continued for 7 months in order to pay back her “Cantonese lessons” and “plane tickets” which were “free” as mentioned earlier. Amber then sent the remaining money to her mother for the first month, and used the remains of the second month to buy herself a new phone so she could contact her family and friends.

Her first months in Hong Kong were daunting - no friends, no family, not even one who could talk to. Suffering and lonely.

Practice makes perfect. As time passed, Amber began getting better at her profession. However, she wasn't content with being just a random, replaceable cleaner. She aspired to be the best at what she did. She watched, she learned, and she honed the skills. What challenged Amber was the unique rhythm and quirks from different households. As meticulous cleaning routines for example mopping the floor 3 times a day were required by some households, while others needed special and additional assistance with childcare and meal preparation. Amber didn't flinch; instead, she saw these differences as opportunities to broaden and improve her skills. Her willingness to embrace the diverse needs of each household defines her. Amber also didn’t view her job only about cleaning and cooking. It was about forging connections and building trust. She understood that the foundation of being a domestic worker is trust. It wasn't just about getting things done; it was about understanding and communication with the families, respecting their privacy, and becoming their trusted confidant.

But Amber's journey wasn't smooth like butter. In some households, she faced violent mistreatments like beating beaten or punched by the employer and exploitation for example working from 7:00am to 12:00am. The lack of job security due to strong competence and access to human basic needs like food and rest built up her worries. In addition, despite government regulations aimed at protecting rights of domestic workers, it depends on the household employers. E.g., cleaning windows were banned for domestic workers since this act puts lives at great risk (falling off the building). However, if your employer tells you to clean the windows, you have to satisfy your employer’s demands.

Yet, Amber was no quitter. She had learned the value of resilience from her previous households and never thought of giving up. She reached out for support from organizations that advocates for domestic workers' rights and encouraged her friends to stand up for their own rights. She hoped and wanted to fight for a world where they received fair wages, better working conditions, and access to benefits. Amber's journey is a story of dedication and resilience. A young woman who was ordinary; contributing something extraordinary. Her voyage from Indonesia to Hong Kong serves as a highlight of other countless worldwide domestic workers who also contribute silently to the comfort and harmony of families. Amber will continue her journey as it will forever be a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.