I often given them a resounding "Yes" since our agency receives requirements for domestic assistance from expatriates from time to time. Thanks to the power of internet marketing.

But out of curiosity, I usually interview those Filipina maids why they want to work for Western employers more than the Chinese employers in Hong Kong. They said that the former tend to be more understanding and generous in terms of compensation compared with the latter.

There are four major areas where Western employers show an edge over the Chinese employers in terms of their treatment of Filipina domestic helpers. They are atmosphere of work environment, consideration, socio-psychological distance and personal space. This study has been conducted by Chinese University of Hong Kong on how maids in Hong Kong are treated by their employers.

The data were based on in-depth and structured interviews of Filipina helpers who have served both types of employers. A few Western and Chinese employers were also interviewed.

The results of the study indicate that the Filipina maids, in general, are more satisfied with their Western employers, who tend to provide them with easier and more comfortable work environment, over their Chinese employers. Their Western employers are also more considerate and are more likely to treat them equally, allowing them more personal space.

With the treatment of Filipina maids, homogeneity of expectations, attitudes and actions is also a trait of Western employers, as the study shows. Unlike the Chinese employers who are more detailed in expectations and diversified, Western employers tend to concentrate, generally, on the positive side. To sum it up, Filipina maids are more likely to know what Western employers are expecting of them and how they would be treated versus the Chinese whose treatment would greatly vary from one employer to the other.