The book Maid to Order in Hong Kong: Stories of Migrant Workers, Second Edition by Nicole Constable, explores the lives and experiences of female migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, primarily from the Philippines and Indonesia. This ethnographic study examines their working conditions, challenges, and the complex relationships they have with their employers, as well as the broader social, economic, and political forces affecting their lives.

In this updated edition, Constable expands on the first edition’s themes, adding insights into how changes in Hong Kong’s political landscape and shifting immigration policies impact these workers. The book covers issues like legal restrictions, cultural expectations, labor rights, and gender dynamics, offering a critical perspective on the intersections of race, class, and gender in Hong Kong. It also includes narratives that highlight the personal struggles and resilience of these workers, giving voice to an often marginalized community.

In this book, Constable highlights the exploitation many domestic workers face, including long working hours, low wages, and lack of labor rights. The book illustrates the economic pressures that drive these women to leave their families and seek work abroad, often under challenging conditions. Moreover, the book highlights the intersection of gender, race, and class. Migrant domestic workers (MDWs), predominantly women, experience various forms of marginalization, both from their employers and from Hong Kong society as a whole. Constable discusses how gender plays a significant role in the power dynamics between workers and employers.

The book also examined how the legal system in Hong Kong often leaves migrant workers vulnerable, offering them little protection against exploitation and abuse. She critically analyzes policies and the lack of support systems for these workers. Throughout the book, Constable integrates the individual stories of the women she interviews. Despite their challenges, these narratives offer insight into their resilience, resourcefulness, and agency. Many create support networks, engage in activism, or find ways to cope with their hardships. The book also delves into how these women negotiate their cultural identities while living in Hong Kong. Their experiences of isolation, alienation, and homesickness are juxtaposed with their efforts to maintain connections to their home countries and families through remittances and communication.

“Maid to Order in Hong Kong” critically engages with issues of migration, labor, and human rights, offering a poignant look into the lives of MDWs. Constable’s work emphasizes the need for policy reforms and greater awareness of these women’s plight while celebrating their strength and resilience.

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Constable, N. (2007). Maid to order in Hong Kong: Stories of migrant workers. Cornell University Press.

Constable, N. (2014). Born out of place: Migrant mothers and the politics of international labor. University of California Press.