Enrich HK – Best Project for Under-Served Communities Runner-Up | The MAIAs 2022​

Migrant workers are often forgotten or ignored. Typically working for minimum wage, these are people who want to change their lives – but often end up in debt and vulnerable to scams. It doesn’t have to be that way.

MAIA co-founder Trudi Harris Dubon said, “People are generally unaware of the many pressures Migrant Domestic Workers face. They are frequently exploited and paid the minimum wage, leaving them trapped, in debt, and unable to provide for their families. Fortunately, projects like Enrich HK are there to help – which is why they won a MAIA runner-up award.”

Tynna Mendoza, the Director of Programmes at Enrich Hong Kong, explains, “Migrant Domestic Workers, or MDWs, set out from home to change their lives. But unfortunately, they face considerable pressures, such as systemic exclusion and predatory lending, and many can work for years with nothing to show for it. This is a large community and they need help.

“Over 340,000 MDWs live in Hong Kong, usually earning the minimum wage of approximately HK$4,700 (around $US600) per month. At least 50% borrow money to enter the recruitment process for work in HK, and approximately 85% are in some form of debt. Less than 10% return home to their families feeling they have saved enough money for their future.”

Enrich HK empowers the MDW community by teaching financial literacy to help these key workers overcome their money difficulties and achieve their goals.

“We provide interactive financial literacy and empowerment workshops, covering skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, business planning, and confidence. Graduates of the full suite of workshops may go on to participate in Enrich’s long-term mentoring programme, where their skills are further practised with the support of a finance professional from HK’s corporate sector,” Tynna says.

The MDW community in Hong Kong primarily consists of women from the Philippines and Indonesia and they are often the primary breadwinners for their families, despite their low incomes. So, on top of their own financial pressures, such as debt repayment and saving for retirement, they are frequently paying for things like educating children and providing food for their families in their home countries.

“We cater for our target audience, ensuring we can help as much as possible,” Tynna says. “So our literacy workshops and mentoring programmes are in Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, and English. In addition, we schedule these sessions on Sundays and holidays to encourage maximum participation.

“Enrich also supplies online course materials and training sessions for those unable to attend in person and offers multiple online resources for time-sensitive financial matters.” 

The mentoring and coursework take place over eight weeks, with corporate finance and debt specialists helping at an individual level. The approach has proved effective, with 75% of those who complete the programme reducing debts, and 95% ending with a personalised loan repayment plan.

Michael Gilmore, the MAIA co-founder, said, “These Migrant Domestic Workers are trying to improve their lives, but their earnings are so low they face incredible financial pressures. By teaching them basic financial literacy, Enrich HK is helping them to climb out of poverty, support their families, and plan for the future.”

For more information about Enrich HK, you can visit their website, or email us at michael@maiawards.org.