According to The Philippine Star newspaper, the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment released a report on July 30, saying the Chinese mainland would employ domestic helpers from the Philippines to work in five major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, paying high salaries.

However, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said they had received no information about the plan. The Philippines Embassy in China also stated that the plan was still under negotiation.

Cao Heping, an economics professor at Peking University, said China has a sufficient labor force, and so there would be no need to import such workers from other countries.

The Philippines has long been an exporter of domestic help. Such workers are known as “the world’s most professional housekeepers” as they are highly educated and proficient in English. Hong Kong, Singapore and America are their favorite destinations.

Despite Professor Cao’s opinion, Miao Lu, secretary general of the Center for China and Globalization, said there was strong market demand for Philippines domestic helpers in China as they can meet the expectations of Chinese working parents that their children can learn English from early childhood.

The inflow of Philippine domestic helpers, he noted, can invigorate China’s domestic service market by intensifying competition and creating a demonstration effect. However, he also warned that a prudent approach should be adopted.

Although it is illegal for ordinary Chinese households to employ Philippine domestic helpers at present, some intermediaries still provide assistance to hire them. Almost all the Philippine helpers working in China now hold two-month visitor visas instead of proper employment passes, which means they become illegal immigrants if they stay beyond the two-month limit.

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