Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced a new pilot scheme to import foreign domestic carers for the elderly, aiming to address the needs of an aging population. However, employers and agencies have warned that this initiative could negatively impact the existing helper market. They predict that the scheme may lead to increased wages for domestic helpers, potentially making care services unaffordable for low-income elderly residents. The concern is that current helpers might demand higher pay or seek employment under the new scheme, thereby increasing financial burdens for families.