What We Carry Under the Same Sky: Stories of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong

Fifteen Indonesian migrant domestic workers have released a collaborative book, What We Carry, Under the Same Sky, documenting systemic exploitation and labor struggles in Hong Kong. Produced by the MICROLAB Collective and launched March 8, 2026, the work uses essays and photographs to detail mandatory live-in policies, wage disparities, and the emotional toll of migrant labor.

The project involved a collaboration between migrant workers, artists, and academics from the Department of English and Communication at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, according to the MICROLAB Collective. The contributors reflect on journeys from Indonesian villages to Hong Kong, citing economic difficulties in their home country despite its resources.

The authors state, “It is true, our country is rich, yet we do not live in prosperity.”

Why are labor conditions for migrant workers in Hong Kong criticized?

The book highlights a “cycle of exploitation” where legal protections fail to improve the actual status of domestic workers, according to the authors. A primary issue is the mandatory live-in policy, which forces workers to reside with employers.

The authors report that workers often sleep in kitchens, bathrooms, or “coffin-sized” compartments. Additionally, there is no legal limit on working hours, with many reporting shifts exceeding 12 hours a day while remaining on call 24/7.

Did You Know? While Indonesia prohibits employment agencies from charging placement fees and Hong Kong limits deductions to 10 percent of the first month’s salary, some workers reportedly pay HK$20,000 to HK$25,000 in fees, costing four to five months of wages.

How do immigration rules impact worker safety?

A two-week immigration rule requires migrant workers to leave Hong Kong within 14 days of contract termination. The authors claim this rule creates a “trap,” as workers may avoid reporting abuse to prevent immediate deportation and loss of livelihood.

THE NAMES WE CARRY by Khayelilhe Benghu BOOK LAUNCH AND Q&A

Financial struggles are further compounded by wages that have not kept pace with inflation and the high cost of living in Hong Kong, despite the existence of a statutory monthly minimum wage.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the contrast between government terminology—such as “foreign domestic helpers” in Hong Kong and “remittance heroes” in Indonesia—may serve to minimize the professional nature of the labor and obscure the commodity-like treatment of the workers.

What is the significance of government terminology?

The authors argue that the Hong Kong government’s use of the term “foreign domestic helpers” minimizes their economic contribution by framing the work as “help” rather than professional labor.

Similarly, the book claims the Indonesian government’s label of “remittance heroes” covers the reality of workers being treated as commodities. The contributors assert that these terms mask the “burdens, sweat and tears” behind Hong Kong’s high-rise infrastructure.

What may happen next for migrant worker advocacy?

Advocates may continue to use International Domestic Workers Day, observed June 16, to call for increased respect and legal protections for migrant staff. Future efforts could focus on challenging the mandatory live-in policy or the 14-day deportation window.

Increased visibility through collaborative projects like those hosted by MICROLAB may lead to more public pressure on both the Indonesian and Hong Kong governments to align their legal protections with the actual experiences of workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mandatory live-in policy?
It is a regulation that forces migrant domestic workers to live with their employers, often resulting in living quarters in kitchens or bathrooms.

How much do some workers pay in placement fees?
According to the text, some workers spend four to five months of wages to pay agencies between HK$20,000 and HK$25,000.

Who is Sringatin?
Sringatin is an Indonesian migrant domestic worker, labor activist, secretary of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (IMWU), and spokesperson for the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB).

How should governments balance the economic benefits of migrant labor with the necessity of protecting workers’ human rights?