MANNY
A journey from exploitation and fear to confidence, justice and
advocacy
Like many migrant domestic workers, Manny came to Hong Kong hoping to build a better future for her and family. As a woman of Nepali ethnicity, she accepted employment with a Nepali family believing she would find stability and support while working far from home.
Instead, her experience became one of exploitation and isolation. Manny worked from early morning until late at night, had no proper place to sleep, and was given only small amounts of leftover food. She regularly experienced verbal abuse from her employer and was frequently hit by the children in the household. Unaware of her rights and earning less than Hong Kong’s minimum allowable wage for domestic workers, she endured these conditions until her employment was abruptly terminated.
The food provision for Manny is ‘INHUMANE’. —— the presiding officer at the Labour Tribunal
I had lived a life lower than that of a dog, suffering mental and physical torture from my employer, not knowing anything about my rights. —— Manny
When STOP first met Manny, she appeared exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. Her hair was thinning, she suffered from nightmares, and traumatic memories sometimes left her struggling to breathe, requiring emergency medical attention.
I had already died inside because of the question of ‘who am I?’ —— Manny
Together with partner organisations, STOP provided counselling, living allowance support, and guidance through the legal process while walking alongside her during an incredibly difficult season.
But perhaps it was my destiny to meet good people like you and learn and know many things. That is why I managed to survive. —— Manny
Over time, Manny regained her confidence and found her voice. With ongoing support, she pursued her case through the Labour Tribunal and successfully secured the entitlements owed to her. Finally, she returned home with renewed strength.
Because of your support, I am returning home after learning a lot about the rights of domestic workers…You have played a major role in me returning home as the REAL Manny. —— Manny
She also shared her stories to encourage others and advocated for the rights of workers, particularly those from minority source countries who often have fewer sources of support from the country government and peers in community.
Now, I can come back to Hong Kong and raise some voice for the suffering that domestic workers like me are going through. Domestic workers in Hong Kong should not have to go to bed hungry like I did. —— Manny
與許多外籍家庭傭工一樣，Manny 來到香港，是希望自己及家庭有一個更好的未來。作為一位尼泊爾裔女性，她離鄉別井，受聘於一個尼泊爾家庭，原以為能在這裏找到穩定與支持。
然而，在這過程中，她飽受剝削及孤立。Manny 每天由清晨工作至深夜，沒有合適的睡眠空間，每次只能分得少量剩飯。她經常遭受僱主言語辱罵，亦不時被他們的孩子欺負。在對自身權益缺乏認識的情況下，她的薪酬甚至低於香港外籍家庭傭工的法定最低工資。即使面對種種不公平對待，她仍一直默默忍受，直至她突然被解僱。
「Manny 所受到嘅飲食安排極不人道。」—— 勞資審裁處審裁官
「我當時嘅生活連狗都不如，俾僱主長期精神同身體虐待，我連自己有咩權利都唔知。」—— Manny
當 STOP 團隊初次接觸 Manny 時，她顯得十分疲憊，情緒極度低落。她嚴重脫髮，長期受惡夢困擾，創傷回憶更令她難以呼吸，需要緊急醫療協助。
「我覺得我自己早就死咗，我不斷問自己：『我究竟係邊個？』」—— Manny
STOP 與合作夥伴攜手，為她提供心理輔導、生活津貼支援，以及法律程序上的指導，並在這段艱難的日子裡與她同行。
「或者一切都係天意，畀我遇到好似你哋咁好嘅人，學到好多嘢、識到好多嘢。正正因為咁，我先能夠撐到今日。」 —— Manny
隨著時間過去，Manny 逐漸重拾自信，並找回自己的聲音。在持續的支援下，她透過勞資審裁處討回了應得的權益，最終成功取回應得的補償。如今，她帶著重新建立的力量返回家鄉。
「因為你哋嘅支持，我學識咗好多關於外籍家庭傭工權益嘅知識。我曾經迷失咗自己，但因為你哋，我終於可以以真正嘅 Manny 身分返屋企，係你哋令我重新振作。」—— Manny
同時，她亦希望鼓勵其他外籍家庭傭工，特別是那些來自較少支援來源國家的工作者，為外籍家庭傭工嘅權益發聲。
「以家，我返嚟香港，係為咗同我一樣受苦嘅外傭發聲。佢哋唔應該好似我以前咁，瞓覺都要捱餓。」—— Manny