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 don’t want to recall, I was treated like a dog. I once compared my life to dogs’. I never thought it would go like this. Migrant domestic workers should not be treated like this in a developed place like Hong Kong. —— 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. 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.
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, 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.
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
同許多外籍家庭傭工一樣，Manny 來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，背井離鄉的她受聘於一個尼泊爾家庭，原以為能找到穩定與支持。
然而，她的經歷卻充滿剝削與孤立。Manny 每天由清晨工作至深夜，沒有舒適的睡覺空間，只能分得少量剩餘食物。她經常遭受僱主言語辱罵，亦不時被他們的孩子動手打罵。她對自身權益缺乏認識，薪金甚至低於香港對外籍家庭傭工所訂的最低工資。即使面對這些不合理對待，她仍一直忍受，直至她突然被解僱。
「Manny的飲食安排是‘不人道的’。」—— 勞資審裁處審裁官表示。
「我唔想再諗返嗰段日子，我俾佢哋當狗咁對待，甚至覺得自己連豬狗都不如。我從來冇諗過事情會變成咁樣。喺香港呢個咁發達嘅地方，外傭唔應該受到呢種對待。」
當 STOP 團隊初次接觸 Manny 時，她身心俱疲，情緒極度低落。她出現嚴重脫髮，經常被惡夢困擾，創傷記憶更令她難以呼吸，甚至需要緊急醫療協助。STOP 與夥伴機構攜手，為她提供心理輔導、生活津貼，以及法律程序上的指導，並在這段艱難時期與她同行。
隨著時間過去，Manny 逐漸重拾信心，並開始找回自己的聲音。在持續的支援下，她透過勞資審裁處追討權益，最終成功取回應得的補償。如今，她回到家鄉，帶著重新建立的力量，同時分享自己的故事鼓勵其他外籍家庭傭工，爭取勞工權益，特別是來自國家支援較少的勞工。
「因為有你哋嘅支持，我更加了解外傭嘅權益，亦都可以順利返屋企。我曾經迷失過自己，但而家我可以以真正嘅Manny身份重新出發。你哋係令我重新振作嘅重要力量。」