Domestic workers in Hong Kong are forced to use cardboard boxes for shelter on their only day off due to restrictive housing rules. Every Sunday, thousands of women from the Philippines and Indonesia leave the luxury apartments they clean and the nurseries where they raise the city’s elite. They congregate in public areas—bridges and underpasses—building makeshift ‘rooms’ out of cardboard just to find a shred of privacy.
In a viral video, women can be seen sitting and sleeping in large cardboard boxes, a stark reminder of their plight. “On their only day off, they are effectively homeless for the day,” says Rapha, an influencer who has brought attention to this issue. “Hong Kong runs on labor it refuses to house.”
The situation shines a light on the wealth gap in one of the world’s richest cities. The live-in rule mandates that foreign domestic helpers must reside with their employers, leaving them without a place to go when they have time off. This policy forces them into public spaces where they must fend for themselves.
As observers note, these cardboard boxes provide only a modicum of shelter. They symbolize the invisible labor crisis that many choose to ignore. Yet, every week, these women gather together, sharing stories and finding solace in each other’s company amid the harsh realities of their lives.
Rapha emphasizes the irony: “They congregate on bridges and in underpasses… treated as temporary fixtures by a city that depends on them.” The resilience of these women is palpable; they adapt to their circumstances with dignity, even when faced with such adversity.
The next steps remain uncertain. Will there be any changes to the live-in rule? Activists continue to push for reforms while highlighting the urgent need for better living conditions for domestic workers. For now, this reality persists—a testament to both the strength and vulnerability of those who keep Hong Kong running.
