Empowering migrant domestic helpers through financial education

Abstract

The provision of financial education for migrant domestic helpers is an important service that could enhance their financial well‐being and the well‐being of their families. However, in that migrant domestic helpers are often excluded from protection in the host country, such services are few and empirical research in this area is rare. In this article, we report the findings of an evaluation study on a financial literacy education programme provided by a Hong Kong organisation serving Filipina and Indonesian migrant domestic workers. Using a quasi‐experimental design, we confirmed the effectiveness of the programme. Participants who attended the programme developed improved financial knowledge and behaviour. Their general self‐efficacy and financial self‐efficacy were also enhanced. Key Practitioner Message: • Migrant domestic helpers’ financial well‐being is enhanced through intensive financial education in financial knowledge and behaviour; • Migrant domestic helpers’ self‐efficacy is strengthened through peer discussion of financial education; • Effective services for migrant workers in the host country need to be in the migrants’ native language and be culturally sensitive.

The social determinants of migrant domestic worker (MDW) health and well-being in the Western Pacific Region: A Scoping Review

“…However, another RCT of an informational intervention in Singapore found increases in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding employment rights and changing employers [ 102 ]. A quasi-experimental study of a financial literacy and skills program in Hong Kong was found to increase knowledge and self-efficacy of participants compared to the control group [ 179 ]. An observational study of a digital mental health intervention culturally adapted for Filipino migrants in Macau identified generally positive experiences regarding implementation, feasibility, and effectiveness among program implementations, researchers, and users, but no evidence of program effectiveness was reported [ 180 ].…”

Relationship Trends of Financial Literacy and Well-being: A Bibliometric Mapping and Systematic Literature Review

“…Financial literacy as a moderator positively influences the association among biases and financial inclusion (Liu et al, 2021) even report of Schwab, 2008 suggested financial literacy to underscore financial crisis of that time. With advance financial literacy the tendency to detect frauds is also increase (Wei et al, 2021) Research clearly shows the benefits of such financial education and empowerment education programs in meeting the needs of migrant domestic worker, refuge settings and battered women (Shappell et al, 2018;Zhou et al, 2019;Warren et al, 2019;Sanders & Weaver, 2015). Likewise, such programs help different segments in different ways.…”