“A room of one’s wwn” : transnational leisure in public spaces - the case of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong

Abstract

Home is a place for relaxation and leisure. Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) employed in Hong Kong households are required by law to live in their employer’s residence. Without a private home/room of their own, many MDWs rest and congregate in public spaces, such as parks and footbridges. On Sundays, public spaces are transformed into transnational social fields during MDWs’ get-togethers with friends. This study aimed to explore the transnational leisure of MDWs, including activity patterns, benefits, and use of public space. On-site observations and in-depth interviews with 39 Filipino and Indonesian MDWs were conducted. Findings revealed the diverse range of MDWs’ transnational activities in public. Leisure benefits were found to be more concentrated on basic needs rather than growth needs, given the strenuous conditions of their work. Public leisure spaces also provide unique functions for MDWs in sustaining transnational ties and creating a heterotopic space of escape, illusion, and compensation.