New Foreign Domestic Helper Doesn't Know How to Cook. How Can Employers Help?
Many employers find that when a new foreign domestic helper first arrives in Hong Kong, there are differences in food and cooking habits. Recently, an employer shared online that their new Indonesian foreign domestic helper picked wild plants near their housing estate to eat just one week after arriving. This surprised the employer. Why does this happen, and how can employers help their foreign domestic helper adjust?
Wild Plants May Not Be Safe to Eat
A recent online post shared that a new Indonesian foreign domestic helper collected wild plants near the estate because she often ate them in her hometown and believed they were good for her health.
In some parts of Indonesia, eating wild vegetables and using traditional herbs is common. A foreign domestic helper may not know that the situation in Hong Kong is different. Plants growing beside roads may be exposed to pesticides, weed killers, vehicle pollution, and other contaminants. In some public areas, picking plants is also not allowed.
If this happens, employers should first respect their foreign domestic helper's culture. Then explain Hong Kong's food safety rules and why it is not safe to eat roadside plants. You can also take your foreign domestic helper to an Indonesian grocery store to buy safe and familiar ingredients.
Help Your Foreign Domestic Helper Learn Hong Kong Cooking
The food and cooking styles in Hong Kong are very different from those in Indonesia and the Philippines. Even if a foreign domestic helper received basic cooking training before coming to Hong Kong, they may not know how to prepare common Hong Kong dishes such as Chinese soups, steamed fish, and other home-style meals.
If your foreign domestic helper is working in Hong Kong for the first time, you may consider enrolling them in a local cooking course. These courses teach Hong Kong home cooking and local cooking methods.
Some foreign domestic helper agencies provide cooking classes. TownGas also offers free cooking classes for foreign domestic helpers. Experienced instructors teach Hong Kong home-style dishes, soup-making, and kitchen safety. Many classes are available in languages that foreign domestic helpers understand, making it easier for them to learn.
Employers can also help by:
Providing simple recipes or a list of common family meals.
Going to the supermarket together to introduce common Hong Kong ingredients.
Encouraging the foreign domestic helper to ask questions whenever they are unsure.
Respecting the foreign domestic helper's own food culture while teaching your family's eating habits and food safety rules.
Food Adjustment Is Also Important for Your Foreign Domestic Helper's Health
When a foreign domestic helper first arrives in Hong Kong, changes in climate, food, and daily life may cause stomach problems, food allergies, or difficulty adjusting to the new environment. In some cases, eating unsafe food may even require medical treatment.
Besides helping your foreign domestic helper develop safe eating habits, employers should also arrange suitable foreign domestic helper insurance. In addition to the Employees' Compensation cover required by Hong Kong law, many insurance plans also include medical benefits. If your foreign domestic helper needs to visit a doctor, stay in hospital, or receive treatment, the insurance can help reduce the employer's medical expenses while ensuring the helper receives proper care.
Conclusion
Every foreign domestic helper comes from a different background and has different eating habits. Food and cooking differences are completely normal. Instead of blaming your foreign domestic helper, take time to understand their culture, communicate clearly, and provide support. With some guidance and local cooking training, your foreign domestic helper can adapt to life in a Hong Kong family much more quickly.
At the same time, having comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance gives your helper access to basic medical care. Whether they experience stomach problems, difficulty adjusting to the new environment, or other unexpected illnesses, both employers and foreign domestic helpers can enjoy greater peace of mind.
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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use
