Foreign Domestic Helpers Camp in Hong Kong Bus Terminuses During Golden Week

Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong have been using tents beneath bus terminuses as makeshift shelters during their days off, according to reporting by the South China Morning Post on May 3, 2026. The encampments have appeared in several districts across the city, including Tai Po, Central, and Tseung Kwan O.

The visibility of the tents increased during mainland China’s Labour Day golden week holiday, a period typically marked by a surge in visitors from the mainland. The presence of the shelters drew widespread complaints on social media, with some online posts incorrectly suggesting that mainland tourists were camping in the streets during the holiday period.

However, the individuals utilizing the tents are foreign domestic workers who state they have no other viable options for spending their non-working days. The situation has highlighted the precarious living conditions of a significant portion of the city’s migrant workforce.

Challenges of the Live-In Rule

The reliance on outdoor shelters is tied to the live-in rule, a policy that generally requires foreign domestic helpers to reside in their employers’ homes. While this rule is intended to reduce housing costs, it often results in helpers living in extremely cramped conditions, sometimes in small partitioned areas or shared spaces that lack privacy.

On their days off, many helpers seek public spaces to escape their work environments. In areas such as Lohas Park and other major transport hubs, the lack of affordable or accessible short-term accommodation has led some to set up tents to secure a place of rest.

The Progressive Labour Union of Domestic Workers has been involved in addressing the needs of these workers, as they navigate the intersection of strict visa requirements and the practical difficulties of finding safe, legal spaces to congregate or rest when not in their employers’ residences.

Public and Institutional Response

The emergence of these tents has led to friction with security guards and local authorities at bus terminuses, where the shelters are often viewed as obstructions or violations of public space regulations. The social media backlash during the golden week holiday further complicated the issue, as the public initially misidentified the residents of the tents as tourists.

Advocates for migrant workers argue that the phenomenon is a symptom of a broader lack of social infrastructure for the city’s foreign domestic worker population. They contend that without dedicated community spaces or a relaxation of housing constraints, workers will continue to seek unconventional means of shelter to maintain their mental and physical well-being during their limited time off.