No Cantonese, no career? Can Hong Kong do more to help ethnic minority groups?
Discrimination, a lack of Cantonese and integration into society are issues not yet resolved, say NGOs and experts
Pakistani Humza Ejaz moved to Hong Kong four months ago, optimistic that he would find a good job and start a new life with his wife and newborn daughter.
Equipped with a master’s degree in information technology and about eight years’ experience with multinational companies, the 29-year-old was encouraged when hiring agencies in the city assured him he would find a job quickly.
But his inability to speak Cantonese got in the way. He sent more than 50 job applications, only to draw a blank.
Driven to support his new family, he resorted to what many from the city’s ethnic minority communities do – he began working as a food delivery courier, working nights to earn about HK$18,000 (US$2,300) a month.
“I thought coming to Hong Kong might uplift my career to the next level,” he said. “But these past four months have been the biggest downfall of my life.”
If a better job did not come along, he added, he might consider returning to Pakistan.