It seems to me that domestic helper agencies are probably getting more enquiries by using an advertising method seldom used elsewhere. By posting photos of domestic helper applicants outside their shops, it becomes easier for prospect employers to scan personal information and skills without even bothering staff inside the agency office.

This means employers can decide to come in only when they found someone they think is suitable to work at their home. Unless you’re some real psychic who can read facial expressions and physical features — data posted in the glass wall include helper’s height and weight — you’ll probably need assistance from helper matchmakers and/or interview prospects at your convenient time.

Profile and images of domestic helpers displayed outside a placement agency office in Tseung Kwan O.

Not all agencies use this method, which requires maid applicants to pose in a certain helper uniform and smile while clasping both hands. As advertising models, I wonder if they get compensated for putting a good name for the agency.

I can see a little resemblance with real estate agents, who post photos of buildings or flat interiors outside shops in hopes to attract the public to buy properties or find an ideal home to rent. But these are properties often shot from outside and don’t reveal personal information to a random passerby.

I guess there is nothing illegal with what employment agencies are doing. If anything, domestic helpers be glad to be featured in the gallery posted outside domestic helper agency offices. Doing so may help promote them to find employers sooner rather than if they’re personal profile is not promoted in public. But still, they did agencies a favor; finding a suitable employer also means agencies earn through placement fees. So I think it’s fair that helpers should get compensated through discounted placement fees or favorable employer benefits such as flexible days off terms, once they get hired.