Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [236]
For more information contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department ( Map; 2824 6111; www.immd.gov.hk; 2nd fl, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai; 8.45am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9-11.30am Sat).
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VOLUNTEERING
Being small and developed, the scope for volunteering in Hong Kong is limited. Volunteerabroad.com contains a handful of listings for Hong Kong aimed at incoming volunteers. Ho-Sum (‘Good Heart’; www.ho-sum.org) lists scores of schemes, most of them more short-term volunteering projects aimed at local residents.
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WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Although the international metric system (see the inside front cover) is in official use in Hong Kong, traditional Chinese weights and measures are still common. At local markets, meat, fish and produce are sold by the léung, equivalent to 37.8g, and the gàn (catty), which is equivalent to about 600g. There are 16 léung to the gàn. Gold and silver are sold by the tael, which is exactly the same as a léung.
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WOMEN TRAVELLERS
Respect for women is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. Despite the Confucian principle of the superiority of men, women in Chinese society often call the shots and can wield a tremendous amount of influence at home, in business and in politics.
Hong Kong is a safe city for women, though common-sense caution should be observed, especially at night. Few women – visitors or residents – complain of bad treatment, intimidation or aggression. Having said that, some Chinese men regard Western women as ‘easy’. If you are sexually assaulted, call the Hong Kong Rape Hotline ( 2375 5322). A useful organisation for women is the Hong Kong Federation of Women ( Map; 2833 6131; hkfw.org; Ground fl, 435 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai).
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WORK
Travellers on tourist visas are barred from accepting employment in Hong Kong. It is possible to obtain work ‘under the table’, but there are stiff penalties for employers who are caught hiring foreigners illegally. Still, to earn extra money many foreigners end up teaching English or doing some other kind of work – translating, modelling, acting in Chinese films, waiting on tables or bartending. These days, few – if any – restaurants or bars will take the risk and hire you if you don’t have a Hong Kong ID card (Click here).
For professional jobs, registering with Hong Kong personnel agencies or head-hunters is important; check out Jobs DB (www.jobsdb.com/hk). Drake International ( Map; 2848 9288; www.drakeintl.com; Room 1308, 13th fl, 9 Queen’s Rd, Central) is an international employment agency that often advertises work in Hong Kong. You can always check the classified advertisements in the local English-language newspapers. The Thursday and Saturday editions of the South China Morning Post or the Friday edition of the Hong Kong Standard are particularly helpful. HK Magazine also has a jobs section.
Recruit (www.recruit.com.hk) and Jiu Jik (Job Finder; www.jiujik.com) are free job-seeker tabloids available on Wednesdays and Fridays at the majority of MTR stations. There are also the Job Market Weekly(www.jobmarket.com.hk) and Career Times(www.careertimes.com.hk), which are for sale at most newsagents.
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Work Permits
To work legally here you need to have a work permit. Hong Kong authorities require proof that you have been offered employment, usually in the form of a contract. The prospective employer must show the work you plan to do cannot be performed by a local person. If you’re planning on working or studying in Hong Kong, it could be helpful to have copies of transcripts, diplomas, letters of reference and other professional qualifications at hand.
In general, visitors must leave Hong Kong in order to obtain a work permit, returning only when it is ready; unfortunately Macau and the mainland do not qualify as interim destinations. Exceptions can be made, however, especially if the company urgently needs to fill a position. Work visas are generally granted for between