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Is it wrong for Westerners living in poor countries to hire local "servants"?
A researcher on poverty and development and a professor at Yale, Chris Blattman is the man behind a terrific blog that focuses on the political, economic, and cultural goings-on in the poorest countries in the world. Yesterday, Chris tackled an interesting ethical question from a reader: What are the ethical implications of Westerners who are living in a poor African country hiring domestic help? Are there negative culture or economic implications to employing locals to work around the house, and doesn't it seem a tad "imperialistic" or exploitative?
Chris' answer, sensible as always, is a resounding NO! Says Chris: "In my experience, the local job options are nasty, brutish and short. The chance to work indoors, at relatively light labor (cleaning, washing, guarding) is highly sought after."
Exactly right. My advice on the matter would be this: If you view your household workers as essentially "servants," you'll probably feel as if you're simply exploiting them for cheap labor. And if you treat them like servants, maybe you should. But a more sensible approach is to think of them as employees-- which is exactly what they are. You're paying them to provide a service, and more than likely, they are no less than thrilled to be in your employ. Treat them like employees-- or better-- and there's nothing to worry about.
Rather than be paralyzed by guilt, splitting hairs over whether this is properly called employment or exploitation, put yourself in the position of your would-be worker. Now, do you want the wealthy Westerners to hire you, or don't you?
Chris adds that "the bias against hiring help seems to be peculiarly Western. Why is that? Perhaps because the wage paid to domestic servants in the U.S. and Europe is often below the average unskilled wage. Not so in many poorer countries."
Finally, not only is it permissible to hire help if you're relatively wealthy, you may well be obligated: "What's more, in most places I have worked, the wealthy (especially Westerners) are expected to hire help, principally as a means to share wealth. To not hire help is at best odd and at worst improper. Help often become part of the family circle, and employers may help them with children's school fees, emergency loans, and health problems."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kylehepp Apr 16th 2008 2:33PM
It's really silly to limit this article only to Africa. How about anywhere outside the first world? I live in Chile and I've struggled with the same thing. But, I pay her wages over the going rate and I just look at it this way. I would rather pay money to someone willing to work than give money to the people on the street that are begging.
Aaron Hotfelder Apr 16th 2008 4:19PM
This article isn't limited to Africa by any means. Chris was asked about Africa specifically because he's spent a lot of time living there, and the questioner had friends living in Africa for whom this was a dilemma.
Of course, it would be silly to forget that there are dozens of impoverished countries outside of Africa, but I'm not sure anyone's doing that here.
Raf Apr 16th 2008 7:57PM
Here in the Philippines, it is customary for even middle class Filipinos to hire a "katulong" (help) to help with the cooking and cleaning.
When I first got here to live with them, I was uncomfortable, having grown up in the US, to have what I saw as someone cleaning up after me & having to cook for me. I was taught the usual American value of self-reliance. But my extended family here told me that it's a local custom here.
In addition to paying her, as Chris mention, my aunt has "adopted" our help's children and has helped to pay for their clothes, medical needs, & schooling into the University level. My cousins call her "tita" (aunt) and treat her kids as cousins. In effect, not only are you helping whoever who hire as help, you are helping the next generations so that they won't have to.