One place two stories: Unravelling Indonesian domestic workers’ migrant journey in Hong Kong

Abstract

Following the year 2002, Indonesian migrant domestic workers (IDWs) gradually transform the generic perception that they are merely physical workers. They have attracted a different form of attention as they began to publish novels, short stories, poetry anthologies and non-fiction writings. In this paper, two books on IDW ‐ namely, Susanti’s Tentang Sedih di Victoria Park (‘About sadness in Victoria Park’) and Sorrita’s Penari Naga Kecil (‘The little dragon dancer’) ‐ are examined and analysed to further explore the subtext underlying the stories. I argue that IDWs’ narratives offer an alternate narrative that indicates IDWs fighting back on the imposed stereotypes underlining the importance of migrant voice. Both books provide insights into IDWs’ lives in Hong Kong, which illustrate IDWs’ migrant experience.