No Cantonese, no career? Can Hong Kong do more to help ethnic minority groups?
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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.
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