Seeking refuge in a productivist welfare regime: Well-being of African asylum seekers/refugees in Hong Kong

Consistent with its productivist welfare model, Hong Kong offers limited welfare support to asylum seekers and refugees (ASR). This study examines the living conditions, experiences, support systems and well-being of African ASRs in Hong Kong in the context of the city's productivist welfare regime. Semi-structured interviews with 53 African ASRs revealed that they faced economic precarity, social stigma, and social isolation, which culminated in distress and unhappiness. Due to challenges in meeting their basic needs, the ASRs turned to voluntary institutions (e.g., non-governmental organisations and religious groups) and informal welfare (e.g., private residents and families) for social, economic, cultural and symbolic capital. These capitals offered them tangible (food and clothing) and intangible (information, emotional support, prestige, and belief systems) resources to navigate harsh circumstances. The study argues that the well-being of African ASRs in Hong Kong hinges on the interplay between public and private welfare services. Such complementary support reflects the principles of the productivist welfare regime in Hong Kong and it is partly why the government is able to maintain low decommodification among ASRs. Therefore, protecting the well-being of ASRs within this framework requires a more integrated welfare programme that enables stronger cross-sectoral collaboration.

与其生产主义福利模式相一致，香港对寻求庇护者和难民（ ASR ）提供有限的福利支持。本研究考察了香港的非洲 ASRs 在生产主义福利制度背景下的生活条件、经历、支持系统和福祉。对 53 名非洲 ASRs 进行的半结构化访谈显示，他们面临经济不稳定、社会污名和社会孤立，导致困扰和不快乐。由于难以满足基本需求， ASRs 转向志愿机构（如非政府组织和宗教团体）和非正式福利（如私人居民和家庭）寻求社会、经济、文化和象征性资本。这些资本为他们提供了切实的（如食物和衣物）和无形的（如信息、情感支持、声望和信仰体系）资源，以应对严峻的生存情况。本研究认为，香港的非洲 ASRs 的福祉取决于公共和私人福利服务之间的相互作用。这种互补支持反映了香港生产主义福利制度的原则，也部分解释了政府为何能够在 ASRs 中保持低度商品化。因此，在这一框架内保护 ASRs 的福祉需要建立为一个整合的福利计划，并加强跨部门合作。