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.