Our Story


We got started because we saw a better way of hiring domestic helpers. By removing worker placement fees, we’ve reinvented the domestic helper agency so that it is fair to workers, and fair to employers.

Debt Bondage

For too long, employment agencies have been making money from doing a bad job. Employers are charged for bad customer service, while agencies secretly charge domestic helpers too. This illegal practice leaves domestic helpers in debt and it fails employers.

When agencies charge domestic helpers, they are incentivised to place those who are willing to pay, rather than those who are right for the job. When a helper is fired or quits, the agency makes more money by charging replacement workers. Meanwhile the domestic helper gets further into debt as she borrows more money for a new job.

We saw this broken system and knew we could do better.

The Problem

Our Solution

We launched Fair Employment Agency as a better way of hiring domestic helpers. Because we never charge fees to domestic helpers, our agency works for the interests of everyone.

Domestic helpers benefit because they start their jobs free from recruitment debt. Employers benefit because we only place helpers who are a good match for their family. And Hong Kong benefits because we are setting a new standard of professionalism for all employment agencies.

The Solution

How we got started

  1. How we started
    How we started - Aug 2012

    During his Hong Kong internship, Scott Stiles identifies issues with the domestic worker recruitment system and envisions a fair agency to combat exploitative practices. Soon afterwards, Tammy Baltz, a dedicated volunteer aiding indebted domestic workers, joins his cause. Scott drafts a business plan for the “Domestic Worker Project” upon returning to his US university, while Tammy garners support in Hong Kong.

  2. Start-up funds
    Start-up funds - Oct 2013

    Some philanthropists see Scott’s business plan and promise start-up funds if he moves out to Hong Kong to do it. They’re a little surprised when he actually turns up in Hong Kong to do it! But thankfully still give start-up funds anyway.

  3. We’re official!
    We’re official! - Aug 2014

    Scott, Tammy, and a team of dedicated students take to the streets to spread the word about their ethical employment agency, despite limited funds for advertising. We then gain accreditation from the Philippines Consulate and establish the first headquarters in Wan Chai. The agency opens its doors and receives immediate recognition, being featured in SCMP’s Post Magazine. The phone begins to ring, leading to the successful pairing of their first worker with an employer, with the worker not having to pay any fees.

  4. Expanding team
    Expanding team - Jul 2015

    Jennifer Meehan, the former Asia Regional CEO of Grameen Foundation, is inspired by our mission and dedicates two full years as our Director of Strategic Development, contributing to the establishment of an impact evaluation model and nurturing the growth of our young team into leadership positions. As demand grows for our services, we have to expand the team quite quickly. We’re grateful to find wonderful, talented people to join our expanding team for the growing demand for our services. In addition, we secure a second office space conveniently located upstairs from Fair HQ.

  5. Clockenflap
    Clockenflap - Nov 2016

    Our friends at Thomson Reuters help us produce a promotional video which is played to 60,000 people at Hong Kong’s biggest music festival. Fair Employment Agency volunteers greet thousands of festival goers at Clockenflap and spread the word on our work.

  6. 1000th placement
    1000th placement - Dec 2016

    We place 1000 domestic workers, saving those workers an estimated US$1.5million in recruitment debt.

  7. TVB Pearl Report
    TVB Pearl Report - Apr 2017

    TVB Pearl feature our work in a feature length piece on exploitation in the domestic worker recruitment process. Fair Employment Agency is presented as a new type of domestic helper agency and we have a boost in new clients after the show airs.

  8. New office, new look
    New office, new look - Aug 2018

    Thanks to a kind donor, we strengthen all of our technology platforms, build a new website and update our look. We also moved to a bigger space in Sheung Wan that would fit our 20+ team comfortably. We were fortunate to have Spatial Concept who helped us design the space to be functional and even painted our walls with the FEA colours. Meanwhile, We place our 3000th domestic worker, helping those workers avoid an estimated US$4.5million in recruitment debt.

  9. 4000th placement
    4000th placement - Jan 2020

    We place our 4000th domestic worker, helping those workers avoid an estimated US$6million in recruitment debt.

  10. We are accredited with the Indonesian Consulate!
    We are accredited with the Indonesian Consulate! - Jul 2020

    We are accredited with the Indonesian Consulate!

  11. 5000th placement
    5000th placement - Jan 2021

    After a challenging 2020, we begin 2021 by passing our 5000th placement milestone.

  12. We are accredited with the Royal Thai Consulate
    We are accredited with the Royal Thai Consulate - Jan 2021

    We are accredited with the Royal Thai Consulate!

  13. 8000th placement
    8000th placement - Jul 2023

    In 2023, we have placed 8,000 domestic workers and helped them to save over millions in recruitment debt!

Our Team

Aivy Sayo
Aivy Sayo
Administrative Officer
Celina Lok
Celina Lok
Senior Case Consultant
Cheyenne Lam
Cheyenne Lam
Case Consultant
Elaine Chau
Elaine Chau
Recruitment Team Manager
Elizabeth Florence
Elizabeth Florence
Recruitment Consultant
Jasmine Lam
Jasmine Lam
General Manager
Joe Togi
Joe Togi
Recruitment Consultant
Kathleen Largo
Kathleen Largo
Programme Manager
Katie Sung
Katie Sung
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Phoenix Ho
Phoenix Ho
Administrative Assistant
Ruby Cheng
Ruby Cheng
Accounting & Office Manager
Samantha Lui
Samantha Lui
Client Care Officer

Our Board and Founders

Tammy Baltz
Tammy Baltz
Co-founder & Board Director
Mathew Gollop
Mathew Gollop
Board Director
Sam Lau
Sam Lau
Board Director
Blums Pineda
Blums Pineda
Board Director
Lidia Garcia
Lidia Garcia
Board Advisor

With thanks to our supporters

Peery Foundation
Peery Foundation
technology & scaling up
Macquarie
Macquarie
employer engagement
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs Gives
start-up funds