Fighting for democracy is indeed in their interest
A few hypothesis : - Do they not want to participate in these demonstrations because they are discriminated against by the locals ?
- Maybe they don't want to risk being fired if they participate in the demonstrations instead of working.
- Nevertheless, even if they don't participate, what are they thinking about these demonstrations ?
I believe that they care but at the same time they are very marginalised and from the most vulnerable economic strata with little latitude for the luxury of participating in demonstrations. During their long hours of work (they usually only have Sundays off) they are expected to be constantly at their employer's beck and call. On Sundays is truly a time for rest. I spoke with a number of Philipinos in HK and they told me of their very hard existence and that the little time they have off they try to at least get a little social interaction with their own countrymen. In Taiwan, where the labour law is different I did observe demonstrations by Philipinos. In any event they are hard working and very caring. The fact they may not be at the demonstrations does not mean they do not care about democracy it perhaps they are more concerned with how they are able to try and lift their immediate loved-ones out of abject poverty.
I dont think they can even if they wished to. Indeed these neo-colonially minded lads going around disrupting the daily lives of Hong Kong people are themselves beneficiaries of system of slavery that oppresses the maids. I bet that 90% of these lads on the roads in Central and Mongkok were raised by maids from the Philippines and Indonesia. Naturally enough their so-called pro-democracy demands have nothing to do with these maids.
I might add to Jeffrey's point: they may not be involved given their tenuous position in Hong Kong. The HKSAR is not shy about deporting maids and others, so involvement by them in the protests may have led to their ejection - something local residents (or expats from places like the UK or US) would not have to worry about as much.
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