Oxfam Hong Kong was started in 1976 by a group of people concerned with world poverty. In 1988 it was registered as an independent support organization and became a part of Oxfam International. Oxfam's aims surpass the limits of race, gender, religion and politics; they help the poor face the world's difficulties and work to create a world in which all have food, housing, employment, right to health care, respect and attention. The group's funding comes from Hong Kong citizens, businesses and support from other Oxfam branches. Starting in 1987, Oxfam Hong Kong has been devoting much time and energy into financial support and disaster prevention for the impoverished towns of mainland China; by March 2001, they had already implemented over 500 development projects on the mainland, spanning fifteen provinces (all under the jurisdiction of town and regional governments) and totaling 155 million RMB in expenses. Of these projects, most were geared toward support of minorities and small mountain towns in Southwest and Northwest of China. Over the past few years, owing to the rapid increase of migrant workers along coastal China, Oxfam Hong Kong has started a number of projects aimed at supporting migrant workers, injured laborers and laid-off workers.

ICO is Oxfam Hong Kong's strongest ally in Guangdong province. Beginning in May 2001, Oxfam began funding ICO's works: A Study of Workplace Injury Compensation in China, and “Labor Hotline”, dedicated to providing injured and oppressed migrant workers with legal aid.