Pinoy, Indon maids march in Hong Kong to demand wage increase
March 6, 2006 | 12:00am
HONG KONG (AP) About 500 Filipino and Indonesian maids working in Hong Kong marched through downtown streets yesterday to demand a wage increase.
"Stop modern slavery! Wage increase now!" read placards held by the domestic workers who marched from a downtown square to Hong Kongs government headquarters.
The protesters demanded the government scrap a 400 Hong Kong dollars ($51) tax on employers that was introduced in 2003 when Hong Kongs economy was in recession, and raise their minimum monthly salary to the original level of HK$3,670 ($471).
Eman Villanueva, a protest organizer, said the tax has undermined their ability to support families back home, where prices are much lower than those in Hong Kong and a small reduction in pay will greatly affect their families livelihood.
"HK$400 a month is enough to provide a monthly rice supply for a family of six in the Philippines," Villanueva said.
The maids, who have repeatedly protested against the wage cut, chanted "Bring back HK$3,670, abolish the levy!" as they marched.
More than 218,000 foreigners work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Most come from the Philippines, with smaller numbers from Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal.
"Stop modern slavery! Wage increase now!" read placards held by the domestic workers who marched from a downtown square to Hong Kongs government headquarters.
The protesters demanded the government scrap a 400 Hong Kong dollars ($51) tax on employers that was introduced in 2003 when Hong Kongs economy was in recession, and raise their minimum monthly salary to the original level of HK$3,670 ($471).
Eman Villanueva, a protest organizer, said the tax has undermined their ability to support families back home, where prices are much lower than those in Hong Kong and a small reduction in pay will greatly affect their families livelihood.
"HK$400 a month is enough to provide a monthly rice supply for a family of six in the Philippines," Villanueva said.
The maids, who have repeatedly protested against the wage cut, chanted "Bring back HK$3,670, abolish the levy!" as they marched.
More than 218,000 foreigners work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Most come from the Philippines, with smaller numbers from Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal.
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