Wages frozen for HK maids

Filipina domestic helpers have protested against any proposed wage cut

By Nick Easen
CNN

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Overseas domestic helpers are celebrating after the Hong Kong government decided not to cut their minimum wage.

A sigh of relief in Hong Kong was almost palpable after 235,000 workers -- mostly Filipinas and Indonesians -- heard that the minimum wage of $470 (HK$3,670) a month would remain unscathed.

"A decision not to cut is a victory in itself," Eman Villanueva, Secretary General of United Filipinos in Hong Kong told CNN.

But not all were happy.

An employers group, who were expecting a wage decrease, expressed disappointment with the decision citing concerns due to an economic slump in the former British colony.

"We were shocked, I had 100 employers calling me this morning upset about the decision," said Joseph Law chairperson of the Hong Kong Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers Association.

Others have accused the government of singling out one of the lowest paid sectors in the territory to bare the initial brunt of the financial downturn.

The Hong Kong government has spent the last few months deliberating over the annual review of the minimum wage.

In view of rising unemployment and falling or frozen wages in some sectors, some expected the minimum wage to drop by between five and 20 percent.

Regular review

Hong Kong's secretary for education and manpower Fanny Law announced the decision on Thursday, saying it would continue to monitor the economic situation in respect to wages.

Fourth-quarter 2001 figures for the territory's economic performance, which will be available next month, could see a fresh review of the minimum pay level.

"We need to stay vigilant, they are reviewing the wages regularly, it is always under threat," said Villanueva.

Local press in the Philippines said that the government had bowed under pressure from both the Philippines and Indonesia.

However, the government have said that the pay freeze was just part of the review process that occurs annually.

The Hong Kong Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers Association had lobbied the administration to lower the minimum wage from $3,670 to $3,150.

Quality of life

Domestic helpers say the loss of such an amount, though marginal for employers would be significant for migrant workers.

"For Indonesians you can buy a lot with this money," Eny Lestari, head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union told CNN.

Many migrant workers support family members in their home country, as well as injecting money back into the Hong Kong economy.

Philip Chok of the Education and Manpower Bureau told CNN that the government "recognized the contribution that they [domestic helpers] have made, they have enabled a lot of our female population to work and to earn an income in Hong Kong."

"If they were not around, I think the quality of living in Hong Kong would not be what it is at the moment."

The Hong Kong Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers Association say they plan to meet the Education and Manpower department on February 8 and continue to lobby for a wage cut for domestic helpers.