Pinoy, Indon maids march in Hong Kong to demand wage increase

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 Kong’s government headquarters.

The protesters demanded the government scrap a 400 Hong Kong dollars ($51) tax on employers that was introduced in 2003 when Hong Kong’s 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.