THERE have been lots of stories in the papers about the issues raised by labour unions, legislators and concerned individuals on unemployment and overseas labourers.
They all tend to blame - or use as scapegoats - foreign workers, particularly Filipino domestic workers, as the reason why local workers are unemployed or under-employed.
This letter is an attempt to explain the conditions of Filipino domestic workers in the territory, which those mentioned above did not bother looking into before blaming them for local problems.
One example is the closure of the Mitsukoshi department store in Tsim Sha Tsui due to the tripling of its rent by the building's owners.
Instead of blaming the owners for the decision which cost the sales staff their jobs, they blamed Filipino workers employed in other stores for the sacked workers being unable to get other employment.
Most Filipino domestic helpers working in shops, restaurants and even factories are forced to work there by their employers, in league with Hong Kong-based recruitment agencies, while at the same time doing housework in their employers' flats.
They are forced to sign a sort of side agreement, besides the traditional employment contract, specifically stating the additional and illegal work required of them.