FOREIGN domestic workers reacted with anger and disappointment yesterday and hinted at taking to the streets following a Government announcement that their minimum wage would not be increased this year.
A brief statement yesterday claimed the decision, which cuts the pay in real terms of 152,000 mainly Filipino workers, reflected local pay trends.
'After studying the relevant statistics of the wage movements of local workers, we consider that the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers of $3,750 a month remains appropriate,' it said.
It gave no details of wage movements on which it based its decision and no one was available from the Education and Manpower Branch to give further explanation.
Workers and support groups reacted with fury, claiming the Government was treating them unfairly and unequally with locals.
A meeting of all migrant worker groups has been scheduled for Sunday, the only day of the week most of these workers are free, to discuss possible action.
Remy Borlongan, chairman of the Asian Domestic Workers' Union, poured scorn on the official reasons for the decision, claiming the Government was reacting to rising unemployment which is currently at an 11-year high of 3.5 per cent.
