ONE would think, if one read A. Cheung's letter (South China Morning Post, October 30), that Hong Kong has been taken over by foreign domestic helpers because they are everywhere. It is really sad that people like A. Cheung view foreign domestic helpers as a menace and as invaders of Hong Kong society. What is A. Cheung's real concern in bringing up the issue on the 'overwhelming' presence and visibility of foreign domestic helpers on weekdays in the territory? Is the correspondent suggesting that foreign domestic helpers should not be seen anywhere in the territory if it is not their day off? Or is he suggesting that foreign domestic helpers should be allowed to go to the supermarket, banks and post offices at certain times and days only, and have special queues for them alone? What else will be suggested - perhaps curfews and safety passes for foreign domestic helpers? Of course, these measures sound ridiculous but some people may believe in such outrageous measures. Let me point out to A. Cheung, that foreign domestic helpers are part of the Hong Kong community. They have the right to gather in Statue Square or any other park in Hong Kong, and to go to supermarkets, banks and post offices any time and any day of the week. And if I may also point out, the 'petty' chores (as A. Cheung implied when he referred to selling hamburgers in fast food restaurants, cleaning commercial buildings, selling clothes in fashion boutiques, photocopying services and even chopping chickens in the market) are services to the Hong Kong community. People like A. Cheung should not allow themselves to be so shallow and narrow-minded in analysing the situation of foreign domestic helpers vis-a-vis the unemployment problem in Hong Kong. Why doesn't he question the Hong Kong Government on what its concrete steps are in reducing if not eliminating the current unemployment problem instead of blaming legal and illegal foreign domestic helpers? Why doesn't he question himself on what the root cause of Hong Kong's unemployment problem is? CONNIE BRAGAS-REGALADO Chairperson United Filipinos in Hong Kong
