The Coalition Against Government Exaction, an alliance of 83 migrant organisations in Hong Kong, has been organised in response to the problems besetting migrant workers, particularly the excessive exactions imposed by the Philippine Government through the Philippine Consulate. To make matters worse, it has been proposed by a Provisional Urban Councillor that foreign domestic helpers' salaries be reduced by 20 per cent. If such a proposal is adopted by the Government, it will be the final blow for migrant workers who are already in a desperate plight. While we sympathise with the economic slump and the fact that it is affecting Hong Kong people, we feel it would be great injustice if we were made to pay for the effects of this crisis. Domestic helpers are at the bottom of the Hong Kong labour force wages ladder. A certain percentage of our salary is already spent here in Hong Kong. The remaining sum is barely enough to meet the high cost of living in the Philippines. The fact is that the Philippine economy is also suffering from an economic depression. We are having to cope with the devaluation of the peso. The Hong Kong Government should understand that most domestic helpers work 12 to 16 hours a day. Some even have to do work for two homes and clean one or more cars on top of their regular household routine. These migrant workers have accepted their situation so they can have a job. We have not asked for any wage increase, because we appreciate that the economic crisis is affecting everyone in Hong Kong. But it would be wrong to cut our wages. VICKY CASIA-CABANTAC Presiding Officer Coalition Against Government Exaction
