Reasons to cut domestic helpers wages totally unjustified

The proposal to cut domestic helpers' minimum wage cannot be justified on economic or moral grounds. It has all the hallmarks of an unprovoked, racial attack on people seen to be least able to defend themselves. Legislators should throw out the idea, and consider giving helpers a pay rise instead.

Amid all the talk of the SAR's economic 'woes' the fact remains that Hong Kong is one of the most prosperous places on earth, with virtually full employment, a generally buoyant stock market, a strong currency and inflation near zero. Compare that with other countries in the region (even Japan!) and we're not doing so badly.

I doubt whether many employers here have had to give up their amah because of the recent Asian turmoil.

Cutting the wages of helpers is merely transferring wealth from the poorest to the richest members of society; this is regressive and anti-democratic as well as mean and shortsighted.

A helpers' wage cut will have little effect on the employer, whereas for a maid, perhaps struggling to support a family of her own, the consequences could be serious.

Domestic helpers work as hard as anyone in Hong Kong. They are often expected to be on duty 24 hours a day if needed, carrying out all kinds of skilled and unskilled tasks for what amounts to a pittance. Many households simply could not function without them.