We, The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (Hong Kong) Society, wish to express that we are infuriated over the recently announced reduction by five per cent of the wages of foreign domestic workers (FDWs).
More than ever, we are overwhelmed by the impact this mean-spirited act is creating. We are on red alert for the possible snowballing increase in the cases of abuses, underpayment and unemployment. Already, we have received a barrage of phone calls and visits from FDWs threatened with underpayment or termination of contract.
By this reduction, they are supposedly made to 'help carry the burden of the economic downturn' experienced by Hong Kong which FDWs did not cause. This reduction is one more vicious discriminatory act perpetrated against FDWs.
It is ironic that while the monthly median wage in HK rose by almost 20 per cent between 1993-1998, FDWs' monthly wages rose only by 7.2 per cent from the period 1993-1994, and since then has been frozen. Instead of increasing the FDWs' capacity to cope with the crisis, it has callously reduced their salary.
In reality, the reduction was a punitive measure levied against the most vulnerable sector of Hong Kong society. It is a myopic political move rather than sound economic policy. This is giving the wrong signal to big businesses and unscrupulous employers. This will legitimise the practice of passing on to the lowly paid workers, foreign or local, the recovery of reduced profits.
The reduction of wages is the victory of those who do not see FDWs as human beings with dignity and rights but as mere commodities in the market.
