I REFER to Ms Elsa Katarungan's letter (South China Morning Post, April 4), and to the final paragraph ''we will continue to work like slaves all over the world . . . ''. Does Ms Katarungan think that only the Filipino race are hard workers? Focusing primarily on Hongkong for the present, what about the expatriate manager who often leaves the house at 7.30 in the morning, returning often as late as 8 or 9 at night with a ton of paperwork to get through before the morning. What about the times he leaves on a business trip when officially his working day is over, or he travels to a destination on a Sunday? This is often the case, and although producing high remuneration, more often than not, creates a large number of marital problems. Or, what about the low paid, poorly educated Chinese factory workers or clerks who sometimes take home a gross salary of $3,000 per month; their protracted long absences creating child behavioural problems within their family unit. Every race on earth is faced with a myriad of cultural problems, not only the Filipinos. Slavery is not a guaranteed minimal wage, holiday pay, medical expenses, probably three square meals a day and a return ticket home. Slavery is enforced captivity, not the freedom to choose. SHEILA GRANGE Mid-Levels
