In reference to the letter from Jane Felicia ('Selfish talk', SMP, February 21) in which she calls domestic helpers selfish for objecting to the five per cent pay cut, I too feel that employees at fast-food establishments are poorly paid.
But Ms Felicia is comparing apples to oranges. Domestic helpers are paid a pittance when one considers the responsibilities they hold and the hours they work a week.
Most food servers are single, live with their families, and are free to seek better employment.
Many domestic helpers work as housekeepers, cleaners, cooks, care-givers, babysitters, dog-walkers, errand runners, grocery-buyers, seamstresses, car-washers and telephone answering services.
Our 'helper' was entitled to three days off for Lunar New Year, but only took two because she was worried that it might be difficult for us without her.
She never leaves the house on Sundays without doing a few chores. Aside from attending church, she spends 50 per cent of her day off volunteering her time at a children's organisation. (What percentage of the population does that?) Somehow I doubt that our helper's room, measuring 40 square feet, could be rented out for big money if it were vacant.
