Q Is the Government right to impose a levy on employers of maids? Should maids be entitled to the right of abode here?
This is another example of how the government is actually regressing rather than progressing in its social and economic development for Hong Kong. I have repeatedly employed local domestic helpers but have since given up as their working mentality is simply negative. I had to teach one local helper how to dust, and needed to clean my house after my local domestic helper has apparently finished the job. If this is what the government wants its people to attend classes and training for in order to fight for jobs and as a result lower the unemployment rate, they have gotten it completely backwards. What a waste of resources. Surely if they are adamant on taxing workers, they should effectively do it across the board and use the funds to provide a better future for our children and grandchildren. They can first start by cleaning up the environment, then giving all children an equal chance for a sound education.
Irene Tam, Mid-Levels
I think it is abhorrent that the government is implementing a tax on employers (most of whom have had salary reductions) and lowering the already low minimum wage of helpers. Helpers have very important jobs. They support us to function in this economy and they look after our children, our most precious asset. Their contributions are invaluable and they have been consistently mistreated and undervalued by many in Hong Kong. I see these taxes as totally discriminatory against minorities - it is inexcusable. There are lots of other untapped sources of income in Hong Kong. If we are going to be a world-class city, we must not implement unfair and discriminatory policies.
Name and address supplied
If the government seems to want Hong Kong to be this so-called world city, I assume that includes enabling local women to develop a career. My Filipino helper plays a vital role. She is a university graduate who can read to my children and help them develop their characters, and I really would not settle for anything less. Imposing a tax on foreign domestic helpers is not only obviously racist, it shows the lack of thought and appreciation on the government's part for how these women have helped to liberate local women so that we can contribute to society.
