Q Is Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo right to stop maids working in Hong Kong?
I am shocked by President Arroyo's decision to put a ban on the processing of new domestic helper contracts and the renewal of existing ones. There is no doubt that the Hong Kong government's policy of levying foreign domestic helpers $400 a month is unjust and discriminatory. However, there are surely other alternative routes to follow before taking such a rash step. How about organising a boycott of local businesses where foreign helpers spend their money? How about pushing the Hong Kong government to ensure that helpers are duly paid and fairly treated by their employers?
Does Mrs Arroyo not realise that many people in the Hong Kong government may be secretly laughing at her for falling into their trap? After all, their ultimate goal may be to end the importation of foreign domestic helpers so that employers will be left with no choice but to hire local helpers - possibly at higher wages, in spite of lower-quality work.
Ronna C. Heffner, Kowloon Tong
I find it inconceivable that President Arroyo should call our government 'unfair' and 'unjust' because of the $400 levy or tax - call it what you will. All of us need to pitch in and support our government so that we can have a balanced budget which will bring untold good for all of us.
I am unable to understand why a person cannot be thankful for all the jobs created for domestic employees who truly help families. It is my belief that President Arroyo has a severe block in her thought processes. She cannot dictate whom we tax. After all, all of us pay higher taxes, so it is not discriminatory.