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Families and their Filipino workers agonise together over the future

Employers and maids were alarmed and confused as they waited yesterday to learn if the Philippines' ban on new contracts will force long-time helpers to leave Hong Kong.

Crystal Sin Yu Bo-ting, a 29-year-old financial consultant, said she was worried that her maid Eufemia Gabriel would not be able to extend her visa once it expired in July this year.

'Eufemia has been taking care of our family for nearly two years, and we have come a long way - she has got used to our daily routines, our diets, and most of all, she has become a member of the family and a good friend to my eight-year-old daughter,' Mrs Sin said.

'We are very fond of her as she is smart and helpful, and we would be willing to pay more to make her stay if we have to.

'Of course we will have to hire a new maid, but it takes a long time to train a maid and longer yet to establish a friendship.'

Mrs Sin's daughter, Yammie Sin Yan-yu, said she was going to miss the maid if she leaves in July. 'We've been together so long. She is always there to read to me, pick me up from school and cook for me. I snuggle against her and hug her when I sleep.'

Maids and employers who rushed the Philippine consulate yesterday to ask what would happen from next Monday, when the ban takes effect, complained that they were given ambiguous answers from consulate staff.

Winnie Lolarga was told she could not renew the contract with her employer of seven years until it ends on April 29.

Consulate representatives told her to return in a few weeks. By then, the ban will be in force. 'I'm not happy with this,' she said. 'I don't know what will happen.'

Ms Lolarga began working for her employer in Sham Tseng when their first baby was born in 1996. She has cared for both of her employers' children ever since. 'I'm enjoying my life in Hong Kong because I have friends, I have a good employer and also, I have a sister here,' she said. 'If they force me to go to the Philippines, what can I do?'

Fiona Gregor, who has her own toy business, is seeking a Filipino maid to care for her four-year-old son. Now she does not know whether the maid will get the visa even though she filed all the appropriate papers yesterday.

'He [the consulate official] said he cannot promise the woman will be able to get on the aircraft in Manila,' she said.

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