A RALLY and march by foreign domestic workers in Central yesterday to demand a higher wage increase was attended by only about 300 people - less than half a per cent of the domestic workforce.
But thousands of other helpers watched from the sidelines, some terrified that their employment contracts would be terminated and they might be sent home if their employers saw them protesting.
All the helpers the South China Morning Post spoke to yesterday expressed dissatisfaction at last week's Government recommendation that the $3,200 minimum wage for foreign domestics be increased to $3,500 in their first pay rise in two years.
''Of course, I am not happy with this situation,'' said Stella, who was playing cards with her friends in Chater Garden while the speeches and songs continued in the background.
''Our wages are not as good as they were two years ago, and already it is harder to pay for my children to live in the Philippines,'' she said.
''But what can we do?'' she shrugged.