The government was yesterday accused of stealing taxpayers' money by imposing a levy on employers of foreign domestic helpers.
A Legislative Council subcommittee met to discuss amending the Employees Retraining Ordinance to suspend of the HK$400-a-month levy for employers of foreign maids and of imported labour for two years from August 1 to July 31, 2010.
The levy has already been suspended by the government and now Legco is being asked to endorse the suspension. It was tabled under negative vetting, meaning that unless an objection is received, it will become law.
Ip Wai-ming of the Federation of Trade Unions and Li Fung-ying of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions said they wanted the levy retained to protect workers and enhance retraining.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, former secretary for security, who was elected chairwoman of the subcommittee, said: 'The administration has identified this levy as an automatic abundant fund resource. So the administration is robbing ... the public.'
