Government may lack authority to stop bid to scrap helper levy

Hopes for the permanent abolition of the controversial HK$400 levy on foreign domestic helpers were boosted yesterday after it was suggested that the government may not have legal grounds to block an amendment.

Independent lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who is leading the campaign to abolish the levy, said she had received advice from Legislative Council's legal counsel that her amendment to abolish the levy should be able to proceed.

Meanwhile, about 150 migrant workers demonstrated in Causeway Bay to protest against the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila next week.

A legislative procedure to retrospectively approve the two-year suspension of the helper levy, announced while Legco was in recess, is currently undergoing a 'negative vetting' process.

The government amendment suspending the levy was part of inflationary relief measures announced in July. The measure has been widely criticised for being poorly thought out, causing mass sackings and putting a strain on the immigration department, as only employers of new or renewed contracts could benefit.

Lawmakers' amendments are not allowed if they create a 'charging affect' by upsetting the government's budget, but Mrs Ip has now been advised that since the levy itself is not a tax, an amendment to it should not be categorised as having a charging effect.

The subcommittee examining the issue, chaired by Mrs Ip, will hold a public hearing on Saturday, and Mrs Ip's amendment is expected to be supported by the pan-democrats as well as the Liberal Party.