Civic Party chiefs yesterday admitted rivals' attacks on its stance over permanent residency for domestic helpers had plunged the party into its biggest crisis.
Speaking a day after the Liberal Party ran critical newspaper advertisments, Civic Party chairman Dr Kenneth Chan Ka-lok said while such 'provocative attacks' were unprecedented, parties fanning the public flames should know the debate was on whether helpers had the right to apply for right of abode, not whether they should enjoy permanent residency.
'This is the most serious political attack the party has encountered since its establishment [in 2006], like a typhoon number 10,' said Chan, a political scientist at Baptist University. 'Although I have no crystal ball on hand, I can tell we will face a dire scenario in the coming district council elections [in November].'
The Liberals' advert on Wednesday challenged the Civic Party to spell out its next step if judges rule that domestic helpers who have lived in the city for seven years or more are entitled to right of abode.
Five Filipinos are bringing judicial reviews of the Immigration Ordinance clause denying helpers permanent residency. Among them is Evangeline Banao Vallejos, a Filipino helper who has worked in the city for 25 years. The High Court is to hear her case on August 22 and Gladys Li, a barrister and Civic Party founder, is representing Vallejos.
Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit called on the government to clarify aspects of the immigration policy.
