'We are workers, not slaves!' Hundreds of maids march on Hong Kong government HQ

Hundreds of Indonesian maids marched through the streets yesterday to call for better labour rights - with some likening their working conditions to slavery.

They also demanded Jakarta's action to crack down on unscrupulous employment agencies, which they say charge maids exorbitant fees equivalent to seven months' pay.

Waving flags and placards, the maids chanted slogans like: "We are workers, we are not slaves" as they marched from Victoria Park to the Indonesian consulate in Causeway Bay and on to the government headquarters in Admiralty.

Outside the headquarters, they were joined by a group of domestic helpers from the Philippines who were also staging a rally for better labour rights.

The march, which comes after a series of cases featuring allegations of maid abuse, also marked International Women's Day, celebrated globally on Saturday.

Organisers claimed 1,000 maids took part; police said the turnout was 410.