Domestic workers protest over Regina Ip’s ‘racist’ comments on Filipino helpers ‘bedding expat bosses’
March in Central comes a week after controversial comments from Executive Councillor
Around 300 domestic helpers and their supporters protested for the second time in a week against executive councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's "racist" comments about helpers sleeping with their expatriate bosses.
"No to discrimination! No to racism! Respect migrant workers' rights!" protesters chanted as they marched from Chater Garden in Central to the government headquarters in Admiralty yesterday.
A total of 130 concern groups have signed a joint statement declaring that they are aware of Ip’s apology, which they said was a victory.
The statement also says that the groups were aware of Ip's apology, describing it as a "victory" in their campaign to "correct a grievous wrong committed against" migrant women.
"We welcome this conciliatory gesture, but hope that Mrs Ip will be more circumspect in what she says in the future to prevent another backlash and social division," reads the statement.
Last Friday, Ip apologised to those who were offended by her controversial remarks on Filipino domestic helpers, but she insisted the comments were not sexist or racist.
"Unfortunately, the way my article was misinterpreted in some quarters has led many to believe that I was sexist or racist and was pointing a finger at the Filipino maids," she said.
Some protesters said yesterday that Ip's apology was not sincere enough. They said that they did not misinterpret Ip's comments in the article. Her comments were clearly racist, they said.
"I do not accept that. She was not sincere," said 42-year-old helper Lhea Gadchalian.
Bishop Gerry Vallo of the Jesus the Living God Church in Sheung Wan said he accepted Ip's apology, although it was clearly not sincere enough.
Eman Villanueva, spokesman for the Asia Migrants' Coordinating Body, said Ip had invited representatives of the maids' community for a meeting this afternoon.
"She has said that she supports migrants' rights. If she really means that, she will need to show us. For example, what is her take on including us in the working hours regulations?" he asked.
