Statement From the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on the Decision to Maintain the Current Level of Minimum Allowable Wage for Foreign Domestic Helpers |
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The Philippine Consulate General welcomes the decision of the Hong Kong SAR government to maintain the present level of the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers. We wish to express our appreciation to Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa for his leadership and objectivity. We further commend Education and Manpower Secretary Fanny Law for her efforts in making the process of review of the minimum allowable wage more transparent. It has beenn our position that the economic indicators in the year 2001 do not warrant a decrease in minimum wage. Beyond economics, we have appealed to those calling for a reduction to consider the moral dimension of the issue - that the poorest of the poor must not be the first to be sacrificed in times of an economic downturn. Happy workers are productive workers. The Philippine Consulate General wishes to thank the Hong Kong residents who have supported the 150,000 domestic helpers here in their quest for equity and justice. Decency and fair play triumphed today. The Philippine Consulate General wishes to reiterate its assurance to the government and peoples of Hong Kong that it will continue playing its role in further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
31 JANUARY 2002
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