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| Migrant workers groups asked for a minimum monthly wage of $5,500 |
By The SUN Staff
Foreign
domestic helpers in Hong Kong who sign new
contracts from Sept 30 onward will see their monthly salary increased by $100
(2.3%) to $4,410 from the previous $4,310. Those who
are given food allowance will get an increase of a mere $16 (1.5%) – from
$1,037 to $1,053
The new
rates were announced by the Hong Kong
government earlier today, Sept. 29.
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| Villanueva |
Militant
migrant workers’ leader Eman Villanueva called the meager increase “an insult
and a clear proof that the Hong Kong
government is promoting slavery.”
“We laid
down the basis of our demand for a $5,500 monthly minimum wage during the
public consultations but the government simply ignored our demand. Obviously,
it is clear that the government is not sincere about the public consultations,”
Villanueva, chairman of Bayan Hong Kong & Macau said when asked for a
comment.
He said the
levels of increases are not realistic and send a message that the government
does not care about migrant workers.
“The $100
increase is only a token pay hike to appease the workers,” he said.
Militant
workers’ groups are now reportedly consulting each other to set a date for any
action they will take against the slight salary increase.
A government
press release reiterated that several factors were taken into consideration in
coming up with the MAW.
“The government
reviews the MAW for FDHs regularly. In accordance with the established
practice, we have carefully considered Hong Kong 's
general economic and labour market conditions over the past year, as reflected
through a basket of economic indicators, including the relevant income movement
and price change in this year's review,” a government spokesman said.
“Moreover,
the government has taken into account Hong Kong ’s
near-term economic outlook, as well as affordability for employers on the one
hand and the livelihood of FDHs on the other, in reaching the decision on the
above-mentioned adjustment.
“The government
has also reviewed the food allowance in lieu of free food, and decided to
increase the allowance level.”
Most FDWs
are asking to get the allowance instead of being given free food by their
employers, claiming that many are not given enough to eat each day, or get only
leftovers.
The government announcement said contracts signed on Sept 29 or earlier at the existing salary
of $4,310 a month and with food allowance of not less than $1,037 a month will
still be processed by Immigration provided the applications reach the
department by Oct 27.
This
arrangement is meant to give employers enough time to send the signed contracts
to Immigration to complete the application process.
