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Migrant groups react on controversial comment of HK politician to restrict maids from using aircon

Filipinos working as domestic maids in Hong Kong will greatly be affected after a politician proposed limitations on the use of aircon amid the hot summer weather.

Filipinos and Indonesians dominate the 340,000 migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

This statement was made after Michael Lee, a politician that heads a group for employers of maids, suggest that employers should have the right to restrict what maids can and cannot do.

This is when a viral post of an employer, named only as Wong, said that her maid turned the air condition without her permission amid the 30-degree Celsius temperature.

Lee, said in a radio interview that the helpers came from hot countries, and that they should already be accustomed to the hot weather.

“If they come from the hot country, they should get used to the hot weather,” Lee later told the media.

Moreover, Lee said that the use of air-con must be allowed, but only at night so that they can continue in their household duties.

“I recommend all employers in Hong Kong set up house rules saying what they can and cannot do,” added Lee.

Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body (AMCB), an organization that help protect the rights and welfare of migrant and local workers, said that restriction in the use of aircon is unfair and inhumane.

“To regulate the foreign domestic helpers in using air conditioning is inhumane and will cause deterioration to their health,” said former domestic helper Eni Lestari, spokeswoman for the AMCB.

Rights groups have also criticized exploitative recruitment agencies, the “two-week rule” and the “live-in rule”, yet the Government still has not shown response to the change in regulations.

One Comment

  1. That’s OK, Michael Lee. In your next life, hopefully, you’ll be a woman, a maid, in the PHILIPPINES, or worse, in INDONESIA! wahahahaha!

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