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| The new MAW is significantly lower than the $6,712 demanded by migrants' groups |
The government has raised the minimum allowable wage
for foreign domestic helpers to $5,100 per month, higher by 2.2 percent from
the current $4,990.
The food allowance for those not provided free food
by their employers will remain at the same rate of $1,236 per month for the
second consecutive year.
The new MAW will apply to all FDH contracts signed
on or after tomorrow, Sept. 30. Those signed today or earlier will still be
processed at the existing MAW of $4,990 provided that the applications reach
Immigration Department on or before Monday, October 27.
The biggest alliance of FDH groups, the Asian
Migrants Coordinating Body, did not reject the wage increase outright, saying
it was the result of relentless campaigning of migrant domestic workers’
groups.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
However, it is still a far cry from the “living wage”
of $6,172 that they had been fighting for.
On the other hand, it came as a relief as well, since a pro-employers' group had asked for a wage freeze, a call vehemently condemned by AMCB.
What AMCB deplored was the government’s decision
not to increase the food allowance which they called “seriously unhealthy and
insufficient” especially considering the continuing food price increases in
Hong Kong.
“Such a move will leave many MDWs (migrant domestic workers)
struggling with whatever little finances they have in order to afford decent
meals everyday,” said AMCB.
But in its statement, the government said that in
coming up with the MAW, it ensures that its level is commensurate with Hong Kong’s
economic and labor market conditions.
As before, it considered a “basket of factors” including
Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labor market conditions over the
past year, near-term economic outlook, affordability of FDH employers, basic
living needs of FDHs and views or different stakeholders.
The Philippine government itself has stipulated a
minimum wage of US$500 monthly for overseas Filipino workers in its latest
advisory, which is far lower than what Hong Kong provides for MDWs.
