#when in hongkong amateur photography hkig

[jencabanez]

Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) from Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Philippines gather today at the Department of Labour in Sheung Wan to assert their call for just and decent living wage in Hong Kong in the wake of the annual government review of the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW).

While it is true that the Labour Department & Welfare Bureau calls for a consultation with migrants' organizations and non-government service providers every year, the concerns raised by these groups particularly on rightful increase in wages as well as improved policies for their rights and welfare are ignored, evidence was clear in last year's HK$110 MAW increase and HK$22 food allowance.

Despite the significant contribution of the MDWs, the current MAW of $5420 clearly falls to slave wage level. The Hong Kong government remains apathetic to the MDWs basic needs who have difficulty in coping up with inflation, goods, utilities and services in Hongkong at the same time struggling to provide for the needs of their families way back home.

It's about time to recognize the dignity and value of domestic work as MDWs and demand a humane living wage. Based on Oxfam's December 2018 study on living wage level in Hongkong which they pegged at HK$54.70/hour, the MAW level should be no less than HK$5894/month. This should be applied to local and migrant live-in domestic workers.

We believe that "with a living wage, workers and their families should be able to afford a basic, but descent life style that is considered acceptable by the society at its current level of economic development. Workers and family should be able to live above the poverty level, and be able to participate on social and cultural life. "

Thus we demand the Hong Kong government to:

1. Raise the MAW to HK$5894 to meet the living wage in Hong Kong;

2. Implement an 11-hour uninterrupted rest plus meal breaks stipulated in the standard employment contract (SEC);

3. Ensure descent accommodation for MDWs and stipulate in the SEC the unsuitable accommodations such as toilet, kitchen, hallway, cupboard, warehouse, living room and other unsafe and unhealthy forms of accommodation.

We vow to continue the struggle for a living wage and rights of workers. At the same time, we shall continue to build our unity and strength in the migrant domestic worker's movement and work with the exploited workers in Hong Kong and all over the world in pushing changes that will establish a structure and system that serves the majority and not only the capitalists and exploiting classes.

- From Press Release of Asian Migrants' Coordinating Body (AMCB)

[jencabanez]

Despite different diversities, migrant domestic workers from different organizations gather today at the Department of Labour in Sheung Wan to assert our call for just and decent living wage in Hong Kong in the wake of the annual government review of the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW).

[jencabanez]

June 16, 2019

The streets of hongkong has been turned into a black sea when hundreds of thousands of hongkong people went out again to march against this proposed extradition law. Approximate count of 2 million wore black clothes and went out. I managed to catch beholding sights you can see on the second phase of people power. Until the proposed law is totally scrap and the threat to their rule of law is gone, people will continuesly join the march this next few days. Do you hear the people sing? Yes! Otherwise, clean your ears.

[jencabanez]

As he looked outside, the memory of the Yellow Umbrella Movement touched his mind. But in reality, it’s the new trend along Chater Road in which migran workers are setting up tents in which they can spend their free time and rest. 

Chater Road has been known since then to be closed on Sundays and public holidays and has been the home of hundreds of migrant workers on their holidays.

Chater Road, Central

May 21, 2017