Page 221 - 孫方中書院－學生作品集

English Works

Letter to the Editor

6A Lee Sze Ting, Aisling

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the prevailing trend that many domestic helpers have been
abused in Hong Kong. Seeing the mental anguish which has been brought to her friend of my
domestic helper because of domestic violence, I have realized just how serious the problem is.
Therefore, I would like to voice my opinions against this unfair treatment.

First of all, the employers of domestic helpers should respect human rights. Many middle-
class families hire domestic helpers to take care of their children. Being employers, some
people might think that domestic helpers should help them solve all problems, but it is not
the truth. The foreign domestic helpers also have human rights. We are the same. Domestic
helpers should not be treated in a disrespectful way. Respecting and protecting human rights
are the core values of the society, aren’t they? Thus, domestic helper abuse should not
happen in Hong Kong.

Next, I would like to point out that domestic helpers have contributed to the economic
prosperity of Hong Kong. Since the 1970s, the domestic helpers have been introduced to the
middle-class families in Hong Kong. They are here to assist the women of Hong Kong to re-
enter the workplace. As the number of workers in Hong Kong has been on the increase in
recent decades, we should not underestimate their contribution to the economy of Hong Kong
or even mistreat them.

Lastly, the cases of domestic helper abuse will damage the international image of Hong
Kong. Hong Kong is a flourishing and prosperous city. Lots of domestic helpers think that Hong
Kong is a suitable place for work. However, we would never forget what Erwiana experienced
in Hong Kong. Erwiana, an Indonesian domestic helper, was abused when she was hired by
a local family in Hong Kong in 2014. The story of her suffering was then published in TIME,
titled ‘Beaten and Exploited, Indonesian Maids Are Hong Kong’s Modern-Day Slaves’. What a
shame! The international image of Hong Kong was damaged. To establish a good international
image, domestic helper abuse should not occur. Respecting and protecting human rights are
the core values of Hong Kong. Isn’t that what we should be aiming for, especially if we claim to
be the Asia’s world city?
It is the prime time we stand up and voice our objection to domestic helper abuse for the
sake of human rights protection. We should not make Hong Kong a nightmare to domestic
helpers.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong

219