The Philippine Consulate General has released a statement saying it is “concerned” about Regina Ip’s “unfortunate choice of words” when talking about Hong Kong’s domestic helpers.
The pro-Beijing lawmaker has received much flak for writing an article about how Hong Kong’s Filipino domestic workers are “sexual resources” for Western expatriate men.
She said that while she was secretary for security, she received complaints from women about their husbands having relationships with their helpers.
The Philippine Consulate General has decided to take the high road, saying that it believes “this is not reflective of the general sentiments of the Hong Kong community at large”.
The city’s 173,000 Filipino helpers “left their loved ones back home to earn a decent living taking care of Hong Kong families”.
They have thus had a positive impact on both their families back home and the Hong Kong economy, the consulate said.
“Discrimination should have no place in any society, most especially Hong Kong, which prides itself as Asia’s World City,” the statement concludes.
Zing! Well said, Philippine Consulate General!
Here’s the full statement:
Photo: International Labour Organisation/S. Mitra via Flickr
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