Maids find champion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.HONG KONG - Governor Chris Patten has come to the defence of Hong Kong's Filipino maids, saying the British colony should do more to make their days off enjoyable.
'I've been thinking about them recently,' Mr Patten said, referring to a long-running controversy over where the maids should gather on Sundays and public holidays.
Many of the 100,000 foreign maids in Hong Kong, most of whom are from the Philippines, congregate in a public square in Central, Hong Kong's business district.
This provokes complaints that they obstruct traffic and, curiously, leave piles of rubbish. But efforts to find them an alternative meeting place have been blocked by residents.
The maids 'make a considerable contribution to our community', and the people of Hong Kong should try 'more imaginatively' to solve the problem, Mr Patten said on Friday, at a lunch with 350 of the colony's business leaders.
'I sometimes wonder why those who are perfectly willing to let Filipinos look after their children seem more reluctant to provide somewhere for them to go on their days off,' the Governor added. AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments