捍衛勞動尊嚴 對抗排外仇恨
民間團體支持外籍家庭傭工爭取平等權利聲明
我們是一群本地的民間團體。面對近日香港社會輿論和別有用心的政客藉居港權事件刻意扭曲及抹黑外籍家務傭工的做法，我們深感憤怒。
現行法例 歧視外傭
在現行法例下，持合法證件在港工作七年的非中國籍人士，都可向入境處長提出申請，成為香港永久居民。然而，目前的《入境條例》第二條，卻將外籍家傭排拒於上述申請之外，結果，家庭傭工因其職業性質，而長期被港府不平等對待，剝奪應有的權利。外傭透過司法途徑爭取居港權，是他們的基本權利，我們必須尊重。
對於有政黨及有個別立法會議員指出，外傭上訴得直的話，會引致數以十萬計外傭及其家人來港定居，掠奪社會資源。我們認為，此等言論是附和政府對外傭實施的不平等待遇及歧視政策，結果只是引起社會恐慌和分化，製造族群歧視和仇恨，其言論極之荒謬而且不負責任。我們呼籲香港市民擦亮眼睛，別讓這些自私和無恥的政黨、政客所蒙騙。
我們不僅尊重外傭透過法律訴訟去爭取其權利，我們更要求港府，假如外傭的訴訟得直的話，港府必須立即執行法院的判決，而非無理拖延，或發表不負責任的言論，分化社會。同時，入境處審批其申請時，需要把外傭和其他國籍人士的申請一視同仁處理。以體現香港「人人平等」的核心價值。
香港政府是歧視外傭的最大元兇
事實上，外傭被剝奪居港權一事，只是冰山一角。在香港現行的法例下，外傭長期飽受不平等對待，例如多年來一直被人詬病的兩星期條例（強迫他們中斷合約後，兩星期內找到新僱主，否則立即離境）、外傭不受「法定最低工資保障條例」的保障、外傭工資的制訂，增加或削減，都是由行政會議十數成員自行決定，從無諮詢外傭工會或社會的意見；港府沒有盡力監管違規的外傭中介公司，以致不少外傭需要支付高於薪金十倍或更多的佣金來尋求新工作，以免被遣返。
我們認為，外傭和其他非中國籍在港工作人士一樣，對香港社會和經濟發展貢獻良多。他們照顧港人家庭，釋放婦女勞動力，讓夫婦可同時工作，社會收入和消費亦同時增加，令整體經濟得以受惠。無人可以否認，香港經濟得以繁榮發展，外傭的貢獻應得到肯定和認同。可惜的是，當他們透過正式的法律渠道，只為爭取與其他外籍人士同等權利時，卻換來政府的冷漠回應，甚至威脅要縮短合約期；部份政黨、政客更刻意排斥、肆意抹黑和政治抽水，此等回應，實在令人齒冷！
香港成就 全賴包容
作為一個國際城市，香港的成功是藉著與不同國籍和種族人士的合作和包容，方有今日文明、繁榮的香港社會。
我們讚揚不少善待外傭的良心僱主，他們視外傭如家人，勞僱情誼深厚，能以互相合作而非主僕分明的態度相待。我們相信，包容族群、尊重人權，才是香港社會得以穩定、繁榮的基石。
我們強烈要求：
個別政黨和立法會議員（包括謝偉俊議員、葉劉淑儀議員、李慧琼議員、劉健儀議員、自由黨、新民黨、工聯會和民建聯）立即停止散播扭曲事實和分化社會的言論，並向香港市民和所有外籍家庭傭工道歉；
港府制訂時間表，重新檢視和修訂所有針對外籍家庭傭工所實施的不平等法例，以確保外籍家庭傭工和非中國籍並在港工作人士，在法例上可享有平等的待遇；
立即對違規的中介公司作出檢控，以保障外籍家庭傭工的工資和權利。
二零一一年八月十五日
聯署團體：
居留權大學、葵涌村基督徒基層團體、米蘭會關心社會小組、草根文化中心、居留權委員會、關注跨境兒童權益聯席、香港基督徒學會、香港婦女勞工協會、左翼21、香港職工會聯盟、社會民主連線、陶君行議員辦事處、新婦女協進會、回歸基督精神同盟、香港專上學生聯會、中大學生報、香港天主教正義和平委員會、立法會議員梁國雄辦事處、社區發展陣線、浸大學生會、一代人公社、深水埗社區協會、關注綜援檢討聯盟、紫藤、民間人權陣線、正言匯社、影行者、香港女同盟會、理工大學學生會、香港人權監察、自治八樓、人民民主規劃、基層發展中心、四五行動、香港婦女基督徒協會、青台、公民起動、天主教勞工事務委員會、眾樂教會
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【English Version】
Dignity for Working Class: Say NO to Discrimination
- Joint Declarations by Civil Organizations Supporting Foreign Domestic Helpers' Fight for Their Equal Rights
We are a group of local civil organizations. While several foreign domestic helpers are seeking from Hong Kong's court their rights of abode, their names and reputations are blackened by particular politicians who intend to gain political advantage in the year of elections. We are deeply angry towards such acts that take advantage of the situation.
Existing Laws Discriminate against Foreign Domestic Helpers
According to existing laws, non-Chinese nationality persons who hold legal documents and have worked for 7 years in Hong Kong are qualified to apply to the Director of Immigration for permanent residency in Hong Kong. However, s.2 of the Immigration Ordinance excludes foreign domestic workers from such application. They therefore suffer consistent discrimination and deprivation of rights solely because of their job nature.
We have to respect the basic rights of foreign domestic workers to fight for their rights of abode by legal means. Some political parties and LegCo members allege that millions of foreign domestic workers and their families will become Hong Kong permanent residents should the judicial review favour them, and therefore ill create financial burden for the Hong Kong society. We consider that such allegation echoes the discriminative government policies and provokes ethnic disintegration, in which the only result will be a terrified and divided society. These allegations are extremely ridiculous and irresponsible. We now APPEAL to the public to look at the truth, and to reject the lies of these selfish and shameless politicians.
We RESPECT the rights of the foreign domestic workers to fight for their rights through legal means. We DEMAND the government to immediately carry out the Court's judgment without delay upon the applicants' winning of the case. We also DEMAND the Immigration Department, for the sake of reflecting equality as one of our core values, to equally treat both foreign domestic workers and non-Chinese nationality persons who work in Hong Kong while handling applications for permanent residency.
Hong Kong Government is the Biggest Culprit of Discrimination Upon Foreign Domestic Helpers
In fact, the Right of Adode controversy is just one of the many discrimination faced by foreign domestic helpers. Other Hong Kong laws also discriminate them. For instance, the notorious "Fortnight Regulation" requires them to find a new employer within 2 weeks upon previous contract expires, or they will have to leave Hong Kong immediately. The Minimum Wage Ordinance also offers no protection to these foreign domestic workers. The Minimum Wage for foreign domestic helpers is just decided by less than 20 Exco members, and the government never asks for the advice of the labour union nor consult the public. Last but not least, the government has barely monitored the agencies that foreign domestic helpers have to pay a huge premium to – as much as ten times their salary – to look for a new job so as to avoid being repatriated.
We CONSIDER that foreign domestic helpers have, just as those non-Chinese nationality persons who work locally, excessively contributed to Hong Kong society and its economic development. Local women are released to the labour market since these domestic helpers have taken up the responsibilities to take care of Hong Kong families. While both man and woman can be the breadwinners, social income and consumption increase, and Hong Kong economy benefits. The contribution of the foreign domestic helpers should therefore be acknowledged. However, when these people fight for their rights to be treated equally through formal and proper legal means, the government remains unconcerned, and even threatens to shorten their terms of contract. Some political parties and politicians deliberately exclude, discredit and blacken the names of these rights seekers, with a malicious intention of gaining political advantages. Hong Kong should not tolerate such chilling behavior.
Hong Kong Success Relied on Embracing Different Cultures
As an international city, Hong Kong's success has never relied solely on local contributions. Our civilized, prosperous society is built with the co-ordination of people with different nationality and race. We appreciate the employers who treat their foreign domestic helpers as part of their families and as cooperative partners. We believe, that the respect of human rights and the inclusion of different communities are is the fundamentals of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
We strongly DEMAND:
Political parties and LegCo members (including Paul TSE Wai-chun, Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Starry Lee Wai King, Miriam LAU Kin-yee, Liberal Party, New People's Party, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong) to stop immediately their factually distorted and socially divisive speeches. They should apologize to all Hong Kong citizens and foreign domestic helpers for such speeches.
The government to fix a schedule for the review and amendment of all discriminative laws against foreign domestic helpers, to ensure that all of them can enjoy equal treatment with non-Chinese workers.
The government to prosecute immediately all agencies with illegal practices, in order for to protect the rights of the foreign domestic helpers and for them to receive proper wages.
15th August, 2011
Right of abode University
Kwai Chung Estate Christian Basic Community
Grassroots Cultural Centre
PIME Social Concern Group
Right of Abode Committee
Concern Group for Cross-border Family Children
Hong Kong Christian Institute
League of Social Democrats
Justice and Peace Commission of the HK Catholic Diocese
Legislative Councilor Leung Kwok Hung’s Office
Office of District Councilor To Kwan Hang, Andrew
Left 21
HK Federation of Students
HK Confederation of Trade Union
HK Women Workers Association
Chinese University Student Press
The Association for the Advancement of Feminism
People Planning in-action
Woman Coalition of HKSAR
Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Students’ Union
V Artivist
Autonomous 8a
The Forthright Caucus
Civil Human Rights Front
Zi Teng
CSSA Alliance
Sham Shui Po Community Association
A Generation
The Student Union of The Hong Kong Baptist University
Community Development Alliance
Aillance for back to Christ
Grassroots Development Center
April Fifth Action
Hong Kong Women Christian Council
Geen Radio
Civic Act-up
Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour
One Body in Christ
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