A message on social media questioning the holiday arrangements for domestic workers in Hong Kong has drawn a lot of criticism.
A netizen named Suki posted a message on a Facebook group called “Support Group for HK Employers with Foreign Domestic Helpers” on Monday that questioned why foreign maids whose traditions do not oblige them to go tomb-sweeping on the Ching Ming Festival can still enjoy a one-day holiday, Oriental Daily reported.
This year’s Ching Ming Festival, when Chinese people traditionally go to clean and sweep the graves of their ancestors, falls on April 5. Ching Ming is one of the 12 statutory holidays in Hong Kong that domestic workers are entitled to enjoy.
Suki complained that she would not be able to take her young children to go tomb-sweeping and there would be no one to take care of them because her maid would have the day off.
She said that as foreign workers did not have any ancestors to worship at the festival, how could it be that they still enjoy the day off and go partying with their friends?
One netizen advised Suki to ask her domestic worker to swap the holiday for a different day. Suki said her maid at first refused to make such a swap, but after negotiation, she finally agreed to rearrange her holiday.
Many netizens slammed Suki’s message and accused her of being a mean employer. Some said she should not have Christmas holidays if she is not a Christian.
One netizen lamented that once some Hongkongers hire a domestic worker, they start behaving like landlords or capitalists who like exploiting workers.
Read: Employer slammed online for criticizing maid’s bathing habits
Read: Employers’ behavior causing maid shortage in Hong Kong
Haha Colombian gangsters go overseas to do their stuff..
suppose it’s double pay
so true very well said kabayan
Very well said….specially international day off is unhappy
just another lazy employer cant stand and live without a helper beside her.. i bet u cant do stuff like ur helper.. ???? thats why ur getting mad about that holiday.. even a 1 day off a week is not enough rest for us.. think about that we need to work b4 leaving and coming back home after day off..
Kakaloka sila ba….ayaaaa…….mostly employer like that…if u dont like ur maid go for holiday u can pay her…ur maid is unlucky to u…..
If you are good employer,the helper is willing to work on her day off in exchange of another day or paid day off.but if an inconsiderate employer like you,I don’t want to work on my day off,too…
We work on good Friday which is a sacred day for us,did we complain?
Hahaha..go to immigration department now..????????????????
Hahaha..agree…hire a local helper then u can celebrate together bring your maid in tomb and sweep and clean in whole day
Crazy employer ..????????????
Yes,,its true kbayan …why not arrange or negotiate to your helper to swap other day ..your so much complain just only one day its a big deal for you..stupid employer
Suki,why don’t you file a petition against this day off(statutory holiday) to the Immigration Department? I pity your household worker for having you as an employer, you’re so mean!
Narcissistic racist… Evil
Korek ka jan!
Such a mean and stupid employer,indeed!!!
maybe she won’t let her maid to take a rest…for a while ..such employer is so mean ….
Ur so mean madam…
So sad for ur helper to be her boss..
Why dont she hired local maid….so that u can celebrate together with ur maid…some employer crazy if the maid off….they make messy their home so that if the maid got home need to work even if its againts the contract….
I guess your helper had a hard time to deal with you.Maybe she worked 24/7
Madam your helper is so unlucky to have you as her employer ????seeking attention in social media it wont solve your simple problem????????
We all Christians we did that visit and clean our dead ancestors and pray yearly in November 1&2… So whats the difference of Chinese people and all maids in Hong Kong… every one of us we have our traditional in our Religion…so statutory holiday and Sunday holiday is only the maids can full time rest see some friends and relatives only in our day off…Just let them enjoy there holiday…6days work 6:00am to 11:00pm some can stop in work…so just let what they want as long as they know there limits…