Calls for law on Chinese maids

The deputy director of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, Lee Chong Cheng, called on the government to create a legal system for domestic helpers imported from mainland China.
During yesterday’s debate at the Legislative Assembly, Lee urged the government to fill the legal gaps of the current laws, since the Macau Government is studying whether or not to import domestic helpers from the mainland.
“With the possibility of importing maids from China, I call on the government to consider the problem, fill the gaps in the law and address the unwritten rules by creating a healthy regime for this sector,” he said.
“We hope that Chinese maids may in fact help the Macau families to solve the problems of shortage of domestic helpers, preventing the measure from becoming a cause of regret because of the unofficial rules in this sector,” he added.
Lee said that currently a maid needs a recommendation from one of 19 employment agencies designated by mainland China, adequate training, proof of physical fitness and a work visa from Beijing and Macau to work in the city. However, regulations “are full of gaps”.
“The evidence suggests that there are hidden rules in the sector, such as payments from MOP 10,000 to 30,000 as a commission to be included in the list of candidates for jobs in Macau and in other situations candidates see a certain amount of their salaries be taken by the agency,” the lawmaker said, adding that this is cheap labour.
In addition, he slammed the fact that the employment contract is retained in the agency. “This harms the employer and worker if a labour dispute arises and can create unnecessary litigation,” he said.
Since the government is planning to import maids from Guangdong and Fujian provinces, Lee suggests that the professional qualifications of these maids can be taken into consideration in the hiring process.
He recalled that the Guangdong province has approved in 2004 regulations on domestic helpers and requirements of professional qualifications. Baby-sitters are required to hold professional accreditation and a vocational training certificate.
In addition, qualifications of maids are divided in six areas: family protocol, household chores, caring and monitoring of babies and the elderly, caring of the ill and caring before and after pregnancy. Since 2009 maids are required to hold professional accreditation.                                  A.L.