Breaking Glass
I woke up this morning to the sound of my maid breaking one of my lamps. It’s not the first time she’s broken something. I’ve been lenient in the past because accidents do happen. I mean lenient in terms of the first few times it happened, I ignored it. The last time it happened I docked HK$65 as a penalty for something that was worth a HK$350. I told her next time she broke something I would deduct the full amount.
Well, the next time came and it’s strange but I don’t have the heart to do so. I think I’ll deduct the same HK$65 for something that is worth a lot more (around the same price as the previous thing). It might seem like a small token amount to most of you out there (US$8) but that’s an hour wages for her. The full amount would have meant she would be working for free for the entire day. I couldn’t quite live with that even if I’m not drawing much of an income at the moment.
I know by some HK standards I should flog her to a pulp but that seems somewhat counterproductive.
Is that really the way things are done nowadays in HK? A quick flog, something to cover up the bruises, and then we’re all smiling again? Ouch. Sounds kinda painful. But then again, so does working 40 hours a week for your whole life so that you can have a half-decent looking gravesite.
The Man Himself
It’s not supposed to happen that way. But unfortunately you still do hear the occassional story about how domestic helpers are abused and so on. When you do hear about it, it usually spurs on the tired debate about how the difference between how Chinese and Westerners treat their maids.
But in general it doesn’t happen that much any more I believe. I’ve even had some people warn me about not touching them at all that could remotely give them grounds to sue.
That’s some relief. I think there’s a lot to be said for treating everyone you come across with some dignity and respect, now matter how wide the gap in status, power and wealth. Knowing the way that many wealthy people treat their hired help, it’s kind of surprising there’s not more violence the other way.
The Man Himself
The reason why it often goes unchecked now and in the past is that many domestics are live in and the only time they can be checked was when they had their day off on Sunday. So it gives you anything from 1 to 6 days to eradicate any signs of abuse.
In some instances, abuse isn’t necessarily physical but more verbal and intimidation, or sometimes sexual in nature.
Anyway, hopefully we’ll see less of any of this kind of treatment. Although it seems that in recent years, it’s the government that seems to be bashing the domestic workers on the head with legislation designed to make it harder for many to earn the meagre salary they currently earn.