Comments on: Breaking Glass http://www.eshindirect.com/2004/05/27/breaking-glass/ Digital Nomad Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:00:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ari http://www.eshindirect.com/2004/05/27/breaking-glass/comment-page-1/#comment-446 Ari Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-446 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. 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.

]]> By: Eshin http://www.eshindirect.com/2004/05/27/breaking-glass/comment-page-1/#comment-450 Eshin Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-450 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. 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.

]]> By: Ari http://www.eshindirect.com/2004/05/27/breaking-glass/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Ari Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-452 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. 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.

]]> By: Eshin http://www.eshindirect.com/2004/05/27/breaking-glass/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Eshin Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-453 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. 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.

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