Guest Comments by Grace Pastorfide

Editor's Note: The writer, a migrant worker from the Philippines, has lived in Hong Kong for the past decade.

CAUSEWAY BAY, Hong Kong – Recently, two groups, the Socialist Action (in support of working-class struggle) and the  League of Social Democrats ladies, gathered at Times Square here to celebrate the International Women's Day and its 101-year history.

As a supporter of such groups since 2009, I was delighted when asked to deliver a speech. As a migrant worker, I felt privileged to speak up for others sharing many of the same feelings, experiences, views and hopes.

In my speech, I expressed my emotions and disappointments, especially with a decision by Hong Kong's Legislative Council to exclude migrant workers from the minimum-wage law. This makes crystal clear that Hong Kong is a place full of discrimination, notably against migrant workers and working women.

As we all know, migrant workers contribute immensely to Hong Kong's economy. About 140,000 Filipino domestic workers live in Hong Kong, as do many thousands more from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Nepal. These workers greatly help Hong Kong people and families to care for children, look after the elderly and maintain orderly homes.

What do we get in return from the local government? How many protections, benefits and opportunities apply to domestic migrant workers? Mostly, we endure abuses, poor working conditions and other problems due to a lack of protection from racial discrimination.

We left our homes and families to work here, hoping for good lives and better futures for our children. Do Hong Kong mothers have any notion how it feels to leave their children and work overseas caring for someone else's offspring? Every time when we feed the children here, we wonder if our own children back home also eat. This is just one of our many difficulties.

How many mothers, wives, daughters and sisters from Third World countries work in Hong Kong? How many of the children left behind must confront problems alone, problems like drug addiction, early pregnancy and juvenile delinquency? How many broken marriages result from the long-distance relationships? Migrant workers bravely accept such risks just to earn modest livings.

We deserve respect, dignity and equality. Hong Kong and other societies must stop their discrimination and oppression against working women and the working class.