Groups score HK writer for racial slur
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/30/2009 12:28 PM
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An alliance of Filipino migrant organizations in Hong Kong decried the recent assault made by a Hong Kong journalist against the rights and dignity of domestic workers.
“We hope that Mr. Chip Tsao will be civilized and humble enough to admit that his column was way out of line. We demand no less that than a public apology from Mr. Tsao and the HK Magazine Online, its publisher and editor. Such contemptuous regard for migrant workers is unconscionable,” said the United Filipinos in Hong Kong.
The group was referring to the column “The War At Home” written by Tsao for the HK Magazine online website which drew public outrage among Filipinos and Pinoy groups.
“Mr. Tsao's column did not even give intelligent light on the Spratly issue, the topic he was delving on. Instead, it became a cheap shot, distasteful and demeaning of domestic workers who are already under extreme working and living conditions in HK,” said the group in a press statement Monday.
The group said that Tsao had trivialized the serious plight of domestic workers in Hong Kong.
“Such an article to appear publicly is very dangerous for it projects that it can be socially-permissible to treat domestic workers as no more than slaves ready to be lectured, ordered around, easily threatened with termination, and made to jump at every whim of employers,” added the group.
Part of Tsao’s column read: “As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.”
He further wrote that he “summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture.”
Tsao threatened to sack his domestic worker should war breaks out between the Philippines and China “because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day.”
“Mr. Tsao makes it appear that it is alright to denigrate us and take potshots at us. The situation of domestic helpers is not a subject for derision. We labor under difficult working conditions and policies both of the Philippines and the Hong Kong government expose us to abusive situations and discrimination,” the group said.
The group added that Tsao’s insulting column is a display of race and class discrimination as it “tramples on our dignity as workers and human beings.”
They added: “Political satire as a journalistic device is used to challenge or even make fun of authorities and the status quo. Mr. Tsao did not do so in his latest column. Instead, he further beats up the already low and downtrodden.”
On Sunday two female lawmakers and a non government organization joined calls in demanding for a public apology from Tsao and the publication.
In a statement, Sen. Pia Cayetano said Tsao’s column did not contribute to intelligent discussions on ways to resolve the Spratlys dispute.
Cayetano said that the Spratlys dispute will “eventually be threshed out and resolved. Ignorance, hatred and racial bias are the last things we need in approaching this long-standing controversy.”
"We should be proud that millions of OFWs are able to serve the world, whether as managers, laborers, caregivers or medical professionals. There's nothing to be ashamed of as long as we're earning an honest living without having to step on the dignity of others," she added.
For her part, Akbayan Representative Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel said the magazine where Tsao’s column appeared should immediately issue a public apology.
"This disgusting, derogatory, and vile remark can only come from dim-witted and mediocre writing. The magazine should apologize straightaway. The article reflects the kind of attitude that promotes abuses against Filipina workers," Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros added that "Chip Tsao should find another profession. He should leave the Spratlys issue to the diplomats and writing to real writers because clearly he has neither competence nor talent in foreign affairs and in writing.”
Former labor undersecretary and president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Susan Ople also denounced using domestic workers as pawns in the Spratlys controversy.
Ople called on the Philippine Consulate particularly the Office of the Labor Attache to look into the work conditions of Tsao’s Filipino domestic worker.
"His published declaration that he gave her Filipino maid a harsh lecture and warned her to tell every one of her compatriots that Spartly Islands belong to China or she'd lose her wages, is already a sign of an unstable, irresponsible and racist employer who resorts to verbal abuse even for perceived bilateral and historic infractions. Luisa deserves a sane and more humane employer while he deserves to clean up his own filth," said Ople in a press statement Sunday.
Ople expressed personal concern for the Filipino housemaid's safety and health and urged the labor attaché to investigate the matter. She said if possible, put Tsao on a list of unworthy foreign employers.
