Domestic Bliss

One of these fine days there will be a demonstration against the city’s domestic helpers because one of them is suspected of perpetrating a crime against a baby in a case now under investigation.
Macau is really a very picturesque and unique place where there is an Association for everything, including the hiring of domestic helpers and the calling of demonstrations when things go wrong.
Surely, no right-minded person would condone what allegedly happened. But unlike some illuminati who do not know what the rule of law is I respect the work of the judicial authorities. They are competent to investigate and, if sufficient evidence emerges, to hear the person in fair trial.
Catapulting the alleged bad behavior of one person in an isolated case onto the entire honourable profession is, frankly, cynical and hypocritical.
Fortunately, such cases are scarce and authorities have intervened accordingly. Domestic helpers, particularly in Macau, are intrinsic elements of a multicultural society. They are here because their countries do not offer economic conditions for a good life. They are quite often treated as second class citizens in terms of their rights. The cost of housing here forces them to live in less than opulent splendour. Unfortunately, there are no demonstrations for better conditions. And then, when something happens, they are guilty of everything, when in fact the families should be vigilant in terms of those they hire and with the babies and kids that most of the time are educated by the helpers and not by their relatives.
Some of the helpers are university graduates. But all of them are human beings who must be treated equally.
Maybe the demonstrators will also champion the healthcare of their maids, and better living conditions for them and their families. Or for their kids to live near them and not be segregated because of race, religion and place of birth. Or even to give them better wages.
Some Macau residents really should undertake a careful examination of a genealogy tree and understand that the vast majority arrived in Macau as refugees or to fight for better conditions than they could find in their home countries. After that examination, they should conclude that they are privileged to live in a place that received them some decades ago without imposing upon them what they would now impose on others.
We would have a more tolerant way of living. We would be capable of accepting the differences and destroy some paradigms that hold the progress of this city back.
Once and for all, not only for the domestic helpers’ case but also for all non-resident workers: Macau – our current prosperous Macau – would not be the same without them. We wouldn’t have the casinos built, the services provided to tourists, our streets clean and our elderly in good and decent condition. They are and must be part of society and not just numbers or quotas to be discarded like chewing gum as the wind changes. For those who still discriminate, a glance at Article 43 of the Macau Basic Law should help: ‘Persons in the Macau Special Administrative Region other than Macau residents shall, in accordance with law, enjoy the rights and freedoms of Macau residents prescribed in this Chapter [Chapter III Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Residents]’.
That’s the wording of the law; all we need do now is put the spirit into practice.