1. Liberal Studies 4 Does wage protection fail to secure employment?

2. According to the source, identify the arguments and evidence of different groups for and against the legislation to protect the wage of migrant domestic workers. (6 marks) Organizations concerning labour rights and migrant domestic workers groups thought that the wage protection should include migrant domestic workers because exclusion of migrant domestic workers is discrimination. Conversely, the Hong Kong Employers of Domestic Helpers Association objected to the inclusion of the wage of migrant domestic workers into the wage protection. This is because if the wage of migrant domestic workers increases, some families may not be able to afford them. Some migrant domestic workers may lose their jobs. (6 marks)

3. Do you agree to include the wage of migrant domestic workers in the minimum wage legislation? Explain. (8 marks) Free answers. Any reasonable answers are acceptable. For example: Agree. As migrant domestic workers work in Hong Kong, they are a part of Hong Kong’s labour force. They therefore deserve protection equivalent to ours. Moreover, the wage level of migrant domestic workers at present is too low, even lower than many workers in Hong Kong. If the legislation protects the workers in Hong Kong but not migrant domestic workers, it may be suspected that the exclusion is an act of racial discrimination. This will undermine the harmony in society and Hong Kong’s reputation. Disagree. The job nature of migrant domestic workers is different from others in general. Their meals and accommodation are provided free of charge. Therefore, their minimum wage cannot be calculated in the same way as that of other workers. Moreover, if the wage of migrant domestic workers increases, many families may not afford to hire them; they may have to face unemployment. To them, this situation is even worse than having low wages. (8 marks)

4. What personality traits or habits do you think adolescents with migrant domestic helpers at home would develop in their growth? Why? (6 marks) Free answers. Any reasonable answers are acceptable. For example: With migrant domestic helpers at home, adolescents may share fewer responsibilities for housework. Their sense of responsibility for the family may be weakened, and they may become dependent on others. Moreover, migrant domestic workers are generally regarded as not of an equal status. Even if the migrant workers are older than the adolescents, they may have to conform to their demands. As a result, adolescents may not know how to respect elders, and may even get used to treating others with a poor attitude. However, being used to getting along with people of different nationalities, from different cultural backgrounds and with different habits, adolescents’ adaptability and ability to tolerate diversity would be enhanced. (6 marks)