Leanda Lee
The most recent decision in relation to increasing the charges to foreign-worker mothers in hospital fees for giving birth at the public hospital is triple- whammy discrimination of the vulnerable.
The fact that foreign workers were to be charged a nine-fold increase over existing charges (the promise for a reduction to a three-fold increase being reneged upon), to MOP8,775 for natural births and MOP17,550 for C-sections (note that local residents benefit from free healthcare during confinement) was already morally abhorrent. The existence of a differential itself is understandable given the existing fee structure already in place in the healthcare system whereby foreign workers pay 100% of the scheduled fee and residents obtain a 30% discount; foreign visitors pay double the scheduled fee. It is the increase in that differential which is difficult to stomach. However, worse still, the most recent cock-eyed sweetener to the bitter deal for the least advantaged among us establishes a waiver for workers earning less than the meagre MOP4,050 per month but only upon condition of proof of marriage. This goes far beyond the original decision, as outdated, value-laden, patriarchal authoritarian sanctimoniousness: let’s just have a public stoning of these foreign hussies and get it over and done with, shall we?
Firstly, marital status should have nothing to do with access to decent healthcare. Macau rightfully provides free services to Macau resident mothers before, during and after child birth, yet systemically demonstrates that foreign-workers and, in particular, single mothers are less deserving. Single mothers far away from their homes and family support structures are in an even more vulnerable position and therefore in even greater need of support and care. Macau brings individuals into our community, giving them visas to work, yet absolves itself of responsibility in times of need.
Further, the application of a MOP4,050 income threshold at which level foreign workers can apply for a two-thirds waiver in medical fees concedes that the fees are a burden to low-income workers. This equates to Macau’s subsistence wage. As these foreign workers typically repatriate much of their earnings to their families, they live on much less than the subsistence wage. Further, how a foreign worker’s earnings are to be determined is problematic as many are actually paid less than their contracts state. These are truly the most vulnerable members of our community and we have a duty of care to them given that we have encouraged them into our midst.
Discrimination based upon marital status and income levels which only applies to a certain category of individuals – foreign workers (these tests do not apply to residents) – clearly signals the value the Government places on these women who contribute to our daily lives, business operations and economy. It makes a laughing stock of the World Health Organization’s “Health for All” objective to which Macau is said to subscribe.
Another concerning development is the drafting of law covering part-time workers. Any casualisation of the work-force risks loss of hard-won protections. The draft suggests that a probation period, annual leave, prior notice, compensation for termination of contract and social welfare payments would not apply. Alarm bells should ring. In Macau’s current situation of low unemployment, casual part-time work offers flexibility to both workers and employers and helps cater to seasonal labour requirements of industries like MICE and construction. However, should the power balance shift to employers, casualisation confers cost reduction benefits and encourages a growing under-employed class without certainty of ongoing employment and income.
Casualisation of the workforce has created an underclass of workers in many countries, increasing income inequality, diminishing their ability to build assets and a stable future. If workforce flexibility is required by employers, a far less risky option which would not undermine the protections of local workers would be open up access to the workforce to foreign students.
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