Eunice Yung Stands By 'nuisance Maids' Remark

New People's Party lawmaker Eunice Yung on Friday reiterated her belief that foreign domestic helpers cause a nuisance and public hygiene problems when they gather in groups on their days off, but insisted she did not mean to offend anyone with her comments.

An alliance of groups representing migrant helpers earlier demanded a public apology from Yung, describing her claim as "racist" and "discriminatory". Members were also planning to march on the party's office in Wan Chai this Sunday in protest.

When asked by RTHK whether she regrets saying maids cause a nuisance and hygiene risk, Yung replied: "In some of the districts it may be. In some of the districts, for example in Mei Foo, in Tai Wai and in Central."

"Of course not everyone causes a nuisance, but only some of the situations it may cause some nuisance to those who live nearby and to some shops. But we are not targeting the whole group, of course, only in some of the situations."

In bringing up the issue in Legco this week, Yung had called on the government to provide activity centres where helpers can congregate on their days off.

"My main concern is to find more venues for the foreign domestic helpers for them to gather on the holidays. How are we going to find a win-win solution for all? Actually, I'm very sympathetic to their situation by supporting their families and working abroad in Hong Kong," she told RTHK's Jimmy Choi.

Asked if she would apologise for upsetting the migrant worker groups, Yung reiterated that she did not mean to offend anyone.