Security-chief-turned-lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's legislative bid to have the controversial maids' levy scrapped came to an end yesterday when lawmakers voted down her motion.
While the elected geographical constituencies got behind Ip's motion, 21 votes to seven, the small-circle-elected functional constituency legislators made sure it did not get the required two- thirds majority by also voting 21 against and seven in favor. The pro- government Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Federation of Trade Unions also voted against it.
Ip said she was not too disappointed because the existing five- year waiver benefited many employers. She added she would continue to fight to have the levy scrapped.
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"I will continue to fight for scrapping such a low-quality policy. Even though the motion is opposed this time it is not worthy for the government to spend five years on it," Ip said.
The two-year waiver on the levy was announced by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in July and was extended to five years in November after a public backlash. Funds from the levy are pumped into the Employees Retraining Board. BEATRICE SIU
