Despite regulations passed earlier this year that will attempt to reduce the number of mainland mothers who will be able to give birth in Hong Kong next year, over 1000 protesters rallied against the rising number of mainland mothers giving birth in the territory. Having a baby in Hong Kong gives the child the right of abode and other entitlements. The China Post reports:
Local expectant mothers, some with children in tow, marched to government headquarters in the southern Chinese city, carrying banners that read: “For Hong Kong’s sake, fight for local women’s right to give birth here.”
“The new measures will work only in the short term,” spokeswoman of the protest Jocelyn Yiu said. “Mainland mothers have been abusing our emergency room services and the measures will not solve this problem.”
“We are taxpayers, why is our resources spent on foreigners?” she added.
This protest comes after the landmark case that would allow foreign domestic workers to apply for permanent residence. Status as a permanent resident would also allow workers to have access to public healthcare and services.
See also Mainland Mothers Deluge Maternity Wards in Hong Kong and Foreign Maids’ Victory Faces Challenge via CDT.
