‘Clumsy maid’ ad depicts Filipina helper in blackface
Domestic workers groups lead call for Hong Leong Bank to apologise over ‘racist’ commercial.
A Chinese actor playing the role of a clumsy Filipina maid in a Hong Kong advertisement has drawn outrage online. Malaysia’s Hong Leong Bank was promoting insurance to employers of Hong Kong’s estimated 300,000 domestic workers. Many online called the commercial racist and said it reflected a wider issue of discrimination against foreign labourers.
A Hong Leong spokesperson said the bank regretted any offence caused by the advertisement, but domestic helpers rights groups say the bank should issue a direct apology.
The company has removed the ad from their website, but copies have been uploaded to YouTube.
Published On 18 Jun 2014