Hong Kong Women Workers' Association on Thursday demanded that the government provide more daycare centers, saying some women are unable to work because they are unable to find daycare for their kids. Many others are able to hold only part time jobs, offering flexibility to cope with household chores. Many have to give up their part-time jobs during summer holidays when the children are at home.

In releasing figures, the association complained that only 5,500 spaces are provided in the 140 daycare centers across Hong Kong. "This is only 1.47 percent of all Hong Kong primary students," said spokeswoman for the association, Lau Sing-ping.

Apart from the limitation on quotas provided in the centers, Lau said there is also a problem of excessive charges for daycare services. Kwun Tong, which has 13 daycare centers with a capacity of 300 daycare spaces, charges monthly rates ranging from HK$2,000 to HK$5,000. Lunch or dinner cost an extra HK$600 to HK$900.

Data from the Census and Statistics Department shows that Kwun Tong district is one of the poorest districts in the city, with a median household income of HK$15,960, which is 22 percent lower than that of the city as a whole.

Among those 13 centers, only one provides service on Saturday, creating greater inconvenience for women who want to work. The association suggested the government fund some schools or find NGOs to provide some after-school care services to release more women to go back to the work force.

A Sim, mother of a seven-year-old boy, gave up her part-time job at a restaurant at the start of the summer holidays. Now that school is back in, she's out looking for another part time job. Sim said her family needs her to go out and work, since her husband, with a monthly income of only HK$10,000, can barely afford to support the four people in the family.

"My previous job paid only HK$2,000 a month and I only needed to work three hours a day. However, even with that kind of free time, I still couldn't manage between taking care of my son and my work," said Sim.

"Between getting a daycare for my son, which costs more than my part-time job and giving up the job, I really don't have any choice," said Sim.

In 2010, the Social Welfare Department launched the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, which provides daycare service to children up to the age of six. The association said the government should raise the age limit to 12, since a lot of primary school students are excluded under terms of the project.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/14/2012 page1)