Ario Adityo of the Asian Migrants Center said the minimum monthly wage for domestics should be increased from the current HK$3,480 to HK$3,860 in view of the sharp increase of prices for all necessities in Hong Kong.

However, an employers' representative said a 3 percent rise would be a reasonable level in view of the extra spending employers have to shoulder in providing food and accommodation for their maids.

"Hong Kong has a huge budget surplus this year and the government has announced a lot of good news for Hong Kong people, including subsidies and other benefits," Adityo said. She said 800 domestic workers had signed up to march from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to government headquarters in Central to voice their demand on the Labor Day holiday.

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Romulo Salud, labor attache at the consulate- general in Hong Kong, said the Philippines government was not pressing for a wage increase but was interested to find out if there is any possibility.

Hong Kong Employers of Domestic Helpers Association suggested the adjustment should not exceed 3 percent - an average rate offered to local employees.

Association chairman Joseph Law said inflation in Hong Kong had a minimal effect on the livelihood of domestic helpers since they usually spend money just one day a week.

He said for each 5 percent of inflation, the wage increase for domestic helpers should be just 1percent. The wages of domestic helpers should be determined by the pay scale of other local low- skilled workers like security guards instead of the exchange rate of the helpers' home currency.

"In the 1990s the Philippine peso depreciated a great deal but Hong Kong employers did not lower the salaries of their maids," Law said.

A spokeswoman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said a review on the minimum wage for domestic helpers is conducted every year.

They take into account the overall performance of the economy, price changes and the labor market situation. The review should be completed by around June, the spokeswoman said.