Hong Kong yesterday began hearing a Filipino’s legal bid for permanent residency in the city, in a highly divisive landmark case that has sparked heated debate.

Rights activists have said a successful legal challenge will be a first in Asia, and a recognition of rights and equality for domestic workers, who are mainly from labor-exporting nations like the Philippines and Indonesia.

The case of Evangeline Banao Vallejos, a Filipina maid who has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1986, has seen newspapers debate the rights and wrongs of the case for weeks.

Several people have been arrested for public order offenses after supporters and protesters clashed over the issue.

Vallejos launched the legal battle last year after her attempts for permanent residency — which allows a person to vote and gives them better access to public services — were denied by the city’s immigration authorities.

Vallejos’ lawyers said in opening arguments that the authorities’ refusal to grant her permanent residency was discriminatory and unconstitutional.

“There is no criteria (in the constitution) that any group must satisfy certain higher standards,” counsel Gladys Li told the High Court, which was packed with journalists, lawyers and activists.

“There is no exclusion based on race, religion, nationality... or place of birth,” Li added.

Under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the city’s mini constitution, non-citizens are entitled to permanent residency if they have “ordinarily resided” in the city for a continuous seven years.