In this May 1, 2021 photo, foreign domestic helpers line up at the temporary testing center for COVID-19 in Hong Kong. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)
HONG KONG – The minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong will be increased by 2.2 percent, from HK$4,630 to HK$4,730 per month, the special administrative region government announced on Friday.
At the same time, the food allowance will be increased by HK$23 to not less than HK$1,196 per month, according to a government statement.
Under the standard employment contract for hiring foreign domestic helpers, employers must provide them with free food or pay them a food allowance and the vast majority of employers do so. Employers may however choose to pay a food allowance in lieu.
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Explaining the reason for raising the helpers’ wage and food allowance, a government spokesman said, “In accordance with the established practice, we have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and labor market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong's near-term economic outlook, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in this year's review.”
The new wage and food allowance will apply to all contracts signed from Saturday.
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Contracts signed on Friday or earlier at the existing minimum allowable wage of HK$4,630 per month and the food allowance of no less than HK$1,173 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided that the applications reach the department on or before Oct 28, the government statement added.