The Government announced September 27 that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign
domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong will be increased by 2.5 per cent,
from $4,870 to $4,990 per month.
In addition, under the Standard Employment Contract for hiring
FDHs, employers are required to provide FDHs with food free of charge.
At present, the vast majority of employers provide free food to FDHs.
Employers may, however, choose to pay a food allowance in lieu. The food
allowance will remain at not less than $1,236 per month.
The new level of MAW will apply to FDH contracts signed on or after September 28.
A Government spokesman said, "The Government reviews MAW for FDHs
regularly. In accordance with the established mechanism, in this year's
review, we have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and
labour market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong's
near-term economic outlook. Taking into account the aforementioned
factors, the affordability of employers and the livelihood of FDHs, the
Government has decided to adjust MAW. The Government has also reviewed
the level of food allowance and, having taken into account the relevant
consumer price indices, decided that the level should remain unchanged."
FDH contracts signed September 27 or before at the existing MAW of $4,870
per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD),
provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before October 25
(Friday). This arrangement will give employers sufficient time to send
the signed contracts to the ImmD for completion of the necessary
application procedures.
