5 Key Considerations Before Hiring a Domestic Helper:
1.Employer Income Requirements: According to the Immigration Department, the employer's household income must be at least HK$180,000 per year (HK$15,000 per month) to ensure they can afford the helper's salary.
2.Accommodation, Meals, and Leave Arrangements: As per the Labour Department's "Standard Employment Contract," employers must provide free accommodation and meals for the helper, along with essential household supplies and utilities like water, electricity, a toilet, and a bed. In addition to annual and statutory holidays, employers should offer at least seven days of leave for the helper to return to their home country for family visits.
3.Salary: All foreign domestic helpers, regardless of nationality, are entitled to a minimum wage set by the Labour Department and Immigration Department. Currently, the minimum wage for a domestic helper is HK$4,990 per month. Additionally, employers must purchase employee insurance and provide free medical care for the helper to cover their medical expenses.
4.Medical Examination: Typically, domestic helpers undergo two medical examinations in their home country before arriving in Hong Kong. These examinations ensure they are free from infectious diseases and not pregnant, preventing potential health issues upon arrival. Employers can also arrange for further medical examinations after the helper arrives in Hong Kong.
5.Signing a Contract: Before officially hiring a domestic helper, it's essential to sign a contract to protect both parties' rights. The contract should include details like salary, working hours, rest periods, holidays, medical insurance, and should be written in a language understandable by both parties and signed by both.
The Role of Employment Agencies:
Employment agencies play a crucial role in the process of hiring overseas domestic helpers. Here's a breakdown of their typical workflow:
1.Understanding Employer Needs: Agencies begin by interviewing employers to understand their family situation, needs, and expectations. This includes determining whether the employer requires assistance with childcare, eldercare, or specific skills and experience from the helper.
2.Recommending Suitable Candidates: Based on the employer's needs, the agency will select and recommend suitable candidates from their database of domestic helpers.
3.Arranging Interviews: The agency facilitates interviews between the employer and the recommended candidates. This allows the employer to assess the helper's capabilities and confirm if they meet their requirements.
4.Handling Administrative Procedures: If the employer decides to hire a particular helper, the agency assists with administrative procedures, including:
-Applying for a work visa for the helper
-Purchasing insurance for the helper
-Booking the helper's flight
-Arranging accommodation for the helper upon arrival
5.Post-Placement Support: After the helper arrives in Hong Kong, the agency continues to provide support services, such as:
-Helping the helper adjust to their new environment
-Offering additional training
-Answering questions from both the employer and the helper
-Resolving any disputes between the employer and the helper
Choosing the Right Helper:
Domestic helpers in Hong Kong typically come from the Philippines or Indonesia. Filipino helpers often speak fluent English, and some even have college degrees. Indonesian helpers, on the other hand, can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, making them popular among families with elderly members.
Before hiring a domestic helper, it's crucial for employers to understand their family's specific needs and expectations and communicate them clearly to the employment agency. This helps minimize discrepancies between the employer's expectations and the helper's capabilities. Additionally, scheduling time to meet with potential helpers allows employers to assess not only their skills and experience but also their personality and attitude.
It's important to remember that domestic helpers are non-technical professionals whose skills develop through work experience and adapt to the employer's family needs. Both parties should maintain an open and patient attitude, allowing them to adjust to their roles and responsibilities, building a strong foundation for a long-lasting and successful working relationship.
Choosing the Right Employment Agency:
With numerous employment agencies in Hong Kong, choosing the right one can be challenging.
SunLight Employment Agency, one of the largest agencies in Asia, offers a comprehensive solution. They have branches across Hong Kong and collaborate with offices and training centers in the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as various schools and medical institutions. All their helpers undergo rigorous selection, and they even have a training center in Hong Kong to continuously improve the helpers' skills. Additionally, they provide excellent after-sales service, giving employers peace of mind when hiring ov
With over two decades of experience and expertise, Sunshine Maid Agency has helped nearly 200,000 families find the perfect domestic helper. Their long-standing experience and innovative approach have led to the development of an effective standardized management model.
If you have any questions about hiring a domestic helper, don't hesitate to contact Sunshine Maid Agency for further information.
