Hong Kong raises minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers by 2.5%
Minimum wage for helpers increases from HK$4,870 to HK$4,990, but concern groups say salaries remain far too low
Authorities announced on Friday the minimum wage for the city’s 356,000 foreign domestic helpers had been increased from HK$4,870 to HK$4,990, while the food allowance remained unchanged.
The new amount would be enforced for all contracts signed on or after Saturday.
“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,” a government spokesman said, adding authorities had also considered factors such as employers’ affordability and livelihoods.
Foreign domestic helpers receive free food from their employers, who can also choose to hand out an allowance instead. The amount remained unchanged at HK$1,236 per month.
“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,” the spokesman said.
