The Government announced
today (September 29) that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign
domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong will be increased by 2.2 per cent,
from $4,990 to $5,100 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,
but they may choose to pay a food allowance in lieu. The food allowance
will remain unchanged at no less than $1,236 per month.
The new MAW level will apply to all FDH contracts signed on or after tomorrow (September 30).
A Government spokesman said, "The Government regularly reviews the
MAW for FDHs to ensure its level is commensurate with Hong Kong's
economic and labour market conditions. In this year's review, we
comprehensively considered a basket of factors in accordance with the
established mechanism, including Hong Kong's general economic
performance and labour market conditions over the past year, near-term
economic outlook, affordability of FDH employers, basic living needs of
FDHs and views of different stakeholders. Taking into account all the
relevant factors in a holistic manner, the Government has decided to
increase the MAW to $5,100 per month. The Government has also reviewed
the food allowance in lieu of free food and decided that the level
should remain unchanged."
FDH contracts signed today or before at the existing MAW of $4,990
per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD),
provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before October 27
(Monday). This arrangement allows employers sufficient time to submit
signed contracts to the ImmD for completion of relevant application
procedures.
