Hong Kong raising minimum wage for domestic helpers by 3% to HK$4,870 a month
Food allowance will also be increased by HK$40 from not less than HK$1,196 to at least HK$1,236 per monthMigrant worker groups welcome increase but disappointed by amount, which still leaves helpers with ‘slave wages’Foreign domestic workers in Hong KongFiona SunPublished: 5:48pm, 29 Sep, 2023Why you can trust SCMP
The government announced on Friday that the minimum wage for helpers would be increased by HK$140 from HK$4,730 per month. The food allowance would also be increased by HK$40 from not less than HK$1,196 to at least HK$1,236 per month, authorities said.
“The government reviews the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers regularly,” a spokesman said. “In accordance with the established practice, 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 in this year’s review.
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The new rates will apply to all contracts signed on or after Saturday, and contracts signed on or before Friday at the existing rates will still be processed provided applications reach the Immigration Department on or before October 27.