Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR

HONG KONG SAR GOVERNMENT RAISES MINIMUM WAGE FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS TO HK$4,110

The Hong Kong SAR Government announced on 30 September 2014 the increase in the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and Food Allowance for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in the territory.

Details of the increase are as follows:

1. Increase of the MAW by HK$100 from HK$4,010 to HK$4,110 per month, representing an increase of 2.5%.
2. If employers choose to provide their FDHs with a food allowance in lieu of free food, said allowance will be increased by HK$44 to not less than HK$964 per month from not less than HK$920 per month, representing an increase of 4.8%.
3. The new levels of the MAW and the food allowance will apply to all contracts signed on or after 1 October 2014.

All contracts signed on or before 30 September 2014 with the previous MAW of HK$4,010 per month and food allowance of not less than HK$920 per month will still be processed by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before 28 October 2014 to allow for employers to send the signed contracts to ImmD for completion of the necessary application procedures.

Employment contracts signed on or after 1 October 2014 shall have a MAW of HK$4,110 indicated in Item 5 (a) of the Employment Contract. Should employers grant a food allowance in lieu of free food, Item 5 (b) of the Employment Contract must reflect the amount of HK$964.