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 month
- Migrant worker groups welcome increase but disappointed by amount, which still leaves helpers with ‘slave wages’
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.
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.
Earlier this year, two major migrant worker groups called for an increase of at least 27 per cent ahead of an annual review, citing the impact of the high cost of living and inflation.
The Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body suggested the monthly wage should climb to HK$6,016 while the Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions put the figure at HK$6,228.
Both groups also urged authorities to increase the food allowance, with the coordinating body calling for the amount to be almost tripled to HK$3,065 per month, and the union pushing for HK$2,552.