The Hong Kong government announced today that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and food allowance for domestic helpers would be raised.
The MAW will be increased by 2.4 percent, from HKD4,210 to HKD4,310 per month. While the increase is a step in the right direction, it’s still a far cry from the HKD5,000 that was demanded by protesters earlier this month.
The minimum food allowance has also been raised by 4.2 percent, from HKD995 to HKD1,037 per month.
A government statement cited careful consideration of Hong Kong’s “general economic and labour market situations” in the last year for the adjustment.
The changes will apply to all foreign domestic helper contracts signed on or after tomorrow (Oct. 1).
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