The minimum wage for newly hired or re-contracted foreign domestic workers will be increased by 2.2 percent to HK$4,730 (US$603) per month starting tomorrow, the government announced today.
The new amount will apply to all contracts signed on or after tomorrow.
“In accordance with the established practice, we have carefully considered Hong Kong’s general economic and labor market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong’s near-term economic outlook, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in this year’s review,” said a government spokesman.
“Taking into account the above, the affordability for employers and the livelihood of foreign domestic workers, the government has decided to adjust the minimum allowable wage level.”
Additionally, the minimum food allowance for domestic workers will be raised by HK$23 to at least HK$1,196 per month.
Under the standard employment contract for hiring foreign domestic workers, employers are required to provide workers with food free of charge, which is done by the vast majority of employers. Alternatively, employers may choose to pay a food allowance in lieu.
Contracts signed today or before today at the existing minimum wage of HK$4,630 per month and with food allowance of not less than HK$1,173 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided that the applications reach the department on or before Oct. 28, the spokesman said.
The wages for foreign domestic workers rose to as high as HK$6,500 per month when only workers who had completed their contracts and were still in Hong Kong could be hired, but the easing of travel restrictions has already caused that number to drop down to around HK$5,000 to HK$5,300.
