Hong Kong to raise helpers’ monthly minimum wage to HK$5,220

Hong Kong authorities have raised the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers by more than 2 per cent to HK$5,220 (US$665) per month, while their food allowance will be unchanged, citing “more favourable” socioeconomic factors.

The government announced on Friday that the current minimum wage of HK$5,100 for foreign domestic helpers, or FDHs, would be increased by 2.35 per cent, and the adjusted salary would apply to all such contracts signed on or after Saturday.

While most employers provided free food to their helpers, they could choose to pay a food allowance in lieu, with this amount to remain unchanged at no less than HK$1,236 per month, authorities added.

“In this year’s review, we comprehensively considered a basket of socio-economic factors in accordance with the established mechanism, including Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labour market conditions over the past year, near-term economic outlook, affordability of FDH employers and basic living needs of FDHs,” a spokesman said.