Hong Kong Plans Pilot for Foreign Domestic Care Workers; Few Hundred Expected Yearly
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong authorities announced on September 24 that they will pilot a scheme to import skilled foreign domestic care workers with higher elderly care training, expecting only a few hundred to enter annually at the outset. Labour and Welfare Bureau Secretary Sun Yuchun (孫玉菡) told the Legislative Council Welfare Affairs Committee that these workers must possess abilities equivalent to residential care home health workers, receiving training in their home countries through Hong Kong-recognized professional institutions. The scheme responds to recent family tragedies and criticism over inadequate support for elderly and caregivers.
Key Points
- The Policy Address proposes importing "foreign domestic care workers" under the existing foreign domestic helper framework, targeting those with advanced elderly care skills
- Sun Yuchun confirmed these care workers must meet the same competency standards as residential care home health workers, with training provided in their home countries
- Despite no formal cap being set, authorities expect only a few hundred such workers annually during the initial pilot phase due to various restrictions and certification requirements
- The minimum wage for foreign domestic care workers is projected to be 10 to 20 percent higher than current foreign domestic helpers
- The Policy Address also introduced "Community Caregiver Canteens" at 130 integrated youth service centres, offering nutritious meals at HK$10 per serving
- Regarding the Guangdong residential care scheme, Sun noted most Hong Kong elderly residents prefer Shenzhen facilities due to proximity, with very few choosing other regions
Why It Matters
The pilot scheme represents a significant policy shift to address Hong Kong's growing elderly care crisis and support needs of caregivers, though the limited initial intake underscores the government's cautious approach to expanding foreign labour in the care sector amid labour market concerns .
The pilot scheme represents a significant policy shift to address Hong Kong's growing elderly care crisis and support needs of caregivers, though the limited initial intake underscores the government's cautious approach to expanding foreign labour in the care sector amid labour market concerns .