Hong Kong Raises Foreign Helper Minimum Wage to HK$5,220
HK01 · 6 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong government announced on October 2, 2026 that the prescribed minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers will increase by 2.35 percent to HK$5,220 per month, effective from October 3 . The monthly food allowance remains unchanged at no less than HK$1,236 . Employers who signed contracts at the previous rate of HK$5,100 before the deadline can still submit them to the Immigration Department for processing until October 30 .
Key Points
- New minimum wage of HK$5,220 per month applies to all foreign helper contracts signed from October 3, 2026 onwards
- Monthly food allowance stays at HK$1,236 for those choosing meal allowance over free meals provided by employers
- Employers must provide free meals under the standard employment contract, or pay the food allowance instead
- Existing contracts signed at HK$5,100 can be submitted to Immigration Department by October 30 deadline
- Government cited improved economic and social factors compared to last year's review as reason for adjustment
Why It Matters
The wage adjustment affects tens of thousands of Hong Kong families who employ foreign domestic helpers, balancing workers' living costs against employers' financial burden . The retention of the food allowance at its current level provides some cost stability for households while still delivering a meaningful pay increase to helpers amid rising inflation .
The wage adjustment affects tens of thousands of Hong Kong families who employ foreign domestic helpers, balancing workers' living costs against employers' financial burden . The retention of the food allowance at its current level provides some cost stability for households while still delivering a meaningful pay increase to helpers amid rising inflation .