Government to announce helper pay review soon
HK01 · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Labour and Welfare Bureau said on Monday it is finalising its regular review of the minimum allowable wage and food allowance for foreign domestic helpers, and expects to announce the outcome shortly. The bureau said it has gathered views from both employers and helpers through different channels and will make a prudent, objective and balanced decision based on economic data.
Key Points
- The Labour and Welfare Bureau said in a social media post on September 28 that the review of the minimum allowable wage and food allowance is under way and results will be released in the near term.
- The government said more than 380,000 foreign domestic helpers are currently working in Hong Kong, helping with household chores and caring for elderly people and children.
- In reviewing the minimum allowable wage, officials said they consider Hong Kong’s economic performance, employment conditions, price changes, income shifts among grassroots workers, and household income changes among families employing helpers.
- The bureau said it also meets representatives of helper groups and employer groups to hear both sides before deciding on any adjustment.
- For the food allowance, the bureau said most employers provide free meals, while only a small minority pay an allowance, so the review mainly references the consumer price index for basic food items.
Why It Matters
The review affects both household budgets and the earnings of a large foreign domestic helper workforce in Hong Kong, so even a modest adjustment can draw close attention from employers and labour groups. The bureau has framed the decision as a balance between protecting helpers’ rights, preserving employers’ affordability and maintaining Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a place to work.