Hong Kong to Pilot Foreign Elderly Care Workers Scheme in Second Half of 2027
On.cc · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Policy Address has proposed a pilot scheme to import foreign domestic care workers with professional elderly care training, with Labour and Welfare Bureau Secretary Sun Yuhua announcing on Sunday that the scheme is expected to launch in the second half of next year. The initial phase will bring in several hundred workers who must complete over 150 hours of training in their home countries before assessment. Their minimum wage will be set 10 to 20 percent higher than current foreign domestic helpers, with the salary adjustment mechanism following existing arrangements.
Key Points
- Hong Kong currently has approximately 380,000 foreign domestic workers assisting employers with household duties
- The new scheme will pilot importing foreign domestic care workers with specialized elderly care skills who can also handle other household tasks
- All care workers must undergo more than 150 hours of training in their home country and pass an assessment before deployment
- The minimum wage for foreign domestic care workers will be set 10 to 20 percent higher than current foreign domestic worker levels
- The government will appoint Hong Kong professional accreditation bodies to help design and certify training courses overseas to ensure quality
Why It Matters
Hong Kong is rapidly aging, with a growing number of residents aged 80 or above, driving increasing demand for professional elderly care services. This scheme addresses a critical gap by introducing trained caregivers with standardized qualifications while maintaining oversight through Hong Kong-based accreditation bodies.
Hong Kong is rapidly aging, with a growing number of residents aged 80 or above, driving increasing demand for professional elderly care services. This scheme addresses a critical gap by introducing trained caregivers with standardized qualifications while maintaining oversight through Hong Kong-based accreditation bodies.