The minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers will be raised by HK$180 to HK$3,920 per month, the government announced on Wednesday.
This represents a 4.8 per cent increase in the minimum wage for Hong Kong’s 290,000 foreign domestic helpers. The change goes into effect on all contracts signed on or after Thursday of this week.
A government spokesman said the rise was the result of a review of the wage levels conducted this year.
The review weighed the city’s general economic and employment situation as reflected through a basket of indicators – including income movements, price changes and conditions in the labour market – he said.
The last increase in the helpers’ minimum wage came in June last year, when it increased from HK$3,580 to the current HK$3,740.
The spokesman said a minimum food allowance for the helpers would also be raised 12.9 per cent, from HK$775 to HK$875 per month.