Hong Kong domestic helpers wait on wage review
Campaigners want pay rise of HK$790, but start-up CEO says government likely to raise it by inflation rate
Workers and campaigners are pushing for the minimum salary for domestic workers to be increased by HK$790 to HK$5,000 a month, with the government expected to announce the result of a wage review in the coming days.
A Labour Department spokesman declined to give an exact date for the announcement, but he said that “the review is ongoing.” The Post understands the new figure is likely to be revealed on Friday or early next month.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung and his Filipino counterpart met last Friday. Cheung said later the review would consider “a basket of economic and social indicators.”
“We will take account of all factors before us ... We have to balance the interests of helpers and employers,” he said.
Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, said: “We do respect the fact that the government considers employers’ position, but we also hope they will listen to us ... If we are happy, there will be happier households.”