HK raises FDH wages

MANILA, Philippines – Hong Kong’s Labour Department has granted foreign domestic helpers an increase of (FDHs) HK$ 100 increase in their monthly salaries, raising the minimum wage to HK$4,110 per month.

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said the Hong Kong SAR Government announced last Sept. 30) the increase in the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and Food Allowance for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in the territory.

The additional pay of HK$100 from HK$4,010 to HK$4,110 per month, represents an increase of 2.5 percent.

Under the standard employment contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to provide FDHs with food free of charge (free food). At present, majority of employers provide free food to FDHs. Employers may choose to pay a food allowance instead.

“If employers choose to provide their FDHs with a food allowance in lieu of free food, said allowance will be increased by HK$44 to not less than HK$964 per month from not less than HK$920 per month, representing an increase of 4.8 percent,” the consulate l said in a statement.

The consulate said the new levels of the MAW and the food allowance will apply to all contracts signed on or after Oct. 1, 2014.

All contracts signed on or before Sept. 30 2014 with the previous MAW of HK$4,010 per month and food allowance of not less than HK$920 per month will still be processed by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before Oct. 28, 2014 to allow for employers to send the signed contracts to ImmD for completion of the necessary application procedures. –Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)