The Hong Kong government announced Friday a 2.5% increase in the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers, raising their monthly pay to HK$4,990 (US$637) from the current HK$4,870. However, the food allowance for these workers will remain unchanged at HK$1,236 per month.
The wage hike, set to take effect Saturday, will impact approximately 350,000 foreign domestic workers in the city. The new rate will apply to all contracts signed from Saturday onwards, while existing contracts signed at the current rate will be honored if submitted to the Immigration Department by October 25.
A government spokesperson stated, “We have carefully considered Hong Kong’s general economic and labour market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong’s near-term economic outlook,” explaining the rationale behind the decision.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from migrant worker advocacy groups. Sringatin, representing the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, described the HK$120 monthly increase as providing only “slight relief” against rising inflation in the city.
“It’s really far away from the price hike in Hong Kong,” Sringatin told RTHK, expressing concern about the financial challenges faced by migrant workers. The group continues to advocate for a minimum monthly salary of HK$6,172 for domestic helpers.
Sringatin also highlighted ongoing issues with food provision, noting that some workers, particularly those with dietary restrictions, still struggle with inadequate meals from employers. “Sometimes they just get leftovers,” she said, adding that Muslim Indonesian workers face particular difficulties when pork is served.
The decision to maintain the current food allowance rate has raised questions about the adequacy of support for these essential workers, who play a crucial role in Hong Kong’s households and economy.
As the city navigates economic recovery post-pandemic, the welfare of its foreign domestic workforce remains a topic of ongoing debate, balancing employer costs with fair compensation for these migrant workers.
