HK raises minimum wage for foreign maids

FILIPINO domestic workers in Hong Kong are now entitled to higher salaries, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced yesterday.

In its Advisory No. 27-2023, DMW officer-in-charge undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that from HKD 4,730 (P36,917.65), the minimum monthly wage of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are now at HKD 4,870 (P38,010.35).

Also, the minimum food allowance has been raised from HKD 1,196 (P9,334.78) to HKD 1,236 (P9,646.98).

Cacdac said the increase in the monthly allowable wage (MAW) is in accordance with the changes in the general economic conditions in Hong Kong.

“The public is hereby informed that the Hong Kong Labor Department of the Hong Kong Administrative Region (HKSAR) has increased the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and food allowance for Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs),” Cacdac said.

He said this “is in accordance with the established practice of the general economic conditions of both the livelihood of FDHs and the affordability of employers.”

Cacdac said the new rates for FDHs are effective for all employment contracts signed on or after September 30, 2023.

On the other hand, Cacdac said FDH contracts signed on or before September 29, 2023 reflecting the previous rates shall remain valid and effective.

To note, there are an estimated 190,000 Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong.