The minimum wage of foreign domestic helpers in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been raised by 2.35 percent to HK$5,220 ($665.22) a month, with their food allowances unchanged.

The new minimum wage level applies to all work contracts signed on or after Oct 3. Contracts signed up to Oct 2 at the existing rate of HK$5,100 will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided it receives applications before Oct 30 this year, according to a government announcement.

“In the latest review, we comprehensively considered a basket of socio-economic factors in accordance with the established mechanism, including Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labor market conditions over the past year, near-term economic outlook, affordability of employers and the basic living needs of domestic helpers,” said a spokesman for the special administrative region government.

The SAR government said it had consulted employers and maids during the review process to gain a thorough understanding of their concerns and suggestions.

“Having carefully assessed and balanced the views of all parties, and comprehensively considered that this year’s socio-economic factors are more favorable than those at the time of last year’s review, the government has decided to suitably increase the minimum allowable wage to HK$5,220 per month,” the spokesman said.

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The government also reviewed the food allowance in lieu of free food, and decided that the level should remain unchanged, at no less than HK$1,236 monthly.

Under the standard employment contract for hiring foreign domestic helpers, employers are required to provide them with food free of charge. While most employers provide free food to their helpers, they may choose to pay a food allowance in lieu, the spokesman said.

The last time the monthly food allowance was increased was in September 2023, when it was lifted by HK$40. During that review, the minimum FDH wage was increased from HK$4,730 to HK$4,870 per month.

In September 2024, the SAR government raised the FDH minimum wage by 2.25 percent to HK$4,990, while lifting it by 2.2 percent to HK$5,100 last year, keeping the food allowance unchanged.

Contact the writer at shamim@chinadailyhk.com