The minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong will increase by 2.2 percent to HK$5,100 ($655) per month, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said on Monday.

The SAR government said in a statement that the increase of HK$110 from the current minimum wage of HK$4,990 will apply to all FDH contracts signed starting tomorrow. It added that the food allowance of FDHs in lieu of free food from their employers will remain unchanged at HK$1,236.

 "The government regularly reviews the MAW for FDHs to ensure its level is commensurate with Hong Kong's economic and labor market conditions,” the statement reads.

The SAR government said it conducted a comprehensive review of a basket of factors in determining the wage increase, including Hong Kong's general economic performance and labor market conditions over the past year, near-term economic outlook, basic living needs of FDHs and views of different stakeholders.

It added that FDH contracts signed today or before at the existing MAW of HK$4,990 will still be processed by the Immigration Department, provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before Oct 27.