DDHK.ORG—Government Hong Kong announced an increase in wages and meal allowances for domestic migrant workers in Hong Kong from October 1, 2022. This announcement is officially broadcast on the website labor.gov. hk on Friday, September 30, 2022.
The salary increased by HK$ 100 from the previous HK$ 4,630 to HK$ 4,730, while the meal allowance increased by HK$ 23 from the previous minimum of HK$ 1,173 to no less than HK$ 1,196 per month.
Employers may choose to pay their workers' benefits if they do not provide them with free meals.
The Hong Kong government said a number of factors were considered before deciding on a pay increase.
"We have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and labor market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong's near-term economic outlook, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in this year's review," a government spokesman said. com.hk.
“Taking into account the above, the affordability of employers and the livelihoods of domestic workers (foreign domestic workers), the Government has decided to adjust the MAW (Minimum Allowable Wage) level. The government has also reviewed the meal allowance in lieu of free meals, and decided to increase the level of the allowance," he added.
The spokesperson noted that contracts signed on September 30 or earlier at an adjusted rate will still be processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD), provided the application reaches the ImmD office on or before Friday, October 28, 2022.
Meanwhile, work contracts submitted to the Immigration Department on October 1 or later will follow the new regulations. [DDHK News]
Sources: news.rthk.hk and thestandard.com.hk
