Minimum wage for HK domestic workers rises 2.35%, but advocate says still ‘far from’ a living wage
Hong Kong has raised the minimum wage for the city’s more than 380,000 foreign domestic workers by 2.35 per cent, from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month, the government has announced. The government also said on Friday that the food allowance for domestic workers – which employers must pay if they do not already provide free […]
The Hong Kong government has increased the minimum wage for the city's approximately 380,000 foreign domestic workers by 2.35 percent, raising their monthly pay from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220. Additionally, the food allowance for domestic workers, which employers must provide if they don't offer free meals, will remain at HK$1,236 per month. This new minimum wage will be applicable to all contracts signed on or after October 3.
The government cited favorable socio-economic conditions as a reason for the decision, noting that the increase falls short of the demands by domestic workers' advocacy groups. The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) has pushed for a 21 percent hike, raising the minimum wage to HK$6,172 and the food allowance to HK$3,123.
The AMCB's spokesperson, Sringatin, explained that the HK$120 increase reflects the collective efforts of migrant worker movements in the city. However, she stressed that the HK$5,220 minimum wage is still "far from" the HK$6,172 living wage in Hong Kong, and that the lack of a substantial increase in the food allowance will exacerbate the financial burden for domestic workers who do not receive meals from their employers.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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