The Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic helpers will rise 2.5% to $4,520 per month, the Labour Department announced today.

Under the Standard Employment Contract for hiring foreign domestic helpers, employers must provide them with free food or pay them a food allowance, which will increase by $22 to at least $1,075 per month.

The new wage and allowance levels will apply to all contracts signed from tomorrow.

Contracts signed today or earlier at the existing minimum allowable wage of $4,410 per month and the food allowance of no less than $1,053 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department if they reach it by October 26.