The Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic helpers will rise 2.2% to $4,730 per month, the Government 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 be increased by $23 to at least $1,196 per month.

The Government made the decision after carefully considering Hong Kong's general economic and labour market conditions over the past year, as well as the city's near-term economic outlook, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Contracts signed today or earlier at the existing minimum allowable wage of $4,630 per month and the food allowance of no less than $1,173 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided that the applications reach the department on or before October 28.