The Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic helpers will rise by 3% to $4,870 per month, the Government announced today.

In addition, under the Standard Employment Contract for hiring foreign domestic helpers, food allowances paid by employers are to be increased by $40 to at least $1,236 per month. Under the law, employers must provide their helpers with free food or pay them a food allowance.

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

Contracts signed today or earlier at the existing minimum rates will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided that the applications reach the department on or before October 27.

The Government reviews the Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic helpers regularly. In this year’s review, it said it had carefully considered Hong Kong’s general economic and labour market conditions over the past year, the city’s near-term economic outlook, employers’ financial circumstances, and helpers’ livelihoods.