(Published on July 2, 2024)
When hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong, several major cost components need to be considered. Here’s a detailed breakdown for reference:
- Salary: The Hong Kong government sets a minimum allowable wage for domestic helpers, which is regularly updated. As of July 2024, the minimum allowable wage for domestic helpers is HKD 4,870 per month.
- Food Allowance: If you do not provide domestic helpers food, you must pay a food allowance. The current minimum food allowance is around HKD 1,236 per month.
- Agency Fees: If you use an agency, fees can vary significantly but typically range from HKD 15,000 to HKD 20,000. This usually covers paperwork, recruitment costs, and sometimes training.
- Visa Fees: The cost of obtaining a visa is generally not very high, but you should budget for administrative expenses and any associated travel costs for visa processing.
- Travel Expenses: You need to pay for the helper’s travel expenses to Hong Kong if they are not currently in the city. This includes a one-way air ticket from their home country.
- Insurance and Medical Expenses: Employers are required to provide medical insurance, which can vary in cost depending on the coverage but typically ranges from HKD 300 to HKD 500 per year. You are also responsible for any medical expenses not covered by insurance.
See also: Mandatory Domestic Helper Insurance In Hong Kong - Contract Notarisation Fees: If applicable, the fees for notarising contracts can vary.
See also: Visa Processing Service Fees - Severance and Long Service Payments: These costs apply if a helper has been employed for a certain period and their contract is terminated without renewal or they retire.
- Training: If specific skills training is required (like caregiving for the elderly or disabled), there might be additional costs involved.
- Miscellaneous: This can include bonuses, gifts, or additional allowances during festivals, and any other costs like uniforms or supplies they might need for work.
Each of these expenses can vary based on individual circumstances, such as whether a helper is hired locally or from abroad, the level of experience desired, and the specific terms negotiated in their contract. It’s important to consider all these factors when budgeting for a domestic helper in Hong Kong.
How To Avoid Paying Extra?
To avoid paying excessive or unnecessary fees when hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong, consider these strategies:
- Compare Agency Fees: If you choose to use an agency, shop around and compare the fees and services provided by different agencies. Some agencies might offer lower fees or more comprehensive packages which include training, insurance, and other necessary services.
See also: 2024 The Blacklist Of Maid Agencies In Hong Kong - Consider Direct Hiring: Bypassing an agency and hiring directly can save a significant amount of money. You can look for helpers who are finishing their contracts or who are already in Hong Kong looking for a new employer. Websites like HelperChoice platform, local groups, and referrals from friends can be good resources for finding someone directly.
- Understand All Costs: Make sure you clearly understand all the costs involved, including visa fees, insurance, and any contractual obligations like severance or long service payments. Ask the agency or check with the Immigration Department for a clear breakdown of necessary fees.
- Avoid Paying for Training Unless Necessary: Only pay for specialised training if it is necessary for your particular needs, such as caregiving for elderly family members. Often, helpers already have the basic skills required for general household work.
- Negotiate Clear Terms: Be clear about work hours, duties, and holidays to avoid misunderstandings that might lead to disputes or additional costs later.
- Plan Travel Wisely: If you need to cover travel expenses for your helper, look for the most cost-effective travel options. Sometimes booking tickets well in advance can save money.
- Educate Your Helper on Budgeting: If you provide a food allowance, discuss budget-friendly shopping and cooking habits with your helper to ensure the allowance is used effectively.
See also: Household Saving Tips: Train Your Helper On Efficient Electricity Use - Legal and Contractual Knowledge: Be well-informed about the legal requirements and customary practices in Hong Kong regarding domestic helpers. This knowledge can prevent you from being misled into paying for unnecessary extras.
See also: Domestic Helper Employment Contract Regulations in Hong Kong
By being diligent and informed, you can effectively manage the costs associated with hiring a domestic helper without compromising on the quality of care and service in your home.
What Legal Requirements Should You Comply With?
It’s important to comply with the law, especially when it comes to hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong. While there might be temptations to cut corners to save money, such as paying below the legal minimum wage, not providing proper insurance, or skipping contract stipulations, these actions are illegal and unethical. They can lead to severe penalties, including fines and legal action, as well as damage to your record for hiring another domestic helper in the future.
Here’s what you should absolutely avoid:
- Paying Below the Minimum Allowable Wage: This is illegal in Hong Kong. Domestic helpers must be paid at least the minimum wage set by the government.
- Not Paying for Required Insurance: Employers are legally required to provide their domestic helpers with medical insurance and employee compensation insurance.
- Hiring on a Tourist Visa: Domestic helpers must have the correct employment visa to work in Hong Kong. Hiring someone on a tourist visa to save on visa fees or other costs is illegal.
- Skipping Statutory Benefits: Failing to provide benefits like paid annual leave, statutory holidays, maternity leave, and severance pay when applicable is against the law.
- Failure to Provide Adequate Accommodation: Employers are required to provide suitable accommodation and with reasonable privacy. Skirting these requirements can lead to legal issues.
- Making Illegal Deductions from Salary: Deductions for damage or breakages, or for food allowance (unless agreed upon), are not legal.
- Contract Violations: Not adhering to the terms agreed upon in the employment contract, especially those regarding working hours and duties, can be deemed a breach of contract.
It’s crucial to follow legal guidelines and treat your domestic helper with fairness and respect. This fosters a positive work environment, ensures compliance with the law, and avoids costly legal issues down the line.
You might also be interested in:
- Essential Steps to Domestic Helper Visa Processing in Hong Kong
- Domestic Helper Contract and Work Visa Renewal
- Direct Hire On HelperChoice Platform
- 2024 Domestic Helpers Holidays
Hire A Domestic Helper In Hong Kong | Direct Hire | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency
About HelperChoice
HelperChoice is a reputable maid agency that holds a valid license approved by the Labour Department Hong Kong. The agency offers an online platform for direct hiring of domestic helpers and facilitates visa processing services specifically for Filipino maids. With a vast network, HelperChoice has successfully served over 75,000 employers in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing access to a pool of more than 20,000 domestic worker profiles. The agency maintains collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, including Enrich Hong Kong, Help For Domestic Workers, and PathFinders, organizing workshops and webinars to support foreign migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
How To Hire A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice?
On HelperChoice platform, both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers are available for employer’s selection. The employer can find a suitable helper in accordance with their family’s needs and specific job requirements, for example, the helper’s year of experience in child care, pet care or elderly care, cooking skill, nationality, training certificates, the ability of speaking Chinese (if applicable), reference letter from the previous employer and such.
See Also: How To Find A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice Platform?
Once you find a domestic helper, you may contact HelperChoice team to process helper’s visa for you (applicable for Filipino maids). Visa processing service fee includes all mandatory visa application fees, including the fee required by the Consulate of the Philippines and paper work. If you domestic helper is currently in Hong Kong and about to finish the contract soon, it will be deemed as a local case. The visa processing time will take around 6 weeks. However, if your helper is currently based outside Hong Kong, you have to choose overseas visa processing service and the processing time will be longer up to 3 months. Most of visa processing services provided have included 2-year mandatory helper insurance, which will cover helper’s medical fee. To learn more, please feel free to contact customer support via Whatsapp or click here for more information.
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
Employers are required to renew the employment contract and visa for foreign domestic helpers every two years at the Immigration Department and the respective Consulate. If you need assistance with processing the contract and visa for a Filipino maid, you can reach out to the HelperChoice team via Whatsapp. Normally, the visa renewal takes around two weeks to complete. Most visa processing packagesinclude a mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic workers. For more information, please contact us via Whatsapp.