How many statutory holidays are domestic helpers entitled to in 2023?

Domestic helpers are entitled to 14 statutory holidays in 2023, regardless of how long they’ve been employed.

Are statutory holidays mandatory for employers to give?

Yes. Statutory holidays must always be granted, even if the helper has worked for only one day.

Can I pay my domestic worker in lieu of statutory holiday?

No. You cannot pay a domestic worker in lieu of a statutory holiday. The holiday must be taken as a day off. If she needs to work on that day, you must give at least 48 hours’ notice and arrange a substitute holiday within two months before or after the original date.

Do helpers get general holidays too?

General holidays (like Good Friday or Boxing Day) are optional. Employers may choose to grant them, but they are not required by law.

Can a helper work on a statutory holiday?

No, a domestic helper can’t be forced to work on a statutory holiday. An employer may request it only with at least 48 hours’ notice and must give a substitute day off within 60 days. Paying in place of a holiday isn’t allowed. If the holiday falls on a rest day, another day off must be arranged.

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Categories: Helper's Rights & Regulation

Domestic Helper Statutory Holidays 2023

(Updated on September 6, 2023)

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Statutory holidays are mandatory holidays for domestic workers according to the Hong Kong law – all foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong are entitled to the 13 statutory holidays annually regardless of their length of service. Even if your domestic helper has worked for you for only one day, she is still entitled to the statutory holiday.

The list of Hong Kong statutory holidays 2023

1 January 2023, Sunday – The first day of January
23 January 2023, Monday – Lunar New Year’s Day
24 January 2023, Tuesday – The second day of Lunar New Year
25 January 2023, Wednesday – The fourth day of Lunar New Year
5 April 2023, Wednesday – Ching Ming Festival
1 May 2023, Monday – Labour Day
26 May 2023, Friday – The Birthday of the Buddha
22 June 2023, Thursday – Tuen Ng Festival / Dragon Boat Festival
1 July 2023, Saturday – HKSAR Establishment Day
30 September 2023, Saturday – The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
1 October 2023, Sunday – National Day
23 October 2023, Monday – Chung Yeung Festival
22 December 2023, Friday – Chinese Winter Solstice Festival OR
25 December 2023, Monday – Christmas Day (at the option of the employer)

Domestic helpers in Hong Kong are entitled to 13 statutory holidays

Rules about domestic helper statutory holidays in Hong Kong

It is up to you to decide whether you should give your domestic worker the day off on General Holidays, but it is always nice to give them the day off if you are not working yourself and don’t need them.

However, clear rules exist and apply when it comes to Statutory Holidays in Hong Kong:

Statutory Holidays are mandatory – you must give your maid the day off.
They are mandatory irrespective of the length of service – no matter if your domestic helper has been with you for 2 years or only 2 days, she must have the day off.
If your domestic helper has been with you for at least 3 months under a continuous contract, she is entitled to paid statutory holidays. If she has been with you for less than 3 months she is entitled to statutory holidays. However, in such a case, it is strictly up to you to decide whether you want to pay her or not.
All statutory holidays must be taken off – you cannot pay your domestic worker to work on a statutory holiday (even if you pay her extra). Note that any payment made in lieu of statutory holidays can result in a fine.
If for some reason, you need your housemaid to work on a statutory holiday, you must give her at least a 48 hours’ prior notice and arrange an alternative holiday within a 2-month period before or after the statutory holiday.
Should the statutory holiday fall on your domestic helper’s usual rest day, you should grant her a mandatory holiday either on the following day, which is not a statutory holiday, or you can also choose to grant her an alternative holiday, a substituted holiday, or a rest day. Simply put, you are not allowed to let your domestic helper take her rest day when it is a statutory holiday. Note that this shouldn’t happen on a Sunday because the statutory holidays will then automatically be moved to the following Monday.

What about the general holidays (public holidays)?

Besides the 13 statutory holidays, Hong Kong has other general holidays on which most employees are free: Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday and Boxing Day (December 26).

You are not required to give your domestic helper general holidays (public holidays). You can decide to also give your domestic helper the general holiday off so she can recharge as it may also boost the work morale.

Conclusion

Understanding Hong Kong’s statutory holiday rules is key to maintaining a fair, legal, and respectful working relationship. By ensuring your domestic helper receives all 13 mandatory statutory holidays—and by following proper arrangements for paid entitlements and alternative days off—you help foster trust, well-being, and a healthier home environment. Clear communication and early planning also make holiday schedules smoother for everyone.

If you’re an employer looking for guidance or hoping to hire a reliable helper, HelperChoice is here to support you with ethical, transparent hiring tools.

For domestic helpers, you can also create a free profile on HelperChoice to find fair employers and apply to jobs safely online.