For the fifth consecutive year, HelperChoice has analysed the data of more than 10,000 job ads posted on its platform between September 2020 and September 2021, to determine in which areas foreign domestic workers can expect to earn the most and the least.
This study was carried out in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and as the Hong Kong Labour Department is expected to announce the foreign domestic workers minimum wage re-evaluation on September 24th. Last year, the Minimum Allowable Wage was frozen for the first time.
An average salary of HK$5,144 for the first time
For the fifth consecutive year, HelperChoice’s annual salary survey in Hong Kong shows an increase in the average salary offered by employers, reaching HK$5,144, while the Minimum Allowable Wage of HK$4,630 remained unchanged.
According to HelperChoice data, this year, foreign domestic workers have been earning HK$5,144 on average, equalling a 2.63% increase compared to the previous study in 2020, and a 17% increase since 2016!
Covid-19, boosting foreign domestic workers’ salaries
While the Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting the city, many foreign domestic workers willing to come for work have been unable to reach Hong Kong due to travel restrictions.
According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department statistics, the number of Foreign Domestic Workers in the city has been decreasing, since 2020, for the first time. From 399,320 to 373,884 migrant domestic workers.
Clear disparities according to the employment location
Regarding the districts, HelperChoice identifies clear disparities in the domestic helpers’ salaries according to their employment location. Following the trends of their previous years’ observations, families living in areas considered as more wealthy offer a higher salary to their helpers.
In 2021, the top five Hong Kong districts with the highest wages are: Central & Western, Southern, Wan Chai, Sai Kung and for the first time, Yau Tsim Mong. Foreign domestic workers in these districts might expect an average salary of HK$5,318, with several employers offering between HK$10,000 to HK$20,000 per month.
On the other hand, the five districts offering the lowest salaries this year are: Kwai Tsing, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun. Employers in these areas offer an average salary of HK$4,866, which is only HK$236 above the Minimum Allowable Salary (MAW) at the time of HK$4,630. An increase compared to 2020.
Overall, a tougher financial situation for foreign domestic workers
Despite the increasing average salary, many foreign domestic workers already based in the city expect more. This year, HelperChoice registered an average requested salary of HK$5,568. A fair demand, as many have been facing financial difficulties and tougher working conditions during the pandemic.
According to a joint survey conducted by HelperChoice and Enrich HK in 2021 on more than 800 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong last June, only 31% declared not being affected financially by the pandemic, while 353 declared having greater expenses and having to send more remittances to their families back home. 57 respondents also declared having lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
This week, foreign domestic workers and families in the city are now waiting for the government press release expected on Friday 24th September, to know whether or not the Minimum Allowable Wage will be increased this year, or remain frozen once again.
Press contact:
Mahee LECLERC – mahee@helperchoice.com – +852 9132 3115
About HelperChoice
Founded in 2012 by two French banking executives in Hong Kong, HelperChoice has become the leading platform connecting foreign domestic workers and families in Asia. HelperChoice was set up as a social enterprise, and its impact was recognised by many organisations, including the International Labour Organisation. HelperChoice has been acquired by Yoopies in 2019. With this acquisition, the European-based group Yoopies became the global leader outside of the United States in domestic jobs recruitment.
About Worklike
Worklife is the leading care platform in Europe disrupting the way we find, hire and manage caregivers for childcare, housekeeping, pet care, senior care and tutoring. The platform aims to give families and homeowners access to affordable and trusted care, becoming a one-stop-shop for booking home care professionals. It offers a comprehensive service, including online payment and automated administrative procedures. Worklife also leveraged the B2C model to build a B2B solution for companies to improve the well-being of its employees and has more than 100 clients (SAP, Société Générale, Publicis, Air France, Capgemini, …).