02/10/2026
📣📣Increase in Minimum Allowable Wage and no change in food allowance for foreign domestic helpers
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The Government announced today (October 2) that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong will be increased by 2.35 per cent, from $5,100 to $5,220 per month.
In addition, under the Standard Employment Contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to provide FDHs with food free of charge. At present, the vast majority of employers provide free food to FDHs, but they may choose to pay a food allowance in lieu. The food allowance will remain unchanged at no less than $1,236 per month.
The new MAW level will apply to all FDH contracts signed on or after tomorrow (October 3).
A Government spokesman said, "The Government regularly reviews the MAW for FDHs to ensure its level is commensurate with Hong Kong's economic and labour market conditions, taking into account the interests of both employers and FDHs. In this year's review, we comprehensively considered a basket of socio-economic factors in accordance with the established mechanism, including Hong Kong's general economic performance and labour market conditions over the past year, near-term economic outlook, affordability of FDH employers and basic living needs of FDHs. Throughout the review process, the Government also carefully listened to the views of employers and FDHs to gain a thorough understanding of their concerns and suggestions. Having carefully assessed and balanced the views of all parties, and comprehensively considered that this year's socio-economic factors are more favourable than those at the time of last year's review, the Government has decided to suitably increase the MAW to $5,220 per month. Furthermore, the Government has reviewed the food allowance in lieu of free food and, having taken into account the relevant consumer price index, decided that the level should remain unchanged."
FDH contracts signed today or before at the existing MAW of $5,100 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD), provided that the applications reach the ImmD on or before October 30 (Friday). This arrangement allows employers sufficient time to submit signed contracts to the ImmD for completion of relevant application procedures.
Ends/Friday, October 2, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30
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