{"id":81085,"date":"2020-09-28T07:16:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-28T07:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=81085"},"modified":"2023-05-09T09:06:04","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T09:06:04","slug":"domestic-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/hong-kong\/domestic-help\/housekeepers\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Help – Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” el_class=”three-top-tips” css=”.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Hiring a domestic helper to help with domestic chores is quite common in Hong Kong. Many expats, when they first arrive, are reluctant to hire a helper because they are not used to sharing their living space with a stranger. Often, however, they change their minds or get used to the idea after a few months in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

The Hong Kong government allows the hiring of full time foreign domestic helpers as well as legal part-time helpers and offers a comprehensive guide book which outlines all the various details for hiring one. This guide book is a must read if you are planning to hire a domestic helper during your stay in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.immd.gov.hk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Full-Time Helpers<\/h3>\n

The vast majority of full-time domestic helpers are migrant workers from the Philippines, although Indonesians, Sri Lankans and Thais are also common. Many local and expat families hire them to handle the day-to-day household chores, including cleaning, washing, laundry, and cooking, as well as taking care of children and pets. Domestic helpers, by law, are not allowed to drive your vehicle.<\/p>\n

Under Hong Kong law, you need to have a minimum monthly household income of HK$15,000 in order to hire a foreign helper. They are employed in Hong Kong on a two-year contract, and must be paid at least the legal minimum wage of HK$3,580 per month.<\/p>\n

Under the employment contract, the employer (who is the legal sponsor) is also expected to pay for the round-trip air-fare from her home country, passport and visa fees, food, housing, health insurance and medical expenses. The maid must live with the sponsoring employer, in the same home, for the duration of the contract. The employer is also required to ensure that the living conditions are acceptable and that the helper enjoys a suitable level of privacy. Many apartments in Hong Kong come equipped with a ‘maid’s room’ specifically for this purpose.<\/p>\n

Domestic helpers are entitled to one day off every week, as well as public holidays and paid annual leave of 7 days a year. They are also entitled to sick leave and maternity leave. If you need your helper to work on her day off, you have to give her an additional day off within two months.<\/p>\n

Helpers can be hired through an agency or through transfer referrals (maids who have completed contracts with their employers). Many expats try to find a new workplace for their helpers when they leave Hong Kong. You can find these referrals either at bulletin boards in supermarkets or from classified ads on online expat forums such as GeoExpat.com.<\/p>\n

Bear in mind that your helper will be living and interacting with your family on a daily basis, so it is important to conduct interviews for prospective employees to gauge her communication skills and how she will fit into your family.<\/p>\n

Direct Hire<\/h4>\n

Besides saving on the agency fee, one advantage of hiring a maid who is transferring from another family is being able to speak to her prior employer to get a better idea of what to expect.<\/p>\n

However, hiring directly also means you will have to take care of all the administrative formalities yourself, such as applying for a work visa through the Hong Kong Immigration Department (http:\/\/www.immd.gov.hk\/<\/a>) and arranging for health insurance and a full medical check-up for her.<\/p>\n

Note that a copy of the medical report should be submitted together with the visa application. It is also crucial that you ensure the helper you employ has a \u2018release paper’ from her previous employer, otherwise both you and the maid would be breaking the law. If a helper is let go by her employers before her term with them is complete due to their relocation to another country or due to a change in their financial circumstances the employers have to immediately inform the immigration department. They then usually have to give the maid a month’s notice before they terminate her for these reasons. After her last day of employment, the helper has fourteen extra days during which can stay on in Hong Kong and look for another employer who is willing to take over her visa and sponsor her. If she is unable to do so she is required by law to return to her place of origin and await a new contract and visa.<\/p>\n

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