$100 wage increase for FDHs 'disappointing'

Unifil members' fight for HK$5,000 monthly continues.

Effective Oct. 1, the monthly minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong will increase to $4,310, a rise of $100.  The food allowance will go up by $42, to $1,037.

The increases were announced late today, Friday, by the Hong Kong government.

The United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong called the pay hike disappointing, as workers had been calling for the monthly wage to be raised to $5,000.

“We are disappointed. We’re not happy at the piecemeal increase because our demand was $5,000, as that’s what we see as livable wage in Hong Kong, where the cost of living such as food and fares is too high,” Dolores Balladares, chairwoman of Unifil-Migrante HK, said when asked for comment.

“The $100 increase will have no effect on our salaries. It will be barely enough, because we spend a large part of our pay in Hong Kong, so kulang na kulang pa rin,” Balladares said, adding that workers would continue to press for a pay hike despite the decision because the government reviews wages annually.

Under the standard employment contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to either provide helpers with free food or pay a food allowance. Most opt to give free food.

The new wage and food allowance levels apply to all contracts signed on or after Oct 1, the government said.

“The government reviews the MAW for FDHs regularly. In accordance with the established practice, we have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and labor market situations over the last year, as reflected through a basket of economic indicators, including the relevant income movement and price change in this year's review,” a government spokesman said.

“Moreover, the government has taken into account Hong Kong's near-term economic outlook, as well as the need to strike a balance between affordability for employers on one hand and the livelihood of FDHs on the other in reaching the decision on the above-mentioned adjustment.”

The spokesman added, “The government has also reviewed the food allowance in lieu of free food, and decided to increase the allowance level.”

Contracts signed before Oct 1 or earlier at the existing salary of $4,210 a month and food allowance of not less than $995 a month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided the applications reach the department on or before Oct 28. 

This arrangement will give employers sufficient time to send the signed contracts to Immigration for completion of the necessary application procedures.