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Theodora Yu

A union representing foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong has urged authorities to more than double their monthly food allowance to HK$2,770 (US$350), saying the current stipend averaging HK$13.30 per meal is insufficient due to inflation.
Representatives from the Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU) met Labour Department officials on Sunday after staging a protest. Besides the food allowance, the groups demanded an increase in the monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 and contract modifications to protect helpers during periods of extreme heat.
Currently, the minimum salary of domestic helpers is HK$5,100. Employers who do not provide free meals must pay a monthly food allowance of HK$1,236, equivalent to HK$40.60 per day.
FADWU, which represents more than 1,000 helpers in Hong Kong, said the current allowance was detached from the rising retail food costs in the city and should be increased to HK$2,770 per month, equivalent to HK$91 per day.
During the rally in Central, unionists displayed sample meal boxes to visually demonstrate what a daily budget of HK$40.60 could buy: a single pack of instant noodles with an egg, or two packs of biscuits paired with an egg and instant coffee.
“We work from morning to night, but still do not have enough to eat, which makes us get sick easily,” said Phobsuk Gasing, the union’s chairwoman. “We need a better quality of life and to have energy to work.”
She noted that inflation had resulted in higher food prices, and a cha chaan teng meal now costs at least HK$40, equivalent to their daily allowance.
The statutory monthly food allowance for helpers has been frozen for two consecutive years.
Rowena Borja, the FADWU general secretary and chairwoman of the Progressive Labour Union of Domestic Workers in Hong Kong, also noted a case of an Indonesian helper who reported only being allowed six spoonfuls of rice in a day.
She added that the Labour Department had revised the guidance handbook for migrant domestic workers and employers, clarifying that three suitable meals a day must be provided to helpers, but this was not legally binding and the risk of exploitation remained.
“We want [the government] to put three suitable meals a day to be included in our contracts, to make sure the migrant domestic workers really have three suitable meals a day,” Borja said.

Following their rally, the union met representatives from the Labour Department on Sunday afternoon to propose raising the minimum wage and food allowance threshold, urging authorities to reference nutritional standards set by the Hong Kong Department of Health.
The unions also suggested that the government revise the contract to ensure proper ventilation and provide fans or air conditioning for helpers amid climate change and extreme weather.
The minimum pay for helpers remained unchanged in 2020 and 2021. Over the past 30 years, wages were cut twice in 1999 and 2003.
Since September, the minimum salary of domestic helpers increased by 2.2 per cent to HK$5,100 for new employment contracts, although the monthly food allowance has remained unchanged.
The decision to increase the monthly salary was based on Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labour market conditions over the past year, the near-term economic outlook and employers’ affordability, the government said.


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Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally


Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally.


Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions

Helpers’ union calls for raising food allowance to HK$2,770, citing inflation

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally

Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions representatives also demand increase in monthly minimum wage to HK$6,670 during Sunday rally