How many rest days does a domestic helper get in Hong Kong?

Overview

• Helpers are entitled to one rest day in every period of seven days, and it should be a continuous period of not less than 24 hours.
• As an employer, you and the helper can mutually agree for the helper to work on a scheduled rest day if you give 48 hours' notice and can give a cash payment if the helper does not want to substitute another day. We recommend having this on record so that it can be referred to at any time.
• The day of arrival is their first day, so you should ensure that the domestic helper can get a rest day within 7 days of landing.

How does this differ to other types of leave?

Foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) are protected by the Employment Ordinance (EO) and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO), equal to local employees. An additional layer is that the FDHs are further protected by the government-prescribed Standard Employment Contract (ID407) which means there are some important distinctions to understand.

Foreign domestic helpers are entitled to several types of leave. Each are separate and distinct to consider and apply to your term with your domestic helper. They also have different rules, so note every type of leave carries the same weight or obligations.

• Rest Days – At least one rest day every 7 days
• Statutory Holidays – Paid statutory holidays (can be rescheduled to another date that is within 60 days, but cannot be paid for)
• Paid Annual Leave – Yearly paid leave that increases at every new yearly term.
• Home Leave – Leave to return to the helper’s home country between the renewal period which must be at least 7 days, this can be paid or unpaid.

For any rest days, annual leave or home leave (if agreed to be paid), the daily wage should be calculated as follows:

• Monthly wage x 12 / 365 (including food allowance if this is given).
• Current monthly wage as of 2026 (minimum) is $5100 (for contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025), so the daily wage would be $168 per day
• Food allowance currently sits at $1,236 per month if this is granted. In the majority of cases, employers often share food and this will not be required if that is the option elected.

Weekly Rest Days

• Minimum: 1 rest day per week (and not less than 4 per month)
• Clause 6 of the Standard Employment Contract (ID407) covers rest days
• A fixed recurring day (e.g., every Sunday) works best for both parties — agree on it upfront
• The day of arrival is their first day, so you should ensure that the domestic helper can get a rest day within 7 days of landing.
• During adverse weather (typhoon signal 8 or Black Rainstorm warning), specific government guidance applies to rest day arrangements. There are recommendations for the helper to stay at home, however this can not be compelled. If the helper chooses to rest at home, they must not be asked to work on their rest day unless mutually agreed that the rest day will be rearranged to another day, however your helper may work voluntarily.
• It is advisable not to leave the house during typhoon signal 8 or Black Rainstorm warning days because it may be difficult for the helper to return home.

What If a Rest Day Falls on a Day that the Employer Requires Help?

If an employer needs the helper to work on a scheduled rest day, they must:

1. Give the helper at least 48 hours' advance notice
2. Grant a substitute rest day within 30 days (before or after the original date) or provide a cash payment for the extra day worked.

Important Notes

• Add it up and a helper could have 65+ days off per year once you include weekly rest days, statutory holidays, and annual leave — plan rosters accordingly
• Asking a helper to forfeit a rest day without compensation or a replacement day is a breach of contract
• Both the Immigration Department and Labour Department take rest day violations seriously
• If a helper is injured during work hours or on an improperly denied rest day, see work injury and employer obligations

Related Resources

• Labour Department — FDH rest days guide
• Labour Department - Employer corner

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