Domestic Helper Minimum Wage Increase 2026: What Hong Kong Employers Need to Know
- Wages & Benefits
- minimum wage
- MAW
- food allowance
- wages
- contract renewal
In short
Hong Kong's Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic helpers rises from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month (+2.35%) for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. The food allowance stays at HK$1,236. Contracts signed by 2 October at the old rate are still accepted by Immigration if the application reaches ImmD by 30 October 2026.
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On 2 October 2026, the Government announced that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers will rise by 2.35 per cent — from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month. The food allowance in lieu of free food was reviewed at the same time and remains unchanged at no less than HK$1,236 per month.
The MAW is the legal floor for a helper's monthly wage. It is a separate system from Hong Kong's statutory minimum wage for local workers — the two figures are not related.
When the New Rate Applies
The new MAW applies to every Standard Employment Contract (ID407) signed on or after 3 October 2026. Two practical consequences:
- Signing a new contract now — any fresh contract signed from 3 October onwards must state HK$5,220 or more.
- Contracts already running — a signed contract is not reopened by a MAW rise. Your helper's wage stays as agreed until the contract ends; the new rate applies at the next renewal, when a fresh contract is signed.
If You Signed at HK$5,100: the 30 October Deadline
If your contract was signed on or before 2 October 2026 at the old HK$5,100 rate, the Immigration Department will still process it — provided the application reaches ImmD on or before 30 October 2026. This grace window exists so employers mid-application are not caught out by the change.
If you are in this position, treat 30 October as a hard deadline. A signed contract that reaches ImmD after that date must meet the new rate — the wage written on it will need to be HK$5,220 or above.
Food Allowance: Unchanged
Employers who do not provide free food must pay a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 per month, on top of the wage. That figure did not move in this review — it has been unchanged since 30 September 2023. For a helper who receives the allowance, the minimum monthly cash outlay is now HK$6,456 (HK$5,220 + HK$1,236).
What Helper and Employer Groups Are Saying
The increase drew criticism from both sides, as reported by the South China Morning Post:
- Helper groups wanted more. The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions had proposed raising the MAW to HK$6,670 and the food allowance to HK$2,770. Its chairwoman, Phobsuk Gasing, called the 2.35 per cent rise "very tiny" — no real gain after inflation — and criticised the food allowance for staying at HK$1,236 since 2023, noting that helpers who receive it spend roughly HK$1,000 a month feeding themselves. The federation has asked the Government to publish the indicators behind each review.
- Employer groups wanted a freeze. The Coalition of Global Home Service Sustainable Development said the rise adds pressure on households already facing inflation, rent or mortgage payments. Citing a survey of 6,000 employers, its president, Chrystie Lam Hau-yiu, warned that up to 70 per cent of respondents might consider forgoing hiring a helper after a pay rise. She called for tax allowances on helper-related expenses and tougher enforcement against job-hopping.
For context, last year's revision raised the MAW by 2.2 per cent (from HK$4,990 to HK$5,100) and also left the food allowance unchanged.
What It Means for Your Monthly Budget
For the full picture — agency fees, insurance, visa costs and the flight — see the total cost of hiring a domestic helper. For the wage rules themselves, including what may lawfully be deducted, see the minimum wage FAQ.
MAW at a Glance, 2022–2026
| Contracts signed | MAW (per month) |
|---|---|
| On or after 3 Oct 2026 | HK$5,220 |
| 30 Sep 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 | HK$5,100 |
| 28 Sep 2024 – 29 Sep 2025 | HK$4,990 |
| 30 Sep 2023 – 27 Sep 2024 | HK$4,870 |
| 30 Sep 2022 – 29 Sep 2023 | HK$4,730 |
Want the Numbers Handled for You?
Wage rates, allowances, visa forms, renewal timing — this is the paperwork we handle every day. If you are hiring or renewing around this change, talk to GMA before you sign and we will make sure your contract is right the first time. See GMA's services and fees.
Sources
This article is general information about employing a domestic helper in Hong Kong. It is not legal, immigration or professional advice, and the rules do change. For your own situation, check the official sources below or talk to us.