Knowing your rights makes it easier to speak up calmly when something isn't right. Here's what Hong Kong's rules guarantee, starting with this month's pay rise.
The new minimum wage
Hong Kong raised the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers to HK$5,220 a month, up 2.35% from HK$5,100. It applies to contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026.
- If you're mid-contract: your current wage stays as written until you sign a new contract. The new minimum applies to new contracts and renewals.
- Contracts signed by 2 October at HK$5,100 are still processed if Immigration receives them by 30 October 2026.
- Food: your employer must give you food free of charge, or pay a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 a month instead. That figure didn't change this year.
What your contract guarantees
Every domestic helper works under the government's Standard Employment Contract. Among other things, it gives you:
- Your full wage, on time. Your employer can't make deductions the law doesn't allow, and you should get a receipt each month. Keep every one. You may need them later, for example when a remittance centre asks where your money came from.
- A weekly rest day. You're entitled to at least one rest day every seven days, lasting a continuous 24 hours. Your employer can't make you work on it.
- Statutory holidays and paid annual leave. There are 15 statutory holidays in 2026, rising to 17 by 2030.
- Free accommodation with reasonable privacy, as described in the accommodation section of your contract.
- Free medical treatment while you're employed, and free return passage to the Philippines when your contract ends.
- Your travel costs. Your employer pays your airfare to and from Hong Kong, plus a food and travelling allowance of HK$100 a day for the journey.
Working hours: what the law doesn't cover
Many helpers ask about the maximum number of working hours. Hong Kong law doesn't set one for domestic helpers. Your protection comes from your rest day, statutory holidays and annual leave, and from the right to complain if your workload or treatment becomes unreasonable.
If your hours are affecting your health, write down what's happening (dates, hours and tasks) and get advice before your contract renewal comes up.
Your room and your privacy
Your contract promises accommodation with reasonable privacy. That's meant to be your living space. If your room is regularly used to store your employer's belongings, or people come and go from it freely, you can raise it. Start politely with your employer, and point to the accommodation details in your contract.
If nothing changes, keep a record (dates, and photos where it's safe to take them) and ask for advice from the people listed below.
Agency fees have a legal limit
In Hong Kong, an employment agency may charge you no more than 10% of your first month's wage. At the new minimum, that's HK$522. Any "training fee", "loan" or "processing charge" beyond that is a red flag. Our guide to upfront costs for new arrivals covers this in more detail.
Where to get help
- The Labour Department handles wage, rest-day and contract disputes, and can refer claims to the Labour Tribunal or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board.
- The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Hong Kong gives free advice and help to Filipino workers.
- Migrant worker NGOs in Hong Kong offer free counselling, shelter and help with claims.
Before you leave a job or sign anything, get advice. Terminating a contract affects what you're owed and your visa.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check current figures with the Labour Department or the MWO.
Sources
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Government rules and rates change; confirm current figures with the official agency before acting.