Hong Kong is set to raise the minimum pay for its 350,000 foreign domestic helpers by 2.5 percent to HK$4,990 a month.

But their food allowance will remain unchanged.

The government on Friday announced that the minimum wage for these migrant workers would increase by HK$120 from the current HK$4,870 per month.

The monthly food allowance would remain at not less than HK$1,236, if the employers opted not to provide food for the helpers.

"In accordance with the established mechanism, in this year's review, we have carefully considered Hong Kong's general economic and labour market conditions over the past year, as well as Hong Kong's near-term economic outlook," a government spokesperson said.

The new rates will apply to all contracts signed from Saturday, and those signed on or before Friday at the existing rates will still be processed so long the applications reach the Immigration Department by October 25.

Sringatin, from the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, said the HK$120 monthly rise only provided a "slight relief" for domestic workers to cope with inflation.

"It's really far away from the price hike in Hong Kong. We really hope that migrant workers would not be trapped in the difficult situation. And I hope that migrant workers can stay in Hong Kong," she told RTHK.

She also said some domestic workers still needed to pay out of their pocket for food.

"[Employers] are providing food, but the food is not enough. Sometimes they just get leftovers," she said.

"For Indonesians, a majority of them are Muslim, and they do not eat pork, so it's really difficult for them if they just rely on the food from the employers."

The group repeated its call of a minimum monthly salary of HK$6,172.

Last updated: 2024-09-27 HKT 19:10