Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Saturday the 2.35 percent increase in the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong is a reasonable adjustment.

His remarks came after the government announced on Friday that the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers will rise by HK$120 to HK$5,220 per month.

Sun said the adjustment had been based on a comprehensive review of annual economic performance, employers' incomes and inflation.

"Sometimes, when we look back at past data, if Hong Kong’s economy turns very bad – for example, when we face an economic winter – we will take action. You can see we did this during the pandemic," he said.

"On the other hand, if Hong Kong’s economy performs well and our overall data are positive, we will take a reasonable approach to maintain moderation, so each year you see that when the economy grows and performs well, it typically fluctuates within a range of about 2 percent to 2.5 percent."

With the average annual salary increase for domestic helpers ranging from 2 percent to 2.5 percent in recent years, and Hong Kong's current economic performance surpassing last year, he said the adjustment was a balanced approach that took all relevant factors into account.

Sun also said on a radio programme that an upcoming welfare data sharing platform, introduced in the city’s first Five‑Year Plan, would consolidate data dispersed among different departments or organisations to accurately identify high‑risk individuals.

The platform will first use data from the Social Welfare Department, the Housing Authority and the Hospital Authority, with that from non‑governmental organisations incorporated later, he said, stressing that strict privacy protection would be observed throughout the process.

Departments would be notified after risk factors among individuals had been analysed, Sun said, with the aim of shifting from a passive response to earlier intervention and support.

Participation in the platform is voluntary, he stressed, expressing confidence that the social welfare sector will be willing to cooperate with the government.




Edited by Azam Khan