Hong Kong defends domestic helper minimum wage hike amid mixed reactions
Labour minister Chris Sun says the 2.35 per cent increase to HK$5,220 reflects the city's stronger economic performance.
Quick Look
Hong Kong has raised the monthly minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers by 2.35 per cent to HK$5,220, citing stronger economic performance, though unions and employers expressed disappointment.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Hong Kong periodically adjusts the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers through an annual review mechanism.
Hong Kong’s stronger economic performance over the past year is the reason for raising the monthly minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers, the labour minister has said amid disappointment from both unions and employers’ groups.
Defending the government’s decision to raise the monthly minimum wage by 2.35 per cent to HK$5,220 (US$665), Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the government sought to keep the annual adjustment mechanism “balanced and acceptable”.
Speaking after a radio programme on Saturday, Sun said: “If you look back, the average annual increase has been between 2 per cent and 2.5 per cent for many years.”
Open Questions
- What specific wage increase did unions and employers request?
