Hong Kong Employers Urge Pay Freeze for Foreign Domestic Workers Amid Economic Uncertainty

A coalition of Hong Kong employers has called on the government to freeze the pay of foreign domestic workers this year, warning that any wage increases may result in mass sackings. They also proposed a new pay-for-performance mechanism to allow employers to reward high-performing helpers more than poor performers. Two employers’ groups – the International Domestic Service Industry Development Federation, and the Quadripartite Alliance for Harmonious Employment Practices – led about 30 employers’ representatives to petition the government on Saturday. They held a banner with slogans calling for a pay freeze amid the uncertain economic outlook, and saying a pay rise to helpers would overload employers. The groups said more than 97 per cent of the 6,200 employers interviewed in their poll in July hoped the government would freeze the minimum wage and food allowance this year. Some 84 per cent indicated they might not be able to afford a pay increase for their helpers and could consider sacking them if the government decided on a pay rise.