Domestic helpers in Hong Kong get P750 pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong are getting a salary increase equivalent to P750, the Department of Migrant Workers reported yesterday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the increase, which took effect on Oct. 1, makes Hong Kong one of the most attractive destinations for Filipino household service workers.

“The increase comes after a two-year wage freeze in Hong Kong due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time of rising prices due to a stronger US dollar, this new minimum wage hike is a boon to our kasambahays in HK,” Ople said.

With the pay hike, Filipino domestic helpers will now receive a monthly pay of P35,475.

On Friday, the Hong Kong government announced that it was raising the minimum allowable wage and food allowance for foreign domestic workers.

Based on data from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, there are 188,171 overseas Filipino workers, mostly domestic workers, in Hong Kong as of end-August 2022.