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Following is the question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (May 2):
Question:
Regarding the minimum allowable wage ("MAW") of foreign domestic helpers ("FDHs"), will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) how often the MAW of FDHs is reviewed;
(b) of the indicators, data and formulae currently adopted by the authorities for determining the MAW of FDHs; and
(c) as the Hong Kong economy and the employment situation have improved over the last two years, whether the MAW of FDHs will be adjusted upwards and restored from the current level of $3,400 per month to the level in 1998 (i.e. $3,860 per month); if so, of the implementation date; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Administration reviews the minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers regularly. The review is generally carried out on an annual basis.
(b) & (c) In accordance with the long-established mechanism in reviewing the MAW and deciding whether the level is to be adjusted, the Administration takes into account the prevailing general economic condition and employment situation, as reflected through economic indicators which include the relevant income movement, price change and labour market situation. The Administration is currently reviewing the MAW in accordance with the mechanism as described above. The outcome of the review would be announced upon completion of the review.
Ends/Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:49
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