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The Government announced today (July 9) that with effect from tomorrow (July 10) the minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong would be increased by $100 from $3,480 to $3,580 per month.
The new minimum allowable wage is applicable to employment contracts signed on or after July 10, 2008.
The MAW for FDHs is reviewed regularly in the light of Hong Kong's general economic and employment situation, as reflected through a basket of economic indicators including the relevant income movement, price change and labour market situation.
Employment contracts signed on or before July 9 at a wage level not lower than the prevailing MAW of $3,480 per month will still be processed by the Immigration Department (ImmD) on such wage terms, provided that the applications would have reached ImmD on or before August 6, 2008. This is to allow time for employers whose contracts were signed on or before July 9 to complete the necessary procedures before submitting their applications to ImmD.
Any employer who pays less than the wage as stated in the employment contract commits an offence under the Employment Ordinance and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment.
Employers are free to pay more than the MAW to their FDHs.
Ends/Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:30
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