• With effect from July 10, 2008, the minimum salary for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong would be increased from $3,480 to $3,580 per month. The new salary will apply to employment contracts signed on or after July 10, 2008. But generous bosses pay more.

• Every employment contract for domestic helper lasts for two years.

• In the absence of labor laws governing working hours, it is advisable to give your helper reasonable free time and eight hours for sleeping each 24 hours.

• You are advised not to do so. Hiring a part-time Helper is illegal and can be prosecuted. It puts the part-time employer in a precarious or even dangerous position regarding both insurance and the law. Besides, the cost of hiring an illegal part-time Helper might be even higher than the cost of hiring a live-in Maid/Nanny.

How should I pay wages to my Maid/ Nanny?

• You can pay wages by either autopay or cheque into your maid’s bank account. Just open a bank account for your maid. It’s easy, safe and convenient.
  
  
• You can also pay in cash but have to make sure that your maid will sign to acknowledge receipt. You need to keep a clear records of wage payments to your maid.

• Yes. If the damages is due to your maid’s negligence or fault, you may deduct from her wages the cost of the damaged item, subject to a limit of HK$300. The total of such deduction should not exceed 1/4 of her monthly wages.
  
  
• An employer who makes illegal deduction from wages of his maid is liable to prosecution.

• The Hong Kong government has issued an outright ban on live-out arrangements for Foreigh Domestic Helpers. The ban will take effect on April 1, 2003.

• Upon termination, you should clear all outstanding wages and other compensation due to your maid, preferably by payment through the bank, and obtain a receipt for all payments.
  
  
• You are required to notify the Director of Immigration in writing of the termination within 7 days of the date of termination.
  
  
• Please refer to Practical Tips - Termination of Contract for details.

• You should report the case of missing helper to the Police;
  
  
• You should notify the Director of Immigration if you consider that the contract has been unilaterally terminated by your helper.

• Within 4 weeks before the expiry of the contract with your maid, you have to apply for renewal of contract. Your maid will normally request to take a home leave before returning to Hong Kong to start a new contract. However, you may ask your maid to defer the home trip at her convenience and agreement. .

• You can apply your maid for an extension of stay within 4 weeks of the expiry date of her visa to work for you. The visa extension fee is HK$135.

• When your maid arrive in Hong Kong, her travel document (passport) will be endorsed with a landing stamp, which states clearly the limit of her stay. This is normally two years for foreign domestic helpers from the date of her arrival in Hong Kong. Don’t confused the date on the employment contract is the end date of her stay in Hong Kong. The actual end date is the one stamped in her passport.

• You are required to provide your maid with the following leaves under the Employment Ordinance:
1. rest days (see Practical Tips - Rest Days);
2. statutory holiday (see Practical Tips - Statutory Holiday); and
3. paid annual leave (see Practical Tips - Paid Annual Leave).
   
   

• Always keep clear records of the statutory holidays and annual leave your helper has been taken.

• You should pay Long Service Payment only if your maid has served you for at least 5 years. Please refer to Practical Tips - Long Service Payment for details.

• A domestic helper cannot be simultaneously entitled to both long service payment and severance payment.

• A female domestic helper is entitled to 10 week’s Maternity Leave if she employed for at least four weeks immediately before the commencement of her maternity leave. She needs to give notice of pregnancy to the employer. For more information, please refer to Practical Tips - Maternity Leave.

• You can consider installing security check (e.g., a password) against any abuse use of your IDD.
  
  
• You may also make prior written agreement with your maid concerning reimbursement of the expenses incurred.
  
  
• You can also request your maid to use a telephone card for making IDD call. It’s cost saving and prevent any abuse use of the IDD.