Things to consider when hiring a Foreign Domestic Helper or a Local Helper

Hiring a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong takes time and involves agency fees. Even if you’re looking to hire a foreign domestic helper who has completed a previous contract locally, the competition is fierce, and you might still need to wait until a foreign domestic helper finishes their current contract. Before deciding to hire a foreign domestic helper, have you considered that a local helper can handle most of the household works too? This article will analyze the differences between foreign domestic helpers and local helpers to help you make the right choice.

Key Differences Between Hiring a Foreign Domestic Helper and a Local Helper

1. Accommodation Arrangements

Local helpers generally do not live with the employer, though there are exceptions where both parties can discuss work hours and arrangements. If you only need help at certain times or on specific days, like picking up kids from school or preparing dinner, a local helper might be a better option. Which also mean you don't need to provide accommodation and can maintain your family’s privacy.

For foreign domestic helpers, the "Standard Employment Contract" requires them to live in the employer’s home. Employers need to provide suitable accommodation with reasonable privacy. Even if the foreign domestic helper is on leave, they cannot stay overnight outside the employer’s home, regardless of whether both parties agree. It is illegal according to the law with a maximum of 14 years in prison and a HK$150,000 fine. It could also affect future applications for hiring foreign domestic helpers or applying for work visas.

Related Article: Foreign domestic helper accommodation and driving arrangement

2. Salary

According to the government’s press release on September 30, 2023, the minimum wage for foreign domestic helpers is HK$4,870 per month. For non-live-in local helpers, they must be paid according to the current minimum wage laws, which is currently HK$40 (Aug 2024) per hour. However, it’s usually hard to hire a local helper at the minimum wage. For example, if a local helper works 4 hours a day at HK$80 per hour, helping with tasks like picking up kids and preparing dinner, working 20 days a month would cost you HK$6,400.

3. Meals

The "Standard Employment Contract" requires employers to provide foreign domestic helpers with free meals or a food allowance. The current food allowance is set at HK$1,236 per month, but most employers in Hong Kong opt to provide free meals. For local helpers, there are no such requirements, so this can be negotiated between the employer and the helper.

4. Medical Expenses

Under current laws, regardless of the working hours, whether full-time or part-time, all employers must purchase "employee compensation insurance"(ECI) for their workers. If you hire a local helper through an agency, check with the agency if insurance is included. If you hire directly, you should contact an insurance company to arrange coverage. For foreign domestic helpers, the "Standard Employment Contract" requires the employer to cover all medical expenses during the employment period, whether or not the illness or injury is work-related. Many insurance policies which called “comprehensive insurance” are designed for foreign domestic helpers cover not only ECI but also hospital and surgical costs, repatriation expenses, personal accident coverage, public liability, clinical/medical expenses, dental costs, fidelity protection, and loan repayment protection etc. The government also recommends employers purchase comprehensive insurance for their foreign domestic helpers.

5. Return to Home Country Costs

Local helpers, of course, have no such requirements. However, for foreign domestic helpers, the "Standard Employment Contract" requires the employer to cover the cost of returning to their home country, including flights and other transportation allowances, when the contract ends or is terminated. It is around a thousand dollars or few thousand dollars depending on the foreign domestic helper’s home country.

Conclusion

Hiring a foreign domestic helper and a local helper each comes with different costs and responsibilities. Local helpers offer more flexibility, easier communication, and better privacy for your family, but they are usually more expensive. Foreign domestic helpers can assist with household works, elderly care, or child care for longer hours, and the cost is relatively lower. However, living with a stranger everyday might present other challenges. We believe as a smart Hongkongers, you can choose based on your own needs!

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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use