HelperChoice conducted their annual salary survey for foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, analyzing more than 10,000 job ads posted on their platform between September 2020 and September 2021.

This survey was conducted as the Hong Kong government is expected to give their annual update on foreign domestic workers' Minimum Allowable Wage this Friday (Sep 24). Last year for the first time, the wage was frozen at HK$4,630.

This year, the survey shows that the Covid-19 pandemic has helped increase the salaries of workers, with a salary of HK$5,144 on average, HK$514 more than the workers' minimum wage.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting the city, many foreign domestic workers willing to come for work have been unable to reach Hong Kong due to travel restrictions.

Statistics show the number of foreign domestic workers in the city has shrunk from 399,320 to 373,884 in the past year.

Mahee Leclerc, General Manager of HelperChoice, said: “Many families offer higher salaries to secure a profile already based in Hong Kong, therefore avoiding extra time and costs related to the pandemic, such as paying for the worker’s quarantine.”

For those hiring overseas, the cost can now reach up to HK$15,000 and take up to 3 months.

In 2021, the top five Hong Kong districts with the highest wages are: Central & Western, Southern, Wan Chai, Sai Kung and for the first time, Yau Tsim Mong.

Foreign domestic workers in these districts might expect an average salary of HK$5,318, with several employers offering between HK$10,000 to HK$20,000 per month.

On the other hand, the five districts offering the lowest salaries this year are: Kwai Tsing, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun. Employers in these areas offer an average salary of HK$4,866, which is only HK$236 above the Minimum Allowable Salary.

The full report can be found here.