Over 6,000 Employers Oppose Maid Pay Raise, Demand Wage Freeze
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
Employer groups representing over 6,000 foreign domestic helper households have formally petitioned the Hong Kong government to freeze wages and allowances for 2026, citing unbearable financial strain on local families .
Key Points
- Survey of 6,211 employer households found 97% firmly opposed any maid salary increase for 2026 .
- Groups demand minimum wage frozen at HK$5,100 and food allowance at HK$1,236 monthly .
- 84% of employers said further raises would exceed their capacity, possibly forcing termination of helpers .
- 95.3% warned rising costs could drive women to quit jobs and care for families, shrinking the workforce .
- From 2022 to 2025, helper base wages rose 7.8%, outpacing the 5.4% overall CPI inflation rate .
Why It Matters
The campaign reflects growing pressure on Hong Kong's middle class from cumulative wage increases that have outpaced general inflation, with potential knock-on effects for women's labour force participation and family care arrangements . The employer groups also raised systemic concerns about helper accountability, debt practices and contract enforcement that extend beyond the wage debate .
The campaign reflects growing pressure on Hong Kong's middle class from cumulative wage increases that have outpaced general inflation, with potential knock-on effects for women's labour force participation and family care arrangements . The employer groups also raised systemic concerns about helper accountability, debt practices and contract enforcement that extend beyond the wage debate .