Hong Kong Domestic Worker Union Opposes Employer Pay Freeze Petition
HKFP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU) has firmly opposed petitions by employer groups calling for a freeze on domestic worker wages, arguing that recent increases have not kept up with the rising cost of living. The union released a statement in response to petitions filed earlier this week by the International Domestic Service Industry Development Federation and the Quadripartite Alliance for Harmonious Employment Practices (QAHEP).
Key Points
- FADWU stated that wage increases of about 2 percent have "never been enough to keep up with inflation," with real wages decreasing for many years .
- The union noted that the monthly food allowance of HK$1,236 has been frozen for two consecutive years, remaining in effect until the end of September this year .
- A QAHEP survey released on Saturday found that 97 percent of employers were "strongly opposed" to pay rises for their domestic workers .
- The employer groups pointed out that domestic worker minimum wage increased 7.8 percent over three years, outpacing Hong Kong's composite Consumer Price Index rise of 5.4 percent over the same period .
- FADWU described cases where "extreme-low-income" families exploit domestic workers through underpayment or by not providing food and proper accommodation .
- Hong Kong currently requires households to have a minimum monthly family income of HK$15,000 to employ a domestic worker, while the median family income stands at HK$37,800 .
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights growing tensions between domestic workers and employers in Hong Kong amid economic uncertainty. This year's projected inflation rate of 2.6 percent underscores the FADWU's argument that wage freezes could further erode workers' purchasing power, while employer groups maintain that previous wage increases have already outpaced inflation. The outcome could set a precedent for future labor protections for Hong Kong's migrant domestic worker population, which numbers over 340,000.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between domestic workers and employers in Hong Kong amid economic uncertainty. This year's projected inflation rate of 2.6 percent underscores the FADWU's argument that wage freezes could further erode workers' purchasing power, while employer groups maintain that previous wage increases have already outpaced inflation. The outcome could set a precedent for future labor protections for Hong Kong's migrant domestic worker population, which numbers over 340,000.