Manual on Employing Foreign Domestic Workers

Hong Kong has been importing foreign domestic workers since the 1970s to address the shortage of live-in domestic workers. Local families have a strong demand for foreign domestic workers, and their number is expected to continue to increase in the future. When hiring a foreign domestic worker to handle household chores and care for the family, employers should comply with relevant laws and contract terms. We recommend that employers carefully consider the family's needs and circumstances before hiring a foreign domestic worker, and consult with family members before hiring one.

* This handbook contains 79 pages.

Awakening Employer's Foreign Domestic Helper

Water Supplies Department provides water-saving tips

Prohibition of illegal employment of foreign domestic workers

Employers of foreign domestic workers must ensure that their domestic workers perform domestic duties only at the employer's residence as specified in the employment contract. They must not require domestic workers to perform work other than that specified in the employment contract, nor allow domestic workers to work for other nationals.

Foreign domestic workers must not perform work other than that specified in the employment contract or work for anyone other than the employer, including part-time domestic work.

Safety regulations for domestic workers cleaning exterior windows

Many families in Hong Kong employ domestic workers to assist with household chores. Both employers and domestic workers should prioritize safety in domestic work. This course aims to explain the key occupational safety and health considerations for domestic workers, as well as relevant preventive measures to avoid accidents.

Foreign domestic workers and their employers
Notes on using Hong Kong employment agencies

According to Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agencies Regulations, the maximum commission an employment agency may charge a job seeker shall not exceed 10% of the job seeker's first month's wages after placement by the agency.

Apart from the prescribed commission, it is unlawful for an employment agency to charge any remuneration or fees directly or indirectly from a job seeker in connection with the job.

Important Information About Work Injury and Occupational Disease Compensation

Employees' Compensation Ordinance
The Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282) applies to all full-time or part-time employees employed in Hong Kong who suffer injury or death arising out of an accident at work or contract an occupational disease specified in the Ordinance.

Warning to Employers of Foreign Domestic Workers

In addition to purchasing labor insurance for their migrant workers, employers should also consider purchasing medical insurance for their migrant workers to reduce the burden of their medical expenses.

False reporting and underpayment of foreign domestic workers' wages

Anyone who aids or abets employers of foreign domestic workers in falsely reporting wages is also liable to prosecution. If an employment agency operator is convicted of the above offences, the Labour Department may revoke its licence.

For enquiries or to report the above offences, please call the Immigration Department hotline at 2824 1551, fax to 2824 1166, or email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk

The rights and protections enjoyed by foreign domestic helpers under the Employment Ordinance

This leaflet briefly summarizes the key legislative provisions and contract details of concern to foreign domestic workers. For further information on their employment rights, please refer to the "Practical Guide to Employing Foreign Domestic Helpers" or the "Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance." Both publications are available at the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department.

A Practical Guide to Hiring Foreign Domestic Helpers

This guide briefly explains the rights and obligations of foreign domestic helpers and their employers, and addresses some frequently asked questions from both parties.

Foreign domestic helpers also enjoy the benefits and protections provided under the Employment Ordinance. For details on employment conditions and statutory provisions, both employers and employees should refer to the Standard Employment Contract for Foreign Domestic Helpers (ID 407). For the provisions explained in this guide, the Employment Ordinance is the sole authority, and the courts are the authority for interpreting the statutory provisions.

Foreign domestic workers, employers, and employment agencies – the dos and don'ts

This leaflet briefly explains the rights and obligations of foreign domestic helpers, employers, and employment agencies when hiring foreign domestic helpers. For details on the employment conditions and legal provisions for foreign domestic helpers, employers and employment agencies should refer to the Standard Employment Contract for Foreign Domestic Helpers (D407) and the Employment Ordinance. The Employment Ordinance is the sole legal basis for the provisions explained in this leaflet, and the courts are the authority for interpreting the legal provisions.

Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker - Tips for Employers

This leaflet briefly explains the main legislative provisions and the contents of the standard employment contract that employers should pay attention to. The interpretation of the relevant laws and regulations should be based on the original text of the laws and standard employment contracts.