Employment contract
To employ a foreign domestic helper, employer must sign the standard employment contracts (ID407) with FDH which valid for 2 years (no trial period).

Place and scope of work
Foreign domestic helpers must work and stay in employer's residence. Place & scope of work should be as prescribed in standard employment contract (ID407).

Salary of foreign domestic helpers
From October 1  2013, monthly salary of FDH should not less than HK $4,410. The employer must provide free meals, or provide meal allowance of not less than HK $ 1,053 a month if no meal provided.
Employer should make agreement with FDH for salary disbursement date. Employer is required to pay wage within 7 days of each working month and FDH should sign an acknowledgment on the salary receipt.

The Employees Retraining Levy
The government decided on November 11, 2008 to exempt levy of employing foreign workers (including foreign domestic helpers) for five years in period from August 1 2008 to July 31, 2013.

Insurance and medical for FDH
Upon arrival of the FDH, employer must buy labour insurance for FDH. As required by law, employer shall be responsible for FDH work-related injuries and their personal safety during the contract period,. Employers should remind FDH of work safety.
In addition, employers are required to provide FDH woth free medical services (including diagnosis, hospitalization, emergency dental treatment etc.) In order to avoid unnecessary additional medical expenses, the employer may purchase medical insurance for FDH.

Air ticket
Employer shall pay the FDH one-way ticket to return home at the end of employment contract. If the contract is terminated, employer is also required to provide the FDH one-way ticket to return home. FDH can stay in Hong Kong for applying to work for another employer within 14 days after end of employment contract. Otherwise, they will be repatriated.  

Holidays and sick leave
Day off: FDH enjoy 1 day off each week;
Statutory holidays: Please refer to
Annual leave: FDH will be entitled for annual leaves upon working for the same employer for 12 months. From 7 days to 14 days, increasing according to year of service.

If FDH is on sick leave for medical treatment, the employer should be given the appropriate arrangements. If FDH is sick and recommended to have sick leaves for less than 4 consecutive days by a registered medical practitioner sick leave, employer shall give the foreign domestic helpers paid sick leave according to law. Paid sick leave calculated as follows: equivalent to four-fifths of daily wage of FDH.

Contract renewal
Employers who wish to renew contract with FDH, need to re-apply to the Consulate and the Hong Kong Immigration Department, or contact our staff to provide assistance. The employer may apply 2 months before the end of the contract.

Termination of contract
Employers who wish to terminate contract with FDH have to provide FDH with the following:

• One month's written notice or pay one month's wages in lieu of notice
• Any outstanding payment of wages;
• Wages in lieu of any non-payment of annual leave, and the holiday pro rata annual leave salary;
• Wages in lieu of any paid holidays are not paid;
• Long service payment or severance payment (if applicable); and
• Other payment specified under the standard employment contract to be paid helpers, such as return air ticket, meals and transportation allowance (HK $100 per day for  travel allowance (usually counted for 2 days).

The employer must notify the Hong Kong Immigration Departmen in writing within seven days after the dismissal of the domestic helpers. In the written notice, time of dismissal, ID number of employer and FDH, contract number, passport number, visa number and residential address must be stated.Obligation of employer will be ended (except in special circumstances) when the Immigration Department receives notice of termination of the contract.  According to the present Immigration Ordinance, FDH should stay in Hong Kong not more than 14 days after termination of contract or visa deadline, with the earlier date prevail.

Severance pay and long term service payment
If FDH work for the same employer for 2 years or more, employers must pay severance pay if employers not renew contract with the maid with reason of lay off.