Based on the existing literature, the following tips for migrants intending to work in Hong Kong can be formulated:
- Do not apply at recruitment agencies that are not licensed. You can find the official list here.
- Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
- Do not pay more than the allowed recruitment commission. It should be equivalent to ten percent of your first month’s salary.
- Do not accept an employment contract that deviates from the standard employment contract.
- Do not hand over your travel or identification documents (e.g. visa or passport) to your employee or recruitment agency.
- As a domestic worker/ helper do not accept a wage below the minimum allowable wage of $4,310 per month or a food allowance below $1,037 per month (These rates are applicable to contracts signed on or after 1 October 201 Further information on the statutory minimum wages can be found here.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department provides a Guidebook for the Employment of Domestic Helpers from Abroad and a standard employment contract for both domestic workers and employers. In addition, the Hong Kong Labour Department provides sustains an online portal for foreign domestic worker which provides important information regarding employment in Hong Kong and common problems faced by migrants in several languages.
Additional information and tips regarding your rights as labour migrant to Hong Kong can be found here. If you encounter problems related to recruitment or employment abroad you can contact for example the Mission for Migrant Workers which is a registered charitable organization dedicated to deliver responsive services to Asian migrants and develop self-sustaining capacities of migrant’s organizations for mutual aid and cooperation’.
You can find the contact details of consulate generals for the most relevant origin countries of migrant workers in Hong Kong here.