Hiring domestic helpers tips: Fees, procedures and things you should know
Looking to hire domestic helpers? This article covers the costs, procedures, the required documents and things you should know for hiring maids.
How much does it cost to hire a maid?
Hiring a maid costs more than just paying for the salary. Employers still need to pay for the domestic helper insurance, agency fees (if any), air tickets, fees for Covid testing and quarantine hotels. Below table summarizes the costs associated in hiring domestic helpers:
Cost of Hiring Domestic Helper in HK
| Items | Salary |
|---|---|
| Domestic Helper Salary | At least HK$4,630 (Minimum wages) |
| Domestic Helper Insurance | ~HK$300-900/year（Depending on its cover） |
| Agency Fees (If any) | ~HK$7,000 - HK$13,000 |
| Air Tickets | <~HK$3000 |
| Fees for Covid Testing + Quarantine | ~HK$8000 - HK$10,000 |
Domestic helper insurance required for hiring maids
By law, employers in Hong Kong are required to provide free medical coverage for your helper’s hospitalization, surgical, outpatient and dental expenses. With comprehensive domestic helper insurance, it does not only meet the legal requirements but also help you cover these costs.
Find affordable Domestic Helper Insurancefor your helper today!
Hiring a maid with or without agency
Employers can hire domestic helpers with or without an agency. However, some employers prefer not to hire maids via agencies as they are worried about being overcharged on agency fees.
Also, some employers find the agency fees not worth it if the employment contracts get terminated. No wonder many employers would rather hire domestic helpers without agency. In this way, employers can save on the agency fees and enjoy more flexibility in interviewing the candidates and the freedom to choose the most suitable domestic helper insurance.
However, it could be time consuming to sort out the paperwork involved in hiring on your own. You will also need to resolve conflicts among yourselves without the help of an agency should it arise. Below summarizes the differences between the two:
With or without agency help when hiring a maid
| Item | Without agency | With agency |
|---|---|---|
| ItemPros | Without agency
| With agency
|
| ItemCons | Without agency
| With agency
|
| ItemFees | Without agency ~ HK$700-HK$1300 including
| With agency Package: ~HK$7,000- HK$13,000 |
Too busy to compare among domestic helper insurances?
By law, it is mandatory for employers in Hong Kong to provide free medical coverage for your helper, including hospitalization, surgical, outpatient and dental expenses. If you are like most Hong Kong people, you probably don’t have time to compare among domestic helper insurances. Why don’t you leave this daunting task to comparison websites like MoneySmart?
Best domestic helper insurance
Generali Domestic Helper Insurance covers hospitalization, accidental dental expenses and death or permanent disability due to accidents that occur in Hong Kong. Employers also enjoy the option to upgrade for outpatient expenses, temporary domestic helper expenses and fidelity protection.
How to hire domestic helpers with agency?
Step 1
Understanding your needs
Agency will arrange for an initial meeting with the prospective employer in order to understand his or her needs e.g. to understand the number of members in the family, whether or not there is a newborn, children or elderly, etc. Also, the agency will guide you through the hiring process - i.e running through the applicable laws and the procedure for hiring a maid.
Step 2
Sort out all paperwork
If both employer and employee are prepared to enter into an employment contract, the agency will sort out all paperwork, arrange for body checkups, book air tickets, etc.
Step 3
Prepare for maid’s arrival
The agency is also responsible for ensuring smooth onboarding for new hires. For example, it will arrange for airport pickup, help sort out domestic helper insurance and HKID as well as reporting to the relevant embassy.
Step 4
Follow-up service
The agency is also responsible for follow-up service, ensuring smooth onboarding, including moderating conflicts.
Helper insurance required for all helpers
Employers are required to purchase helper insurance even for local home assistants or part-time cleaners, irrespective of the length of service and mode of work.
Required documents for hiring maids
The required documents for hiring Filipino and Indonesian maids are different and the document checklist is as follows:
Documents required by Immigration Department - Applicable to both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers
- Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A)
- Application for Employment of Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988B)
- Original copy of the new standard Employment Contract (ID 407)
- Original of his/her travel document or copy of the Helper's travel document
- Copy of the Helper's Hong Kong Identity Card
- Copy of the proof of employer's financial position
- Employer’s reference letter
- Copy of the proof of the employer's residential address
- Undertaking of Employer (New requirement for FDH visa application during the epidemic situation)
Documents required for contract notarization by Consulate General of the Philippines - Applicable to Filipino helpers
- 2X original copy of the new standard Employment Contract (ID 407)
- Original of his/her travel document and a copy of the Helper's travel document
- Copy of his/her new visa
- Copy of employer’s HKID and contact number
- Copy of employee’s HKID and contact number
Documents required for contract notarization by Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia - Applicable to Indonesian helpers
- 2X original copy of the new standard Employment Contract (ID 407)
- Original of his/her travel document and a copy of the Helper's travel document
- Copy of his/her new visa
- Copy of employer’s HKID and contact number
- Copy of employee’s HKID and contact number
- Body checkup report
Things you should know before hiring a domestic helper
Household income requirement
To ensure that the employer can afford to hire a maid, the Immigration Department will only issue a domestic helper visa if the employer meets the minimum annual income of HK$180,000 (i.e. HK$15,000/ month). If you wish to hire more than one helper, the threshold will be raised accordingly.
Holidays
A helper is entitled to 7 days of paid annual leave after 12 months of service with the same employer. This should be agreed and written on the contract to avoid disputes in the future.
Minimum Allowable Wage
Please note that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) is currently at HK$4,630/month. By law, employers are required to pay at least MAW. It is suggested that employers pay the monthly salary via bank transfer for records.
Free food, accommodation and medical care
By law, employers are required to provide free food, accommodation and medical care. Employers could take out helper insurance to help cover the costs incurred for medical care.
Body Checkup
Domestic helpers will conduct two body checkups before departure to make sure that they are not pregnant nor suffer from any contagious diseases. You can also ask him or her to do another body checkup upon arrival to ensure that he/she is fit to work.
FAQ
How much does it cost monthly to hire a maid?
- Please note that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) is currently at HK$4,630/month. However, some may ask for a higher salary given that the supply for domestic helpers is less than the demand.
Should I hire via agency or not?
- It depends on your situation - if you are time poor, hiring via agency suits you better as it saves you time sorting out paperwork. However, it comes with a cost. So if you are on a budget, hiring via agency is not the best option.
Are public housing residents eligible to hire domestic helpers?
- Yes, as long as you meet the monthly minimum income requirement which is HK$180,000（i.e.$15,000/month) and are able to provide free accommodations, food and paid holidays.
Is it a must to provide proof of address?
- No, it is not required.
Are people on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance eligible to hire maids?
- In general, people on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance are not eligible to hire maids as they couldn't meet the minimum income requirements.