Introduction
Managing the financial side of your helper's employment is a legal obligation and a practical challenge. Get it right and you avoid disputes, maintain trust, and provide your helper with the financial stability she needs to focus on her work. Get it wrong — pay late, underpay, or handle deductions incorrectly — and you risk breaching the Employment Ordinance and damaging the relationship.
This guide covers the key financial responsibilities you have as an employer, how to handle common situations like bonus payments and loan requests, and how to help your helper manage her own finances effectively.
Salary: What You Must Pay and When
The Minimum Allowable Wage
The Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for domestic helpers in Hong Kong is HK$5,100/month as of September 2025. This is the legal minimum — you cannot pay less under any circumstances, even if both parties agree to it.
Many employers pay above the MAW, particularly for helpers with:
- Specialist skills (childcare for infants, elderly care, cooking)
- Long service with the same employer
- Fluent Cantonese or English
- Caregiver certifications
A 2025 industry survey found the average salary in Hong Kong was approximately HK$5,722/month — about HK$622 above the minimum.
Food Allowance
If you do not provide free meals, you must pay a food allowance of HK$1,236/month. Many employers provide free meals instead (particularly dinner and breakfast), but if your helper is largely responsible for her own food, the cash allowance is mandatory.
When Must Salary Be Paid?
Salary must be paid no later than 7 days after the end of each wage period. For monthly salary, this means payment is due by the 7th of the following month at the latest. Most employers pay at the end of the month.
Documentation: Keep Records
Whether you pay in cash or by bank transfer, keep a record. Salary disputes are uncommon but do happen — a record of every payment protects both parties. Best practice:
- Bank transfer: The transaction record serves as proof
- Cash payment: Use a simple signed salary receipt with the date, amount, and both signatures
Setting Up a Bank Account for Your Helper
Encouraging (or helping) your helper to open a bank account is one of the best things you can do for the practical management of the relationship. Bank payments are easier to track, provide automatic proof of salary payment, and help your helper manage her savings safely.
Banks that domestic helpers can use in Hong Kong:
| Bank | Initial Deposit | Monthly Minimum Balance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC | HK$2,000 | None | Requires HKID + passport; OEC accepted as address proof |
| Bank of China | HK$1,000 | None | Requires HKID + passport + OEC |
| Standard Chartered | Varies | HK$10,000 | HK$120 fee if below minimum |
| Citibank | Varies | HK$10,000 | HK$100 fee if below minimum |
| Hang Seng | Varies | HK$10,000 | HK$60 fee if below minimum |
HSBC and Bank of China are generally the most practical choices for domestic helpers, given the lower initial deposits and no monthly minimum balance requirements.
Typical documents required:
- Passport (photo page)
- Hong Kong ID card (HKID)
- Employment contract
- OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate — for Filipino helpers; accepted as proof of address)
Going to the bank together on the first day or first week can make a significant difference — banks may be more cooperative when the employer accompanies the helper.
Handling Year-End Bonuses and Gratuities
There is no legal requirement to pay a year-end bonus in Hong Kong. However, a 13th month bonus (equivalent to one month's salary) at Chinese New Year is a deeply established custom — and most helpers expect it.
What employers typically do:
- 13th month bonus: Paid at Chinese New Year, equivalent to approximately 1 month's salary
- End-of-contract gratuity: Some employers pay an additional month's salary (or more) when renewing a contract or parting on good terms
- Small gestures: Birthday and Christmas gifts, cash bonuses for exceptional work
None of these are legally required, but they significantly affect retention and morale. An experienced, reliable helper who receives a fair bonus has much less reason to seek a new employer at renewal time.
Deductions: What Is and Isn't Allowed
The Employment Ordinance is strict on what can be deducted from salary:
Permitted deductions:
- Agreed loan repayments (with a documented agreement)
- Any amount the helper agrees to contribute to MPF (note: FDHs are generally exempt from MPF, but if applicable)
Not permitted:
- Deductions for accommodation (you provide it free)
- Deductions for food (you provide food or the HK$1,236 allowance)
- Deductions for breakages or losses (unless proven to be caused by dishonesty or willful negligence — a high legal bar)
- Fines or penalties for "bad work"
Any deduction not expressly permitted under the Employment Ordinance requires the helper's written consent and must not reduce her net pay below the MAW.
Handling Loan Requests
Many domestic helpers come to Hong Kong carrying significant debt — often from agency fees they paid in their home country (HK$15,000–HK$30,000 or more). A salary advance or loan request from a helper in financial difficulty is not unusual.
If your helper asks for a loan:
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Have a proper conversation first. Understand the reason — is it a family emergency, agency fee debt, or a pattern of financial stress?
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Decide whether to lend based on trust, not just sympathy. Only lend if you genuinely trust your helper and she has been with you long enough for you to make that judgement.
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If you lend, keep it small. A general guideline: never lend more than one to two months' salary. More than that creates a financial dependency that is difficult for both parties.
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Document the arrangement. Write down the loan amount, agreed repayment schedule, and have both parties sign it. An agreed deduction of X per month over Y months is clear and fair.
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Never lend again until the first loan is repaid. Establishing this as a firm rule early prevents escalation.
If your helper is in serious debt, connecting her with a non-profit organisation such as Enrich HK or the Mission for Migrant Workers can provide financial counselling and support beyond what you can offer as an employer.
Supporting Your Helper's Remittances
Most helpers send a significant portion of their monthly salary home to support their families. This is a central financial reality of their lives.
From Hong Kong, the most commonly used options are:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise): Low fees, competitive exchange rates, widely used for Philippines and Indonesia
- WorldRemit: Popular for the Philippines (GCash delivery), Indonesia, and India
- Western Union / MoneyGram: Good for cash pickup in rural areas
- Bank transfers via HSBC or Bank of China: Reliable but often higher fees and less competitive exchange rates
Encourage your helper to compare the total cost (fees + exchange rate) before choosing a provider — the advertised fee is rarely the whole picture. Providers like Wise show the exact amount the recipient will receive before confirming, which makes cost comparison straightforward.
Practical tip: Many helpers batch their remittances (sending once or twice a month rather than weekly) to reduce cumulative transfer fees.
Conclusion
Managing your helper's finances well is straightforward once the structures are in place: pay on time by bank transfer, help her open a suitable bank account early, understand what deductions are and aren't permitted, and handle bonus and loan situations with clear documentation and mutual agreement.
The financial relationship works best when there is transparency on both sides — your helper knows exactly what she's paid, when, and why; and you have a clear record of every transaction. That clarity prevents the vast majority of salary disputes and builds the kind of trust that keeps good helpers in place for the long term.
HelperEx helps Hong Kong employers find reliable, verified domestic helpers and understand their legal obligations from day one.
FAQ
When does my helper's salary have to be paid? By law, salary must be paid within 7 days of the end of the wage period. For monthly pay, that's no later than the 7th of the following month. Most employers pay at end of month.
Can I pay my helper in cash instead of bank transfer? Yes — cash payment is legal. However, if you pay in cash, you should use a written salary receipt signed by both parties as proof of payment. Bank transfer is generally preferable because it creates an automatic record.
Do I have to pay MPF for my domestic helper? Foreign domestic helpers are exempt from the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme in Hong Kong. You are not required to make MPF contributions for your helper.
Can I deduct money from my helper's salary for broken items? Generally no. Deductions for breakages are only permitted if the damage was caused by the helper's dishonesty or willful negligence — the legal bar is high. Accidental breakages cannot be deducted. If you have concerns about consistent carelessness, address it as a performance issue, not a financial one.
Should I give my helper a Chinese New Year bonus? There is no legal requirement, but a 13th month bonus at Chinese New Year is strongly established custom in Hong Kong. Most helpers expect it, and failing to provide it when other employers do can affect your helper's willingness to renew her contract. Think of it as a cost of retaining a good helper.
