MANILA: A minimum wage increase in Hong Kong will be a boon for domestic workers from the Philippines.
The Department of Migrant Workers reported a salary increase equivalent to about 750 pesos (RM60) in Hong Kong took effect on Oct 1, Philstar.com reported.
With the pay hike, Filipino domestic helpers will now receive a monthly pay of 35,475 pesos (RM2,800).
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the increase makes it one of the most attractive destinations for Filipino household service workers.
"The increase comes after a two-year wage freeze in Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At this time of rising prices due to a stronger US dollar, this new minimum wage hike is a boon to our kasambahays (house helpers) in HK," Ople said.
Last week, the Hong Kong government announced that it was raising the minimum allowable wage and food allowance for foreign domestic workers.
Based on data from the Philippine Overseas Labour Office, there are 188,171 overseas Filipino workers, mostly domestic workers, in Hong Kong as of August.