Amidst the hectic pace of Hong Kong life, my role as a domestic helper involved managing daily household chores for my employers, allowing them to focus on
their careers without worry. This was my routine duty during my four-plus years working as a domestic assistant in Hong Kong.
Jonalyn R.P
Certainly, you may absolutely request an overseas domestic employment agency to recommend suitable overseas domestic workers for you. This is indeed one of the agency's responsibilities. A professional overseas domestic worker centre can screen candidates based on your expectations, household requirements, and specific needs, arranging interviews to gain a more substantive understanding of the candidates. The centre will ensure the selected domestic worker has a good reputation, with personality, skills, and experience matching your requirements.
Should you be dissatisfied with the performance of an overseas domestic helper introduced by the Employment Centre, our employment agency recommends first attempting open communication with the helper. Seek to identify the underlying causes of the issues through discussion, which may stem from insufficient communication or misunderstandings between employer and helper. Should the issues between you and the domestic helper remain unresolved, you may contact the employment agency to consult with the Domestic Helper Centre's advisers. They will advise whether the Domestic Helper Centre should arrange training for the helper, or whether dismissal or replacement should be considered. The Employment Centre will provide you with appropriate guidance.
Generally speaking, domestic helpers recommended or available through agencies have undergone basic training and possess a certain level of experience. Should employers wish to enhance a domestic helper's skills in specific areas to improve work performance – such as cooking, caregiving, or language proficiency – certain domestic helper agencies or employment centres may arrange supplementary training. Employers are required to cover the associated training fees.
The market is flooded with domestic helper agencies, with service quality varying considerably. To select a legitimate employment agency or foreign domestic helper centre, consider the following points. Firstly, ascertain whether the agency or centre holds the relevant employment licence. You may verify this via the Labour Department's Employment Agencies website. Additionally, the Labour Department periodically publishes a ‘blacklist’ of foreign domestic helper agencies or employment centres. Entities found to provide false information or overcharge commissions, for instance, will be included on this blacklist. It is advisable to regularly monitor government announcements. Furthermore, familiarise yourself with the fees and services offered by overseas employment centres. Verify whether the centre clearly lists each fee item and whether the charges are reasonable. Finally, consider asking friends or family for recommendations regarding employment centres or foreign domestic helper agencies. Seek insights from genuine experiences of hiring foreign domestic helpers and take time to research the background of various overseas employment centres. This approach will enable you to make an informed decision and find a suitable employment agency.
No. According to the standard employment contract, overseas employees must work and reside at the contracted employer's address.
Domestic helpers recommended by agencies undergo professional screening to ensure the accuracy of their background and qualifications, offering greater reliability. Furthermore, agencies assist employers and domestic helpers with various formalities, including arranging medical examinations. Utilising an agency reduces unnecessary time and effort. Directly hiring overseas domestic helpers relies entirely on word-of-mouth, unlike agencies which provide vetted candidates. There is a risk of lacking proper documentation, and all hiring procedures must be handled independently without agency assistance, potentially extending the process. Which agency is best? We wholeheartedly recommend Quick Find Employment Agency!
Domestic helper agencies or employment centres may offer multiple high-quality overseas employment profiles and contact details. Some agencies can even pre-screen candidates for prospective employers, ensuring that those recommended are qualified and meet requirements. Maid centres can further assist prospective employers by handling the formalities of hiring a maid, thereby alleviating much of the associated hassle.
Different overseas employment agencies operate distinct fee structures, typically determined by multiple factors including the domestic helper's experience and category. Our agency offers multiple service plans, allowing employers to select according to their needs or receive recommendations from our placement centre. Our fees are transparent and clearly outlined, enabling you to understand each service charge precisely. You may then choose the most suitable option based on your budget and requirements.
It should be noted that some overseas employment centres or domestic helper agencies advertise low-cost services, yet often end up overcharging commission fees and imposing hidden charges during the service period. Employers must exercise caution, thoroughly understand the fee structure of the agency in question, and endeavour to select reputable foreign domestic helper agencies when hiring.
As a reputable overseas employment agency, we clearly outline all service fees associated with our placement services. Should any additional processing fees become necessary, our domestic helper agency will notify the employer beforehand and proceed only upon receiving their consent.
The employment centre will first ascertain your requirements for a foreign domestic helper, then carefully select suitable and high-quality foreign domestic helper profiles for your consideration. You may select several preferred candidates, after which our agency will arrange video interviews with the domestic helpers. To learn more about hiring domestic helpers through Quick Find Employment Agency , please feel free to contact our employment consultants.
In accordance with labour regulations, employers are required to pay wages to domestic helpers at least once per month. Payment must be made by the end of the final day of the wage period and must not be delayed beyond seven days after the conclusion of the wage period. For example, if an employee commences work on the first day of June 11th, the employer must pay the employee's wages by the due date of July 12th, and no later than July 18th. Our overseas employment agency reminds employers that if the payday for an employee needs to be changed, the employee must be notified in advance.
There is currently no legislation stipulating that employers must pay foreign domestic helpers' wages by a specific method. Employers may first negotiate with the helper to establish a mutually acceptable payment method, such as by cheque, cash, or direct debit. Our Overseas Employment Centre recommends employers pay wages to foreign domestic helpers via bank transfer. This provides a transaction record, facilitating verification by both parties at any time. When paying by cash or cheque, request the helper to sign a receipt confirming payment and retain relevant proof of payment.
It should be noted that some overseas employment centres or domestic helper agencies advertise low-cost services, yet often end up overcharging commission fees and imposing hidden charges during the service period. Employers must exercise caution, thoroughly understand the fee structure of the agency in question, and endeavour to select reputable foreign domestic helper agencies when hiring.
There is currently no legislation requiring employers to pay foreign domestic helpers an end-of-year bonus, including a bonus or ‘double pay’.
No. Under relevant employment regulations and contractual provisions, local employers must pay the stipulated minimum wage when hiring foreign domestic helpers. Even if both the helper and employer agree, remuneration below the statutory minimum wage is unlawful.
Under the provisions of labour legislation, foreign domestic helpers employed by the same employer for a full 12 months are entitled to paid annual leave. The number of annual leave days ranges from 7 to a maximum of 14 days, calculated based on the length of service. For one year of service, 7 days are granted; for two years, 8 days; for three years, 14 days; 9 days for 4 years; 10 days for 5 years, and so forth.
Generally speaking, employers may not require domestic helpers to work on their rest days. This Employment Centre advises that compelling a domestic helper to work on their rest day may contravene the Employment Ordinance and could result in prosecution. However, in the event of an emergency, employers may discuss the matter with their domestic helper. Should the helper agree to work on a rest day, the employer must designate an alternative rest day to replace the original one, and arrange for this replacement day to fall within 30 days of the original rest day.
Not necessarily. Under the law, employers are required to grant foreign domestic helpers at least one rest day every seven days, and there is no stipulation that this rest day must fall on a Sunday. You may designate a fixed day of the week as the helper's rest day, or arrange it on a non-fixed basis, provided that you give advance notice or communicate clearly with the helper regarding the rest day schedule for that month before the month commences.
This Employment Centre advises employers that should they wish to terminate an employment contract with a foreign domestic helper, they must pay the helper wages in lieu of annual leave entitlement accrued but not taken for each full 12-month period of service. Additionally, should your overseas domestic helper have been employed for at least three months but less than twelve months, they are entitled to pro-rated annual leave pay. Should you have any queries regarding the calculation of annual leave entitlements, please contact our Employment Centre. Our consultants will provide professional advice tailored to your domestic helper's specific circumstances.
Should an employer wish to terminate the employment contract with a foreign domestic helper, they must provide one month's written notice or pay the helper one month's severance pay in lieu of notice, along with other applicable payments. These include any outstanding wages, unpaid annual leave entitlements, or pro-rated annual leave pay. The employer shall also be responsible for the overseas domestic helper's return airfare, meal allowance, and transportation allowance. For further details, please refer to the Immigration Department's information or contact our Domestic Helper Centre for more information.
No. Our domestic agency advises that, in accordance with the standard employment contract, the employer's address must be a single dwelling at one location only.
No. Our domestic helper agency advises that foreign domestic helpers employed to work in Hong Kong may only perform domestic duties within the employer's residence. Employers must not require foreign domestic helpers to undertake any non-domestic work. Furthermore, our overseas employment agency cautions that employers must not require foreign domestic helpers to perform any work for other persons. Doing so would constitute a breach of the terms of the employment contract and may result in criminal prosecution.
