There is no change in the food allowance, which remains at HK$1,236. This is the sum which an employer has to pay a foreign domestic worker each month in lieu of providing food free of charge.
Similar to last year’s review in September 2025, in reviewing the minimum allowable wage, the Hong Kong Government has considered a basket of factors which include Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labour market conditions over the past year, the city's near-term economic outlook, affordability to employers, the basic living needs of foreign domestic workers and the views of stakeholders.
The new minimum allowable wage will apply to all foreign domestic workers’ contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. Employment contracts signed on or before 2 October 2026 at the previous monthly wage rate of HK$5,100 will still be processed by the Immigration Department if the application reach the Immigration Department on or before 30 October 2026.
