SEEDU News Desk | Hong Kong | October 2026

SEEDU News Desk | Hong Kong | October 2026

HONG KONG – Hong Kong will raise foreign domestic helpers wage to HK$5,220, the Government announced on Friday (2 October). The new rate applies to all employment contracts signed from 3 October 2026.

A short clip has been making the rounds on Douyin. A stranger walks into a home, and the little Erbai companion robot notices. It doesn't sit there like a smart speaker waiting for a wake word. It reacts like a member of the household who has realised that someone it doesn't know is standing in the living room.

Hong Kong's government has confirmed a new Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers, effective for contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025. If you're currently employing a helper, renewing a contract, or hiring for the first time, here's exactly what changed and what it means for your household budget.

At SeedU, our work has always been about one thing: helping Hong Kong families find the right person to care for their homes and the people in them. We built our business without a storefront because we believe in meeting people where they are, whether that's a coffee shop, a video call, or a home visit, the same way a trusted insurance advisor would. That model has worked because it's built around relationships, not real estate.

In the 2026 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee announced a new pilot scheme to bring in foreign domestic care workers, aimed at addressing Hong Kong's ageing population.