UPDATE: Migrant domestic workers seek $5,500 minimum wage

MIGRANT domestic workers on Sunday said they would be seeking a minimum allowable wage of $5,500, saying this amount is pegged to the required living wage in Hong Kong.

The Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body cited the studies made by grassroots organizations and workers’, which pegged the required living wage at $9,828 ($40.20/hour) based on 9.4 average hours of local workers in Hong Kong.

“Even substracting the cost of $6,644 (based on 71.8% of the Pet Capita Expenditure) owing to the fact that most MDWs live with their employers – a conditin thay ia forced upon us and of which MDWs and employers have no option at all – the wage of MDWs should be $5,585 for an average of 10 paid working hours per day,” the AMCB said.

In 2016, Hong Kong raised domestic workers’ MAW to $4,310.

The group also said they would be seeking to increase the food allowance to $2500 and ask the Hong Kong government to issue clear guidelines to ensure that sufficient food is provided to migrant domestic workers.