{"id":3791,"date":"2023-08-24T10:00:44","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T02:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/?p=3791"},"modified":"2023-08-24T16:37:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T08:37:27","slug":"zero-fee-policy-to-increase-wages-for-indonesian-helpers-in-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/zero-fee-policy-to-increase-wages-for-indonesian-helpers-in-hong-kong\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero-fee Policy to Increase Wages for Indonesian Helpers in Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hong Kong families are expected to pay up to HKD $6,000 (approximately USD $765) in addition to monthly wages of Indonesian helpers as Jakarta enforces the \u201cZero Placement Fee\u201d policy, making employers responsible for all of their workers\u2019 hiring fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Forming the second-largest ethnic minority group in Hong Kong, Indonesian helpers have always been in great demand among families in the region. The implementation of this policy is undoubtedly going to affect both Hong Kong employers and domestic workers across the territory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Curious about the policy and its possible effects on the helper community in Hong Kong? Let <\/span>Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/span><\/a> guide you through everything you need to know about Hong Kong\u2019s Indonesian helpers and Indonesia\u2019s zero-fee policy in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"General<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Indonesian Helpers in Hong Kong<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hong Kong has been a top destination for Indonesian migrant domestic workers. Statistics from <\/span>Hong Kong\u2019s Immigration Department<\/span><\/a> suggests that among the region\u2019s 338,189 helpers in 2022, 139,961 workers were Indonesian, making Indonesians the largest ethnicity group behind Filipinos.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>HKD $4,730 monthly wage<\/span><\/a> is the main reason contributing to the increasing number of Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong with the majority of them estimated to be female. The remittances they send regularly have reportedly <\/span>created one to five businesses for each family in Indonesia<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The duties of an Indonesian helper can range from cooking and cleaning to babysitting and minor house maintenance, depending on the needs of their employers and contracts. Without their support, the lives of <\/span>more than 300,000 Hong Kong households<\/span><\/a> might never be the same again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Why is There a Great Demand for Indonesian Helpers in Hong Kong?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While there are many domestic helpers of different ethnicities to choose from, many Hong Kongers still prefer Indonesian helpers over others because of their renowned hard-working nature, loyalty, and several other factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming from a melting pot where diverse cultures and languages meet, Indonesian helpers are frequently praised for their strong communication skills and the ability to quickly learn new languages. Their fluency in Cantonese is primarily the factor that makes them popular among Hong Kong families.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indonesian domestic helpers are also required by law to be at least 23 years old and <\/span>have proof of formal schooling<\/span><\/a> for at least eight years, ensuring their literacy and reducing the chance of miscommunication or potential conflict arising between them and their employers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Most importantly, Indonesian domestic helpers offer excellent services with an affordable price. According to <\/span>the 2023 Salary Guide from Morgan McKinley<\/span><\/a>, full-time workers in Hong Kong make around HKD $36,583 each month, while the monthly salary for Indonesian helpers starts at only HKD $4,730.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering the assurance that one\u2019s household is taken care of, Indonesia helpers become a cost-effective option for those pursuing their jobs in Hong Kong. With Indonesia\u2019s newly implemented policy, however, the cost of hiring an Indonesian worker is estimated to raise to as much as HKD $20,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indonesia\u2019s Zero-Placement-Fee Policy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Amended by Jakarta last year but has not yet been enforced, the \u201cZero Placement Fee\u201d policy aims to protect Indonesian domestic workers by eliminating the fees that were previously charged to them and reducing the risks of exploitation by recruitment agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Under this policy, employers in Hong Kong will have to bear financial responsibility from any costs incurred during the hiring process. Apart from the monthly wage of HKD $4,730, they\u2019re required to pay the full recruitment fee of of around HKD $5,000 along with the following <\/span>additional fees<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n