Live in versus Live out Helper Salary difference

C

claresaunders

Registered User
Dear all,

We are looking for a full time helper at the moment. At this stage, we prefer to have a live out and wondering how much do you pay for live out per month compare to live in?
Is that cheaper to have a live in?
Is food allowance compulsory to pay to have live out?

Thanks a lot for your help in advance.

Cheers
Clare
 
not sure if you are aware but if you go for a FDH it is illegal to have them live out.

food allowance or the supply of food is compulsory.

Sent from my GT-I8150 using GeoClicks Mobile
 
Hi, yes I agree with carang, it is now illegal to have a live out helper. However people still do it, you just need to be aware of the risks. If you have someone live out you would need to cover the costs of their accommodation and pay food allowance (which is currently around 750 per month I think), unless you were providing ALL their meal requirements.
 
Thanks a lot Ladies...i was told Live in is about 6K (5k salary + 1k food allowance) and Live out is 7K (4k salary + 1k food allowance + 2k accomendation) So we are just wondering paying a bit more to have the privacy...
Is this align with HK standard? or are we paying too much or too little?
 
The min wage for helpers is $3740 and food allowance is $775. However, many employers are paying more depending on experience etc.
 
Thanks heaps Ladies for your concern. Maybe i should specify we are only looking to hire helpers with Perm HK ID with experiences. If we really liked someone who doesn't have the Perm HKID, we can have her live in with us and it's not an issue at all.
At this stage, i am just trying to assess how much is the costs of either options as we haven't had the need for the full time helper before but now with my pregnancy and the baby is due, we defintely would prefer the extra help.
 
You don't need to provide accommodation or food for someone who has a Perm ID. They probably have a home and family to go home to. Yes, the salary will be higher. The min wage is $28/hr, so you cannot pay less than this.
 
rani said:
You don't need to provide accommodation or food for someone who has a Perm ID. They probably have a home and family to go home to. Yes, the salary will be higher. The min wage is $28/hr, so you cannot pay less than this.
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I know a few people (local work colleagues) who employ local (i.e. perminent ID holder) 'helpers'/ child minders. They pay them around 10k/ month give or take for a standard work week, plus social insurance stuff mandated by law.

OP: another issue to consider with local domestic help - it will be very, very hard to find a local who speaks English at all and is willing to work as a domestic employee. I know many expats who have looked for someone who meets this criteria and over six years in HK and haven't met anyone who has found someone. Your expectations regarding finding inexpensive, English speaking (even basic English) local domestic help are very high.

I do know many people with part or full time English speaking help (typically with some sort of child care/ development or nursing qualification from England, Canada or Australia) from nanny agencies and this is a very costly option (the equivalent of two plus thousand pounds a month for full time). As a full time nanny is here on an employment visa, they can live out legally.

As others have noted, hiring a foreign domestic helper to live out is illegal, there have been recent cases of employers and employees being caught and prosecuted (maximum penalties are harsh and can include jail time in addition to heavy fines). Lots of people will tell you that its done all the time, but there is a real risk if you pursue this option.
 
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For a live out helper (legal or otherwise), they usually charge a rate of HK$50-75 per hour and you would also probably need to cover transportation charges. Full time rates would be negotiable.

If you do not require a full time helper, there are some agencies which offer household cleaning services.
 
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