Driver/DH advice

Is it legal to employ a Filipino driver without permanent residency ie as a domestic helper who mostly drives. Also what is the standard salary for such a driver. Thanks

I believe that any FDH contract specifically prohibits driving, although you can get permission for that from the Immigration Dept...and even then there are specific limited reasons for driving (it must be a necessary part of the other normal duties of the helper, not to drive the employer to work etc etc). As for salary, there's only one minimum salary for a FDH in HK and it's the same for all. I think if you check the Immigration dept website you'll find the answers.

There is a set of application forms for FDH specifically for hiring the DH as a DRIVER for the family. The contract is the same as the FDH that is NON-driver (the ones we hire for domestic duties and taking care of our children)....


however, if you go to the immigration and ask for the application for hiring a FDH as driver, you will get a bunch of additional forms that you need to fill out indicating what duties this DRIVER is hired for. The rule is you cannot hire the driver to drive yourself, but drive the kids, or other helpers in the household, or the dog.....to school, to activities, to the doctor...etc.


There is a form that you need to fill out too that indicates the "experience" in driving of this helper you are planning to hire. They also need his driver's license (HK one), and past employers' reference (if any), and the accomodation plans for this driver.


The minimum salary is the same as any other FDH, however, the "standard" salary out there for any driver in HK (FDH) who has experience (above 4 years) is at least $ 7000.00 HKD and above.


We just hired ours. He's excellent. I interviewed MANY, and some (Filipinos, and Nepalese).... requested over $ 9000.00 HKD a month.


Seems strange and odd... my helper AT HOME have to do about 10X more than the driver, yet her salary is still under $ 4000.00 HKD a month.


Definitely considering to give my helper a BIG raise, as she really deserves it!

Katetam,


How did you hire the DH/Driver, directly from Philippines or HK? Is it difficult to get an approval from Immigration? Thanks in advance.

Live in driver is HK$ 6,000 . Live out, which is illegal , is around HK$ 7,500 . This is the rate many of my friends are paying . When they come for interview, they ask for HK$8,000 - Hk$10,000 .At this rate ,just tell them you can hire a local who knows the road well .

to hire as a driver is very complicated, I think. Our driver was hired to work as a handyman ( myself a cook, some cleaning ladies, gardener etc all domestic helpers with specific duties ) however, his work visa is different from ours in the sense that he is allowed to do occasional driving like taking us to the market, the pets to the vet etc... and like other had said NOT to take employers' to work, not even to see a doctor with appointment ( yes, it's strange but his previous application was denied until my boss has to write to them- Immigration- that he will not be asked to do it unless EXTREME emergencies. I know others were hired as watch men, pool cleaners etc but all work as drivers.