how much for the food allowance ?

Hello,


How much money should I give for the food allowance ?


Thx

600-1000 per month is ok.

The government has stipulated a minimum food allowance, but it is unclear whether that minimum is $300 per month or $500.


When my new DH came to HK half a year ago, she had no idea how to plan / budget her food shopping, so I worked it all out with her. What I learned is as follows (assuming you are not sharing any of your food with your helper):


- $300 per month is NOT ENOUGH to feed her 3 small, basic meals a day

- $500 per month is just enough for 3 meals a day, but she couldn't afford to be choosy and she couldn't afford to waste anything. She would have to rely on cheap options such as tofu, eggs & veg, eating meat/fish only occasionally.


So I put $500 per month in the contract. In addition, I choose to give a discretionary amount of $800 per month to her for extra food + basic medicines + personal hygiene products. Basic medicines meaning aspirin for a headache, Band-Aids etc, (I am NOT trying to avoid taking her to a doctor if she is sick!). Personal hygiene products I expect her to pay for out of that money would be basics like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deoderant & feminine products.


This system works for me because the $800 is discretionary - if her work standard drops I can deduct some! - and I don't need to worry about my helper not having things I would assume she should have (like deoderant in the hot summer) but which some helpers do not buy for themselves because they don't want to part with the money.


When I gave my helper the extra money, I explained clearly all my expectations. She knows she is not allowed to give the extra money to her family. She buys herself healthy foods like fresh fruit, meat, Tropicana orange juice etc etc and she understands that I want her to stay in good health. It is a trust based arrangement.


Lastly, I find I enjoy extra convenience this way, as well. For example, sometimes when we're really busy I might want her to just have a quick sandwich for her meal, but because bread is more expensive than rice I don't think she'd buy it if I wasn't giving her the extra money. Or if she is going on a training course and will be out at lunch time, I know she can afford her lunch out. I don't have to worry about that stuff now, so it's mutually beneficial.

i asked the same question on this forum a while ago and was directed to this thread -- have a read and you'll find out how sensitive the question is! http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/hong-kong-domestic-help/threads/122426/domestic-helpers-food-allowance/

"The government has stipulated a minimum food allowance, but it is unclear whether that minimum is $300 per month or $500."


Note that if she eats with you, there is no requirement for food allowance.

I give my helper $500.

It also depends where your helper shops, in the markets etc their money will go much further. I get my fruit from a stall in Sai Kung, a bag of apples is $10, a bag of small tomatoes (about 50) is $10. My helper could get a weeks fruit and veg there for about $60 . If they shop in PNS then their money won't stretch as far.