Bond for hiring DH

Hi!

My family and I moving to HK this August. It will our first time hiring a DH. I would like to know if I have to fork out a bond for hiring a DH. Also, apart from a DH's salary and insurance and agency fees, are there any other costs.

No you don't need a bond.


You need to pay the agency fee, your helper's plane ticket into HK and back home when she leaves your employ (for whatever reason, even if you fire her), you have to pay her travel costs (minimal), insurance, salary, a food allowance (if you do not provide her with food). You may also need to fork out if you don't have certain required items: a bed, wardrobe, pillow / duvet set etc etc (check the green contract for a list of requirements).


Hidden costs:

1. Replacing your helper (should things not work out) is costly and amazingly troublesome. Depending on the circumstances, you might have to pay one month's salary in lieu of notice, her plane ticket back home as well as the costs of getting a new helper: agency fees, plane ticket in etc.


2. If your helper breaks/loses anything you have to absorb nearly all the costs. You can deduct a maximum of HKD300 per month for damages. One helper I had in the past scratched every surface possible on my brand new car. It cost me over $20,000 to get the car repainted.


Similarly, if your helper does steal stuff, break stuff, lose stuff, damage your clothes in the wash etc, basically you have to pay.

Thanks!

There is also the tax one has to pay when employing a FTDH - about $400 per month. This is supposed to be the helpers paying out of their once higher salary - but it is usually the employers who foot this bill as well.

Thanks dimac4 & TC! Very helpful info indeed.