Posted by
Chwaer
18 yrs ago
Is it compulsory to give a food allowance?
We have just filled in the paper work for our soon to be new helper and had decided to let her eat whatever we eat. Therefore we did not include a food allowance ammount on this paperwork. I have since had a phone call from the agency we are using saying they have changed the contract to include $300 food allowance and I need to go back to the agency to countersign the forms. Can they do this?
I did not see anywhere that the food allowance is a compulsory payment. Did I miss something?
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mrsl
18 yrs ago
We are on our second helper and have given neither one a food allowance. We made this decision on the basis that we wanted them to eat healthy food and not spend as little as possible so that they can send more money home. We discussed it with our current helper and she was relieved not to have to budget for food. Immigration approved both contracts, so I don't understand why the agency expects you to sign new contracts.
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I think the contract states, that if for any reason you do not provide food foryour helper, then you must provide the food allowance. It is not compulsory to pay it, if you are providing food. I think it is a necessary part of the contract and needs to be filled in - more for the protection of the helpers.
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Thanks Mrsl,
I presume that you did not put that you were going to give your helpers a food allowance on the contracts. The agency woman said it was just in case we were not going to give her food. I have said that I am not happy putting something in a legal contract that I have no intention of following through. Does that sound right to you?
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mrsl
18 yrs ago
Chwaer, I am trying to dig out the contract to check (filing system is a bit chaotic at the moment). If we did sign to say that we were giving her an allowance, we did not read it properly.
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hi
you need to put it in anyway, so if you have left it blank the agency can just fill it in as the govt rate is 300 hkd
the particular clause states that if the DH is not provided with food at the employers house, she/he must be given an allowance of 300 hkd per month
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cd
18 yrs ago
If you put the $300 in the contract then you are contractually liable to pay it. If you have stated that the helper will eat the food in the house you do not need to put it in.
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that is not how it is drafted,
it says "if the DH is not provided with food" at the employers house,......... THEN she/he must be given an allowance of 300 hkd per month
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Ok. I see now. If I put $300 on the contract then I am agreeing to pay that amount if I do not provide her with food. In the event that I provide her with food then that part of the contract is null and void but it is still necessary to have it there just in case we are planning on starving her. Thanks for all the input everyone.
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I think the form left it blank just like the amount for wages so that they do not have to reprint each time the gov't increase/decrease the required amount.
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