DOMESTIC HELPER DETAILS

Can someone please give me the details of what's required when hiring a full time helper? Also, to include if we do not want a live-in which means they would have to live in boarding house?

Here is the link to the Labour Dept's practical guide to hiring an FDH. Has many FAQs.

http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/FDHguide.pdf


You do not decide whether your FDH lives out - it is against the law. Many people do farm their helpers out to boarding houses and they do so knowing they are breaking the law and are willing to accept the consequences. Whether you choose to break the law is up to you.


Here a copy of an employment contract which includes the "Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties" which must be completed detailing the accommodation for the FDH.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id407form.htm#SADD


And this is a direct quote from the Immd website:


Q19: Can an FDH live away from his/her employer's home?



A19: No. An FDH should work and reside in the employer's residence in accordance with Clause 3 of the Standard Employment Contract (ID407). The employer is required to provide the FDH with free accommodation as per the standard specified in the "Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties" of the employment contract.

Itis possible to apply for a dispensentation and persmission for you helper to live out - there are circumstances under which the immigration dept will grant permission.. try to find someone who has got the permission and why? For instance if there is no suitable accomodation or two helpers who simply cannot live in the small room. Also people who have legally had a live out helper before mid 2003 and who have continuously employed a helper are still allowed to have a legally living out helper - as long as they have not had a break of more than 2 months.