Things I Should Know

Please note that the information below is provided by the Hong Kong Labour Department.

As Helper
1.  What should I do when I start working for my employer?
2.  Can I live away from my employers home?
3.  Can I take up part-time employment with my employers consent?
4.  What should I do if my employer deploys me to work for another person or take up non-domestic duties?

1.What should I do when I start working for my employer?

1. To facilitate reimbursement of costs of documentation by your employer, you should produce receipts for all relevant expenses incurred in preparing the documents.
2. You are advised to ask your employer to explain your duties and get a clear idea of what your employer expects of you. You shall perform domestic duties as specified in the “Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties“* of your employment contract.

2.Can I live away from my employers home?

1. You should work and reside in your employer’s residence in accordance with Clause 3 of the standard employment contract. Your employer is required 6 to provide you with free accommodation as per the standard specified in the “Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties” of the employment contract.
2. For those live-out arrangements which have been approved by the Director of Immigration before 1 April 2003, the helper is allowed to reside in places other than the employer’s residence provided that the employer continues to employ foreign domestic helper without a break of more than 6 months.

3.Can I take up part-time employment with my employers consent?

No. It is an offence under the Immigration Ordinance for you to take up any employment with any person other than your employer named in your visa. You will be liable to prosecution and removal for breaching the conditions of stay. If you are so removed you will not normally be allowed to come to Hong Kong again to work as a helper.

4.What should I do if my employer deploys me to work for another person or take up non-domestic duties?

You should report the matter to the Investigation Division of the Immigration Department.

* The standard employment contract was revised to include a “Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties” which specifies the standard of accommodation and details of domestic duties performed by the helper.