[Hayzee]

We are going to terminate our 2 existing contracts and renew them in order to enjoy the $0 Levy for the next 2 years (keeping the same Helpers of course!). When we explained this to both our Helpers, they thought that we were going to pass on our savings to them! (They had obviously heard and read about all this levy cancellation news). And when we explained that it was for the Employers benefit to combat inflation etc, they acted upset and surprised that we were not automatically passing on the levy money to them!

We struggle to make ends meet here and this is a huge saving for us. We have to put 3 little kids in school and this tax break is a huge relief for us.

Did anybody elses Helper expect the money to go to them?

Just wanted to see how many Employers will be actually passing the levy saving onto their Helper.

[MovingIn07]

The discussion in wikipedia notes that when the Levy was originally introduced it was effectively passed on to the helpers so this might be why they feel that they should get a benefit now.

When I heard on the news that they were doing this, I almost laughed. How can anyone who thinks HKD400 a month saving is big be hiring maids? If I was in a financial position to think that HKD400 (a nice meal for 2) is a big sum of money I would be doing my own housework! Perhaps with 3 kids I get that you need A helper... but your post is plural!

Frankly, if it was me hiring these people, I would pass at least a share of the savings onto them just to be a good person. But to be honest I don't believe in hiring slave labour so I don't.

[gilleshk]

I agree, nickel and diming people that are little better than indentured slave isn't likely to get much support.

I find that the overall abuse of domestic helpers in Hong Kong is one of the most shameful things that happens here.

[Crocodile]

Originally Posted by gilleshk

I find that the overall abuse of domestic helpers in Hong Kong is one of the most shameful things that happens here.

Are you talking about employers or the Government? Not everyone who employs a domestic helper abuses their position. To say "the overall abuse" is a generalisation that paints all employers with the same brush. I know employers who have very good relationships with their domestic helpers and both parties are very happy.

I am not saying that there isn't any abuse of domestic helpers or people don't take advantage of them, infact I am sure that it happens more often than in a normal workplace.

Now, if you are talking about the Government, then it is a different story. It is something that the government continues to neglect and they continue to take advantage of people without a any voice in Hong Kong. The money collected from $400 levy is just sitting in a fund worth billions, with not a dollar spent on any sort of "retraining" or whatever it was originally earmarked for. It was pathetic what the Government did when they introduced the levy and they have botched it when they decided to wave the levy.

In reply to the OP, rightly or wrongly, I am sure only a small percentage of employers will be passing on the savings.

[rani]

When the levy was introduced, they cut min wage to $32xx, and its recently gone up to $35XX. Many employers are also paying more than min wage so if they don't want to pass on the savings thats fine.

[Skyhook]

Originally Posted by MovingIn07

Frankly, if it was me hiring these people, I would pass at least a share of the savings onto them just to be a good person. But to be honest I don't believe in hiring slave labour so I don't.

You and me both Moving07.

[gilleshk]

Originally Posted by Crocodile

Are you talking about employers or the Government? Not everyone who employs a domestic helper abuses their position. To say "the overall abuse" is a generalisation that paints all employers with the same brush. I know employers who have very good relationships with their domestic helpers and both parties are very happy.

I am not saying that there isn't any abuse of domestic helpers or people don't take advantage of them, infact I am sure that it happens more often than in a normal workplace.

Now, if you are talking about the Government, then it is a different story. It is something that the government continues to neglect and they continue to take advantage of people without a any voice in Hong Kong. The money collected from $400 levy is just sitting in a fund worth billions, with not a dollar spent on any sort of "retraining" or whatever it was originally earmarked for. It was pathetic what the Government did when they introduced the levy and they have botched it when they decided to wave the levy.

In reply to the OP, rightly or wrongly, I am sure only a small percentage of employers will be passing on the savings.

Obviously there are many helpers that are treated well and I know one that makes more than twice the minimum without working exceedingly hard as there are no more kids to be taken care of... My friend doesn't mind paying for peace of mind and he can afford it.

Unfortunately, that is the exception more than the rule. Many, many employers pay as little as they can, they refuse them weekly days off because it inconveniences them and they are often/usually not allowed to leave the house when they want...

As to the government, they constantly favor the employer as they did when cutting wages of the poorest in society and refusing to grant permanency after seven years.

They are basically second class citizen that often live in the fear of losing their jobs and having to go back to their home country and many many people know and exploit this to the maximum.

[hullexile]

OP: To the first question I guess it depends if you are paying the minimum or not. If you are then I would pass on some to them, if you are paying above the minimum then perhaps not.

On a more serious point though, have you checked out the contractual side of this. I think if you terminate a helper you have to pay for their flight back home before they can start work again. Not much left of your savings then is there?

And I would agree with another poster, if you can afford two maids then you can afford to treat them well. If you can't then you should not employ them.

[Hokuto]

You have two ayi for three children and you're complaining about passing a tiny bit of your savings onto them? Why not secure another job for the one and give the other the raise if you can hardly afford two ayi, or otherwise allow them each an extra day off each week (allowing the second day as a different day from the rest).

If they're such good ayi, a raise out of your savings is the least you can do, after you cut their contracts, force them to leave HK, and reapply anew. (If the latter is not actually the method, then I apologise for the faulty understanding. Like many of the above, I find hiring such work at such low wages disgusting.)

[rosemarie]

OP. it's all up to you if you pass it to them... but think deeper, looking after 3 kids is not as easy as you may think, so a little "bonus" will mean a lot for them... they will even be more careful when treating your household. Try to put your feet into their shoes, what would you feel if you have a "little bonus" from your company?