Leave Entitlements

Like every other member of the working population, foreign domestic helpers will also need some downtime to rest and recharge.

Under the Employment Ordinance, foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are entitled to the following leave:

A)      Rest days

– at least 1 day per week

B)      Statutory holidays

1. The first day of January;

2. Lunar New Year’s Day;

3. The second day of Lunar New Year;

4. The third day of Lunar New Year;

5. Ching Ming Festival;

6. The first day of May;

7. Tuen Ng Festival;

8. The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival;

9. Chung Yeung Festival;

10. Chinese Winter Solstice Festival or Christmas Day (at the option of

the employer);

11. The first day of July; and

12. The first day of October.

C)      Paid annual leave

A foreign domestic helper is entitled to paid annual leave after serving every period of 12 months with the same employer. The foreign domestic helper’s entitlement to paid annual leave will increase progressively from seven days to a maximum of 14 days.

Please click here for the Labour Department’s Practical Guide for Employment of Foreign Domestics Helpers.