Job Duties and Responibilities
You may be assigned to perform different types of domestic duties.
The following paragraphs provide some information on the major job duties of an FDH working in Hong Kong, as well as points-to-note on how to stay safe when performing domestic duties and handle emergencies.
Cooking
Household cleaning
Taking care of children
Taking care of elderly
persons
Employment Rights and Protection
Like local employees, FDHs are entitled to the same benefits and protection under the Employment Ordinance (EO) and the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (ECO).
They are further protected by the government-prescribed SEC.
Under Clause 3 of the SEC, the FDH shall, during the employment period in Hong Kong, work and reside in the employer’s residence specified in the contract. This “live-in requirement” is applicable throughout the FDH’s employment period (including the period when he/she is on rest days, statutory holidays and paid annual leave) in Hong Kong.
Under Clause 5(b) of the SEC, the employer shall provide the FDH with food free of charge. At present, most of the employers provide FDHs with free food. If food is not provided free of charge, FDHs shall be paid food allowance not less than the rate prevailing on the date of the signing of contract.
Employers shall pay wages to FDHs not less than once every month. FDHs’ wages shall become due on the expiry of the last day of the wage period. Employers shall pay wages to FDHs as soon as practicable but in any case not later than seven days after the end of the wage period.
FDHs can agree with employers regarding the methods of wage payment such as by cheque, bank transfer, cash, etc. It is recommended that wages be paid by cheque or bank transfer to obtain payment records for retention.
Under the EO, FDHs are entitled to rest days, statutory holidays and paid annual leave. FDHs may agree with their employers on their leave arrangements to accommodate the needs of both parties. Under no circumstances should an FDH be required to work during his/her rest days, holidays and leaves. For example, an FDH should not be asked to clean the household before he/she leaves home or wash the dishes after he/she returns home, etc