Hong Kong announced that starting in 2027, it will implement a pilot project focused on importing elderly caregivers. The Secretary for Labour and Social Affairs stated that authorities will require these workers to complete an elderly care course of at least 150 hours in their countries of origin.
Chris Sun Yuk-han declared the need to identify a professional organization in Hong Kong to create a system that ensures the completion of this course and the effective acquisition of necessary skills. Sun acknowledged the possible concern of residents regarding the workers' ability to perform their duties during the pilot project, as reported to the local broadcaster TVB.
In addition to care tasks, caregivers will perform other activities in the employers' residences and will receive salaries set between 10% and 20% above the wages paid to domestic workers.
Recently, the Government had announced a 2.35% adjustment to the minimum wage for domestic workers, raising it to HK$5,220 (equivalent to €593) per month, while keeping the food allowance unchanged.
In response to living conditions, a group of domestic workers held a protest on September 26. The demonstration, organized by the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) in front of the Labour Department, called for a 21% increase in the minimum wage, arguing that the current amount was 'incredibly low' given the regional cost of living.
The AMCB demanded that the minimum wage rise from HK$5,100 to HK$6,172 (from €571 to €691). The AMCB spokesperson, Sringatin, stated in a press release that such an amount is 'incredibly low for a territory that proudly calls itself the 'World City of Asia'.'
Official data indicates that the average wage in the territory is currently around HK$21,200 (€2,374). The AMCB's statement, cited by the Hong Kong Free Press portal, also highlighted that the increase in the minimum wage since the year 2000 has been only 39%.
Additionally, the AMCB requested an increase in the monthly food allowance, from HK$1,236 to HK$3,123 (from €138 to €350).
Demographically, official data shows that 1.98 million people, or 26% of Hong Kong's population, are aged 65 or older. Authorities project that this proportion will grow to 36% of the population by 2046, totaling 2.95 million individuals. In 2025, Hong Kong recorded approximately 31,100 births, representing a 15.3% decrease, the lowest level recorded since 1961, when it began to be registered in the former British colony.