The Hong Kong government has announced plans to recruit hundreds of foreign caregivers specializing in elderly care, with recruitment set to begin in the second half of 2027. According to Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun, these caregivers will have specialized skills in caring for the elderly and will be able to perform general household tasks. Their salaries will be 10-20% higher than those of regular domestic workers.
The new caregivers will be required to complete a 150-hour training course in their home countries before arriving in Hong Kong. A verification mechanism will be put in place to ensure that they have completed the training and possess the necessary skills. This move is part of a pilot project aimed at addressing the city's growing need for elderly care services. Currently, Hong Kong has around 380,000 foreign domestic workers, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia.
The Labour and Welfare Department has supported around 1,000 domestic workers in joining a 10-hour training course on basic first aid and elderly care. However, the government is now looking to bring in more specialized caregivers to cater to the city's aging population. According to official statistics, 26% of Hong Kong's population is aged 65 or above, and this number is expected to rise to 36% by 2046.
The government has also announced a 2.35% increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers, bringing it to HKD 5,220 per month. Employers are also required to provide food or pay a monthly food allowance of HKD 1,236. The move is aimed at improving the living standards of domestic workers and ensuring that they are able to provide quality care to their employers.
Chris Sun also revealed that the government is exploring a new model for elderly care homes, which will be built with government funding and operated by private sector providers. This model will offer different levels of care and services tailored to the needs of each local community. The initiative is seen as a crucial step in addressing the city's growing need for elderly care services.
The need for such initiatives is underscored by the high levels of stress experienced by caregivers. A recent survey by a suicide prevention organization found that 37% of 942 caregivers surveyed reported high levels of stress. The government hopes that the new recruitment scheme and improved working conditions will help alleviate some of this stress and improve the overall quality of care provided.
The pilot project is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Hong Kong's elderly care services. With a growing aging population, the city needs to ensure that it has a robust support system in place to cater to the needs of its elderly residents. The recruitment of foreign caregivers is seen as a key part of this strategy, and the government is expected to provide further details on the project in the coming months.
Key points
- Hong Kong to recruit hundreds of foreign caregivers for elderly care from mid-2027
- Caregivers will have specialized skills in elderly care and perform general household tasks
- Salaries of new caregivers to be 10-20% higher than those of regular domestic workers
