Foreign Domestic Helper Public Holidays 2027 | Complete Guide to Statutory Holidays and Public Holidays
If you hire a foreign domestic helper (FDH) to help with household chores, it is important to understand Hong Kong employment laws. In recent years, the Hong Kong Government has gradually increased the number of statutory holidays. What are the holiday arrangements for FDHs in 2027? If you need your FDH to work on a holiday, what compensation should be provided? This article explains everything employers and FDHs need to know about FDH holidays in 2027.
What Are "Statutory Holidays" and "Public Holidays"?
Hong Kong's holiday system mainly has two types of holidays:
Statutory Holidays are regulated by the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57). There are 15 statutory holidays in 2027, and they apply to all employees, including foreign domestic helpers.
Public Holidays are set out under the Public Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 149). There are 17 public holidays in 2027 and they are commonly observed by government offices, banks, and many private companies.
Number of Holidays in 2027: 2 Days Less Than Public Holidays
In 2027, foreign domestic helpers are entitled to 15 statutory holidays. This is 2 days fewer than the 17 public holidays observed by many office workers.
The two public holidays that FDHs are not entitled to are:
Good Friday (26 March 2027)
The Day Following Good Friday (27 March 2027)
Statutory Holidays for Foreign Domestic Helpers in 2027
1 January – New Year's Day
6 February – First Day of Lunar New Year
8 February – Third Day of Lunar New Year
9 February – Fourth Day of Lunar New Year
29 March – Easter Monday
5 April – Ching Ming Festival
1 May – Labour Day
13 May – Buddha's Birthday
9 June – Tuen Ng Festival
1 July – Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
16 September – The Day Following the Mid-Autumn Festival
1 October – National Day
8 October – Chung Yeung Festival
22 December (Winter Solstice) or 25 December (Christmas Day) – Employer's Choice
27 December – The First Weekday After Christmas Day
Source: Hong Kong Labour Department – Statutory Holidays for 2027
What If a Statutory Holiday Falls on the Helper's Rest Day?
Most foreign domestic helpers have one rest day each week, usually Sunday.
If a statutory holiday falls on the helper's rest day, the law requires the employer to arrange an alternative holiday on the following day. This replacement holiday must be on a day when the helper would normally be required to work and cannot overlap with another holiday.
Can Employers Ask a Foreign Domestic Helper to Work on a Statutory Holiday?
Yes, but employers must follow the legal requirements.
If you need your FDH to work on a statutory holiday, you must:
Give at least 48 hours' advance notice.
Arrange another holiday within 60 days before or after the original statutory holiday.
If both parties agree, a substituted holiday may be arranged within 30 days before or after the statutory holiday or the alternative holiday.
Tip: The Labour Department recommends keeping a written record of any holiday arrangements, signed by both employer and helper, to avoid misunderstandings.
How Is Holiday Pay Calculated?
After a foreign domestic helper has been employed for at least 3 months, statutory holiday pay should be calculated based on the helper's average daily wages during the 12-month period immediately before the holiday.
Extra Protection: Going Out on Holidays and Domestic Helper Insurance
Many foreign domestic helpers spend their holidays meeting friends, relaxing, or enjoying activities around Hong Kong. If a helper is injured while on a rest day or holiday, the incident is generally not covered by employees' compensation for work-related injuries. However, under the Standard Employment Contract for foreign domestic helpers, employers are responsible for their helper's medical expenses in Hong Kong, whether the illness or injury occurs during work or not.
For this reason, many employers choose to purchase a comprehensive domestic helper insurance plan in addition to the mandatory employees' compensation insurance. If the helper becomes ill, has an accident, needs medical treatment, or is hospitalized during her holiday, domestic helper insurance can help cover the medical costs and reduce the employer's financial burden, providing greater peace of mind for both parties.
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The information provided in this article is for general reference only and should not be considered as any form of advice. Our company assumes no responsibility for its use
