Foreign Domestic Helper Q&A Vol. 8
If your household employs a foreign domestic helper, you may sometimes come across questions during daily work and communication, such as how to handle medical expenses, dental treatment, interview arrangements or home safety. Below are some frequently asked questions to help employers better understand their responsibilities and available protection. At the same time, we would like to remind employers that having the right domestic helper insurance can reduce financial and legal risks when unexpected situations happen.
Q1. If my helper has a tooth problem and needs extraction, do I need to pay?
Ans: Yes. Under the Standard Employment Contract in Hong Kong, employers are responsible for most of the helper’s medical expenses. Dental care is considered part of medical treatment. So if the helper needs dental check-ups, fillings, or tooth extraction, the employer is generally required to handle the cost.
Some domestic helper insurance plans include dental coverage. This can reimburse part of the cost for scaling, fillings or extractions, helping reduce sudden expenses for employers.
Q2. Where should I take my helper for dental care? Public or private clinic?
Ans: You have two main options:
(1) Government Dental Clinics
If the helper has a Hong Kong ID card, she may use government dental services.
However, quota is limited and may require queuing or lottery allocation.
Only a few clinics open each weekday, and each clinic has around 56 slots per day.
(2) Private Dentists
More flexible scheduling and faster appointment times.
However, fees are higher, usually from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Some domestic helper insurance plans provide dental cover with a set claim limit and may require a deductible. Choosing the right plan can help avoid large out-of-pocket expenses.
Q3. Can I ask a helper whose contract is about to finish to come and do a trial work day at my home?
Ans: No. This is not allowed. The Standard Employment Contract states that a helper can only work for the employer listed in the contract and only at the registered address. Asking a helper to work before the contract starts is considered illegal work (“working without permission”).
Relevant contract clauses:
Clause 4(a): The helper can only perform domestic duties for the employer in the contract.
Clause 4(b): The helper cannot work for any other person (including part-time work).
What can you do instead?
Arrange a face-to-face or video interview
Ask about work experience, daily habits, childcare style
Request references from her employment agency or previous employer
Q4. What if I suspect my helper is mistreating my child?
Ans: If you have concerns about your child’s safety, you should take action immediately:
Consider installing home CCTV
Must follow privacy regulations.
For further information, please refer to: Privacy of Foreign Domestic Helpers - Can Cameras be Installed for Monitoring (Part 1) | Califonia Insurance
If the child has any injuries, take them to the hospital for examination
Child abuse is a criminal offence, you may report to the police
Summary
Employing a helper is not only a working relationship, but also part of daily family life. Clear communication, proper medical arrangements and reasonable work expectations help build a healthy working environment. At the same time, choosing a domestic helper insurance plan that covers medical, hospitalization, accidents, and dental care can greatly reduce financial stress and protect both the employer and the helper in unexpected situations.
Related Product:
California Insurance's latest foreign domestic helper insurance offers the highest coverage in Hong Kong with up to HK$88,000 coverage for hospitalization and surgical expenses; Loss of Service Cash Subsidy covers provide HK$200 per day. It also provides “New Starter Benefit” that offers probationary protection and “Open Cover” policy reservations for up to 365 days. Learn more or apply now.
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
