Understanding Foreign Domestic Helper Insurance: Work Arrangements During Typhoon and Insurance Commencement Day

Every year in Hong Kong, there are typhoons, and there may even be Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, granting everyone a day off. What if Typhoon Signal No. 8 coincides with the rest day of your foreign domestic helper (FDH)? Additionally, when exactly does the insurance coverage for FDHs commence?

Work Arrangements in Times of typhoon for Foreign Domestic Helpers and Insurance Information

While most Hong Kong employees don't need to work when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above is hoisted, FDHs live in your home, meaning it is their workplace. If it's a working day, FDHs are still required to work, but outdoor tasks, such as grocery shopping, should be avoided. What if it happens to be the FDH's rest day? How can this be handled?

As the employer, you can consider the following:

1.     Arrange for a day off on another day.

2.     Allow the FDH to take a day off and rest at home without work.

3.     Continue working as usual and pay the salary.

However, it's essential to discuss these options with the FDH and not make decisions solely as the employer. Generally, arranging a day off is acceptable since most FDHs choose to stay indoors. If the FDH opts for a day off but insists on going out, the employer cannot refuse. However, it's advisable to inform the FDH that if they get injured while outside during a typhoon, insurance coverage may not apply. While the “Standard Employment Contract” requires employers to cover all medical expenses, injuries incurred during a typhoon-related outing might not be covered. Without insurance compensation, prompt and appropriate treatment may be compromised.

When does the insurance coverage for FHD start?

According to Hong Kong government regulations, all employers hiring FDHs must purchase insurance to cover FDHs, whether opting for basic coverage like Employee's Compensation Insurance or more comprehensive FDH Comprehensive Insurance. The commencement date is the same for both, which is the effective date of the “Standard Employment Contract”. It does not start when the FDH arrives at your home or when they board the plane. The contract's effective date is the day the FDH arrives in Hong Kong, even if they are required to undergo quarantine upon arrival.

Employers should be aware that many FDH Comprehensive Insurance plans have a waiting period. Therefore, it is advisable to arrange insurance for the FDH as soon as their arrival date in Hong Kong is known. Failure to do so could result in a situation similar to the one discussed in a previous article – "Foreign Domestic Helper Falls Seriously Ill Upon Arrival – Is the Hong Kong Employer Responsible?" where an FDH falls critically ill immediately upon arrival, and the employer has to bear most of the medical expenses.

Conclusion

To avoid shouldering most of the FDH's medical expenses, it is crucial to ensure insurance coverage for them, especially when hiring independently. Employers often forget to arrange insurance, focusing only on documentation or interviews, leading not only to financial losses but also potential legal consequences. Stay tuned for more insights into Hong Kong domestic helpers in our future articles!

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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