Match the signing date to the announcement
Keep the actual signed date and the agreed wage on file. A minimum is a floor; it does not reduce a higher agreed salary. Earlier contracts require the announcement that applied when they were signed.
| Contract signed | Monthly minimum allowable wage | Cash food allowance if free food is not provided |
|---|---|---|
| 30 September 2025–2 October 2026 | HK$5,100 | At least HK$1,236 |
| From 3 October 2026 | HK$5,220 | At least HK$1,236 |
| Before 30 September 2025 | Check the relevant historical announcement | Check the relevant historical arrangement |
Source: Hong Kong Government: 2025 minimum allowable wage announcementHong Kong Government: 2026 minimum allowable wage announcement
Record the food arrangement separately
The standard arrangement is free food or the cash allowance. Select the arrangement that the household actually provides and keep any agreed cash amount visible. Do not add a cash allowance merely because the calendar moved to a new year.
Source: Hong Kong Government: 2026 minimum allowable wage announcement
Two contracts can have different floors in the same payroll month
Consider two illustrative contracts with a salary of HK$5,150. One was signed on 2 October 2026 and one on 3 October. The first exceeds the HK$5,100 floor in the applicable announcement; the second is below the HK$5,220 floor. Paying both in October does not remove that distinction.
If the second contract instead agrees HK$5,600, record HK$5,600. Do not substitute the minimum for the agreed amount. These comparisons address the wage floor only, not every term or entitlement.
Keep the old contract when a renewal is signed
Retain the old signed date, start and end dates, reference and compensation history before entering the new contract. A September statement should remain understandable after an October renewal.
Check that a new contract has not accidentally reset the original continuous service date. A compensation change during a month or a partial contract month needs review rather than an assumed daily divisor.
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Does every existing salary become HK$5,220 on 3 October 2026?
The 2026 announcement applies to contracts signed from that date. Check the signing date and agreed terms of the actual contract; do not infer its rate from the date of payment.
Is the cash food allowance always payable on top?
The announcements describe free food or a cash food allowance. Record the actual arrangement and the agreed cash amount where applicable.
Can HelperPay HK calculate a partial month from the minimum?
The pilot does not choose a statutory or contractual daily divisor. It flags partial months and compensation changes within a month for separate review.
Sources & review dates
Official sources were checked on the dates below. Later changes and individual cases may require a fresh review.
- Hong Kong Government: 2026 minimum allowable wage announcementChecked 5 October 2026
- Hong Kong Government: 2025 minimum allowable wage announcementChecked 5 October 2026