It's not worth it!

Don't even think about paying your  maid (no matter what nationality she is) less than the minimum wage. People in HK sometimes collude with unscrupulous agents to cheat Indonesian maids. Don't even think of it! Here is what happened recently to someone who did that:

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - An employer of a foreign domestic helper was fined $90,000 at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (November 23) for underpaying wages to the helper. The prosecution was initiated by the Labour Department. "Employers of foreign domestic helpers should not pay their helpers below the minimum allowable wage stipulated by the Government.

Under the Employment Ordinance, the maximum fine for underpayment of wages is $350,000 and imprisonment for three years," a spokesman for the Labour Department said. During the foreign domestic helper's employment period, the employer failed to pay wages according to the minimum allowable wage as set out by the Government at the time of signing the employment contract. The total amount of outstanding wages was $39,300.

According to Section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period must be paid as soon as practicable but in any case not later than seven days thereafter. "Employees, including foreign domestic helpers, who are owed wages should promptly report to the Labour Department, assist in investigation and give evidence to protect their interests," he said. The spokesman urged employees who were owed wages to call the department's complaints hotline on 2815 2200.