Which option is better — providing a food allowance or offering free meals?

To address this question, two key factors must first be considered. The first is whether the employer’s household regularly prepares three meals a day or tends to dine out frequently. The second concerns the domestic helper’s religious beliefs, which may influence whether providing a food allowance is a simpler and more suitable arrangement.

From the perspective of the standard employment contract, employers are required to provide their foreign domestic helpers with “adequate free food” or, alternatively, pay a food allowance. As of 2025, the minimum food allowance is HKD 1,236 per month, and it is periodically adjusted in accordance with the prescribed minimum wage. Accordingly, employers have two options:

• Providing free meals: Employers supply three daily meals directly. The food provided must be adequate and appropriate, taking into account the helper’s religion, health condition, and dietary preferences. This arrangement can enhance the helper’s sense of belonging within the household and ensures nutritional balance and hygiene standards are maintained.

  
  

• Paying a food allowance: Employers pay a fixed monthly allowance, allowing the helper to manage and purchase her own meals. This approach offers flexibility and convenience for both parties, although the allowance amount—approximately HKD 37 per day—may require careful budgeting. In such cases, the quality and nutritional value of meals may be more difficult to monitor.

  
  

From practical experience, the key differences between these two options lie primarily in cost and management effort. In households with elderly family members or a full-time homemaker, employers often choose to provide free meals. In contrast, some middle-class families prefer to pay the food allowance for added flexibility. Ultimately, the choice depends on each employer’s available time and willingness to manage the helper’s meals. Those opting to provide free meals must devote time to grocery shopping and meal preparation while respecting the helper’s dietary culture to avoid issues such as food allergies or religious restrictions. Employers who pay the allowance save time but shoulder slightly higher monthly expenses. Overall, approximately 80% of employers provide free meals, while 20% opt for the allowance.

Regardless of the chosen arrangement, it is essential that both parties clearly specify the meal provision terms in the employment contract. Doing so safeguards mutual rights and helps foster trust between employers and helpers.

We hope this information helps address your concerns regarding domestic helpers’ meal arrangements. For further inquiries about hiring foreign domestic helpers, please feel free to contact our company.