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Good to know
Hong Kong boasts one of the world’s most stunning skylines, with a high concentration of skyscrapers and impressive architectural feats.
Currency
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Capital
Hong Kong
Employee Costs
5%
Local Language
Chinese, English, Cantonese
Employer Taxes
5%
Public Holidays
12 Days
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Tax Year
1st Jan – 31st Dec
Are you ready to hire in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has a strong and stable economy with a favorable business environment. It consistently ranks high in global indices for ease of doing business. Hong Kong has a highly skilled and diverse workforce. It is home to a mix of local talent and expatriates, offering a wide range of expertise.
They also have a strong and stable economy with a favorable business environment. It consistently ranks high in global indices for ease of doing business.
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Minimum Wage
Hong Kong’s minimum hourly wage rate is currently set at HKD 40 per hour.
Working Hours
Standard Working Hours
The labor regulations in Hong Kong does not set specific limitations on working hours, except in the case of underage employees. The legal stipulation regarding working hours is that all employees must be granted at least one day of rest per week.
Overtime
There are also no legal regulations overtime work.
Payroll
In Hong Kong it is common practice to pay employees on a monthly basis, with salaries paid at the end of the month.
Leave
Paid time off
Employees with a minimum of 12 months of service qualify for 7 days of paid annual leave. This entitlement gradually expands by one day for each additional year of employment until it reaches the maximum annual leave allowance of 14 days, typically in the 9th year of service.
Sick Pay
Following 4 consecutive days of illness-related absence from work, employees have the right to receive sick pay equivalent to 80% of their regular daily earnings. However, presenting a medical certificate is compulsory.
Maternity Leave
Women employees with a minimum of 40 weeks of service who have informed their employers about their pregnancy, have the right to 14 weeks of maternity leave.
In the event of complex childbirth, this leave period can be extended by an additional 4 weeks. Maternity leave can commence either 2 or 4 weeks ahead of the anticipated due date.
Paternity Leave
Male employees are entitled to 5-day paternity leave if they have maintained uninterrupted employment for a minimum of 40 weeks preceding the commencement of paternity leave.
This leave can be taken either as a continuous period or on separate days, within the time frame of 4 weeks before the anticipated delivery date and up to 10 weeks following the birth of the child.
Termination
Termination of Employment
Termination of employment in Hong Kong requires proper justification, with notice provided.
The Employment Ordinance provides a range of valid grounds for termination, consisting of factors such as employee conduct, job performance and qualifications, redundancy, and any other substantial reason that, as determined by the court or Labor Tribunal, justifies the employee’s dismissal or an alteration to their employment contract.
If an employee feels they have been unfairly dismissed, they have the option to approach an employment tribunal. In such cases, severance pay can range from 3 to 6 months worth of the employee’s salary.
Notice Period
The notice periods in Hong Kong is 30 days, however employers can specify longer notice periods within the employment contract.
Probation Period
In Hong Kong, the probationary period for permanent employees typically ranges from 1 week to 1 month. The specific duration must be stipulated in the employees contract.
Visa
Foreign nationals need a visa before they can enter Hong Kong for employment purposes. This application requires sponsorship from a local entity, which is usually the employing company.
Individuals seeking a Hong Kong work visa must generally hold a bachelor’s degree, unless they have substantial expertise in a specific field or possess relevant experience for the position they are pursuing.
VAT
The standard rate of VAT in Hong Kong is 0%.
