How many rest days is a foreign domestic helper entitled to in Hong Kong?

Q: How many rest days is a foreign domestic helper entitled to in Hong Kong?

Yes, helpers are entitled to at least one rest day per week (minimum four per month), plus 17 statutory public holidays per year. Neither can be replaced by cash — an actual day off (or a substitute day) is always required. If a helper works on a rest day, a substitute rest day must be given within 30 days. If a helper works on a statutory holiday, an alternative day off must be given within 60 days.

Overview

Rest days and statutory holidays are both statutory entitlements — employers cannot cancel them or pay cash in lieu of granting them. However, with prior agreement, a helper may work on a scheduled rest day provided the employer gives at least 48 hours' notice and grants a substitute rest day within 30 days. Statutory holidays follow the same principle, with a substitute day granted within 60 days instead. In neither case can an actual day off be replaced by a cash payment.

Weekly Rest Days

Minimum: 1 rest day per week (and not less than 4 per month)
Clause 6 of the Standard Employment Contract (ID407) covers rest days
A fixed recurring day (e.g., every Sunday) works best for both parties — agree on it upfront
During adverse weather (typhoon signal 8 or Black Rainstorm warning), specific government guidance applies to rest-day arrangements

What If a Rest Day Falls on a Busy Day?

If an employer needs the helper to work on a scheduled rest day, they must:

Give the helper at least 48 hours' advance notice
Grant a substitute rest day within 30 days (before or after the original date)

Working a rest day without granting a substitute day is a breach of the Employment Ordinance. Cash payment is not a valid substitute — the law requires an alternative day off.

Statutory Public Holidays

FDHs are entitled to all statutory holidays gazetted under the Employment Ordinance. As of 2025, Hong Kong has 17 statutory holidays per year, including:

New Year's Day
Chinese New Year (3 days)
Ching Ming Festival
Good Friday + day after + Easter Monday
Buddha's Birthday (Labour Day)
Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival
Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day
Day following Mid-Autumn Festival
National Day
Chung Yeung Festival
Christmas Day + Boxing Day

Can Employers Pay Instead of Granting Statutory Holidays?

No — and this is a legal offence, not just bad practice. A statutory holiday must be an actual day off, full stop.

The one exception: If the employer needs the helper to work on a statutory holiday, the employer must:

Give at least 48 hours' notice in advance
Grant an alternative holiday within 60 days (before or after the original date)

Important Notes

Add it up and a helper could have 65+ days off per year once you include weekly rest days, statutory holidays, and annual leave — plan rosters accordingly
Asking a helper to forfeit a rest day without compensation or a replacement day is a breach of contract
Both the Immigration Department and Labour Department take rest day violations seriously
If a helper is injured during work hours or on an improperly denied rest day, see work injury and employer obligations

Want Someone to Handle the Calendar?

Between rest days, statutory holidays, and substitute arrangements, that's 65+ days a year to plan for. GMA sets everything up correctly from the start — no spreadsheet required. Speak with a GMA coordinator — at no obligation.