Employing Workers In Hong Kong

Although Hong Kong's employment laws are relatively straight forward and consistent with international norms, there are a number of unique provisions which companies employing workers in Hong Kong should be aware of.

In Hong Kong, a worker may be employed to perform work for a business either as an:

• employee under a contract of employment, or
• independent contractor under a consultancy agreement or a contract for services.

Where a worker is hired as an independent contractor, the employer is only bound by contractual terms of the consultancy agreement or contract for services. Parties are, by and large, free to agree terms of the working relationship and, generally speaking, parties will only be bound by the terms expressly agreed.