I don't think so. My helper told me that they need to take the Cantonese Course before coming to HK. Besides, they have test as well. Maybe you should ask your agent . My helper has no working experience in Hong Kong. But she know some Cantonese when she first arriver. Now she can speak quite well.
they know but will not be v good. i think my existing yan maid only understands about 50%. but i hire several buns beforehand, except 1 bun, all other english is really not good. but buns are really worse that they always think/pretend they understand. so at last i understand that no matter yan or bun, no matter english or cantonese, we have to show and demonstrate them how to work. if sometimes cannot demonstrate, ask them to repeat what i said to make sure they really understand.
It was my Yan Yan come to Hong Kong 1 year ago. And she could speak not much cantonese and didn't really understand what I wanted her to do (Even she said she understood, she would do something different). And I hve to show her what I want her to do step by step, and over and over again. Now, she hve worked for me over a year. And she can speak very well Cantonese, and understand what I want her to do.
They hve cantonese class there, but they don't hve much practice ma. So, when she works work me, she can practice her Cantonese everyday, and it is improved