All About Full-Time Maids
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jacsplace:
Dear Mrs Ang,
Yes. They usually charge $60-70 to do the job. Just call a few to find out.Hiaweh:
[quote=\"Mrs Ang\"]
Are we able to engage another agent to send her back if we are not getting a new maid from them?
Why spend even more money? If you can spare the time, you should do it yourself. You can also check to make sure that she surrenders the special pass to the immigration people at the departure hall. If she knows you're keeping a tight eye on her all the way to the airport, she's less likely to make a run for it. With a new agent, and a stranger to both of you, she'll probably try to make a dash, particularly since she may have her passport with her. If she does disappear, MOM will blame you because the onus is always on the employer.[/quote]What special pass? I don't have a car so don't know will I be able to handle her into taxis till airport. -
The special pass is what the maid needs to give to the immigration officer at the airport when she enters the departure hall. If you cancel the work permit yourself, you need to print the pass. But if your agent is doing the cancelling, then you need to make sure that the agent hands over the special pass to the maid.
"handle her into taxis" – do you mean her luggage? Taxi drivers will usually help to carry the bag/s in and out of the boot. -
jacsplace:
I mean what if she throws tantrums or act out cos we r sending her home?The special pass is what the maid needs to give to the immigration officer at the airport when she enters the departure hall. If you cancel the work permit yourself, you need to print the pass. But if your agent is doing the cancelling, then you need to make sure that the agent hands over the special pass to the maid.
\"handle her into taxis\" -- do you mean her luggage? Taxi drivers will usually help to carry the bag/s in and out of the boot. -
Sorry, I don’t know the background to this. If you are afraid she’ll show her unhappiness, then by all means let an agent handle it.
I can’t answer your query about the agent though, as I’ve always sent my maids to the airport myself. -
Mrs Ang:
Depend on what reason you give her for sending her home.
I mean what if she throws tantrums or act out cos we r sending her home?jacsplace:
The special pass is what the maid needs to give to the immigration officer at the airport when she enters the departure hall. If you cancel the work permit yourself, you need to print the pass. But if your agent is doing the cancelling, then you need to make sure that the agent hands over the special pass to the maid.
\"handle her into taxis\" -- do you mean her luggage? Taxi drivers will usually help to carry the bag/s in and out of the boot.
I would suggest you ask 1 or 2 family members to accompany you to send her home.
My ex-maid was a real obstinate and super problematic filipino helper. She continue to create problem for us until her very last day with us. Out of goodwill, we allow her to travel directly from Singapore to Hong Kong for her new employment when we are not suppose to and yet she return us with disrespectful and rudeness. I got really piss off by her attitude and sent her off to the airport without cancelling the employment pass and purchased any air ticket. She create a scene at the airport and refuse to board the plane, I seek help from the Airport Customer Service (also a filipino). He help me to check her in and escort her into the transit area. Once the maid had check-in, we, employer are discharge with all liabilities. :rahrah:
My advise for you, don't be afraid. Domestic helper themselves know that once their work permit is cancel, they cannot stay in Singapore anymore else they will be treated as illegal immigrant. Overstaying in Singapore doesn't benefit them.
Ahhh.... Forgot to mention that I also met up with a super helpful Taxi Driver. He even help me to eye on the maid when I forgot to bring her passport and had to dashed home to retrieve it. I would suggest you pick a driver who speak the same language as you and you explain the situation with him, from there if something happen he could also help you to drive her to the nearby police station. -
Hi gumiho,
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like it was a bad experience that no one should have to go through.
When you write that you didn’t cancel her employment pass, are you referring to her work permit? Don’t you have to cancel it to indicate that your legal obligations to the maid have ended? How did she get on the plane without an air ticket?
Getting a taxi driver who speaks the same language as you would be helpful – can explain the situation in front of the maid and she won’t understand, I guess. The driver also needs to be willing to help if anything goes wrong so preparing him/her would be good. -
jacsplace:
Hi jacsplace,Hi gumiho,
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like it was a bad experience that no one should have to go through.
When you write that you didn't cancel her employment pass, are you referring to her work permit? Don't you have to cancel it to indicate that your legal obligations to the maid have ended? How did she get on the plane without an air ticket?
Getting a taxi driver who speaks the same language as you would be helpful -- can explain the situation in front of the maid and she won't understand, I guess. The driver also needs to be willing to help if anything goes wrong so preparing him/her would be good.
Most people have the perception that we have to cancel the work permit before sending the maid off. Nope.... ~ You don't have to if you can't wait to send her out of your house. You may wrote to MOM explaining to them your reason or you may also call MOM beforehand to double confirm with them on the Work Permit procedure before sending the helper home.
I bought the air tix directly from the airport ticker counter and surprisingly it was not expensive. -
Singapore bans ‘inappropriate display’ of maids by agencies
July 17, 2014
A maid agency at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre yesterday. — Two weeks after it said it found no inappropriate displays of maids by maid agencies at two shopping malls here, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has moved to ban certain “unacceptable practices” — including the “insensitive advertising and inappropriate display” of maids by agencies.
Spelling out the rules in an advisory sent out to agencies yesterday, the ministry said all advertising collaterals should “accord foreign domestic workers (FDWs) basic respect and human dignity”.
For example, agencies should refrain from public advertising — such as on shop fronts and websites — that mentions fees or likens maids to merchandise that can be purchased and replaced when found to be unsatisfactory. Maids should not sit outside agency premises, which gives the impression that they are “commodities” to be “tested or traded”.
If agencies do not cease such “unacceptable practices” with immediate effect, they could be given demerit points. Recalcitrant firms could have their licences suspended or revoked.
The move by the MOM comes after an Al-Jazeera report late last month on the treatment of maids in Singapore, which described how they were put “on display” at shopping malls and treated like “commodities” — an accusation maid agencies vehemently denied then.
The MOM also said at the time it visited maid agencies in the shopping centres mentioned in the report — Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Katong Shopping Centre — but did not find any inappropriate displays of maids.
When contacted yesterday, Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) (AEAS) president K Jayaprema said she welcomed the MOM advisory.
“With this advisory, there is now 100 per cent clarity that every agency has to correct itself. This will also send a strong message worldwide,” she said.
While she felt the Al-Jazeera report was exaggerated, she added that some agencies engaging in inappropriate practices may have escaped notice.
“Maybe those (agencies) the MOM visited might not have been those mentioned in the (Al-Jazeera) article,” she said.
Ms Jayaprema also said in addition to giving regular feedback on agencies to the MOM, the AEAS has written to the ministry to push for more control over placement fees, which are usually taken out of maids’ salaries.
Maid agencies Today spoke to said they would comply with the advisory, but some noted challenges.
Ok Maid Agency manager Michelle He said as “Singapore’s market is very small, customers always want cheap prices first before good service, which leads agencies to lower prices to be seen as a strong competitor”.
“It would be better if we could occasionally put promotions or discounts on our advertisements, stating when the promotion will start and run till, without stating the fees. Businesses still need to market themselves after all,” she said.
SunShine Employment Services’ manager, Rina, however, said such advertisements are “frankly part of a gimmick to attract employers and is not a proper way to do business”.
FC Maid Agency owner Edmund Soon said the service an agency provides as well as its reputation is more important than prices.
He added: “It’s one thing to display maids in the agencies — it’s another thing to parade them outside the premises. This will affect the maids’ performance and make them feel like slaves.”
United Channel Employment Agency director Kerrie Tan said that the agency trains their maids on basic household chores and gives English classes in a training area located beside their sales office.
The agency “does not display any maids in front of glass windows”, and maids are advised not to loiter outside their premises, she added. — Today -
gumiho:
This is indeed news to me!. Everything our govt needs a permit for everything. Calling MOM to confirm first is the best thing to do, but I have received different answers from different staff who answer my call. I usually get the person's name and note down the date and time just in case.
Hi jacsplace,jacsplace:
Hi gumiho,
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like it was a bad experience that no one should have to go through.
When you write that you didn't cancel her employment pass, are you referring to her work permit? Don't you have to cancel it to indicate that your legal obligations to the maid have ended? How did she get on the plane without an air ticket?
Getting a taxi driver who speaks the same language as you would be helpful -- can explain the situation in front of the maid and she won't understand, I guess. The driver also needs to be willing to help if anything goes wrong so preparing him/her would be good.
Most people have the perception that we have to cancel the work permit before sending the maid off. Nope.... ~ You don't have to if you can't wait to send her out of your house. You may wrote to MOM explaining to them your reason or you may also call MOM beforehand to double confirm with them on the Work Permit procedure before sending the helper home.
I bought the air tix directly from the airport ticker counter and surprisingly it was not expensive. -
Dear gumiho,
Maid agencies just want to make money. They are not interested in the welfare of maids and employers.
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