All About Full-Time Maids

[Mummyprincess]

My maid worked for me for 5 months and she wanted to send money back urgently to her family after calling her hubby. She had asked me for advance pay and wanted to pass to her Philippine agent who will bring back the money to her country. Should i trust her?

[hquek]

Mummyprincess:

My maid worked for me for 5 months and she wanted to send money back urgently to her family after calling her hubby. She had asked me for advance pay and wanted to pass to her Philippine agent who will bring back the money to her country. Should i trust her?

All depends:
1. how trustworthy has she been all this time?
2. what is her work like?
3. how much you need her service?

Give also you run the risk the demand never ends. Don't give, it may be a real emergency, or it may fracture your working relationship. Personally I don't do it - I have made known that I don't advance pay, maid will have to fork out the money from her earnings. Also, I opened her bank account only after she has accumulated enough, and informed her upfront about the fees payable if it falls below the x amount.

Sorry but I think you have to make the final call based on your situation.

[Mummyprincess]

Yah, i agree too. At first, i was reluctant to give advance pay. But after hearing her story (which I’m not sure true or nt), I gave in. I told her Philippine agent that I wanted to meet her at the maid agency. At first, she agreed but now she msg me saying that she wanted to meet somewhere at Orchard Road…

[hquek]

Mummyprincess:

Yah, i agree too. At first, i was reluctant to give advance pay. But after hearing her story (which I'm not sure true or nt), I gave in. I told her Philippine agent that I wanted to meet her at the maid agency. At first, she agreed but now she msg me saying that she wanted to meet somewhere at Orchard Road...

har? :!: Please ask for receipt and make sure the maid sign to acknowledge the advance pay; and the agent acknowledge that she received the money from you. May be worthless paper in the end but I always derive some comfort from some confirmation that maid/agent did get the money.

[Mummyprincess]

Thanks a lot for your advice!! I will oso give a call to my singapore agent to chk if they know this Philippine agent or nt. I think it’s better to play safe as I do not want to take a risk on money disputes if my maid’s family didn’t receive it…

[hquek]

Unfortunately it always seems like employers are at the losing end. We have to remember to protect ourselves with paperwork, agreements and all that stuff. I think usually when something is in writing and signed by the maid, they will not dare play punk (of course, there must be stories to the contrary).

[hquek]

lovekidsverymuch:

But if we have paperwork atleast we are little safer

True true. That's why I make my maid sign each time she take out money, and I retain the receipts - so far no issues.

[pineapple tarts]

The 1st line in my rules & regulations is \"Strictly no advance salary or take money from compulsory savings\".


Furthermore she worked for u for 5mth only. Anyway, only time can tell if she is trustworthy.

Usually, my maid remit $$ on her own. Cases like this (it's your $$), u can ask to see the receipt. See who she sent the $$ to.

And don't let her make it a habbit to \"oh, must send $$ home urgently\" after a phone call. Cos they know your weakness & will make it happen again. They r jus too good in lying.

If I were u, I will ask Spore agent to settle. They can bring or remit on your maid's behalf. Just pay a fee.

Good luck.

Mummyprincess:

My maid worked for me for 5 months and she wanted to send money back urgently to her family after calling her hubby. She had asked me for advance pay and wanted to pass to her Philippine agent who will bring back the money to her country. Should i trust her?

[Mummyprincess]

Thks a lot! I didn’t know that the spore agent can help maid to remit $$$ to their country. Btw, im still trying to contact spore agent to inform them of this situation… Hope this type of situation is once and for all.

[peapot]

hi mummies!


Do you guys knows what happen if agency don’t cancel the work permit even after you have paid the 21 days levy for your maid that was transferred out? Can employer go and cancel it themselves? I am aware some agency make you pay for the air-ticket for the maid if you cancel the work permit yourself.