All About Full-Time Maids

[raynreg]

Shouldn’t a contract for service be legally binding? I think the standard contract used by agencies are not comprehensive enough. They only covers general matters like pay, leave, etc… I wonder if we can add on other terms in their contract. Of course, those terms need to be fair to both parties as well.

[hquek]

raynreg:

Shouldn't a contract for service be legally binding? I think the standard contract used by agencies are not comprehensive enough. They only covers general matters like pay, leave, etc.. I wonder if we can add on other terms in their contract. Of course, those terms need to be fair to both parties as well.

NOT comprehensive?? oh man, the one I had to sign was clear enough. Pay how much, when must give. Home leave how many days, how much to recompense if it's not taken....it's definitely a lot more meatier than when I first engaged a maid in 2004.

[raynreg]

What I meant was to have other clauses as such helper will compensate us should they ask for transfer or go home w/o valid reasons. Or that her work was sub-standard that I need to send her away and recover my initial cost from her. That’s were I agree with LKVM on withhold their pay.


However, if they are up to mark then we’ll pay her bonus.

[raynreg]

LKVM, you’ve got yourself a very good agent. My agent mentioned that all the terms in the standard contract cannot be amended, deleted or replaced. Its recommendated by dunno which organisation. If I get to re-do all over again, I’ll make sure my contract isn’t going to be THE standard one.

[minnie2004]

My maid (the one who's going to Denmark) says her friend who's working for our neighbour downstairs in our building wants to replace her. She complained to her that she's not getting enough food by her current employer. She's been working there for 1 year.


I've never hired a transfer maid before. Do you guys know what are the procedures? Should I go through an agent and how much do I need to pay? I'm also wondering if it's weird when our neighbour find out their old maid is working for us (we bump into them in the lift from time to time) :oops:

[kiasimom]

minnie2004:

I'm also wondering if it's weird when our neighbour find out their old maid is working for us (we bump into them in the lift from time to time) :oops:

Hi minnie,

There is absolutely alright to hire your neighbour's maid.
But I will advise you to let them know prior to you engaging their maid.

A talk will let you find out more about this new maid whom will be spending the next 24 months with you.

It is very easy to do the transfer yourself.
I can advise you if need be,

Good luck to you!

[minnie2004]

Hi kiasimom,


Thanks for your reply. We don't actually know this neighbour but have seen them before in the lift. Seems a bit odd to just knock on their door and ask them how their maid is and if it's ok for us to hire their maid :roll:

I'm thinking of interviewing the maid and let her talk to her employer first if we decide to hire her. Then maybe we go over there to discuss the transfer. But then we won't have the chance to find out from the employer how she is. They maybe already too :x that we're taking their maid!

What do you think is best way for us to approach this issue?

[carebear]

Hi minnie2004, yes, it is awkward to hire a maid from your neighbour.

But if you have decided, then get your present maid to ask your neighbour’s maid to call you so that you can interview her personally. Once you and she has decided on the employment, she will then have to let her employer know that she wants a transfer. It is up to her to tell her present employer where she is going to, you don’t have to answer to her present employer, especially they are not your friends but casual neighbour aquaintance.
Make sure her passport has at least 2 years or more, if not, then you may have to pro rate her terms, or ask her renew her passport.
Her present employer has to cancel her work permit before you can apply for a work permit under your name.

[blurqueen]

minnie2004:

My maid (the one who's going to Denmark) says her friend who's working for our neighbour downstairs in our building wants to replace her. She complained to her that she's not getting enough food by her current employer. She's been working there for 1 year.


I've never hired a transfer maid before. Do you guys know what are the procedures? Should I go through an agent and how much do I need to pay? I'm also wondering if it's weird when our neighbour find out their old maid is working for us (we bump into them in the lift from time to time) :oops:

I think it's good to approach her employer to have a talk. They may get :x but chances are ... it's not towards you but the maid. Also, never take the one side of the story, confirm with the employer whatever she said is true. Maids lie to get a change of employers, mainly through sympathy.

I personally have employed 2 transfer in the last 2 years. The first said that they didn't allow her to bathe everyday, only wipe herself and wash hair once a week. Only scarce food (meaning no big fish or big meat). Honestly, I'm not sure how much to believe it, she was the one who requested a transfer from that employer. I was \"tortured\" by her and her lies for 1.5 years, sent her back and reported her to police for child abuse.

2nd maid, was supposedly 'returned' because they said she can't speak good English. Then the next story I heard was, they screamed at agent for lying about her actual age (grossly young at 16) and told her NEVER let next employers know her real age. By the time I realised the 2nd truth, it was too late. Anyway, i'm happy with her, and now knowing she's so young, i tend to be more lenient with her and lots more understanding and doting. Happy situation :love:

My late grandparents maid actually during the funeral, already made plans to transfer to another family on her own. This family lives only few houses away. I guess we're more pissed with her than the employers since she was the one who jumped employment in a blink even though we still needed her.

[minnie2004]

Hi carebear and blurqueen,


Thanks for your input. I've asked my maid to arrange an interview with her tmr to find out more info. What she said about the lack of food should be true though as my maid mentioned it to us long time ago. So she didn't say that with the intention of replacing my maid.

There's a risk that once the maid tells her employer she's quiting, the employer might send her back to the Philippines if they get really mad. Is it then very troublesome for us to bring her back to Singapore again (i.e. same procedure as getting a new maid from Philippines)?

Also, according to her bio data, this maid has a degree in \"computer secretariat\". DH is a bit concerned if it's good that she knows too much about computers