All About Full-Time Maids

[Si Si]

minnie2004:

hquek:

If they send her back, just buy her another airticket to come back to SG, I understand it's not difficult to process a work permit.

Is it that easy to get them out? Is it the same case for 1st timers? I'm thinking of hiring a friend of my current maid. She's working in Philippines now. I talked to my agent and the total cost (incl airtix, insurance) is close to $1900. Is that reasonable for a direct hire? Although the maid is going to pay most of it back to me, it still sounds a lot. Or should I try to do it myself?

I just need to give my 2-cents worth here as I promised myself never to import maids directly again.

My ex-Myanmar maid was imported directly as she is the cousin of my in-law's maid. Her English was so poor until if she does not pass her 3rd attempt of the entry test, she has to be sent home. She just made it. That followed by language barrier and I wished I had an agent to interpret what she has been trying to say all these 2 years, so for the 2 years, it was dictionary/drawings/and hand gesture/sign language :stupid:

With a good agent at least can specify our needs bcos direct import is...you have to accept her as she is. When mine came, not knowing that she basically needs to feed her whole village and thus always need to advance $$$. after a while, very sian. When they black face, you dont have an agent to give them prep talk (more of tough love). Also, my ex-maid basically paid off her loan in 3 months and they just don't know how privilege this means. Before she left, she asked if I am interested in employing her sister..huh?!? :!: .of course no thanks. One journey with her is enough for a long while.

[Elysdeon]

[/quote]


I wonder did your ex-maid’s employer felt a sense of betrayal?? Therefore rather send maid home than transfer. Putting ourselves in her shoes, after all the training etc and now she said she want to go to work elsewhere? Also, it is a losing end for the ex-employer as she has to bear the levy+agent fees+maidless until her current maid’s work permit is properly transferred. Another reason is she probably "boey song" (in hokkien).
[/quote]

ya lor i also think they are buay song cos like that we cause them to have more work to do. But if they agree to the transfer they won’t lose out on agent fees ma cos the agency will provide them with another maid once their present one has been transferred right.

They are from Hong Kong working here.

[minnie2004]

Hi Si Si,

The one we plan to hire direct used to work with my current maid in the same house in Manila. They were also neighbours back home. So she kind of knows how she is like. Yes there’s always a risk if the direct hire is no good and we won’t be able to ask the agent to change for another one. However, if we ask the agent to source one for us, we basically have no background info about that person at all, and she doesn’t know what it’s like to work for us either, which is also risky.

Just wondering if $1900 (which incl $200+ insurance) is fair for direct hire. What’s the market price?

[shine_fs]

minnie2004:

hquek:

If they send her back, just buy her another airticket to come back to SG, I understand it's not difficult to process a work permit.

Is it that easy to get them out? Is it the same case for 1st timers? I'm thinking of hiring a friend of my current maid. She's working in Philippines now. I talked to my agent and the total cost (incl airtix, insurance) is close to $1900. Is that reasonable for a direct hire? Although the maid is going to pay most of it back to me, it still sounds a lot. Or should I try to do it myself?

I tried to get direct for my mum's ex-maid here from Philippines few years ago. I went on line and booked a ticket for her to fly here. Work permit already approved. But on the actual day, when she checked in the airport at Philippines, she was stop by the officer. At the end, she can't go on board. Then I had to seek for help from Singapore agent to bring her in Singapore. I remember ONLY paid for few hundreds dollars for her services.

[minnie2004]

Hi shine_fs,

Is it b/c you already applied the work permit and bought airtix yourself? Did you need to pay anything to anyone in the Philippines? I think my agent’s fee is on the high end. Although she’s good (quite responsible) but not sure if it’s worth that much since I found the maid myself. Do you mind PM me your agent’s no.? Thanks!

[Elysdeon]

shine_fs:

I tried to get direct for my mum's ex-maid here from Philippines few years ago. I went on line and booked a ticket for her to fly here. Work permit already approved. But on the actual day, when she checked in the airport at Philippines, she was stop by the officer. At the end, she can't go on board. Then I had to seek for help from Singapore agent to bring her in Singapore. I remember ONLY paid for few hundreds dollars for her services.

But why couldn't she board the plane herself? She has an air ticket right. I am sure their own citizens are allowed to travel.

[hquek]

Elysdeon:

But why couldn't she board the plane herself? She has an air ticket right. I am sure their own citizens are allowed to travel.

I think it's cannot pass custom. probably she didn't bring enough money?

[minnie2004]

That’s why I suspect there’s a local agent in Philippines to help them go thru the customs.

[NicHei]

If I remember correctly, they have a government body that protects Thr filipinas that go out of their country to worl. They will want to check that they have proper contract etc. Once they cleared them, they can then board the plane out.

[Si Si]

minnie2004:

Hi Si Si,

The one we plan to hire direct used to work with my current maid in the same house in Manila. They were also neighbours back home. So she kind of knows how she is like. Yes there's always a risk if the direct hire is no good and we won't be able to ask the agent to change for another one. However, if we ask the agent to source one for us, we basically have no background info about that person at all, and she doesn't know what it's like to work for us either, which is also risky.

Just wondering if $1900 (which incl $200+ insurance) is fair for direct hire. What's the market price?

$1900 seems to be a bit on a high side. But then again, we are comparing different countries here. I paid in the region of the lower one thousands. May need to check my records again. All the best to you.