All About Full-Time Maids

[micollh]

hquek:

micollh:

Hi all,


my indo maid contract is expiring in august, am thiking whether to renew or get new one. i was told by maid agency that if i renew her contract i still have to increase her salary in par with the current rate.. now she is darwing 350 (took her in 2009), so if extend, i need to increase to 400 .

Is that correct? i think philipino maid more.

Cheers

Since you and the maid have worked together for 2 years, you don't need to go via the maid agency. In fact, for my 1st maid renewed twice. First time I paid NTUC Income to do the renewal; 2nd time I DIY - the procedures (seems a bit daunting but just log on to wp online and do step by step).

Any amount can be agreed with the maid directly - whether it be 400 or even more. Just remember as long as the maid is performing, don't tell lies, some increment cannot be avoided (and you be saving on headache from new maid and agency fees). I would suggest you draft out a new contract stating the agreed salary and all.

You probably have to give her home leave also. If she wants to take the home leave, remember to have contingency plan in case she fly your kite.

Hi hquek thanks for the info. Another question, if i dun give her home leave, as in she decided not to go home and continue, do i give her the money for plane ticket ? or no need, jst buy ticket for her after she finish her next extension?

Thanks.

Cheers,

[hquek]

micollh:

Hi hquek thanks for the info. Another question, if i dun give her home leave, as in she decided not to go home and continue, do i give her the money for plane ticket ? or no need, jst buy ticket for her after she finish her next extension?

Thanks.

Cheers,

I think the contract you signed previously should state that if home leave not taken, you will have to compensate x amount for the airticket - they have a certain amt for Indo and for Fili maids.

Talk to her to understand - it's good to be accomodating to her needs. At least she'll be happy to continue with you.

For my first maid, I gave her home leave after every 2 years. Typically booked budget airlines for her so the actual amount paid is not that high, only that for the 15 days, we had to roll up our sleeves to do housework.

[micollh]

hquek:

micollh:

Hi hquek thanks for the info. Another question, if i dun give her home leave, as in she decided not to go home and continue, do i give her the money for plane ticket ? or no need, jst buy ticket for her after she finish her next extension?

Thanks.

Cheers,

I think the contract you signed previously should state that if home leave not taken, you will have to compensate x amount for the airticket - they have a certain amt for Indo and for Fili maids.

Talk to her to understand - it's good to be accomodating to her needs. At least she'll be happy to continue with you.

For my first maid, I gave her home leave after every 2 years. Typically booked budget airlines for her so the actual amount paid is not that high, only that for the 15 days, we had to roll up our sleeves to do housework.

ok. shall check that from her contract i remembered abt paying for the air ticket but din read on if to continue whether to compensate her the money or how. I prefer she stay put, if she decided to go back, i have to reconsider getting a new one instead. i heard too many stories abt maid go home leave and never come back or start to act funny after that, anyway, shall see how it goes. i still need to renew her passport if she stays on.

[hquek]

micollh:

ok. shall check that from her contract i remembered abt paying for the air ticket but din read on if to continue whether to compensate her the money or how. I prefer she stay put, if she decided to go back, i have to reconsider getting a new one instead. i heard too many stories abt maid go home leave and never come back or start to act funny after that, anyway, shall see how it goes. i still need to renew her passport if she stays on.

I think for indo, we have to compensate $300 as the price of airticket (they even make sure the amount is put in contract to ensure employers don't play punk).

Understand your preference, but also stand on her side and think how badly she may miss her family - 2 years leh, and esp if she has kids. I also like that my maid brings her money home with her (at least the bulk of it) becos it saves her having to pay remittance fees.

If she's been a good helper, I advise you to take the chance. Remember that you are going into the market with lots of unknowns - heard that the quality of maids coming in is degrading by the day and you probably have to pay much more. But do 'buy insurance' for yourself, reason with her that you have to fork out x amt to pay for her passport renewal (yes, that one we have to bear), airtickets etc; keep some of her money with you as guarantee she comes back. At most if she disagrees, maybe you can agree with her that you will pay for remitting that $500 back when she comes back so her family still see the money. If she doesn't come back, you have that $500 to defray part of the cost. if she comes back, cost of remittance is not high.

If you are concerned about renewing procedures, give NTUC Income a call. They don't charge very much and I think they will be able to do her passport renewal and wp renewal at the same time - even collect and deliver to your home.

[micollh]

hquek:

micollh:

ok. shall check that from her contract i remembered abt paying for the air ticket but din read on if to continue whether to compensate her the money or how. I prefer she stay put, if she decided to go back, i have to reconsider getting a new one instead. i heard too many stories abt maid go home leave and never come back or start to act funny after that, anyway, shall see how it goes. i still need to renew her passport if she stays on.

I think for indo, we have to compensate $300 as the price of airticket (they even make sure the amount is put in contract to ensure employers don't play punk).

Understand your preference, but also stand on her side and think how badly she may miss her family - 2 years leh, and esp if she has kids. I also like that my maid brings her money home with her (at least the bulk of it) becos it saves her having to pay remittance fees.

If she's been a good helper, I advise you to take the chance. Remember that you are going into the market with lots of unknowns - heard that the quality of maids coming in is degrading by the day and you probably have to pay much more. But do 'buy insurance' for yourself, reason with her that you have to fork out x amt to pay for her passport renewal (yes, that one we have to bear), airtickets etc; keep some of her money with you as guarantee she comes back. At most if she disagrees, maybe you can agree with her that you will pay for remitting that $500 back when she comes back so her family still see the money. If she doesn't come back, you have that $500 to defray part of the cost. if she comes back, cost of remittance is not high.

If you are concerned about renewing procedures, give NTUC Income a call. They don't charge very much and I think they will be able to do her passport renewal and wp renewal at the same time - even collect and deliver to your home.

Thanks dear, u r so informative. I will take note of those. she has a boy, she misses him a lot i can tell, she said she takes my girl(same age as her boy) as her child, seeing her grow up is like see her own boy..anyway, shall talk to her and see how it goes.

[hquek]

micollh:

Thanks dear, u r so informative. I will take note of those. she has a boy, she misses him a lot i can tell, she said she takes my girl(same age as her boy) as her child, seeing her grow up is like see her own boy..anyway, shall talk to her and see how it goes.

No worries. Actually if she has children, I seriously think she should go back to inspect. Make sure her hubby is working and not lazing off her money; her child is well taken care of. We are parents ourselves and so will be anxious about our kids.

Give her some leeway if she really misses her child. Although therein lies the risk that she may not want to come back.

My first maid was single and thus had lower risk on 'flying my aeroplane' - but I could tell she's really happy when she gets to go back. Let her recharge.

[jtoh]

celtricia:

jtoh:

[quote=\"Ontheballmother\"]Aiyoh... my mom's maid worst. During CNY, my maid saw her went to the toilet and open up the ang-po immediately when one of my relative gave it to them. Told my maid the amt. and v unhappy as it is only $6. These maids think we owe it to them. Good thing is, we get to know what kind of person she is and be more wary.

How much ang pow was she expecting? After all, it's the relative giving the ang pao, and she doesn't work for the relative does she?

We should even tell our relatives not to give our maids red pkts at all.. Tat solves all problems..[/quote]The true meaning behind giving angpaos is for good fortune in the new year. It's symbolic, a red packet. Even for our children, we teach them that it's not the monetary value in the angpao, but the well wishes that come with them. They should be thankful for the angpao and not the money.

Guess we should sit the maids down and tell them angpaos do not equate to free money.

And yes, may be easier all around if relatives don't give ang paos. Maids like to compare.

[pineapple tarts]

[quote] How much ang pow was she expecting? After all, it's the relative giving the ang pao, and she doesn't work for the relative does she?[/quote]
I live with my MIL. CNY many many many many relatives will come to her house. My maid have to wash endless cups & dishes BUT NO ONE gives her any ang bao. Aren't they shameful at all ? :? Wat is a small token for this poor maid? Not forgetting, when these people left at around 11p.m. after their mahjoing session, this poor maid is still cleaning up the mess. shamelesssssssss........... mind u, she doesnt complain a word.

[jtoh]

pineapple tarts:

[quote] How much ang pow was she expecting? After all, it's the relative giving the ang pao, and she doesn't work for the relative does she?

I live with my MIL. CNY many many many many relatives will come to her house. My maid have to wash endless cups & dishes BUT NO ONE gives her any ang bao. Aren't they shameful at all ? :? Wat is a small token for this poor maid? Not forgetting, when these people left at around 11p.m. after their mahjoing session, this poor maid is still cleaning up the mess. shamelesssssssss........... mind u, she doesnt complain a word.[/quote]Yes, shameless. During mahjong sessions, usually the kakis will leave some small tips for the maid because they know they're keeping her up beyond her normal work hours. This even when it's not CNY.

[peapot]

pineapple tarts, you should let your MIL know so that she can perhaps drop hints at the relatives. Then they may feel pai sei. Alternatively if most are your MIL’s side relatives you can ask your husband to tell his mother about it.