Indonesian maid salary to be increased to $450???

[Littlefly]

If the maid is pressurized not to have off-days but in fact they do - what makes one think the maid will stay on and suffer in silence over their 2 year contract term ? They will start to make their real desires heard, or opt to change employer or worse, take exit strategy to run away. Employers are the ones who lose out in the end if the maid loan is not cleared and still have to fund them air-tickets home. Not to mention the disruption in work / hassle to get a replacement. Many maids are alot street-smart these days than we think they are.


My maid told me she pick my household coz she does not want off-days as she ends up spending money and not saving up when she hangs out with her friends in her previous job. She started sending her full salary home but once she got off-days she end up sending only 1/3 of her pay home as she spurgled them on shopping and mobile bills. She told me she is more mature and sensible this round and would rather get compensated for not taking ‘offs’ so she can earn/save more money to take home this round.

Just coz some employers don’t give maids off-days do not make us lousy employers. i think it is very much on a individual needs basis between employer/employee and not broad based stereotyping.

[tamarind]

[quote]Just coz some employers don't give maids off-days do not make us lousy employers. i think it is very much on a individual needs basis between employer/employee and not broad based stereotyping.
[/quote]Littlefly,
I totally agree with you !

Many people think that maids are poor, silly village girls who can be easily bullied. This is definitely not true. In fact, employers are often cheated by the maids, and some don't even realize it.

[BeContented]

tamarind:

[quote]Just coz some employers don't give maids off-days do not make us lousy employers. i think it is very much on a individual needs basis between employer/employee and not broad based stereotyping.

Littlefly,
I totally agree with you !

Many people think that maids are poor, silly village girls who can be easily bullied. This is definitely not true. In fact, employers are often cheated by the maids, and some don't even realize it.[/quote]True, these days they are very clever and have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves. I heard of a case where 3 months into the job, the maid wanted to go home. She first started with claiming she wanted to go back and study. When not approved (cos still owe loan), she started pleading to be released claiming her parents missed her.....and she does not want to even be transferred. Finally, the maid accused the old man of using force and molested her. She refused to go to police, only had one request.....to send her back. Think the employer finally decided to end all troubles, no point holding this one back. Was told she was sooooo happy. So never underestimate them.

[nms1]

phankao:

ksi:

I agree, not all maids want days off. Especially those new to the country, they really have no where to venture during their off days, so giving them mandatory off days is in fact a burden to them. Since it is an employment contract, it would be good that off-day is maintained as a mutually-agreed term between the employer and employee instead of making it a compulsory item.....I always believe different strokes for different people.

Actually it's compulsory in the contract for Indonesian maids. We sign the contract drawn up by the Indonesian embassy at each renewal of passport / work permit.

The only definite off day my maid goes though is Indonesian day and Hari Raya. And she goes at will in/out the house everyday anyway! Apart from the times she's definitely needed, lah.

I think the key is that all maids are given the option to take days off without feeling any pressure. My current maid transferred to us last year and one of her reasons for leaving her previous employers was that they promised her 2 days off/month but never let her take it. She now has two days but occasionally only takes one if she doesn't want to spend any money. She is on good terms with her previous employer who understood that they didn't live up to their side of the bargain and therefore lost her. She was lucky to have the intelligence and the guts to do something about the situation but not all maids do - or can if they are never given a day off.

[missbluey]

Littlefly:

Just coz some employers don't give maids off-days do not make us lousy employers. i think it is very much on a individual needs basis between employer/employee and not broad based stereotyping.

super LIKE this!

[Littlefly]

Tamarind, CWC, Missbluey :celebrate:

[chanel26]

Sometimes full time maid can be more problem than solution

[tamarind]

chanel26:

Sometimes full time maid can be more problem than solution

This is due to a lot of serious problems with the way maids are employed in Singapore. Maids do not need to pay a single cent when they come to Singapore, their maid loan is paid in full by the employer. If the maid does not like the employer, she can always ask to transfer to a new employer. The new employer will then have to pay the remaining part of her loan. Imagine if you are the maid, will you be motivated to work hard ? You will try to change employers until you find one where you can take afternoon naps and talk on the phone all day, right ? That was exactly what one of my ex-maids told me, she left me after 2 months.

Also, maids are allowed to change employers as often as they like, and as many times as they like. MOM will not question them. However, if employers change maids 5 times a year, we will be asked to go for an interview.

Unless the government fix these issues, we are always going to have a lot of problems with maids, unless we are very lucky.

[peapot]

After last night’s election results, I m now very sure that the government is not aware of our problems!!

[LOLMum]

peapot:

After last night's election results, I m now very sure that the government is not aware of our problems!!

I wonder do they have the same problems with their maids like most people :? .