All About Full-Time Maids
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It is indeed pro-employee.
However, it depends on employer-employee relationship and mutual understanding as well.
My concerns are (sounds a bit whining though) ;-
1. The new batches are more choosy and smarter.
My previous maid and current one told my mum that they are NOT from poor family as per biodata,mostly indicates farmers or not working,if you have noticed.Both of them basically running away fm their own domestic problems in Indonesia and since SG is having better living conditions and "easier" to report if anything happens,plus better $$, they prefer SG.SG is like a stepping stone for them or "holiday retreat". To me , they come here is like going for a marriage prep course as none of them ever does hsework or knows how to take care of kids .Even to do a simple consol to crying toddler also they were "scared".
2. They "think" we are more richer.They live here,everything paid for.
If I have a choice,I do not get an fdw,as my family gross income falls "low middle income" super tight budget on seeing the FDW’s yearly $100plus increment on salary & insurance
,whereas mine already no increment for 2 years. We have to trained them from ABC and being patient with all their nonsense . They dared to talk back and threatened us to go back knowing we cant afford for their flight back when nearing to "hari raya".We have to close eyes for every things they broke /spoilt. We do not know if they "torture" our kids when they are still toddlers. We still have to talk nicely to them.
3. They are already enjoying their "off days".
They have plenty of time after sending my son to school (transport available for my son).My previous maid can afford to have a bf too! when she has a husband back in town. During wkends, they were left at home unless they want to follow us. They meet up with other Fdws and started comparing & may be influenced by their friends and become calculative/rude. So far, these 2 maids do not have substantial savings for themselves,first one ,she spent a lot and even did a $100 hair rebonding before going home! which I myself scrimping my hard-earned money.This current one keeps spending on her top-up card and even send $$ to her bro to buy land in malaysia. See…they are rich after all. Most of them are also vain.They are just like "teenagers" running away from home/problems.
Yes, they are free to do with their own money…but I feel pain (too bad) as I have to pay for their expenses living here,salary,levy,insurance, medical and what nots.I am FTWM but I am paying myself +household everything .Having a maid is like having another "an eldest child" at home where you have to keep monitoring,teaching and feed them and still to give them the freedom .
Oh yes, I want to add;-
4. The loan that we are paying (8 mths thingy),all my 3 maids said, they actually need not to pay to the agent. Its us ,the employers that the agent actually charged.They have an allowance for attending the course at the training ctr in Indonesia. Most of the maids , they were "forced" to say be able to work with any employer and bla bla bla by their "guarantor".This I believe, because I found a piece of scripted paper left behind by previous maid. The 3 of them came from 3 different training centres so it is difficult which of them were trained properly. Some even only had 1 practical training or even have no work background at all.
If only there is an organisation or the MOM who can lessened our burden;-
1. There are rules and regulations for maids (signed by the maids)just like we have; as employee working for our employer.
2. They have to use their own $ for their meals , toiletries and even insurance and any other hanky-panky.
3. Anything they do on their own ,they have to bear FULL responsibility.
4. Off-days with curfews applicable.
5. MOM/an SG organisation to pre-select the maids stationed in Indonesia itself not only based on biodatas but it is based on competency-based skills just like what we have here. (this is in relevance to their higher salary & insurance now)
6. Be able to put the FDWs on 3-6 mths probation like any other normal employee and return to agents with no qns and additional $$ incurred .
7. A standardized SOPs & agent fees for all maid agencies in recruiting fdws.Any loopholes to be referred to CASE/MOM. MOM too has to be stricter to maid agencies as well ,as always we employers are at losing end.
8. A 1-2 days grace for employers to pay the levy as $5 penalty fee is unreasonable. Was a 1st timer late payor due to insufficient funds in my account ; I immediately paid on their online website the early morning next day and still the penalty was charged.
9. MOM/Organisation to help on subsidized the FDW’s flight tickets for their "home leave" or being "repatriated" and/or FDWs have to pay their own flight tickets home upon finishing their "contract" since they already their own salary.
10. Lastly, I just wish "somebody" will be a mediator and a fair one btwn maid agencies,employers & even fdws. -
ZuEn:
There is still a scenario when we the employer have to pay for a maid's wrongdoing.. Quote:I read that the law has changed, such that employer wont forfeit their security bond if the maid gets pregnant, just have to send them home.
However, the Government seems to forget that getting a new maid (hopefully a not too bad one) and re-training them is another torture.
\"However, if a maid absconds and cannot be found, the employer could still lose half of their security deposit.\"
There's just no protection for the employer and I don't see why MOM thinks the recent changes is sufficient!?!? Is 2.5k not worth anything?? -
Littlefly:
I agree with this too! Would rather go maidless when my kid (s) is older!! The stress is too much to bear when having a maid... I'm
Celtricia, Tigger88celtricia:
tigger88,
agree with u.. if our kids are older.. of coz we do not mind maids having off days.. with 3 young kids.. n for u.. another on the way.. weekends r definitely a killer.. dun even say those who are SAHMs, worst for them i tink..
Agree with you both. I would prefer privacy of not having another 陌生人 at home if i can help it. Tell those in favor of maids having offs every week to jagga a crying baby and a whining infant when you are trying to prepare meals or do housework. :skeptical:
Now still pulling my hairs looking for a replacement! -
SMH FOREST:
You can still be insured for the bond if you don't want to take the risk. I worry less about the bond than about the hassle if they do disappear/get pregnant. We had to send our previous maid home when we found out she was pregnant but lucky I found out early enough to have time to find a replacement and for them to do a handover.
There is still a scenario when we the employer have to pay for a maid's wrongdoing.. Quote:ZuEn:
I read that the law has changed, such that employer wont forfeit their security bond if the maid gets pregnant, just have to send them home.
However, the Government seems to forget that getting a new maid (hopefully a not too bad one) and re-training them is another torture.
\"However, if a maid absconds and cannot be found, the employer could still lose half of their security deposit.\"
There's just no protection for the employer and I don't see why MOM thinks the recent changes is sufficient!?!? Is 2.5k not worth anything?? -
SMH FOREST:
SMH Forest.. Still can't find one? Poor u.. :hugs:
I agree with this too! Would rather go maidless when my kid (s) is older!! The stress is too much to bear when having a maid... I'm
Now still pulling my hairs looking for a replacement! -
celtricia:
Hi! SMH Forest, may i know why you still cannot find a replacement? no maid supply or ??
SMH Forest.. Still can't find one? Poor u.. :hugs:SMH FOREST:
I agree with this too! Would rather go maidless when my kid (s) is older!! The stress is too much to bear when having a maid... I'm
Now still pulling my hairs looking for a replacement! -
Anna Ng:
Celtricia,
Hi! SMH Forest, may i know why you still cannot find a replacement? no maid supply or ??celtricia:
SMH Forest.. Still can't find one? Poor u.. :hugs:
Yalor.. Sian I'm starting to call other agencies up cos dun wanna be stuck so long with this one...
Anna,
Well.. No new bio sent to me so far and also no suitable transfer maid available. No point getting a transfer maid that have the same issues as my current one cos the last transfer maids also ve problem communicating with the previous employer. -
nms1:
It's not just the $ for me either. It's why are the employers still being made liable for the maid's mistake? I'm happy for you that you are lucky in yr case.. But in case other employers are not as lucky? MOM need to look at it from a broader sense.. That's what Im hoping for... Best case scenario don't work... We ve to look at the worst case scenario...
You can still be insured for the bond if you don't want to take the risk. I worry less about the bond than about the hassle if they do disappear/get pregnant. We had to send our previous maid home when we found out she was pregnant but lucky I found out early enough to have time to find a replacement and for them to do a handover. -
SMH FOREST:
Perhaps to MOM decision makers, 2.5K relative to their pay pockets, is peanuts to them... :skeptical:
There is still a scenario when we the employer have to pay for a maid's wrongdoing.. Quote:ZuEn:
I read that the law has changed, such that employer wont forfeit their security bond if the maid gets pregnant, just have to send them home.
However, the Government seems to forget that getting a new maid (hopefully a not too bad one) and re-training them is another torture.
\"However, if a maid absconds and cannot be found, the employer could still lose half of their security deposit.\"
There's just no protection for the employer and I don't see why MOM thinks the recent changes is sufficient!?!? Is 2.5k not worth anything?? -
hquek:
Hquek, yes..quite a butterfly. Makes friends everywhere even with no off-days. She hasn't finished her loan so only getting allowance each month. Still, she can spend. Buy earrings, hair accessories, snacks, skin care etc. Even want to buy new glitter glitter shoes then I asked her where she want to wear them too as she don't hv off-days. Only then she stopped herself and told me she got loads in Indo.hi littlefly,
Where benefits are concerned, everyone (maid or not) will be eyes bright bright. Unfortunately yours probably wants to be a butterfly and go out to flitter. pretty impressive that she can spend until broke each month. I really wonder how she can survive the off day with no money in her pocket - Sg is not the cheapest of places.
So far, I usually encourage my maids to remember why they come to SG in the first place (aka to earn money), and give them the dream that they will go back to their hometown with bulging pockets.
I don't want to 'mother' her if she cannot save. Did encourage her to think long term. Spend in Indo after saving up coz things here v expensive. Come to work not to make bfs. My neighbour's maid whom is her 'best friend' super bad influence on my maid. Neighbour's maid is lucky to have v liberal employer who gave her off each month, wear make-up, wear sexy clothes and carries 2 handphones as got 3 bfs here and even permit her to invite other maids friends home (this bit i don't believe coz she did it while her employers are all out).
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