Total cost for maintaining a maid

[Breadandmuffins]

hypergatak:

I am about to renew my maid, my first time, I thought I would save some $, but shocked to find out that not much savings here:-

(a) airticket for her home leave $350 on budget airline(She insists on going back during Christmas period)
(b) agency fees for handling her home leave $260
(c) admin fees paid to philippines Embassy $120
(d) her pay during her home leave of 2 weeks $200

Sigh, we employers are the suckers! All the costs are on us!

Hi, u can save on Item (b) by asking her to go embassy herself to do paperwork

[hypergatak]

I was told by the embassy if it’s renewal within the first contract, must engage an agent. Is this correct?

[Breadandmuffins]

Hi My maid’s first renewal also done thru agent but subsequent all done ourselves. Cannot remember why now.

[carebear]

IMHO…i think if you earn less than $3000 per month (excluding spouse salary) it may be more worthwhile not to hire a maid and not work instead.

[nms1]

hypergatak:

I was told by the embassy if it's renewal within the first contract, must engage an agent. Is this correct?

That's true, if they haven't completed their first contract the embassy forces you to go through an agent. That was the rule earlier this year.

[Zhuge]

thanks for all the replies


1. is the loan from maid (6 to 8 mths) non-refundable? that’s a lot!
2. what does the medical cover ($35) ? is it compulsory to have? if sick, can go polyclinic isn’t it?
3. how much is the govt maid levy?

seem like the total cost of $3300+ per mth is quite a lot…
seem like one should hire a maid only when it is really necessary

employer pay so much, maid dun get a lot…all those in between people gained…

[Zhuge]

thanks for all the replies


1. is the loan from maid (6 to 8 mths) non-refundable? that’s a lot!
2. what does the medical cover ($35) ? is it compulsory to have? if sick, can go polyclinic isn’t it?
3. how much is the govt maid levy?

seem like the total cost of $3300+ per mth is quite a lot…
seem like one should hire a maid only when it is really necessary

employer pay so much, maid dun get a lot…all those in between people gained…

[Zhuge]

the payment for maids loan - 7 to 8 mths…

is this part of the maid’s salary for the 1st 7 to 8 mths?

[MEinME]

Zhuge:

the payment for maids loan - 7 to 8 mths...

is this part of the maid's salary for the 1st 7 to 8 mths?

This amount is the helper's fee to the agency to bring her over which is equivalent to 7-8months of her monthly salary. Usually, they won't be able to pay the agency up-front, therefore is a loan from the agency.

Monthly expenses expected will be:
1) salary
2) foreign worker levy ($170 if you are working mom)
3) food
4) electricity and water
5) 6 monthly medical check up fee ( the clinic I go charged $20 because the doctor gave \"subsidized\" rate for domestic helper)
6) misc

Zhuge:

2. what does the medical cover ($35) ? is it compulsory to have? if sick, can go polyclinic isn't it?

Sorry that I don't know what is this $35.

If going Polyclinic for medical treatment, they are considered foreigner, no subsidized rate.

[Zhuge]

MEinME:

Zhuge:

the payment for maids loan - 7 to 8 mths...

is this part of the maid's salary for the 1st 7 to 8 mths?

This amount is the helper's fee to the agency to bring her over which is equivalent to 7-8months of her monthly salary. Usually, they won't be able to pay the agency up-front, therefore is a loan from the agency.

Monthly expenses expected will be:
1) salary
2) foreign worker levy ($170 if you are working mom)
3) food
4) electricity and water
5) 6 monthly medical check up fee ( the clinic I go charged $20 because the doctor gave \"subsidized\" rate for domestic helper)
6) misc

Zhuge:

2. what does the medical cover ($35) ? is it compulsory to have? if sick, can go polyclinic isn't it?

Sorry that I don't know what is this $35.

If going Polyclinic for medical treatment, they are considered foreigner, no subsidized rate.

does it mean that in the 1st 7-8 mths, no need to pay the maid salary, because this has been given to the agency as part of her loan?