All About Full-Time Maids

[bigfoot]

I have experience for direct hire of Indonesian maids. The only problem I can think of is at the immigration. When the officer see a one way ticket and no documentation with the maid, they will not allow her to proceed unless she paid some tax. Can't remember how much was it. But it was not alot. If you trust your maid, u can send her the money. If you did not wish to do that and she also don't have money to pay the tax, then she might not be allow to leave. For my maids, I trusted them because they were relatives of my out-going home. So I sent the money over without hesitation. As the tax was imposed on the maid and not us, the employer, the maid will have to return the money to us. They usually would not mind because this option save them a lot of money.


I was thinking whether getting a two-way ticket will solve the problem. Or the maid may still be taxed when she return? I spoke with the immigration officer and he told me that it is a standard fee which all outgoing maid must pay before they are allowed to leave the country.

peapot:

I think for direct hire, indonesian maid's seems easier than Philip maid. I may try direct hire this November for my Indonesia maid.

[mrswongtuition]

bigfoot:

I have experience for direct hire of Indonesian maids. The only problem I can think of is at the immigration. When the officer see a one way ticket and no documentation with the maid, they will not allow her to proceed unless she paid some tax. Can't remember how much was it. But it was not alot. If you trust your maid, u can send her the money. If you did not wish to do that and she also don't have money to pay the tax, then she might not be allow to leave. For my maids, I trusted them because they were relatives of my out-going home. So I sent the money over without hesitation. As the tax was imposed on the maid and not us, the employer, the maid will have to return the money to us. They usually would not mind because this option save them a lot of money.


I was thinking whether getting a two-way ticket will solve the problem. Or the maid may still be taxed when she return? I spoke with the immigration officer and he told me that it is a standard fee which all outgoing maid must pay before they are allowed to leave the country.

peapot:

I think for direct hire, indonesian maid's seems easier than Philip maid. I may try direct hire this November for my Indonesia maid.

This is true. To avoid them getting taxed (for maids on home leave), they will need to produce proof of employment in Singapore. This proof of employment can be obtained from Indonesian Embassy, needs 3 working days.

I rmb my ex-maid told me it's around a million rupiah.

[peapot]

Do the maid need to produce KNTL card at their immigration?

[moom]

Is it the norm nowadays for maids who have just arrived at the household to be given off day just one week into the job? My maid came last week n tells me her 2 other friends that came on same flight ( one fresh n one ex-sg) are already getting off this/ next weekend?


Thought used to be off-day only when salary reduction complete? After abt 6 months plus? Or am I out of date with ‘current’ expectations?

[hquek]

moom:

Is it the norm nowadays for maids who have just arrived at the household to be given off day just one week into the job? My maid came last week n tells me her 2 other friends that came on same flight ( one fresh n one ex-sg) are already getting off this/ next weekend?


Thought used to be off-day only when salary reduction complete? After abt 6 months plus? Or am I out of date with 'current' expectations?

not sure, but my question would be, what money will they be spending? Either they walk all the way, and then live on plain water for that day; or employer give money to them. Ummm, I thought it's hire a maid/helper, not get another kid (got to give allowance).

[nms1]

moom:

Is it the norm nowadays for maids who have just arrived at the household to be given off day just one week into the job? My maid came last week n tells me her 2 other friends that came on same flight ( one fresh n one ex-sg) are already getting off this/ next weekend?


Thought used to be off-day only when salary reduction complete? After abt 6 months plus? Or am I out of date with 'current' expectations?

This should have been agreed between you & the maid when the contract was signed. Was it not discussed?

We have only taken one maid with a loan to pay off and she did take off-days immediately as she was still receiving a small amount of salary each month. To be honest, I never thought that she wouldn't.

[moom]

Hquek, Not sure leh...but very good point abt the money.. I scared to ask also.. Sekali say the employers give them money She seems ok so I thought of giving 'discount' n letting her take off after abt 2-3 mOnths ( initial agreement was after salary reduction completed- 5 months) But now it seems like her friends' employers spoil market.. Sigh

[moom]

Nms1... Initially agreed no off until reduction complete.. I gave her a few loan repayment schedules n she chose to get 100 a month for the loan period.. But now.. These friends of hers are getting off one week into the job.. Kinda makes me feel bad, not to mention look bad..

[peapot]

I think off days is between maid and employer. There’s no regulation to enforce off day but I believe it will come soon since the minister has been talking and talking about it. Once a week I think it’s still alright but every week then I think salary must be adjusted accordingly. What happen to employer who work shift? If everybody gives off then which maid will want to work for employers that cannot give off!!!

[carebear]

peapot:

I think off days is between maid and employer. There's no regulation to enforce off day but I believe it will come soon since the minister has been talking and talking about it. Once a week I think it's still alright but every week then I think salary must be adjusted accordingly. What happen to employer who work shift? If everybody gives off then which maid will want to work for employers that cannot give off???!!!!

I think it is good to let the maid have some time off to herself.
At least they have something to look forward to after a week of work.
It is healthy for them to ventilate.
If an employer works shift, then have to discuss with maid to take off day on the day when it is convenient, which does not necessarily mean a weekend.