All About Full-Time Maids

[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 Or am I out of date with 'current' expectations?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 Or am I out of date with 'current' expectations?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.

[POA Teacher]

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..

You let her chose how much to collect from you each month? Isn't this fixed by the agent? If you're paying her more than the amount specified by the agency, aren't you taking a financial risk if the maid doesn't work out and you return her to the agent?

[nms1]

POA Teacher:

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..

You let her chose how much to collect from you each month? Isn't this fixed by the agent? If you're paying her more than the amount specified by the agency, aren't you taking a financial risk if the maid doesn't work out and you return her to the agent?

This was all agreed and discussed at the agents and included in her contract. She had come into Singapore herself on a tourist visa so it was a small amount that she had to repay.

[moom]

POA Teacher:

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..

You let her chose how much to collect from you each month? Isn't this fixed by the agent? If you're paying her more than the amount specified by the agency, aren't you taking a financial risk if the maid doesn't work out and you return her to the agent?

POAteacher,she is a direct hire via agent so the loan is solely between us, agent not involved. If things don't work out, can't return her to agent.. That's the risk taken. When I hired her on the phone, we had agreed on the number of off days n I had told her then, that she could not start her off days until loan fully repaid. That was the practice 6 years ago when I hired my previous maid.

Hence when she told me abt her friends who are starting their off days so soon, I was rather surprised n wanted to find out if the norms have changed..

[POA Teacher]

moom:

POAteacher,she is a direct hire via agent so the loan is solely between us, agent not involved. If things don't work out, can't return her to agent.. That's the risk taken. When I hired her on the phone, we had agreed on the number of off days n I had told her then, that she could not start her off days until loan fully repaid. That was the practice 6 years ago when I hired my previous maid.

Hence when she told me abt her friends who are starting their off days so soon, I was rather surprised n wanted to find out if the norms have changed..

As far as I know, they don't get a day off until the loan is repaid. I was just at maid agency yesterday, & that was what the agent said.