All About Full-Time Maids

[peapot]

Kiasimom,


Hi! I really have this problem with this maid agency, United Channels at Bukit Timah. Initially there was this delay due to passport not out. When passport was out, delay again due to no air-ticket. Finally, my husband says delay the arrival of the maid till end Jan’2010, that way the agency won’t have any problem with the air-ticket. This was like in 26th Nov. My husband told me he will not pay the agency until the maid is physically in Singapore. Surprisely the staff says in maid agency says its early don’t have to book now. My husband was quite pissed. Have never deal with such a difficult maid agency before. We have already given in by extending more time to the maid agency so that they won’t have any problem with the air-ticket. Yet, they still take their own sweet time to book the ticket. I m so frustrated. If its not that I like bio-data, I wouldn’t care a hoot since I did not sign any contract at all.

I m going to give them till this Friday, if problem still arise I will change maid agency. what is your opinion? I hope to find another reliable maid agency. I need a myanmar maid. Any agency to recommend?

[kiasimom]

peapot:

Kiasimom,


Hi! I really have this problem with this maid agency, United Channels at Bukit Timah. Initially there was this delay due to passport not out. When passport was out, delay again due to no air-ticket. Finally, my husband says delay the arrival of the maid till end Jan'2010, that way the agency won't have any problem with the air-ticket. This was like in 26th Nov. My husband told me he will not pay the agency until the maid is physically in Singapore. Surprisely the staff says in maid agency says its early don't have to book now. My husband was quite pissed. Have never deal with such a difficult maid agency before. We have already given in by extending more time to the maid agency so that they won't have any problem with the air-ticket. Yet, they still take their own sweet time to book the ticket. I m so frustrated. If its not that I like bio-data, I wouldn't care a hoot since I did not sign any contract at all.

I m going to give them till this Friday, if problem still arise I will change maid agency. what is your opinion? I hope to find another reliable maid agency. I need a myanmar maid. Any agency to recommend?

Hi peapot,

The problem with employing new maid are:
Passport delayed ( usually these maids do not have passport )
VISA delayed ( needs embassy to endorse the document before maid is allowed to work in SIngapore )
All these delays can take up to many weeks and maybe months.

1. Have you paid any agency fee to the agency?
2. You mention you like the biodata? How reliable are the datas? From my experience, only 50% are accurate. So don't put too much faith in biodata.
3. The reason why they don't want to book the airticket is they are not sure whether this maid will be able to come to SIN or not. Maybe she will change her mind last minute.
4. Why do you prefer Myanmar maid? The greatest challenge in employing Myanmar maid is language. They usually cannot speak English and cannot understand English we..

I personally will not put all my eggs in one basket. I will choose a few biodatas and list my choices. So if the first one doesn't make it, I still have other maids to fall on.

Will you consider transfer maids?

[peapot]

Kiasi mom,


I prefer new maid because I don’t have much faith in transfer maid. Used to have one and she gave me problems. I want to get a myanmar maid because my current one is from myanmar. so I know their level of English. I just need one to be able to do housework and cook. she don’t even have to do much in the day because my girl is in primary school. There are only 2 adults in the house and she can use washing machine to wash her clothes. Very easy job! But I can’t find a bio-data that I like. Nowadays, even maid will choose who to work for. I was quite surprised! If they know it’s a big house and many kids, they cringe and will not accept the job offer. In the past, I thought it was the employer who choose the maid. Where did you get your maid from?

[sing_xiangxiang]

hi,


Do you allow your maid to lock her belongings? cos my maid lock her luggage which make me uneasy as i am not able to know what she hide inside.

Should i ask her to unlock and tell her not to lock in future?

Need some opinions.

[gsksp]

Hi peapot


I also having a Myanmar maid too but my agency is lousy (after service is bad) so would not recommend. But I came to know this lady who I met in Myanmar Embassy while doing my maid home leave. She help me clear many of my doubts for maid home leave. Her name is Zay Zay Tun Lwin and her contact is 8238 4988. She seems to be very kind and helpful, mayb you can try to contact her.

[kiasimom]

sing_xiangxiang:

hi,


Do you allow your maid to lock her belongings? cos my maid lock her luggage which make me uneasy as i am not able to know what she hide inside.

Should i ask her to unlock and tell her not to lock in future?

Need some opinions.

Hi,
You should check her belongings at the maid agency.
I usually get my maid to unpack her belongings in front of me when she is home with me.

You can tell her that this is to protect both parties interests by chevking her luggage.

All maids will know that it is compulsory to check their belongings.

Tell her you are not comfortable not checking her belongings and you want to check her belongings.
She should have no objections to that.

[kiasimom]

peapot:

Kiasi mom,


I prefer new maid because I don't have much faith in transfer maid. Used to have one and she gave me problems. I want to get a myanmar maid because my current one is from myanmar. so I know their level of English. I just need one to be able to do housework and cook. she don't even have to do much in the day because my girl is in primary school. There are only 2 adults in the house and she can use washing machine to wash her clothes. Very easy job! But I can't find a bio-data that I like. Nowadays, even maid will choose who to work for. I was quite surprised! If they know it's a big house and many kids, they cringe and will not accept the job offer. In the past, I thought it was the employer who choose the maid. Where did you get your maid from?

Hi peapot,
Maids nowadays indeed choose employers!!
Some don't want to work for big families, too much work!
Some don't want to work for family with children!

I employed my maid from Nation Simei but they don't have Myanmar maids.

Since there are fewer Mayanmar maids in Singapore, you have to do an extensive searching.

As mentioned before, do call up the various agencies that have Myanmar maids, go to big agencies as they have more maids.

I personally prefer transfer maids as I can interview them face to face.
The chance of getting them transferred is higher.

Please also bear in mind that not all transfer maids are bad. Some of them are very good but are returned if their employers lose their jobs, maid cannot communicate with the elderly etc.

So you can keep your options open too

[MUMMYOF3]

Hi kiasimom


How is her work performance? - So so but still acceptable. A little \"chor lor\". Broke my mop and ironing board the first mth she came. Have to keep reminding her to be more gentle in handling things.

Are you happy with her? - No feelings..

WHy did she overeat? - \"Tam Jia\".. that's why finished 1 whole bottle (abt 50pcs) of pineapple tarts within a day. I bought her biscuits to keep for afternoon teabreak if she feels hungry but she also finished within a day ! She will laugh and said can't resist coz biscuits sweet and nice ! :x

How is her condition now? Much better but she told me she still feel pain when eating.

It is NOT true that the agency cannot take her back if she is unwell.
They just don't want to pay for her medical fees.

If she still have an outstanding loan, they will have to take her back.
And if she still has an outstanding loan, the agency will not allow you to send her back to Indonesia. Read the contract that you signed with the agency before you make any deecision.

I can only answer more in details after you answer the questions that I have posted :-)[/quote]

[kiasimom]

Hi mummyof3,


If you find her working attitude positive and she is honest, you can slowly coach her of overeating.

It is very normal for maids to be greedy when they are new here. They do not have such delicacies in their hometown and so will gobble whatever food they think is delicious :rotflmao:

You have to tell her that before she eats any tidbits, she has to ask for your permission and you should limit the amount she eats.

If she is very rough with household appliances, you have to teach her the proper way of handling it.
I teach my maid how to use washing machine, fridge, iron etc

With patience, she will turn out to be a good maid.
As long as she has good character :celebrate:

[sing_xiangxiang]

Sorry i should elaborate. I mean we did check her things when she first arrive. But right now, she lock her luggage which i duno wat she hide inside. Should i ask her to open and forhibid her to lock from now on?


Is it too much to request so?