Will there be more such cases w.e.f. 2013?

[Minstral]

PhoBIA:

The authorities are only saying they need off days but did they advise these fdws what to do and what not to do? Simply irresponsible remarks just to score points. Didn't spare a thought for the employers.

It's not much use even if the authorities 'advise' them what to do and what not to do. I'm sure many employers advise their maids too (I definitely do) but whether the maids want to listen is another thing. It all boils down to the maid's personality.

In the meantime, I feel that compulsory off-days are necessary. Most of us are already groaning with a 5 day work week and 9 - 6 job. The maids work more days and longer hours and their pay is so little. They deserve a break.

I feel that what the authorities can do is force maid agencies to be more stringent with their selection process, and choose maids based on skills and personality. Of course, this may lead to maid shortage problem.

[matrix0405]

Next year will be a totally new ball game. Without loan to tie them down and with a day off to learn new tricks, employers be prepared to handle many new patterns from maids.

[peapot]

I think I would prefer maid to have fixed working hours eg 7 am to 8pm. After that, they will go back to their hostel to sleep. They can don’t work on every Sunday. And employers are not liable to what happen to them after "office" hours. The tax levy can be used to pay the hostel instead of paying govt.

[POA Teacher]

peapot:

I think I would prefer maid to have fixed working hours eg 7 am to 8pm. After that, they will go back to their hostel to sleep. They can don't work on every Sunday. And employers are not liable to what happen to them after \"office\" hours. The tax levy can be used to pay the hostel instead of paying govt.

Some people need the maid to sleep in. eg those looking after feeble elderly folks

[Precious2.012911lee]

I told my maid I could not afford to give her off days. On the other hand, in appreciation of her effort and hard work, I will pay her year end bonus and she will get to travel with us during the school holidays. Anyway, she's totally thrifty and does not mind staying home on weekend. It's a win-win situation for both parties. I am really lucky to have her but when her contract ends next Dec (after working for me for 6 years), she has to return home and get married. With this new ruling, it's going to be a nightmare for me. I read the Singaporemaid blog and after hearing all those feedback from the employers, I know it is getting increasingly tough to get a reasonably \"ok\" maid. What makes the matter worse is that our MOM is not even supporting us!! Recently, my friend applied for a new maid and the agent asked her to select fast as the agency fee (exclude the 7-8 mth salary advancement) is going to be raised to almost $2k by end of this year. If this is true, it's really very ex!! I do not understand why is there a need to pay so much for agency fee?!

[MizzNAH]

Haiz, its really a nightmare getting a new maid. I was thinking of getting a new one too. Having previously 9 maids working for me, I must admit that maid now are very much different from 16 years back.

[panickymum]

Coolkidsrock2:

My past maids had been thankful that they had no off days (and their salary goes straight into their bank accounts as I pay for everything) so that they can return home with sufficient savings to buy their house(s), land and/or set up own small business so that they (hopefully) no longer need to work overseas. Some of them had specifically asked to have no off day. With freedom comes responsibility which some maids are not ready for and there may be potential consequences which have to be unfairly borne by employers .

I really envy you of having such maid (neednot off day ). I try not to give them off day but bring them overseas , universal studio , wherever my kids go . But they still want off day .
My ex maid got bf , keep asking advance pay , bring bf to fetch my girls from Sch , threatened them not to tell me etc. all this happen after giving her off day . She used to be a very gd helper .
I wonder can government helps us on these problems ?

Not not we are trying to be bad but there are too many examples !

[Coolkidsrock2]

peapot:

I think I would prefer maid to have fixed working hours eg 7 am to 8pm. After that, they will go back to their hostel to sleep. They can don't work on every Sunday. And employers are not liable to what happen to them after \"office\" hours. The tax levy can be used to pay the hostel instead of paying govt.

I totally support this arrangement and hope there can be such arrangement in Singapore. In Hong Kong, some maids have to rent their own accomodation, normally caged bed space, if their employers do not have space for them. They will then travel to employer's house by public transport.