All About Full-Time Maids

[Tamama]

Hi all, I am new to here. Want to ask for all your opinion about my maid's salary.

My maid is finishing her very first contract with us this December. This is her first job experience in singapore. I have asked her if she would like to continue to work. She said she doesn't want to stay with us but go to get a new employer. She is expecting she can earn $800 a month.
I know that it's very reasonable to have a increase salary if we renew her contract so I have prepared to give her a rise from her recent salary ($400) to $480. She is having 4 days off a month and would be no change if she renews with us.
But when she told me she is asking $800 it really make my chin dropped :yikes: and I have to swallowed my words that I planned to say.
May I know if $800 reasonable price for a two yr experience helper? :?
What should I do? :?

[nms1]

Tamama:

Hi all, I am new to here. Want to ask for all your opinion about my maid's salary.

My maid is finishing her very first contract with us this December. This is her first job experience in singapore. I have asked her if she would like to continue to work. She said she doesn't want to stay with us but go to get a new employer. She is expecting she can earn $800 a month.
I know that it's very reasonable to have a increase salary if we renew her contract so I have prepared to give her a rise from her recent salary ($400) to $480. She is having 4 days off a month and would be no change if she renews with us.
But when she told me she is asking $800 it really make my chin dropped :yikes: and I have to swallowed my words that I planned to say.
May I know if $800 reasonable price for a two yr experience helper? :?
What should I do? :?

She has got to be kidding!

I have just renewed my Filipina maid and given her an increase from $400 - $450. She has about 6 years experience in Singapore including her 2 years with us. Even the long-serving maids with expat employers will not be earning $800.

I would suggest that you tell her what you are willing to offer and that if she won't accept it then you will release her from her contract. Give her 2 weeks to find an employer who will pay her $800!

[heysugarbug]

$800 for a helper with only 2 years experience? Wow. Personally I doubt any employer would take that risk since there is no guarantee that she’s really good… unless you give her a glowing testimonial, of course. I know I wouldn’t. With the amount of money you’d be spending (est $1.2k-$2k) including her salary, utilities, food, levy and going out expenses (which are all hidden costs)… I reckon you can use this money to engage a local to come to your house daily to clean for you.

[Tamama]

Thanks guys for your prompt replies.

I thought I would need to keep her until her contract finishes in December then I can release her? As she has not done anything wrong, although her performance is so-so.
I mean I don’t know that I can release her earlier… Cos I have looked up to some transfer maids and most of them request immediate start…
She said her cousin got $600 when she comes here last yr… Sigh… Even she asked for $600 i won’t be able to offer her!
She did ask me for a testimonial. Since I hate writing appraisal kind of thing, I rejected her and just asked her to have her potential employer to call me instead.

[nms1]

Tamama:

Thanks guys for your prompt replies.

I thought I would need to keep her until her contract finishes in December then I can release her? As she has not done anything wrong, although her performance is so-so.
I mean I don't know that I can release her earlier... Cos I have looked up to some transfer maids and most of them request immediate start...
She said her cousin got $600 when she comes here last yr... Sigh... Even she asked for $600 i won't be able to offer her!
She did ask me for a testimonial. Since I hate writing appraisal kind of thing, I rejected her and just asked her to have her potential employer to call me instead.

If she hasn't done anything wrong then you should let her complete her contract. It is up to you whether you want to send her back afterwards or allow her to start looking for a new employer. If she manages to find one quickly you may be able to release her and take another transfer maid for yourself.

[gumiho]

Tamama:

Hi all, I am new to here. Want to ask for all your opinion about my maid's salary.

My maid is finishing her very first contract with us this December. This is her first job experience in singapore. I have asked her if she would like to continue to work. She said she doesn't want to stay with us but go to get a new employer. She is expecting she can earn $800 a month.
I know that it's very reasonable to have a increase salary if we renew her contract so I have prepared to give her a rise from her recent salary ($400) to $480. She is having 4 days off a month and would be no change if she renews with us.
But when she told me she is asking $800 it really make my chin dropped :yikes: and I have to swallowed my words that I planned to say.
May I know if $800 reasonable price for a two yr experience helper? :?
What should I do? :?

Your helper must be daydreaming. :stupid:
May I know which nationality is she ?

[peapot]

I read in the papers there are Philip maid earning $700-$800 a month. So I believe it’s possible. However whether it’s easy to find such employer and where to find is the question. Perhaps she may have friends who has expats willing to pay that kind of pay? Who knows? Since her heart not here better to let her go. I also understand that now Philip maid are demanding $500 and above for experienced maid.

[janet88]

My grandmother's Filipino maid is getting $500. She has worked here for 14 years, looking after a girl from birth. She has Sundays off. She also yaya-papaya...my kids can't stand her...but i warned them to keep quiet.


$800 :yikes:

[peapot]

Sigh!! I m trying tolerate my current maid. She tell her previous employer that she is very tired but everyday 2.30pm she is very free. She prepares dinner at 3.30pm?? Who the hell will prepare so early? Reason being she too free, paisei because I m on leave at home, pretend to do something. So now the previous employer feel so heartache for her. Good grief!! Sometimes I wonder the previous employer is the mother or what?!! That’s why it is not a good idea if previous employer keep close in contact with the maid and choose to side her.


The employer even know her daily routine and what we eat for breakfast!!! I got abit pissed like the maid is the spy or something. Feel like changing her but once I called the agency and heard about the amount of money I have to pay, I withdraw my application. Aiyo, headache!

[Tamama]

Yeah. I can feel that her heart is not here already! We are a not-so-wealthy expat family so we are not going to pay that amt to her or to other maids. She is a filipino and only has 10 month experience in hk before she came. Seems like I have to plan to get another maid from now. Sigh… 480 is not bad already… Sigh…