All About Full-Time Maids

[KSmom8]

straffan23:

Well, the thing that employers are most upset about is that the contract that we keep on talking about only protects the maid, right? They actually can come and go anytime they like, make any demands they like (don't like you can let them go and they will be happy anyway).... nothing to say if you have given them what they want, they MUST complete the contract! For all you know, she takes her bonus (which of course, she is entitled to)... then she ask for a plane ticket home 1 month from now. Or a transfer... or...

Yes. Agree. Employers always at losing end. Maids get what they want and maid agents laughing all the way to the bank.

Where are the laws and regulations to protect and help employers? Want more babies and more women in workforce? Haha...won't succeed with things the way they are. So sad.

[mummy OnABudget]

sigh my old one is ok with coming back but she does not want to see my hubby face see the dilemma i am facing ><

[KSmom8]

mummy OnABudget:

sigh my old one is ok with coming back but she does not want to see my hubby face see the dilemma i am facing ><

I empathize with you.

DH once lost temper at exmaid. She talked back over something that was clearly her fault. After that, i had to speak to DH not to get involved in maid matters.

Now I'm middleman, DH not happy with way my current maid does something, he tell me and I discuss with her. Maid wants to perform her chores another way, she discuss with me and I inform DH.

[mummy OnABudget]

haiz dh was saying if this one goes den i go maidless ><

[matrix0405]

straffan23:

Just to share, I renewed my Indo maid's contract in May 2011. Her salary went up from $360 to $400 within the first year, and upon renewal, $430. End of this year, I would have to renew the contract again (passport expiry). So, I will most probably have to pay her $500 (if I want a maid, at all)... because, while she has her imperfections, it is better to pay her (the devil I know, $500)... then to pay someone else (the angel/devil I still do not know, $500 or more!). Plus the agency fees, maid loan, etc etc, right?

Known devil/angel is better than an unknown. Don expect the new $500 to be more skill or more experienced then the $360. It is the same thing, u just pay more.

[KSmom8]

mummy OnABudget:

haiz dh was saying if this one goes den i go maidless ><

It's a tough situation you are in.

I will seriously consider whether to do without a maid if things get worse with my current maid. So far, I can close one eye, sometimes both eyes. I think now that kids are older, i could try to do without a maid. Unless...I return back to work, then that's a problem. DH is the one who is not so keen to do without a maid...too pampered by MIL since young.

[KSmom8]

matrix0405:

straffan23:

Just to share, I renewed my Indo maid's contract in May 2011. Her salary went up from $360 to $400 within the first year, and upon renewal, $430. End of this year, I would have to renew the contract again (passport expiry). So, I will most probably have to pay her $500 (if I want a maid, at all)... because, while she has her imperfections, it is better to pay her (the devil I know, $500)... then to pay someone else (the angel/devil I still do not know, $500 or more!). Plus the agency fees, maid loan, etc etc, right?

Known devil/angel is better than an unknown. Don expect the new $500 to be more skill or more experienced then the $360. It is the same thing, u just pay more.

Agree. However, sometimes can't tolerate the known devil anymore, then might have better luck with an unknown. Depends on employer's level of tolerance. In my opinion, there's no perfect maid.

But if new maid's salary is $x, then the known devil will expect $x plus more for experience, upon renewal. Sometimes, need to consider whether the known devil's work quality is worth paying the \"plus more\".

[mummy OnABudget]

yea most prob will go maidless since my eldest is 12 can help around already if her demands get too sky high got to let her go even if i dont want too.

[Coolkidsrock2]

Should be manageable if not working since your eldest is already independent. As the kids grow older, they will have more activities outside so it will probably be 1 meal a day. With less people home, less mess and perhaps close more windows or at least less wide open, less dust collected, less cleaning.


I treat my household chores like my work, always reviewing the process with the aim to cut and make it more efficient and effective.

[POA Teacher]

Now with the new maids getting weekly days off, how many current maids and their employers are misinterpreting the regulations?


My maid just informed me that her friend was informed by her employer that from now on she is entitled to a day off every week. And that if SHE chooses not to take a day off, they have to top up her pay.