Really impossible to direct hire Indonesian maid?

[dancingmama]

Hi Sugarbug, can i have the agency contact too? Still surviving without help for 2 months but ex-helper called today to come back. Thanks!!

[heysugarbug]

pro_circle:

heysugarbug:

Hi ladies, I have been researching over the past week because I intend to bring my former Indonesian maid back. So far, I have spoken to a few agents, some of whom have suggested that she go in through the tourist route. However, my husband and I, as well as our maid are uncomfortable with this idea because there's no real assurance that she can come back in again the next time she goes back to Indonesia (we may travel into the country for vacations and may take her along).


I've had various quotes ranging from $450 - $1800 on agency fees (Singapore side) alone to arrange the direct hire. This does not include any other incidentals on the Indonesian side.

So I've finally settled on one agency who gave me a most reasonable quote, and everything will be done legally. The total expense is about $2.1K and I've negotiated with my helper to co-pay. That means the agent doesn't get any $$$ her. All money matters are liaised through us.

This includes:
a) Singapore agent fees for paperwork
b) Indonesian agent fees
c) KTKLN application (you can save $200 if she has a valid one)
d) Passport renewal/application (you can save about $100-250 if she has a valid one or if she can do it on her own)
e) Mandatory insurance (MOM)
f) Airfare (+/-)

It so happens that my helper's KTKLN and Passport are due for expiry, so I cannot escape that expenditure. Otherwise, we could save about $450.

My maid is not in yet, and we are just starting on the planning and paperwork. So I cannot yet tell about the entire experience. However the agent has been pretty responsive so far and I like his attitude.

HOW IS THE EXPERIENCE???

My maid arrived in Singapore after Christmas. It was generally smooth and I was very happy with the agency. There was a slight delay over on the Indonesian side with their government administration/paperwork and all, but the Singapore agent was very consistent in keeping me updated. It worked both ways - either they called me or I smsed/called them to find out.

In fact, most of my dealings with them was over the phone and never once did they ask me to make any form of payment. Although I was supposed to put in a small deposit, they decided to wait until the whole process was over and I paid them in full. This means that they forked out the money first to pay her airfare, as well as the passport and KTKLN application. Please don't take this as a precedent though. I think it's only fair to pay them a deposit first, but I was impressed that they went this extra mile.

If you'd like the agent's contact, please do PM me as I don't always come to the thread.

[heysugarbug]

Hi raeshaecheong, preggymom and dancingmama, I've sent you a PM with the agent's contact

[oceanx]

BuSy JuNeBuG:

Sounds like you and your maid are very lucky! My maid, who had worked for another SG employer previously and who is also pretty experienced, said that generally they would just get a maid passport - cheaper and easier (but then again, to get the KTKLN, they still have to buy Indon insurance and pay the authorised Indon agent. So maybe the cost cancels itself out or it might even cost more than an ordinary/tourist passport once the cost of KTKLN/insurance is factored in). She also mentioned that Singapore ICA is known to stop women carrying ordinary Indon passports and question them at length on their reasons for visiting Singapore (need to show proof of hotel stay, sufficient money, etc.) and may turn them back if they are found to be coming to work. No info as to whether the employer had already gotten MOM approval and all the other documentation done. Again, all this is very anecdotal and can't be verified.

I have a question about the employment contract. Has anyone who has direct hired done the online registration of the contract described below and what happens if it is not done? Does it make it harder for the maid to apply for a KTKLN or does the maid run into problems the next time she needs to renew her passport at the embassy or in some other situation?

if i read busygal's posts correctly. with abit of my own additional notes and links, with great thanks to busygal's share of experience, i gather the following:

1. her maid came in with ordinary passport (48 pages) - Regular passport (48 pages) : IDR 255,000 - until end of 2014, then all new application must be E-passports (IDR 655,000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_passport

2. she applied legally on MOM website and paid for the WP, bonds, insurance, medical checks (SITA) as required by Singapore Govt. http://www.mom.gov.sg/services-forms/Pages/wp-online-fdw.aspx

3. she sends her maid the one-way air ticket and all Sg documents (IPA letter, security bonds, insurance). (email is best)

4. her maid left indonesia with the air ticket as a tourist and does not show any Sg documents upon her departure (indonesians can stay in singapore for 30 days - landing visa) - in fact if indonesia immigration questions can just say she is coming to singapore to visit friend (friend's address) for holiday and will take ferry on her return trip.

5. Once reach Singapore, her maid shows the immigration officer the sg docs... enter w/o problems.

6. Go to SITA checkup, apply insurance online, and pick up WP card within 3-5 working days.

KTKLN card might be an issue on her return trip to Indonesia, \"if\" immigration officer checks how long she had left indonesia. Best to get hold of a valid KTKLN card before departure, http://mynotzs.blogspot.sg/2012/11/overseas-workers-id-card-ktkln.html , Apply online: http://ktkln.bnp2tki.go.id/ , apply at local offices : http://ktkln.bnp2tki.go.id/lokasi_ktkln.pdf
KTKLN card itself is free, but you need to get an insurance which costs about Rp290,000 for 2 years..

For Ex-FDW who had only recently left Singapore, should be able to get the KTKLN card done at Indonesia by signing the contract, and posting to Singapore and her employer in Singapore takes it to Indonesia embassy in Singapore for stamp. FDW went back to Indonesia for holiday, and she is renewing her contract after her holidays... \"should\" not be a problem.. after getting the contract stamped, just need the followings:
http://www.kemlu.go.id/singapore/Pages/AboutUs.aspx?IDP=108&l=en
1. Passport & Work Permit (try with her old work permit copy scan + new IPA letter)
2. Employment Contract, endorsed by Indonesian Embassy
3. She will also need to purchase premium of workers' insurance in Indonesia, Rp. 290.000 for 2 years. or Rp. 170.000 for 1 year. Processing time: one day service.

[anggie78]

heysugarbug:

Hi raeshaecheong, preggymom and dancingmama, I've sent you a PM with the agent's contact

hey heysugarbug, will it be convenient to share with me the contacts of the agency that you did your direct hiring with? I have a ex-maid who I really trust and wish to bring her over.

Thanks

[heysugarbug]

Hi anggie78, sorry I missed your post because I don’t come here regularly. The best way is to PM me and I’ll get notified. Will drop you a pm.

[Cynsem78]

Hi sugar bug,


Can u pm me the agent contact as well? I need to get direct hire as well. Appreciated if you can share the contact. Thanks!

[koalarie]

Hi,


I have some queries on the procedures.

My mom has an Indonesia helper whose work permit will be expiring a week or two before her passport expires.

My mom has intention of not hiring her any longer and asks her to start looking for her new employer herself.

The helper wants to come back to Singapore still.

Should my mom go with her to renew the passport and renew the work permit with her before she goes back?

Or should she have the new employer to take over these necessary procedures given that when applying for the passport it is required for the embassy to receive the signed contract on her new salary she would be given?

What if we do not renew her passport and send her back instead and let her sort her passport renewal while she is in the country, would this be easier for her?

[POA Teacher]

If your mum does not intend to continue hiring her, it’s not advisable to renew WP in your mum’s name.

[leb]

was advised by an agency that in order to apply for the KTKLN card, the maid must clock 400 hours at the Indo training centre. could anyone with experience of direct hire verify this? mine is a fresh maid with no experience and passport. Thks