hquek:

jtoh:

If a Filipino maid goes on home leave, she'll need to get paperwork done at the embassy right? One of which is a contract which states that her salary must be minimum USD400 and one day off every week. So if a maid goes on home leave, we have to up her salary to USD400? Agencies say that you can tell the maid that we will not follow the contract. But the maid can always bring the contract to the embassy for enforcement?


What are your experiences and views on this?

I hear of pp signing another contract privately superseding the USD400 to bring the salary back to the original agreed amount. I think that's the best way to protect oneself. Verbal can never stand up in court. I would never trust any agency that just rely on 'say' - black and white is king. If the maid would bring that contract to the embassy, I would then produce the latter copy. IN such cases, it'll be the end of the employer/ee relationship - but I won't pay USD400 unless i see that kind of value in that maid's work.

My maid is brought in a year plus ago with POEA (that is this agreement on US400 salary and 1 day off per week). The agency made all parties sign another contract to supersede this POEA when the maid come into Spore. She was a fresh new maid, not renewal case.

[quote=\"gumiho

Haiz... I find it so hard to deal with filipino maid. They are giving me this impression that we are out to cheat them. [/quote]

It is their \"victimised\" mentality at work lor.

This maid of yours is too calculative.
You may have problems managing her even if she really returns from her home leave 'cos she already have you under her thumb (Plse pardon my frankness.)
You should seriously think abt the change.
Maid Loan can use post-dated cheques which will spread out your cost outlay. Anyway, you will also need to use the same amt (if not more) for your current maid's salary if she returns.

If you really dun wan to change, then you may have to just take the risk to let her take back all the money and hope for the best lor.
Btw, are you so sure that she wans to renew the contract with you? Is there a hidden agenda to all these \"stubborn-ness\" and \"unreasonableness\" and \"counting every cents with employer\"?
Maybe, you wan to ponder over this.

gumiho:

[quote]

Seeing your other replies, yes, I agree you have been too lax with your maid and your maid also dun have brains to realise she has a good employer and it'll be to her good to stay in your good books. Sorry if I'm blunt.

Anyway, if my maid remits all her money to hubby, I would subtly feed her stories of other maids - send all the money home (to father/hubby) and end up with nothing at all. Too many of such I have heard. I would think she will be back - just not sure with which employer.

In this case, I would advise you to stand firm. Airfares very ex during that time AND you have to bear additional costs in arranging for that home leave (I get the idea that phil gov never lets up on any chance to milk money out of this).

Why not tell her also that when she is back, she can remit all the money that was kept in SG and you bear the remittance cost? It should be far less than your potential loss if she doesn't come back.

Remind her subtly of how good you have been to her these months/years...sometimes these pp need to hear other horror stories to know how good their employer is to them. [/quote]Our current helper are simply too stubborn to listen. I did feed her with story that husband having scandal when wife are working overseas and she replied \"My husband is scare of me.\"

I had offered to bear her remittance charges when she is back from Home Leave however she refuse. She protested that her family need $$ therefore she cannot afford me to retain single cent of her $$.

She did received complains from our neighbourhood maid about been lock at home / not enough food to eat / full of restriction from employers....etc.

Just feel that we are been taken for granted. [/quote]

Maids nearing the end of contract can be v difficult to handle. I have one at home now, so I know. They tend to think that they've \"sacrifice\" a lot already and now that they are so-called experienced maids, it is time for them to exert their \"independence\". Anyway, they are not lacking potential employers outside, who may be able to give them better pay, better environment and can pander to their every whims and fancy. So, they are not afraid to leave your household and move on.

So, as employers, we must not be afraid to change maids. We can try to accomodate whatever we can, but if the demands are beyond us and bordering unreasonableness, then it may be better to let the maid go. Don't hv to keep thinking that they have taken us for granted, that we have been so nice to them....you will only make yourself feel v miserable. Just treat everything as business and for your next maid, don't need to be so nice 'cos they will not remember when they start to make their demands.

gumiho:

jtoh:

What would you do if your maid who's only worked for you a few months and hasn't finished paying off her loan yet, says her father has passed away and she wants to go back? Of course she won't have the money to buy the air ticket, so you'll have to pay for the ticket. Plus applying for home leave means signing a contract with the Philippines Embassy ==> higher pay, PLUS all the problems with maids coming out now, she may not be able to come out again.


What would you do? Allow home leave or not? If yes, what steps to take to prevent problems with maid not coming back or not able to come back. If you think it's better for her not to go on home leave, how can you persuade her that it's better for her not to go?

Right now I'm facing a similiar incident.

I will not let the maid go.
If she becomes difficult, I will change maid.
Reasons are she has only worked for you for a few months and she still has loan. If she goes back and dont come back again, you are at the losing end....in terms of money 'cos you cannot get back the loan money from the agency, and time 'cos you will need to find a new maid quickly, or take leave from work to do the stuff she is supposed to do. How to trust someone who has only worked for you for a few months to stick to her promise? I will go strictly by contract 'cos she is new.
Don't need to think of ways to persuade her lah....I will just call my agent to talk to maid.

kwokwc:

I am taking a powder drink that is make up of whole grains, wheats, fruits and vege - Lacto Fiber. The main purpose is to give fiber to our body so that is cleanse our digestive system.


If taken 1/2 hour before food, it does give you the filling feeling so that you won't eat as much. To a certain extend, it has help me curb my eating. So now for my dinner, I have cut down by 1/2 on my rice, taking more vege and protein. Not sure if you will be interested in this. Since it is made from natural ingredient, it is more safe than those pills. I am still breastfeeding and this drink is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mum too.

How does it taste?
I tried one of such fibre products and the taste is yucky.
Felt like I'm drinking slime mixed with hay.
Only took 2 times and that's it.
The pack is still in my office drawers.

Nthg yet.

I was deciding betw Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone, but Galaxy S has a cam with no flash!
A cam in my phone is v impt to me n flash is a necessity for a cam, so Galaxy S is out for me at this moment.
Everything points to iPhone, but I was told iPhone is v restrictive 'cos of iTunes (unless I do a jail-break). Plus iPhone is more costly.
So, now back to square 1.

I need to \"study\" more and rationalise more :lol:

Thanks for the info


Really need the info as I'm currently looking out for a phone and is toying between getting an iPhone or an Android phone.

catang:

i have gotten a new maid and so far so gd but she's unable to get her work permit as the previous one has to be transferred out b4 current can go for thumb printing.


just wondering any of u ever need sign food and lodging form as i have never done it with other agencies. this agency is PLP Management located at Tampines Mart

How many kids do you hv?
If you hv more than 1, then new maid can be tagged to another kid.
Else, i think it is still possible as long as you've signed the intent to transfer form. MOM will give in-principle approval. You call up MOM to ask. I hv a v strong feeling that your agency is trying to eat you.

I've never signed any food n lodging form when i transfer maids. Usually, this food n lodging fee is waived. You have to check your contract to see how many days you are liable for such expenses (levy n food/lodging). Mine is only 14 days. If it is indeed 1 mth, then maybe it is better to cancel work permit, buy budget air ticket and let maid go home. It will cost less. Unless your maid has outstanding loans. You need to do your sums.

I support!

No lah. They are looking for \"commitment\".

You must be committed to be available almost everytime they call you and that you may be required to do more than the required 40 hours. So, if you are being called up even if you have completed 40 hours, plse don't be rude and tell them that you have already finish your duty so they shld not call you anymore.