pp62:

Hi everyone here, can I understand n seek answers on the following :


1.can our domestic helper request to keep their own passport?
2. If so, during off days, they can go jb or batam without informing us?
3.what if anything happens to them outside spore? Are we liable? I only bot the most basic insurance pkg
4.with passport on hand, can they also enter casino?

In the presence of agent, my FDW was told employer should keep her passport. This is done before recruitment fees were paid.
Read blog: http://maid-employer.blogspot.com/p/all-topics.html
Employers keeping passports is just one norm to avoid runaway maids. Trust is built but I rather play safe. Don't want one day get home found child without FDW, home alone and faced with runaway maid headaches... find new maid, etc.

A good, sensible and responsible FDW won't oppose your request to keep her passport. FDW up to no good will strongly demand her passport or throw you many stories or made up facts. Activists support FDWs to keep their passports.... but to your disadvantage. Nobody will pity employer. Nobody/organisation will render help. Agency will be most delighted to have you as a return or new customer.

FDW can run off without suffering any consequences. Most FDWs are well treated, pampered by current MOM laws. You see elaborated news report of bad employers but bad maids' news were hidden or made vague, no photo/no \"juicy\" blow up. Runaway FDWs have no punishment/fine nor will FDWs have problem getting new employers .... FDW can lie you've abused her, new employer won't know whether FDW escaped to find a carefree, little responsibilities job. If you still have maid loan .... :imdrowning: :sad: :stupid: ... inconveniences and costs are on you. If agent played a part in FDW's runaway or ever created issues on passport ownership, eg human rights, beware that you will be the one suffering and emptying your pocket. 没人同情或可怜你 因为你被朔造像万能 无坚不摧的恶雇主. Agent acting on your behalf but can't share your worries/fear and preaching something you know is to your disadvantage .... then good luck. Don't underestimate FDWs, they are clever, demanding and certainly NOT STUPID. Hi-tech devices have helped modern FDWs to move to such good situations and terms.

Keeping FDW passport can be one of the pre-employment questions. 人性本善，纯朴的人跳进大染缸不应小瞧。学好三年 学坏三天。避免不必要的状况发生是你自保 自救的方法

As an ill fated/unlucky employer, anything happens to your FDW, be it in Spore, off day, other countries, U R FULLY RESPONSIBLE, regardless whose fault or it is obviously FDW's negligence. Most basic insurance can't cover if there's high medical cost involved.

https://www.casetrust.org.sg/Download

Based on MOM/CASE Spore FDW standard contract, the correct FDW entitlement is:
\"13.\tShould both parties (Employer and FDW) agree to extend this contract, she (the FDW) shall be entitled to ______ days [recommended 15 days] of paid home leave (inclusive of a return ticket to her City of origin).


Philippines contract expects employer to be liable for 15 days leave yearly. This is obviously showing no respect to Spore, the country that gave FDWs a decent job and plentiful money to feed source countries, as well as agencies. MOM didn't endorse this contract. You work in a Spore company, signed the employment contract and then make a fuss... just because you realised other companies have better terms, are you morally right? Nobody forced you to sign, you wanted a job so agreed to the terms, isn't it? Why push the blame to others because of your itchy fingers?

We have our laws yet source country is not adhering, bullying the little red dot. This is Philippines Embassy's contract http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/SECD.pdf.
For years, before the salary was on par with US$400, FDWs and employers are forced to sign this contract in order to be granted home leave (OEC). Most employers were told by agents to sign blindly, that contract is not binding, it was just to make OEC application a breeze. Our laws are being twisted by foreigners, you feel good? By agreeing to this, it is employer's kindness to give more but don't assume this 15 calendar days for every year of service is correct or brainwashed by evildoers to think you were cheated by employers.

Based on Embassy contract \"9. Vacation leave with full pay of not less than 15 calendar days for every year of service to be availed of upon completion of the contract.\" Vacation leave was mentioned but not round trip air ticket. MOM's home leave entitlement is available after completion of a 2-year contract, a renewal would entitle FDW to 15 days leave +return air ticket.

Assuming an experience maid's salary (worked a few years) is S$550 so 15 days is $275. A ticket to Manila on budget airline is about $250 = $525 Sg contract leave benefits. Embassy: 15 calendar days for every year of service = 15 x 2 yr. 30 days is one month so equiv to $550 Philippines contract leave benefits. FDW who chose this ought to buy own air ticket for yearly trip. In conclusion, depends on preference, the home leave entitlement is of not much difference. Read the terms, don't be coerced to give something you don't feel right or FDW's service simply not worth it. If your FDW is like mine just satisfactory, need to close eyes at times and you don't feel like getting a new maid (gamble) who might be worse.... weight the pros and cons. If you can afford letting a demanding 狮子大开口 FDW off and get replacement easily, you won't be entangled and forced to lower your expectations.

FDWs want to work, intend to renew contract to get home leave, above standard contract which was signed by FDWs has to be taken as the right model. If you don't show basic respect to the host country and just want to make trouble, ignored the terms on MOM/CASE standard contract, such FDWs should be fired to avoid headaches. She sings her tune proudly, you can't do anything to her. Nowadays, FDWs aren't vulnerable, they know what are their advantage, protectors/activists and rights. FDWs aren't submissive and easy to manage. :imdrowning: :?:

Signed above MOM/CASE contract but lied don't know in order to be given perks out of contract .... giving in would just make FDW become bold and more demanding. As mentioned, it is employer's kindness to give more but don't assume FDW deserves it.

Personally, I give my FDW yearly 15 days home leave but only the home leave after 2 year completion and renewal is fully paid.
Read: Maid's (FDW) employers faced unfair policies http://maid-employer.blogspot.com/2016/09/maids-fdw-employers-faced-unfair.html
Filipino maid's Home Leave (OEC) http://maid-employer.blogspot.com/2013/09/filipino-maids-home-leave.html

My FDW took her first home leave when she was half a year with me. She asked me before I hired her. My annual leave are reserved for her absence. This year, she wanted to go home in Oct then changed to Dec but due to Xmas high ticket cost, she decided not to go home this year. Also, she kept whining no money, thus, I told her to think properly. It is irritating that out of goodwell, I let her go home yet was 'pestered/bombarded by her'. Waste money or save the money for her family and herself to spend.... as an adult, 38 years old, she should have the brain to think well. It is tiring to keep reminding and counselling her. Having a FDW is like babysitting a big baby. :rant: Don't forget when FDW is absent, who is taking over the FDW's duties. Sometimes, I get really frustrated when my FDW kept pestering for longer absence eg one month leave. She refused to understand that I have a job at stake if she's gone for too long. This is what we call, give an inch, take a yard.... some FDWs aren't appreciative of what you've done. Yes, you should be kind and understanding but some people just take things for granted, failed to count their blessings (in disguise).

matrix0405:

KSmom8:

I'm considering terminating my Phil maid's contract prematurely and sending her home.


Her contract with me states that \" either party may terminate this contract by giving 7 days' notice.\"

:?: Any suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If got young kids, send her back home before she do more damages. No point sending her to agent and pay for and be liable for her for another 14 days. 1-way Air tickets come to abt the same.

I agree sending her home if she has no loan is CHEAPER and safer.
Most agencies charge $20 per day. If your maid (of any nationality) takes a long time to fish for her preferred employer, let's say she sat in the agency for 7 to 21 days without lifting a finger to work, physically not in your house, you are still liable to pay eg 21 days X $20 = $$420. After adding the non refundable maid agency fee from S$500 to $1800, levy and insurance, your damages is a lot more than you thought! If she gets into trouble when you kindly gave her termination notice, what if she did something very bad to you or your children, can you take it?

To make her feel better, maybe you can consider paying her for that 7 days notice.

Better to ask her to pack up and fly the day she's flying off. Too kind to let her call her friends or have chance to hide things or $ .... u bear the consequences. Up to you to decide, just a suggestion, a shield ... play safe than to regret. The questions: Can you afford to place your love ones at risks? Are you able to monitor maid during that 7 days? Do you trust her fully?

chemistry:

matrix0405:

[quote=\"esmummy\"]Just a suggestion when considering someone as a potential helper: look her up in Facebook. You'd be surprised/shocked at what you find.

Sigh, these maid nowadays are not stupid. Like my maid, she used another name on FB. But i also not stupid, i have saved the url when she use her real name initially on FB. Her name can changed and change, but the url will never change.

Sometime, we have to close one eye too. As long as they dun go overboard, I will not stop her from using FB or phone. They are human afterall.[/quote]
My current Fil maid super smart. Before I employed her, I couldn't find her profile in FB. She used her real name (maybe she changed after joining my house), anyway, don't know what she did, I had a tough time searching and gave up. She doesn't comment online, she chat behind the scene... accidently saw she has 35 Chats when I went to kitchen one of the evenings. She simply left her mobile on the desk with her typing Tagalog halfway... she knew I don't understand Tagalog so very safe for her to text.

There are people who befriended her but seemed like restricted zone so I couldn't see any 'naughty' conversation, picture or BF. The info in her FB is extremely simple and dry. Didn't talk about personal life, communicate with her friends or family.

How to gain access without her knowing it is me? I'm not a FB user so to me, I find it hard to know what kind of person she is and be mentally prepared for the worst. I have a feeling she is trying to get hook up to Hong Kong thru FB. Trying to get out of my house and fly to HK for better job opportunity. Nobody dares to employ her in Spore cos she is a world record job hopper. Only silly me, the dumbest, thought she'll change for the better after I employed her ... so call last chance to claim that she's not at fault for sitting in the maid agency, unable to complete a 2-yr contract. Sad to say, she wants to be what she prefers, remain stubborn and prideful, blaming each job transfer as pure bad luck, nothing to do with her working attitude ... she manages me, not me. :stupid:

If MOM is really thinking of increasing the FDW levy and wants to encourage those who are holding work permits to employ FDWs, the ideal levy for this group of employers is S$500/mth. PRs pay $400/mth (normal rate) while qualified citizens remain as paying a concession rate of $120/mth.


In Budget 2013, it was announced that those paying concession rate of $170/mth will receive $50 discount so means some employers are paying $120/mth. I hope this will be the discounted/final amount regardless levy is increased till whatever amount. Those who qualified for FDW grant, if I read the budget correctly, it means paying zero value. I hope it remains … zero, based on per capita income.

The current (normal rate) levy to employ a foreign domestic worker is S$265/mth. If my suggestion is workable, in future, employers who want 2 maids working in the same address should pay $800-1000 for their 2nd FDW. The NPTD paper estimated Singapore will need 300,000 maids by year 2030 so I don’t think MOM wants to 见财化水，不能从中牟利.

Work permit-employers don’t need to worry that they will be weeded out. They will still be able to employ cheap maids (compared to western countries), continue to show $power and be the most desirable employers in maids’ view. By offering a private room to the FDW, shorter working hours, give extra off days (not just weekly rest day) …. these are + + +!

Our PAP still have plenty of rooms for improvement. I hope PAP/MOM is not up to some dirty tricks, one hand gives and the other hand takes back $$ in double!

There should be a great difference between Citizens, PRs and Foreigners. The same theory for healthcare and education, foreigners are paying more. Citizens should ultimately be the ones enjoying the country's benefits and receive subsidized rate for holding pink ICs, not forgetting our male citizens went thru National Service for this land.


I have suggested banning work permit holders, namely the expats from employing maids because they offered extremes to their maids, causing the increase in maid's demand and salary (Hong Kong experience DH receives about S$650/mth, weekly off days and public holidays off. In Spore, inexperience FDW gets $450 to 500+170 = $670... higher than an experience HK domestic helper). FDWs in Spore can have unlimited chances to be transferred to other employers but HK or Taiwan DHs do not enjoy such entitlement.

One unhappy expat commented in my blog \"There is a lot of hate in this thread towards 'foreigners', whether they be FDW's or 'expats'. I am a foreigner. I have lived in Singapore for 8 years. I do not have an expat package and am not a tai-tai. I work for a living like most people, I balance child care and working and the home. I own a business that employs 30 Singaporeans. I also have an FDW to help me balance children, home & work. Why am I not as worthy as you of an FDW?\"

This post doesn't belong to this thread but related to MOM.

nms1:

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/mom-looking-revising-maid-levies-20130724

MAID levies could be revised again, say industry players, as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has called for a rare closed-door discussion next week on theissue.

The ministry sent an e-mail earlier this month inviting maid agents and other interested parties to a meeting to seek their views on the fee, sources told The Straits Times yesterday.

The invitation was a surprise, said agents. Such a discussion had not been called for many years, theysaid.

When the authorities revised the levy previously, agents found out only through official announcements.

Don't understand why MOM only inviting maid agents. Maid agents need not pay levy, WE, the employers are paying. Wonder what MOM trying to partner with maid agents .... never stop making my life miserable. :nailbite:

I feel Expats or persons holding work permits should be banned from employing FDW. If they really need to employ maid, they should pay more than citizens, eg $500/month as maid levy. :rahrah:

I would like to add that MOM should reward FDW who has completed 2 year contract with the same employer. Part of the levy MOM collected ought to be given to a good maid. This will encourage FDW to stay with one employer and do her job as per agreement... the best service attitude that she could offer. Let's say S$100 per month per FDW taken from MOM levy, so 24 months of good service = a bonus of at least S$2400, isn't this tempting to the maid? Won't this be good encouragement? It is indirectly telling the maid her loan has been offset by good performance.

Maids who worked hard must be rewarded. MOM should not eat maid's money in the form of levy. Employers paid a lot but on appearance, we're only paying a miserable sum of S$500 per FDW. This cost should include levy. Hongkong and Taiwan get Sg trained experienced maids for about S$650/month. I pay a fresh filipino $500 + $170 levy = $670 but only entitled to inexperience FDW. By adding a maid's live-in cost and non refundable placement fee, we paid about S$1500/month per FDW. This seems usual or low for people in the ministerial pay scale but is very high to me.

Those employers who have hired FDWs to look after special needs persons or frailed elderly/bedridden should get their levy totally removed, based on existing per capita (the current FDW grant requirement - AIC).

I hope MOM can be fairer to employers and don't keep siding maid agencies or source countries. This is Spore, a place we are born and living till we are old with our children. We are not foreigners who can earn big sums and then go back home to enjoy life with a much lower living standards.

janet_lee88:

With Indonesia calling us 'a child' for the help we rendered to them when they had earthquakes and tsunami, i think we seriously need to ask ourselves if we should continue helping them for such poor attitude.

Our ministers and its kakiah are good planners and easily over confident (even complacent). They made bad policies and recommend out-dated practices.
If something suddenly crops up, not according to their plans like the MRT massive breakdown or HAZE, they cannot come up with effective and timely solutions.

When people talk about SARS, they said no indication of its coming back. No need take precaution.
When people snatching N95 masks off the rack, they tell us there should be a limit to buy …. almost one week after haze attack.

So if maids do nasty things like claimed under too much stress, cannot cope with Sg life and decide to abuse or kill those placed in their care, Employers should allowed and give our ministers time to think about it? Wait and see how many died? No such thing as prevention?

Sg Ministers will only act when they think it is very serious. Spore is not prepared to manage emergencies or http://maid-employer.blogspot.sg/p/ministry-of-manpower-mom.html

By asking our govt to look at us, the FDW's employers is really hard. Govt has the same thinking as Indonesian (re: haze), we’re behaving like Child. Must wait till we suffocated than somebody up there will pretend to ‘visit and send you a bouquet of get well flowers’?? :razz:

:offtopic:


Indonesia' response on haze:
http://i39.tinypic.com/2mqrbd0.jpg\">

half or 1 million, Indo doesn't want cos they know Spore can give more .... RICH! Everybody assumed this little red dot is made of gold :lightrod:

kwcllf:

With Indonesia responsible for causing the worsening haze situation and Indon officials still talking big and blaming Singapore, Singapore ministers still dare not rebut.


Just like the maid situation, regulations so one sided, and this is just another example that Singapore is afraid of offending its neighbours?

because our govt/MOM doesn't care or intend to protect us so countries like Indo and Phil take the golden opportunity to squeeze us.
Good lobang and Spore like to act like super rich :sick: We need big countries to be our country's good kaki. How to offend them? If offend these big countries, our ministers won't be able to hit their KPIs, our economy will be affected .... then ministers' fat bonus and high salary kenna cut, how can they take this? so they must step on us .... somebody has to sacrifice and we looked like the most suitable ... cos nobody will stand up to protect and help us!

Pointing finger at Spore or sporeans is so easy! :frustrated:

We need more FDW source countries, countries that can offer good FDW service, really needed a job, poor and humble.


It is extremely unfair to make employers absorb the cost of FDW's placement fees (S$2,000, excluding insurance, SIP, levy, agency fee, etc). If maid wants a job in Spore, she should pay, otherwise, don't come! There's no such thing as Free Lunch! By making Employers foot their costs, it is encouraging Filipinos to job hop, show no job committment, come to Spore as princesses and give us more problems, can anytime say bye-bye because there's nothing .... no loan to tie them down. If maids want to save money, eliminate middlemen and maid agencies, as well as getting source govt to be involved .... they just want to load their pockets with money from the easiest targets .... Spore employers because we don't have a caring govt, our MOM are very pro-maid and pro-agency. :stompfeet:

Filipinos will be jumping with joy :rahrah: because MOM will endorse this by KEEPING QUIET. The existing MOM policies are so unfair yet Ministry of Manpower (MOM) didn't stop thinking of implementating more. Source countries are so demanding but MOM/PAP just sit back and watch us suffer.

If Philippines is determined to squeeze more money from FDW's Employers and make us look like idiots or ATM machines, I hope Filipino FDWs can vacant Spore. We don't need prideful Filipinos, expensive, stubborn and untrainable to remain here as live-in FDWs. Do you want to pay a high price for such a helper? Knowing that the money you've paid may be gone based on poor maid quality, lousy work mentality, you want to take the risks? Can you afford to throw your hard earned money or treat it like donation to a 'poor thing', a person you employed as FDW?

If Phil govt thought Sporeans have pockets full of cash to employ your citizens, I am sure you'll discover we are not rich, most salaried Employers employed maids due to necessity. Since it is a necessity, we wouldn't want to pay more and take in more risks. Wake up, Spore doesn't have gold mines for you to dig. Employers who have other choices, will go for other nationalities eg Cambodian or opt for subsidized childcare centres. Employers have absolutely no protection nor any guarantee that FDWs will commit herself to work if paid so much. You dare to employ fresh Filipinos? :siam:

We, salaried Employers looked like paid higher by the companies that employed us but have you forgotten to factor in the living in costs and we need to cope with Sg high cost of living? We use S$ in Spore not Peso, Rupiah, Kyat or Rupee. Most 'clever' maids are already enjoying great lives yet still want to ask more from us... your never ending feeling of treating you better than ourselves is wrong, so selfish, infuriating! We earn our salaries, it is not our obligations to share it with you or indulge you in things that you didn't get at your home countries! You reap what you sow (what makes maids so special, no need to work hard yet can get good salary? Aren't you human like us?), so work hard as FDW, stop comparing benefits, get paid and then use YOUR own money to buy whatever things you're eyeing on .... iphone, branded shoes, etc.

Manila to stop giving new licences to Singapore maid agencies, Straits Times, 19 Jun
http://maid-employer.blogspot.sg/p/my-views_23.html

Singapore maid agencies are being barred from taking out new licences to source for workers in the Philippines in a move by Manila to crack down on firms flouting its rules.

The Philippine government wants employers to bear domestic workers' placement fees, which cost $2,000 on average, or four months' salary.