Do fulltime maids HAVE TO live with you?

[familyoffour]

Hi, I am so confused ...I would like a fulltime helper, ie. 5 days a week with occasional baby-sitting, but not to live in. Is this possible in Singapore without paying the part-time hourly rates?

Many thanks in advance.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sure it's possible. Just hire a Singaporean or PR as a housekeeper. Of course it will cost you considerably more that the imported variety. Depending on whether or not she is self-employed or not, you may have to pay CPF contributions & Skills Development Levy for her as well.

Also, they are harder to find and won't put up with the crap dished out to Foreign domestic help either. This definitely puts a damper on the numbers of them hired here. Also, I believe you would probably have to pay overtime to them as well after a 44 or max 60 hour week. Additionally, they would be entitled to at least one day off per week, paid holidays, Medical Leave and other benefits according to the Employment Act (Cap 50).

[familyoffour]

Thank you for your reply. I assure you I don't treat home help like crap Thanks also for the extra info.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I wasn't saying you do. You obviously don't have one or you wouldn't be asking. However, the average maid only gets one day off a month here & works 16~18 hours. If the sir has a car she also has to be outside before sunrise to wash the car for sir as well. It's treatment like this that is the reason why it's hard to find a local maid. It's a reality and I grant you not all employers are that bad. But a sizeable percentage are.

[familyoffour]

OMG I can't believe that. I've had home help in most countries I have lived as an expat and have never heard of that anywhere! My helper in Beijing worked 10-4pm 4 days a week which was great for me and that's all really I would want again. We would pay her month bonuses for New Year etc. I'm really surprised to hear that that kind of treatment happens in Singapore.

No, not in Singapore yet, all likelihood in the next few months so just trying to work out how to do all the necessaries before we get there...hard with 2 littlies...

[sundaymorningstaple]

fof,

Do a search of these threads here to see some of the discussions we have had here before on Domestic Help or Maids. What I am saying is not kidding nor being facetious. It's sad to say, but maids are not covered for the most part by the Employment Act here.

[familyoffour]

I did what you recommended and did a search of this forum. I just cannot believe it...how do people justify treating someone who is HELPING THEM in this way?? Unbelievable.

Thanks for your help.