Live in maid

Nemesis
By Nemesis

Hi

We are thinking of hiring a live-in maid. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with using agencies and what advice can you give

By e46M3• 23 Apr 2007 14:06
Rating: 5/5
e46M3

You're right, it's difficult as it is but what can you do?

It's like opening a Pandora's box. The agency just wants the commission, and the ladies, well they all need the money; some are really good and some want to get away from something back home. One of them even said she came here to find a man!

By diamond• 23 Apr 2007 14:01
Rating: 5/5
diamond

I suppose not but it is annoying when a maid arrives and then can';t do the work/won't do the work/isn't trainable (oh yes I've had them all!!!) so you have to send her home and start the process all over again...not to mention the cost each time which is thousands of rials if you are the sponsor by the time you pay for the flight and agency fees...wouldn't it be lovely if you could meet and have someone on probation for a month before deciding on permanent employment!!!

By diamond• 23 Apr 2007 14:00
Rating: 5/5
diamond

I suppose not but it is annoying when a maid arrives and then can';t do the work/won't do the work/isn't trainable (oh yes I've had them all!!!) so you have to send her home and start the process all over again...not to mention the cost each time which is thousands of rials if you are the sponsor by the time you pay for the flight and agency fees...wouldn't it be lovely if you could meet and have someone on probation for a month before deciding on permanent employment!!!

By e46M3• 23 Apr 2007 13:41
Rating: 3/5
e46M3

You're right, these catalogs with the applicant bios are mostly bogus. They'll do anything to get a job. Can't blame them.

By diamond• 23 Apr 2007 11:42
Rating: 4/5
diamond

at the employment agencies they have a page description of each maid with a photo, age, height, etc...previous experience, ability to cook, iron, etc. Be careful this is not necessarily true...many maids have a different d.o.b to make them appear older, the experience stated may not be true. been through many, many maids and i conclude that it's just your luck if you select one that is good. There really should be a better system but I haven't heard of one.

some people want experienced maids but that can mean they have different cleaning ways than you would want.

my current housekeeper has completed high school and this is her first position so I have trained her to my way of taking care of the house. i wouldn't leave children in the care of maids though unless they know CPR, what to do in the event of fire, etc, etc.

By e46M3• 23 Apr 2007 11:05
Rating: 2/5
e46M3

600 riyals. But you don't want to do that, believe me.

At the same time you have to be careful not to give them too much leeway. We had one who'd call my wife at work and say "Madam, can I call home" and madam would say yes.

So we had 52, , 37, 44 and god knows how many more minute phone calls to southeast Asian capital X on our phone bills. She was yapping away at peak times as if she's on the blower to a friend next door. I go to the woman and say "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you crazy?"

And she says "No problem, take it out of my salary." "But your salary is not enough to cover it, God damn it!"

Point; be human and humane but be firm, it's an employer-employee relationship.

By charmed• 23 Apr 2007 10:54
charmed

market rate for a live in maid?

By e46M3• 23 Apr 2007 10:47
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

For the agencies the maids are commodities.

You'll first have to get visa approval from Immigration for the maid; "prove" that you need one (employer letters).

Try to get a discount. With some of them if you haggle they'll bend.

One agent told us once to rip the contract and give the maid the market rate instead of the stated salary!

What else do you want to know?

By asoussa• 23 Apr 2007 08:26
asoussa

So waiting for your feedback guys!

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