Andrew - to make a generalisation I have always found Aussies and South Africans to be extremely self sufficient and resourceful with a great have a go attitude.

Also people get jobs because
a) they have a needed skill
b) they will do something someone else doesn't want to.

Providing employment is good - my cleaner certainly prefers that I employ him than he does without the job.

I don't find it patronising to me - and I value the high standards and honesty of his work and the fact it frees me up to do other things.

If someone is not sure about the ethics of employing a cleaner please rethink - you would probably make a great employee because you have thought about it and someone would appreciate the work