DOMESTIC HELP
Many families employ an “Amah” (maid). An Amah can only be employed on a full time basis, and live with your family. Hiring a maid on a part-time basis is illegal if the maid has a contract with another family. However, if a Filipina maid, for example, is married to a local or expatriate, then their visa will be “dependent” status and therefore can work without restriction. The YWCA Tel: 2877 3737, offers a class on employing an amah. It is a comprehensive review for expatriates who have never employed a full time maid.
In Hong Kong, employers are responsible for their amahs, including her health and her activities on her days off. The employer will also be responsible for providing her with food, uniforms, furniture and health care. You will need to make arrangements for her days off, holidays and home leave.
For full-time maids, the Hong Kong government assesses a levy of $330 per month paid by the employer, in addition to your amah’s wages. You are required to post a $5,000 bond in case your amah breaks Hong Kong law or the terms of her work permit.
There are two ways to find amahs: through transfer referrals and through agencies. You will save the agency fee by hiring an amah that is transferring from another family, and you will have the benefit of talking with her prior employer. However, the advantage of going through an agency is that they manage the paperwork with the Immigration Department and the relevant consulates, and can be of assistance in the event your amah doesn’t work out.
It is best to approach the arrangement as a business proposition. Think through the duties that you expect her to perform, including childcare and specify the accountabilities in a job description. Include working hours, days off, how meals will be handled, and her use of the telephone, security of your personal effects, how she will be trained and what she should do in the event of an emergency. State the grounds for termination, including abiding by the conditions of the work permit, so there is no ambiguity.
Conduct a formal job interview. Ask her questions like what she liked about her last employer, why she left and what she expects of you. Encourage her to ask questions about your family and what will be expected of her. Most of all, gauge her motivation, her communication skills and she will fit into your family. Do not be afraid to keep searching until the right candidate is found. When an amah is found, both parties should sign a contract.
Full-time Contract Basis Amah
$3,670 per month
Hourly rate: $60, normally calculated at a fixed monthly rate.
Reputable Domestic
Help Agencies
Suite 803, 8th Floor
Chinachem Johnston Plaza
178-186 Johnston Road
Wanchai
Tel: 2377 2890 Fax: 2377 2935
Email: acjrecruitment@hotmail.com
** All transfer maids and all live in maids only.
Santa Fe Relocation Services offer a detailed workshop on “How to Interview, Choose, Manage and Live with a Maid”. For more details please contact our SFRC.
Holidays, Bonuses,
Days off and Food Allowance
Important points to
note follow:
The employer must provide accommodation of a reasonable standard, with bathroom facilities, light, bed and bedding etc.
The maid must have one day off per week, and at least 7 days paid leave after one year of service
The maid should also have leave on Hong Kong’s 12 annual statutory holidays
Wages must be paid monthly. The legal minimum wage is HK$3,670 per month.
The employer should provide food for the maid, or alternatively, pay a food allowance of $400-$500 per month.
The employer should supply working clothes or a uniform.
The employer should pay the maid’s fare from her country of origin.
The employer should pay for all costs related to the maid’s visa application fees.
The maid should have a medical check-up before commencing work. The employer should pay for this.
The employer is responsible for the maid’s medical and emergency dental expenses. Sickness allowance should be paid according to the guidelines laid down by the Employment Ordinance.
Should a doctor certify the maid to be unfit for her duties, the employer is required to cover the expenses of the maid’s relocation to her home.
The employer is responsible for any expenses incurred should the maid have an accident while in his/her employ.
In the event of the maid’s death, her employer is required to pay for the return of the maid’s body and personal effects to the country of origin.
Either party may end the contract at one month’s notice. Should a contract’s conditions change, or should it be terminated, the Immigration Department should be notified immediately. If the employer makes any changes to the contract, he/she must have the changes approved by the Commissioner of Labour; otherwise, they will be considered void.
When interviewing, try to ask only open ended questions, it is much easier to give the correct answer if it is simply yes or no. These types of questions can be more revealing and show how she would perform in specific situations.
During your preliminary interview, you should discuss all your expectations about her duties, etc. Salary should be determined as well as a bonus.
If you are still interested in an Amah, go over the expectations, rules and regulations of your household. We suggest this be in writing so the Amah can study it. Discuss dress, personal hygiene, days off and a probationary period if hired. Also, at this time you can discuss in more detail the optional other incurred costs’ i.e. dental care, local and long distance telephone calls, food allowance, uniforms, clothing allowance, yearly bonus and airfare to Hong Kong.
SAMPLE INTERVIEW
Name: ___________________________
Address: ___________________________
Age: ______
Nationality: ___________________________
Marital Status: ________________
Dependants, family commitments: __________________________________________
Friends in Hong Kong: ______________________________________________________
Religion:____________________________
Dietary restrictions: ______________________________________________________
Level of education:________________________________
(Have her write down a message and a recipe.)
Previous experience
How long have you worked as a domestic? ___________
What are your previous jobs? ________________________________________________
How long were you with your last employer?____________
What did you enjoy the most about your last job? ________________________________
What did you least enjoy?___________________________________________________
Why did you leave?_______________________________________________________
Have you worked with children?_____ Ages: _____________
Most expats in Hong Kong who are employing a foreign Amah prefer a Filipino, because many of them already speak, read and write English very well. Generally, they are hard working and very good with children. There are two ways to employ a Filipino
a) direct hire from the Philippines on your own or using an agency, or
b) transfer of a Filipino Amah currently employed in Hong Kong.
Recruiting your own Amah from the Philippines can be difficult even though almost every Amah in Hong Kong has a relative who is looking for a job here. Going through an unreputable agency can be risky and is definitely expensive. They handle all the paperwork for you, but you are only able to see photos or videos of your prospective employee. If you choose to go through an agency be sure to read the fine print of the contract, especially regarding replacements, and be certain you completely understand all the details. Check with the Employment Agencies Licensing Section, Work Permit and Employment Departments,
Support letter to the Director of Immigration
Two copies of HK Identity Card, plus a copy of passport showing “work visa”.
Proof of Hong Kong residence. This should normally be an original copy of one of the service bills ie., telephone, gas, electric, rates, water rates or the original lease agreement with the revenue stamp indicated. If not available, a company letter signed and with company chop confirming residence etc.
Proof of income. This can be either a Hong Kong tax receipt, a deposit bank account indicating a minimum of savings say HK$200,000 or the equivalent in another currency. Or, a company letter chopped and signed indicating the employment position and monthly or annual salary.
The employment contract is standard and can be obtained from the Philippine Consulate
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL
Room 602, 6th Floor, United Centre
95 Queensway, Admiralty, HONG KONG
Tel. Nos. (852) 2823 8500, 2823-8501, 2823-8510
Fax No. 00-852-28669885, 2866 8559
Email address: prhk@asiaonline.net
You are not allowed to draw up your own contract. This contract must be completed in triplicate and has to be given to the Immigration Department when processing the application.
Special
Services offered by Santa Fe Relocation Services (Hong Kong) :
All SFRS
consultants, if clients should need the services of a handyman / electrician /
plumber please call: SFRS handyman contact person: Ms Winsome Tao: (852) 2833
2570
In Hong Kong, it is usually necessary to return houses and apartments to the landlord in the exact same condition as when you took possession. That often means extensive disconnection of electrical appliances, light fixtures, curtains, etc. Santa Fe Relocation Services can arrange for a professional handyman to disconnect or reconnect such items as washers, dryers and light fixtures (track lighting, chandeliers).
Santa Fe Relocation Services can also arrange to have curtains, curtain rods, built in furniture, heavy or bulky paintings and mirrors taken down and have the walls resurfaced to the original condition.
Because of their high value and delicate nature, pianos require special care. Your Santa Fe Relocation Services Coordinator can arrange all the various specialists (piano handlers, crate designers, hoisting specialists, etc.) needed to ensure your piano receives proper handling.
Carpentry Services
Your Santa Fe Relocation Services Coordinator can arrange carpenters to help you with any special needs that you have, including assembling and disassembling furniture, draperies, curtain rods, or any other special needs that may arise in connection with your move.
Pictures and
Mirrors
Most apartments in Hong Kong have concrete and steel walls so hanging such items as mirrors and pictures is often the job for a specialist. Santa Fe Relocation Services can help you by arranging a handyman or other experts to do these often difficult tasks for you.
Storage
Regular Storage: Santa Fe operates out of a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility. Your household goods can be stored safely and securely in our warehouse for as long as you may need.
Air-Conditioned Storage: Humidity in Hong Kong during the summer can be quite severe. Santa Fe maintains a 2,000 sq/ft warehouse. If you would prefer the extra security of air-conditioned storage, Santa Fe can meet these requirements.