CM,
Not sure if you know or hear anything about Phil maid... just to share with you what I have experience on Phil and Indo maids which I have tried both.
Basically, you need to access yourselve are you the qin cai bo chap type of employer.. for me, I am qin cai to some extend only until the maid can proof to me she is independent and can perform.
General Traits of Phil maid
1) They are usually more vocal ie, will tell you what is their rights... eg, my previously phil maid will go take nap when the kids take nap without informing me.. they think its their rights to take rest, unlike Indo will just find extra work to do while the kids are napping for free time...
2) Phil maid will outright tell you want to quit or transfer easily unlike Indo maids are more reserved and will not bring out quitting easily
3) Yes, Phil maid will just sit on sofa or not "ke qi" type. even will walk pass the TV while you are watching without feeling paisei while Indo will say "excuse me" or bend down and quickly run pass so as not to block us when watching TV.
4) Phil maid tend to show face and attitude unlike newer Indo maids usually dare not unless they are very experience liao.
5) good thing abt Phil maid is their english usually better, hence, can communicate better, but not all hor.... I used to have a phil maid, english also sucks... cant really understand me 100%, also, I cant really understand her slang clearly too.
Dont feel offended... As what I see, you are the strict type of employer whom do not allow HP, off days, cannot sit on sofa etc... I think Indo/ myanmma maid will suit you better as they are more timid and not as daring sort.
For me... I need independent maid and capable maid, but I still dont really dare to take Phil maid, cos I confirmed cannot take it/tahan when maid show attitude or black face.. my top priority is... once show attitude, I cannot take it liao..that's why I never choose Phil despite they are more independent and smarter which is what I need. Hope my sharing of experience helps.
Also, i read from today's straits times, again another article on new indo maid salary raised from $380 to $450 and have comments from employers and maids they interviewed. This is now the talking point among maids now and some existing maids have already asked their employer for increased and some thinks money is not their 1st priority as they have good employer, rather stay with good employer.