Hi Samval,
1) You can get a maid from a maid agency, they will do all the paperwork for you.
2) I don't think there is any agency who always have good maids. Your friend may find a good maid in one agency, but you may not be so lucky if you go to the same agency.
3) When looking for an agency, ask the following questions:
a. How much is the agency fee ? What does it include ? It should include the insurance for security bond, so you don't have to pay the $5000 to MOM. If the maid gets pregnant or runs away, you will have to pay $5000. You can purchase the additional bond protector, so that you only have to pay $250.
b. Is the maid loan refundable ? Most agencies will need you to pay the $2000 maid loan upfront. Some will allow you to pay by certain credit cards which will allow 0% interest free installments. The most important thing is to check if they will refund you the balance if you return the maid to them.
c. How many times are you allowed to change maids ? How much do you have to pay for the replacement ? Most agencies will allow at least one free replacement.
d. If you return a maid to them, how long will it take for them to transfer her to another employer ? Some agencies will ask for up to 30 days, and will ask you to pay $10 per day for her food and lodging. That means you need to pay $300 for a maid who is not working for you ! This is on top of the $200 maid levy which you still need to pay.
4) The maid agency should handle all the paperwork for you.
5) You will have to pay the following:
a. agency fee, ranges from $0 - $600 depending on different agencies. This will include the insurance for the security bond.
b. maid loan, usually about $2000 paid to the agency. You deduct this from the first 8 months of your maids salary. The maid loan is a lot less if you get a transfer maid. The maid's airfare is included in the maid loan.
c. bond protector, about $150, so you don't have to pay $5000 if your maid runs away
d. Maid's salary every month, $280 for Indonesian maid, more for filipinos and experienced maids.
e. Maid levy, $200 if you have kids under 7 years old.
6) MOM requires all first time employer to take a course. You can submit through the internet.
7) Usually I will not check my maid's bag, because I don't keep valuables or money at home. You may want to ask her to declare how much money or jewellery she has.
8) My maid sleeps in the bomb shelter. I know other maids who sleep with in the kids room, or in the study. Different households will have different house rules. Try to be as specific as possible. Here's my houserules
a) No praying
b) No Handphone
c) You must listen to Ah Gong and Po Po, and do everything they ask you to do. Cannot talk back or argue with them.
d) Must ask permission before going out of the house.
e) Cannot open any cupboards or drawers in the bedrooms or living room.
f) Cannot sit or step on any bed or mattress except your own.
g) You will use the soap, shampoo and pads I buy for you. If you want a different brand, you must buy yourself.
h) You can only use the toilet in the kitchen. You cannot go into the master bedroom toilet.
i) Cannot scold or beat the children.
j) Must watch the children and make sure they dont get hurt
k) You cannot use the washing machine or dryer. You must hand wash your clothes. Hang outside to dry. Do not hang your clothes in the kitchen. Do not mix your clothes with our clothes.
l) After using the toilet, you must wash your hands with Dettol handsoap and wipe dry. You also must wash hands after coming back from outside.
m) The floor in all rooms, kitchen and toilet must always be dry. You must wipe immediately if it is wet.
n) Do not put any bags on the dining table. Put the bags on the floor.
o) Must always knock on the door before opening. You must open the door slowly because the children may be playing behind the door.
p) You cannot turn on the TV to watch yourself.
q) Do not go into the computer room or my bedroom.
r) You must tell me when you are sick. I will pay for you to see the doctor.
s) You cannot eat any food in the house, unless I told you so
9) It is not advisable to leave the maid alone with the baby, it is better to have an elderly to supervise her.
10) Never scold your maid, or touch your maid. She may accuse you of abuse. Always make sure she has enough food to eat and enough time to rest. Make sure her work load is reasonable. Do not pamper your maid, only reward her when she performs very well. Always listen to your maid, if she asks to go home, please send her back. It is dangerous to keep a maid who does not want to work for you.
If you are a full time working mom, I would advise you to find a maid who has worked in Singapore for at least 2 - 3 years. Do not take any maids who work for less than 1 year. Try to find one whose ex-employer is as similar to you as possible. For example, if you have 2 kids, find one who took care of at least 2 kids or more. If you live in HDB, do not get those who worked in bungalows. If you are Chinese, try to get those whose ex-employer is Chinese. Do not take those who worked in households with 2 maids, because their workload is usually lighter, and may not be able to take the stress at your house. You can try
www.netmaid.com.sg to widen your search, or visit more maid agencies.
Lastly, do not get one who is too young, cute or pretty. You know why, right ? But don't get one over 30 years old, they may not have the energy to take care of your kids. My preference is 27 -29 years old. And don't get one who is too fat, these are usually very lazy.
