KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

HI all,my helper wants an increment to be at par with the current's maid pay, iv asked her to renew her contract, question is how much is at par? cos her current pay is 340, she has hdp....m tolerating her attitude cos she can do 70 % f the job, but feels she can be yayapapaya at times..... plus m not sure bt my future w other maids...new maids i mean,

am willing to max incremtn of $100, but if shes askg for more threan im ??? not sure? haiz... any input is much appreciated

btw when i asked her how much she wants? she said the min rate the other md is getting ? hmmmph

thanks in adv

I just renewed my maid last Nov. Her salary was increased from $360 to $450 with 1 off day. Market rate for new maid is around $380 - $420. Experienced ones usually starts from $450. My helper is with me for 4 years, this is her 2nd renewal.

Maid's attitude changes as years goes by. She is not as diligent as before, but I guess most maids are like that. As long as she takes care of my boy and the house is clean, I can close 2 eyes.

Just propose to her whatever amt you are comfortable with. If she's not keen then let her go. Based on what you mentioned about her attitude, she may think that she's very important in yr household if you give what she wants or if you don't, she may perform even more badly than it is now.
And after this increment, how much will the next one be? You are very kind to consider $100, but in relative terms this is more than 30% of her current pay. How many of us ever gets that amount of increment?
My friend gave her maid $35 increment when she renewed after 2years and that is the time when news of fresh maid salary is $450. Even after the increment she's still getting less than $400. She told her maid that's what she's comfortable giving and she's free to transfer if she doesn't want to accept. But the maid accepted coz she said she's happy working for her and doesn't want the start fresh again.
So you are your best judge, if she is worth the $100 increment.

I don't mind giving a good increment, but I don't take attitude.

yes, offer what you think is fair to you based on her performance. And remind her that you can always let her go HOME since she's the one who will have to bear the 2K-3K agent fee.

The starting pay for new maids without experience is now $450. That's what I have been told by many agencies that I have been enquiring at.

Wow! $100 increment is alot! at least by my standards. I increased my maid's pay by $30 after the renewal cos that's what I was prepared to pay for her quality of work. My maid was ok with it eventhough she knows the market rate was higher. She told me she was afraid to get a new employer that may abuse her. She's happy with us so she's staying. But I did tell her I that I will increase her salary again after 1 year.

Why not give your maid a reasonable increment and see her reaction. You could also tell by now if she will stay or not if you give her less than what she wants...

hquek wrote:yes, offer what you think is fair to you based on her performance. And remind her that you can always let her go HOME since she's the one who will have to bear the 2K-3K agent fee.

My friend's maid due for renewal March. She told her $400 is all she's willing to pay. Maid said ok.

Dear parents,
Tks for all valuable input,appreciate it very much , i agree with yur opinion, if she is happy working for me she would also want to stay, hence i would offer first 420 and c her reaction.....prob can up to slightly more(after 3 mths) if she shows her willingness to work, else gee its really good luck to me to scout for another... theres so much i wd tolerate for attitude too..

m so relieved to read yur views and opinions....thank u so much for that.. this forum rocks!

put another perspective to your maid :

how much does it cost her to go back and pay another round of placement fees and agency-loan and then re-employ in Singapore or other country?

take her requested increment x 24 months and measure it against the cost of new placement fees and loan and see what is left -- and that could be her increment without all the hassles