KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi All,

My indo helper has been working with us for 4 years. She has asked to continue for another 2 more years but she want her salary to increase to $600.00 ( exclude off day ). Currently, her salary is $500.00 with no off day.

I was thinking whether to renew her contract or change a new maid. She's quite good at cooking. Housework normal. She takecares of my 7 years old daughter very well and my girl likes her too.

I told her I can only increase $50.00. Her face changed and said now Hongkong / Taiwan can get $700.00 - $800.00. She said she want to continue with me cos we treat her well and she cant bear to leave my daughter. How? any suggest ?

If she is really sincere ,she should just accept the 600 and take it,, Honestly i have seen my agent having in dons with good employment record but get only $550,basic only with 2 off..

You should tell your maid to go HK or Taiwan if they are offering better,,a maid should know that its not easy to get a good employer also,, if she is really happy with you then why want to change

At the same time, if you think she is worth it ,then just renew her, you never know that your next maid will be good or not,

If you don't pay her what she wants, she can "bear to leave your daughter?"

Many maids, if they are happy with the current employer's family and workload, would stay on as long as you give a reasonable increase.
Rather than go for a slightly higher pay when they don't know whether the next employer will be nasty, or the work too heavy.

Thanks for all replies.

I think $600 for a 4-yr experienced maid is quite reasonable for the market now. The cost is much higher now to get a new one with no guarantee she's good,honest & up to your expectations. Also, need to factor in the time the new maid can take on the daily chores independently & smoothly.

As such, I do give my maid one additional month for each renewal of 2-yr contract.For me, the time saved & trust in the maid is more valuable than the difference in money spent as long as the request is reasonable & within my ability.