Hello,
I just accepted a job offer a week ago. I have 3 more weeks to find a helper to look after my 3 year old etc. etc.
I was under the impression that this may be relatively easy since the domestic helper database has lots of postings of helpers "available immediately".
However, upon reading the message board further and speaking with some of the helpers, I realize that they AREN'T really available immediately. If their contract has been terminated, they may be available immediately but immigration requires them to return to the Philippines to process their papers and that would take 8 weeks or so.
So, am I right that its very difficult to find someone who is TRULY available immediately? What I need to be doing is looking for those helpers with finished contracts? Otherwise, anybody else I may interview would be a waste of time for both of us?
I've got 3 weeks to find help and I'm feeling a little stressed.
TIA
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Hi, QuiltingMommy! I sent you a private message.
thanks!
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crj
18 yrs ago
Yup, this sounds about right
'available immediately' is code for 'terminated' as far as I could tell.
If it is finished contract, financial reasons or employer left HK for good, it usually says.
I suggest contacting Evelyn at AsiaXPat, letting her know your requirements, and have her help screen candidates for you.
In the meantime, do prepare for a back up...
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Ed
18 yrs ago
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/domestichelp/
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ness
18 yrs ago
If you write a letter to immigration stating your urgent need for childcare and showing supporting documentation you will usually be able to have the helper come straight to you from previous employer and delay their return to home country for processing, they must however do it withing the first year and so they usually only get a one year visa instead of two stamped in their passport initially. This option is I think only available if the helper is finished contract, not needed because of employer returning to home country, or finished because of finacial reason or no longer needing domestic help (children grown, mum staying home). It would be worth going down to immigration to see if you can get a dispensation for a terminated helper as well stating your need.... I know people who have done this when heavily pregnant.
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crj
18 yrs ago
Ness - immigration only allows that if the helper was NOT terminated. They must be either:
finished contract
Released due to employer leaving HK
Released due to employer died (elderly care)
Released due to financial problems
And maybe one or two other categories.
With any of those cases it can be as fast as 2-3 weeks.
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Thanks for everybody's help. The muddy waters are getting clearer. I wish the database made it more clear whether a helper has a finished contract or not. It's very misleading when it says "available immediately" when the truth is closer to a 8 week wait. I only found this out myself through "trial and error" while stumbling through some confusing conversations with potential helpers. I even looked at the immigration website but couldn't find anything specifically saying what I need to go through to hire a "terminated" contract helper. I had to read through the lines and piece it together myself. Thanks for the clarification. It helped a lot. I guess I have to get an agency's help now. I will check out the asiaexpat agency link. I heard that helpers with "finished contracts" are also very picky about what jobs they will accept.
What if you do find someone willing to sign on? What is the next step? Do I write them a letter that they take to immigration or do I have to go to immigration myself to sponsor them?
TIA
ps. I tried to reply earlier on but my Mac computer wouldn't allow me to reply. I would reply and then hit the button but my response never appeared on the thread. Strange, as I started the thread on my Mac but couldn't reply on it. I'm now on a Windows PC
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crj
18 yrs ago
When I call a helper, the first thing I ask them is "Why have you left your current job?" If they say they were terminated, I say "Sorry, I do not want to hire a terminated helper as I need someone to start right away. Good Luck" That saves me a lot of time.
Once you find a helper you want to hire, you have two choices:
1. Ask the helper to get all the paperwork and process themselves, with your help signing things, etc... You will need to provide a lot of documentation. Some helpers who have been here a while know how to do this and don't mind.
2. Call/email Evelyn from AsiaXPat and ask her to process for you, this I personally found, saved me a lot of time and stress. She is very good about getting it all done.
In addition, you could ask Evelyn to help screen for you, tell her your requirements and she can help find ONLY finished contract helpers for you to interview - another major time saver.
Hope that helps.
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hi TIA, I can help you. I am Australian and would like to help you for the time you need. I am not a DH but I have some free time as I am a housewife. Email me on ttdl@iprimus.com.au
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Ed
18 yrs ago
You can call Evelyn in our office 2815 2520 - she will assist
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jele
18 yrs ago
I was working already when we fired our helper.
We have signed the contract with the new one the day after I fire the 1st one.
My company and husband's company made a letter for immigration, I add mine letter also but it took 8 weeks to get the new helper:
1 week to do all the papers-visit immigration-consulate + 6 weeks - waiting the visa + 1 week - for new training lessons.
If you have difficulties to find a immediate helper perhaps you can contact merry maids or sparkle maids (add on this web site). It seems that they are very good, but expensive.
Good luck
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We were in a situation similiar, in that we needed a helper right away. We hired Indonesian and they do not have to return to their home Country. They can get a 14 day visa extension and then if the visa is not ready, they just go to macau and can return.
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Thanks a lot for everybody's help. I was able to find a helper through the Asiaxpat database with a finished contract and she's already started. You have to call those with a finished contract right away and set up an interview right away. Try to be the first one to interview them. If you wait and they see other employers first, they'll be less motivated to make the trip to interview with you.
Thank you "no more nappies" for your offer of help.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply. For some reason or another, my Mac computer won't allow me to post on the Asiaxpat site. (I'm borrowing a Windows computer now.)
There are lots of expats toting their Mac laptops and surfing wireless in HK. If none of them can post on Asiaxpat, you have to think of how much traffic and potential revenue you are losing out on.
It's strange but I was able to make my original post with the Mac but can not reply on this thread or any other thread with my Mac.
Thanks again.
By the way, TIA is short for "Thanks in Advance"
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