Need a DH for approx 4 weeks

Hi everybody,


I have signed a new contract with a DH and am waiting for her visa to be granted. In the meantime, my old helper has left already and I urgently need a LEGAL helper until my new one will arrive as I am 32 weeks pregnant, have 2 school-aged kids, a dog, a big apartment, frequently travelling husband....

Is there some kind of agency that helps with this kind of requirement?

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/helpers/parttime.asp

There are 2 things you could do to get yourself some help very quickly:


First you could call Rentamum and set up a full time or part-time temp nanny, or at least have a babysitter a couple of times a week.


Second you could contact Merry Maids and they can send you a legal part time cleaner. The cleaners generally cannot speak much English, but if you don't speak Chinese what you do is arrange a fixed schedule for the cleaning lady to follow which the company gives her in advance and she just follows it without having to ask you anything much. The lady would be able to do all your cleaning and ironing for you.


If necessary both of these companies can send someone out to you within 2-3 days and everything is completely legal.


Hope this helps!

I have cut and pasted two of the FAQ from the HK govt's guidlines for hiring a FDH below. I think they might be relevant to your situation.


The first, says that you need Dept of Imm dispensation for a FDH to work for you part-time. It might be that, your circumstances (particularly being heavily pregnant) would merit that an exception be made to the rule. At the very least, it might spur the dept on to shorten the approval process of your new helper. If you can, arrange a face-to-face meeting (and take your kids!). It could be persuasive.


It is not clear how the second situation works but seems to be that occasional assistance from a FDH is permissable (eg if you know other FDHs who walk their employers' dogs, they might agree to also walk your dog). The operation of this "good neighbour" exception in your situation could also be something you discuss at your meeting with Imm.


Good luck!


Q32: Can I employ someone else's FDH to work for me part-time as a temporary replacement while my FDH is on leave?



A32: No. An FDH is admitted into Hong Kong for employment with a specific employer under a Standard Employment Contract (ID407). He/She is not employable by other employers without prior permission of the Director of Immigration. You may consider employing a local domestic helper while your FDH is on leave. The Labour Department Local Domestic Helper Recruitment Hotline is 2503 3377. The Placement Services Hotline under the Local Domestic Helpers Integrated Scheme administered by the Employees Retraining Board is 2317 4567.



Q46: My children's classmates live in the neighbourhood. Sometimes, if their mothers/FDHs are busy, I will ask my FDH to take them to school. Does it infringe the law?



A46: An employer should not require or allow the FDH to work for any other person and the FDH has no contractual obligation to follow an instruction of helping a neighbour. However, given the said circumstances and the nature of the said assistance, if offered out of volition and good will of the FDH to a neighbour, it does not warrant intervention of the law enforcement agencies.