How much - agency fee?

I'm planning to get a helper from an agency, maid is from Manila and i understand she will also be paying the agency.


How much should i pay here, different agencies has different quote. Any recommendation for a reasonably priced agency.


Thanks.

my concern wouldnt be how much you are paying the agency, but how much the helper will be paying the agency. while there are reputable agencies, many charge helpers three months salary, which is a terrible burden to them. if you choose to go through an agency, i would go through one that is dedicated to fair treatment of helpers and employers alike.

I think it would be difficult to find an agency that will truthfully tell prospective employers how much they are charging the DH for the placement. My understanding is that most agencies charge Filipinos about HKD 10 000 and Indonesians about HKD 22 000. The charge is made in the helpers' own country, so Hong Kong law cannot protect them from this.


Other considerations for you to watch out for - because many helpers cannot afford the agency fee, some agencies will have the helper take out a loan with a loan company as soon as she arrives in HK and hand over all the money to them. The DH is then left to pay off the loan company month by month. This arrangement is really bad news for you as well because 1) your name, address, tel number etc are all given to the loan company, a copy of the contract & etc. If the loan company isn't getting their money back, you'll probably be the first person they call, and they know all your details. 2) Either the loan company or the agency may keep the helper's passport until the loan has been paid back, so if you're wanting the helper to accompany you abroad (e.g. to look after your kids while you enjoy your vacation) then you can think again.


Unfortunately, in my opinion at least, almost all agencies seem to be EITHER committed to giving the helpers a fair deal OR in favour of the employers, so if you find an agency that doesn't rip off helpers they probably won't put fairness to employers at the top of their priority list.


Regarding how much the employer should pay as agency fee, it really varies from one agency to the next but I can tell you I used Hi-Cedar Agency in Central and paid $3500 for a helper with DH experience abroad. It's $3000 if you choose one with no DH experience abroad. And that's for Filipinos, I don't know what they charge if you pick an Indonesian. The lady in charge, a Mrs Chan, assured me that my details will not be disclosed to any loan company if the helper has to borrow to stump up the agency fee her end.


As for me, I chose to use an agency providing good service to me, that could help me find a suitable candidate and process the paperwork efficiently. I think that's in the helper's interests as well. Some of these cheaper agencies don't charge the DH much for the placement, but they also might not do such a good job of "matching up" employers and helpers who will likely suit each other, which is foolish because if the placement fails it hurts the helper as well as the employer.

indonesian girls have to pay back to the agency for 7 months,about 21k!

The agency fee should typically not be over 5k for you. However as mentioned the helpers do pay a fee to register.

I have a question for you guys. What is OWA and who pays for this fee? I never thought of asking till this thread came along. Now I am suspicious of whether it should have been me, paying for it. My helper said she paid for it plus the training/ finder's fee in Philippines.


To OP- I paid $4500 to the agency. Not sure if I am allowed to post the name here. It included one way air ticket, contract fee, visa fee and processing fee. My helper wanted me to through this specific agency, I had not heard from them before. She said they are very good in following up with the Philippines consulate even if they have 1 application. It seems a lot of agencies will wait to take the helpers' application to the consulate till they have collected upto 20-30 of them- that is why it takes up to 3 months for them to come and join you. My helper had to go back to Manila, but she was able to join me in 6-7 weeks.

you should not pay too much, if she need to go back to Manila then come back, she should pay by her own.