Chances of Finding a DH for August Now

Hi,


We live in Guangzhou and are moving to HK in August. What do you think our chances are of lining up a dh now so upon our arrival in August, we will be good to go? How do we go about finding someone? We are going back to Canada for the summer mid-June, but could feasibly come out to interview with someone prior to that. How do people usually go about getting dh prior to their arrivals in HK?

The FDH contract requires the employer to have a HK address at which the FDH will be employed. Here's the Immigration Department website: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faq_fdh.htm


There also is a guidebook at the Labour Department website about employment issues related to FDHs.


If you are talking about hiring a local domestic helper, there is further information at the Labour Department website. Most LDH speak Cantonese only.

As aemom points out you have to have an HK address anyway.


Your "chances" are excellent. There are always plenty of helpers wanting to renew their contracts. You should plan on interviewing on a Sunday (helper day off) and hiring someone the same day. The good ones are picked up quickly so it doesn't pay to wait. Then it's just a question of waiting 2 weeks for all the red tape.


Interviewing mid-June for an August start is tricky. Most helpers don't want to wait that long. First of all they would rather have a job today than "probably a job" in 2 months. Secondly long waits can create red tape issues.

Many FDH are easy to hire even when you are already here in HK. it is more reliable than 2 months waiting. Specially those who are finish contracts. If you really in need for domestic help once you arrive, you can hire locals for the meantime while processing the documents.

Because in your case, good helpers will not take the risk of waiting because its easier for them to be employed right away.

It is my understanding you will need a Hong Kong address before you can submit the paperwork to Immigration.


Some people in your situation have a DH on arrival in HK because one spouse came over first, set everything up, and then the other spouse plus children / dependent grandparents followed.


If this is not possible there are several things you can do in June. Unlike the above posters, I do not consider finding a good DH to be a piece of cake. It took me 2 months of looking to even find someone and I was happy with and who I could sign up! And that's excluding the 8 weeks processing time after signing the contract! I have friends with similar experiences, too. So I think June is a good time to start looking.


If you want a local hire, you can do a few interviews, get an idea of the 'lay of the land', try to sign someone up, if unsuccessful you'll at least have an idea of the quality and type of applicants. But if you really want local hire, you may be obliged to wait until you actually come here to live before you can sign someone.


If you want direct hire, you can come here in June and contact an agent. They will show you files of applicants who they think will suit you (after asking you some questions) and then possibly set up a webcam interview. If you don't need the webcam interview, you can do everything by e-mail and phone after your initial visit to the agency in Hong Kong! In such a case, you can sign a contract in June and have the agent submit the paperwork to Immigration as soon as you have your Hong Kong address in August, and finally get your helper in September.


When you first arrive, if you need help with housework, you can use Merry Maids or Sparkle Maids (legal part-time help). Book their service as soon as you know what your address will be. If you need help with childcare you can get a part-time nanny from Rent-a-mum or Annerley Midwives, they'll probably be able start making arrangements even before you have your Hong Kong address.


Hope this helps!

"Unlike the above posters, I do not consider finding a good DH to be a piece of cake."


I guess it's different for everyone. If we had interviewed for and hired 20 helpers, we might have been able to draw some statistical conclusions. As it is, most people have only hired one or two.


I have also noticed that it depends a bit on expectations. Many people (and I don't mean you, Snow Rose), hiring helpers or any other employee, have "perfect candidate" disease. They want all their requirement boxes checked before they interview someone. The problem, of course, is that there are no perfect candidates. People are people and it's hard to make an assessment based on a resume. My advice is to do short interviews with a number of candidates. If you find someone you like, don't hold off on hiring on the chance you might find someone better on the next round. Likely the one you liked will already have been snatched up by then.


If you don't believe me, ask a manager with lots of hiring experience. They tend to make their minds up rather quickly.


If you are recommended a candidate, definitely interview that person.

Hello,


We are actually returning to Australia and I am trying to find my lovely helper a new employer. We are going on vacation first so she would be available mid August. Our helper is extremely reliable and has looked after out dog for the past 8 months. Please send me a message if you would like more information.


Tx Lesley.

If you want to recommend a helper please post here http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/helpers/


If you are a helper in need of a job please come to our office to post an ad