Helper stuck in the Phillipines. Help!

I've just been told that despite having a HK visa issued, my helper still CAN'T come to Hong Kong because she doesn't have enough money.


My agent tells me that she needs another 10k and I can either help her pay or give her an extra week to come up with the money to pay the agent. Apparently helper's begged for an extra week to sort things out. I have waited 3 months already for this helper. I feel awful about the situation. She promised the agent that she'd come up with the money latest this morning so she could fly here tomorrow but she was unable to get the money. I feel bad for her but I really do not wish to pay the agent 10k for her.


I know many have made the mistake of lending to their helpers, I've read enough and I am really not comfortable with this. Besides, she will probably repay me last of all because she owes others money. I am also not rich :-(


I'm just wondering if there's another way out?


I've told the agent that I could pay for her air ticket, training and medical check up but NOT her agent's fees but my agent tells me that it doesn't work this way.


My other option apparently is to find another helper who's finished contract but this means waiting for another 3 weeks. Is this correct? I don't really trust my agent now.


I am getting desperate for a helper and I REALLY don't know what to do.


Any advice? What can I do if my helper can't come?


It's been a real mess and REALLY frustrating. Help!

See another agent

it's better not to rush into signing a dh contract. you never know what the dh will do to when she arrives in hk like borrow more money or something else.


if you really need a dh, consider temp help agencies and/or a local amah or something until something permanent arrives


this situation already gives me warning signals about the dh. it is sad that she has to loan a lot of money to come to hk. on the other hand, think also that she has to find ways to repay that loan when she is in hk, think of what she will be up to in order to raise that amount

The agency here seems to be trying to pull a fast one. Tell them no and go elsewhere. This 10k will suddenly morph into another 10k...


Unfortunately the people who do pay this moey are the ones who keep these agencies in business

Okay the latest update. I told the agent that I want to cancel out of the contract. I told them that with her financial issues, she may be so stressed by the time she gets here that she won't be able to perform well.. what's more her borrowing could lead her into trouble and I don't want that.


So I arranged to meet other helpers. The earlier some of these can work for me is early Jan. The finished contract ones are still working.


Not long ago, however, the agent called and asked me to give my helper a chance. She's negotiated with the agent in Phillipines and asked them to reduce the lump sum and my agent will make sure that when my helper gets her salary, she'll send it over to the Phillipines. Apparently the Phillipines agency is now okay with it. My agent says to give them until Friday. If I don't get my helper, I can cancel the contract. At this stage however, she's saying that if I cancel it, the helper will suffer financially.


I told them I have to think about it. On the one hand, I feel really, really bad for the helper and want to give her a chance... but I am also afraid of the trouble she will bring. A finished contract sounds desirable as well because it means I don't have to train. There's one really good one on Sunday that I will be interviewing as well. Apparently she's really humble and her employer is releasing her after 4 years because they don't want to pay long service leave.

there is a recent thread in another forum section on expats leaving hk due to the recession


http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/living-in-or-moving-to-hong-kong/threads/121962/expats-leaving-due-to-recession?


the reason i brought this up is that if these expats leave, then there will also be many dh who will be looking for work soon


mayc - remember to investigate and call up previous employers and just don't take the dh word for it.

mayc


imagine this scenario thru this thread link below if your dh comes to hong kong with a big loan on her back...


http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/hong-kong-domestic-help/threads/121938/helper-getting-personal-phone-calls-on-our-landline/


you just don't want the trouble really