What are the fees to hire DH

Hi I need some help. I am looking to hire my first helper and have been looking all over for how much it costs to hire a DH (paper work). Can anyone tell me if I do the paper work myself how much does it cost: hire a Filipino who broke their contract, a Filipino who completed their contract, and same for Indonesian? Seems like I keep seeing different answers. Thanks!

From the book "Hiring and Managinc Domestic Help" I get this list. I've filled in some numbers


- Recruitment agency fees. 2000-4000.

- Legal fees such as for immigration processing. AFAIK 500-1500

- Government levy. Waived

- Salary

- Bonuses, if any

- Food allowance. You are responsible for food. The food allowance can take one of three forms, or a combination:

o Helper eats with the family

o Food is provided

o A monetary food allowance

- You must pay for a trip from the helper’s home to the place of employment at the beginning of each contract period, and a trip home at the end of each contract period. You can choose to pay money instead if the helper agrees . If you hired your helper while she was already “in country” you technically owe her the cost of transport to come to Hong Kong or Singapore from her home.

- Helper insurance covering damages by the helper is required by law. Insurance that also covers helper sickness or death is recommended since employers are responsible for costs arising from illness or injury while working. 700/year

- Payment of any medical tests you require before the candidate starts. 500-1000

- Furniture for the maid's room/space, including a at least bed and a closet

- Expenses while working, for example transportation to and from errands, school pick-up and so forth

- Payment of uniform and/or swim attire, if required by the employer

Thank you axptguy38, very thorough! I keep hearing that if you hire a maid who broke their previous contract you have to go through an agency which makes it around 3k and if they completed the contract then just gov. fees. Is this true?

Thank you everyone for your help! I really appreciate it! Beancurd thank you!!

Beginning 8 November there is a new law effective within the Philippines that states any DH who process through the POEA, the employer must pay US$144 (about HK1120) for a mandatory 2 year insurance policy. This policy does not replace the HK required insurancee, but is additional due to the Govt law.

This law isn't just for HK, but for ALL Philipino OFWs who work anywhere in the world.

Hi Swimordie,

Just a little postscript to all this usefull information, if you do decide to hire a helper.

Make sure any payments you make, at processing are receipted and the receipts kept in a safe place by you.

Also when you pay any wages, preferably pay through the bank, any cash given on top of that get a receipt, signed by helper and kept by you, locked up! That way if relationships between you and the helper go on a downward slope, they cannot accuse you of not paying their dues.

Don't fall into the trap like other rookie employers have, lots of these helpers have been here a long time, are 'streetwise', they have learned a few tricks, and some of the less honest ones will use these against their employers if they can't get their own way.

Saying that there are many good FDH's about, I hope you are lucky, it is better to know the HK Imm rules, you can download them, stay one step ahead of the employee, always treat her fairly, but as an employee! Remember she is a stranger in your home and until you get to fully trust her, manage her well and keep an eye on things which may go wrong, and put them right at an early stage to avoid mis-understandings.

Thanks Susie1, good advice I will take all of it!