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Helper Problem..

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ORIGINAL POST
Posted by dannyboy77 14 yrs ago



Dear All,

We've had the same helper for the last couple of years and while not thrilled with her performance it's acceptable and our two year old son loves her. We agreed to re sign her contract for another 2 years


The problem is she's just told us she has to go back the the Philippines because a family member is ill.


She's told us she's leaving in March (when her current contract ends). The big issue is my wife is due to give birth to our 2nd child in March and having no helper will be a total nightmare.


Any advice for how to speed up the hiring process would really be appreciated.


Thanks
 
 
Ed's Note - you might consider hiring a part time helper from Merry Maids to bridge the gap. 

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COMMENTS
Susie1 14 yrs ago
I think if you start looking for a new helper straight away, try to get one recommended by a friend, if you find one, contact immigration , maybe by actually going in with the new helper when she takes papers in,and let them know your baby is due soon, with proof of babies arrival date, they may speed the process up.

which normally takes 6-8 weeks. You could consider using one of the part-time agencies as a stop gap between helpers.


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LOJITT 14 yrs ago
You need to find a Filipina who has either completed their contract or has been terminated under one of the "exceptions"- employer died, cannot afford to employ them any longer or (more likely) is leaving HK permanently. If they fall into one of these categories they do not have to go back to the Philippines while their visa is processed and you can self process (no agent) so fill the forms in on the spot and go down there yourself and beg! (You need to also complete the "extension of stay" form citing that your wife is pregnant as the reason that the helper will start new contract with no break in Philippines in between).


Now, here's the slightly dodgy bit. Whilst they're allowed to stay in HK while the papers are processed, they're not technically allowed to work for you before their visa has been granted- they shd just sit in the boarding house all day- BUT they will be in HK so it's up to you. It does happen that helpers start work after their papers have been lodged but before visa technically given. Many are keen to do so because they cant afford to go 6 weeks with no wages. It's not legal but it happens.


Immigration do check the boarding houses so she should stay there at least and only come to your house in the day. Don't let her answer the door or phone or go out with your child.



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paenme 14 yrs ago
This happened to us as well. Our helper's performance had been mediocre at best depsite having worked in HK for 10 years and prior to that in Singapore for 8 years. Her cleaning was good, cooking inconsistent and during her time with us she constantly made demands for more compensation/benefits/time off (even though we give her bonuses and go away at least 5 weeks per year) and frequently gave bizarre and inconsistent stories.
 
While she couldn't get kids to eat right or do their home work no matter how much we pleaded (both my spouse and I work full time and long hours), the kids do love her.


Anyway all parties signed the new contract last month and it was processed through the Philippine Consulate (and we believe the HK Immigration as well since she never made it clear to us whether that happened or not). Our helper then text messaged us 4 days before the old contract ended that she quit and would no longer honour the new contract.
 
Beyond scrambling to find a replacement, we were more concerned about the possiblity of her getting a new visa under the new contract so that she can work on part time, live out jobs illegally for more money (not sure if we are just being paranoid or if this indeed can be a loop hole for the helpers?).
 
We read on the HK Immigration website that failing to notify Immi in the event of contract termination the employers can be fined $50,000 and subject to up to 2 years imprisonment. Needless to say we immediately sent a withdrawal letter for the new contract application to HK Immigration and copying Philippines Consulate.


In retrospect we should have accompanied her along the renewal process. I suppose just another lesson learned the hard way. By the way, she also filed claims with the Philippines Consulate stating that we owe her airfare, allowances and annual leave until we showed her all receipts signed by herself and credit card, itinerary and the travel stamps in her passport to prove otherwise.
 
 
We then had her sign a letter agreeing that she would not make further frivolous claims against us. Indeed unfortunate that it had to end this way.
 

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HKG2010 14 yrs ago


GOD BLESS you...

kindly check your inbox please. i have replied you in it.

"Thanks"...

regards... Arsenia

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angelcay827 14 yrs ago
please check your inbox. i have message for you, thanks

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lagrue 14 yrs ago
paenme accompanying her to immigration would not have helped you much, she could have just lodged the paperwork in advance but still rescinded her agreement to work after the fact.

As employers are we allowed to sue helpers who make false claims such as paenme's helpers has done or is there no recourse for employers but to take it on the chin? Does anyone know?

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SanjKash 14 yrs ago
Write a letter addressed to Immigration pleading for the speeding up of the application. Keep calling and calling, and go and visit as well. Will cut the time down to less than 4 weeks.

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flashback 14 yrs ago
I have sent you a PM

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melinda.landayan 14 yrs ago
To Dannyboy77

Hiring a domestic helper should not cost you much.I'am a domestic helper and i have been taking care of everything by myself.If you hire someone who can do all the work then it should be very easy.The last time I signed a contract is last year, my employer re hired me.We signed the papers and I told her everything I need her to gather for me, Photo copies of HK id, proof od address etc.We spent more or less 1000 HK$.This process only needs 2 to 3 weeks to accomplish and your new helper is good to work.

Cheers

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bardur 14 yrs ago
I don't know if I should laugh or cry, when I read post's like this.

It's right out disgusting to read how many HK people see their workers, like they own them or something? Like it's a crime to put down a job for a better offer ? who else wouldn't do that? And then the constant need to express just how bad the performance of the employee was.?? You know, thats not even legal, as a employer, you can not give negative reviews for a employee, if you don't have anything good to say about them, don't say anything.



And not to mention how racist and biased the HK gov treats one (1) certain group of expats compared to ALL other in HK, it's like Domestic helper's have a lower value as people.

It brings me back to think about the history of slavery in the US, how they didn't have any rights, (of course now I'm talking about after they went on to be "free") and didn't get any good jobs, and no right to vote and so on. Big different is that the DH's choose to come to HK by them self, to be able to get a better life, so they leave their children/family in their home country, to take care of "our" children/family in HK, and for that they send money to their familes, to support them at home.

But in HK these people have no chance of progressing in their life. Many of them are better educated then their employer, and still many work a lot more, for a lot less. And by the end of the day, they know that even if they do a great job for the next 10-20 years, they won't get to stay in HK (which by then feels like their home), and will be treated like a foreign visitor/worker, that has to go back to the country they left 20 years ago, after they either get laid of, or don't want to do this job anymore.


I'm disgusted

Bardur

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cookie09 14 yrs ago
bardur, given that you have just arrived in Hong Kong from the US, a big welcome to you.



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axptguy38 14 yrs ago
"You know, thats not even legal, as a employer, you can not give negative reviews for a employee, if you don't have anything good to say about them, don't say anything. "


Well, it is not legal in the US. As far as I know it is perfectly legal in HK. But I may be wrong. As cookie09 says, "welcome to HK". Things are different here. It takes adjustment.


And by the way: I have worked in the US on an L1 visa and I didn't have that many rights either. Certainly I didn't automatically get residency after a certain amount of years. Similar to the DH visas in many ways.

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bardur 14 yrs ago
Heavens no, I'm not from the US, don't get me started on the US! ;)


By all means, didn't mean to get so worked up, I just read some other post's about the DH's before, and I just kinda felt sad and angry at the same time, wasn't anything personally pointed to any people here, but just a general statement.


Thank you, tough I have lived in Hong Kong for 7 years, and love it.

Take care.

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cookie09 14 yrs ago
well bardur, i am not sure what worked you up so much, especially i have you been in hong kong for 7 years already. 7 years experience should have told you that an internet forum on helpers attracts the problem stories, not the stories where everything is perfect



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axptguy38 14 yrs ago
Very true cookie09. For the record, we have nothing to complain about with our helper. She has been a stellar employee from day one. We are very fortunate to have her.

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prasat 14 yrs ago
Hi there.... just read your msg and I have a good friend that is currently finished her contract in Singapore (they wanted to resign her...but she opted to try HK). She is currently in the Phils doing whatever additional training required and will be ready to go as of Wed once she has an employer. She has great experience (7 years) is a very hard worker, pleasant, and importantly very trustworthy.


She currently has an agency, but is very uncomfortable with them and wants to back out and so I'm trying my best to assist her in finding an expat as I was told this is the best places for them to work.


If you are interested contact me and I can provide you all her credentials etc.

I'll send you an inbox accordingly....good luck!



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prasat 14 yrs ago
Yes I am under the impression that it is easier. But at least if I were to find her one from a site like this where they can speak to each other and get a good level of comfort with each other (between the prospective employee and employer) then I have no issues with getting an agency to do the paper work. I am more concerned about her employer. She just spent money on an agency who was pretty awful. Once they finally set her up with an interview and the employer decided to hire her, they wouldn't let her speak to the employer to find out the final details. Instead the agency told her that the employer wants her to cut her hair to her ears (the employer never said anything of this in the interview) and so she is extremely uncomfortable of putting herself in a situation where an employer would ask her to do that...or an agency who ignores her when she has a reasonable request to speak one last time to her prospective employers. Since she has not heard anything she is just trying to find another reputable agency or hoping that she can find someone else on her own (or me) ...where she can actually speak to the employer. So please pass on the word to any good people who may be interested. :)

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