What to do when domestic helper is away?

My helper will take her leave in May. She will be gone for 2 weeks. This is the compulsory vacation after the renewal of contract. I have 2 kids and I would like to know if there is anyone who is available to work everyday for 2 weeks (just cleaning) while i look after the kids. I know it is only 2 weeks but after being so dependant on a helper for 4 years, it is not something i look forward to. Welcome any suggestions!

It is illegal, but you can ask your helper if she has friends who can help during this time - this is what we did.


If you want to do it legally and spend (a lot) more money - contact RentAMum and arrange for legal experienced help.

Haha, I am having the same problem. My helper is going home for 2 weeks in April.... therefore, we are taking our vacation during that time with the kids.... it's somehow always easier to travel than to stay home, when without helper.


Trouble, can't decide WHERE to go with the kids.... 3 yr, and 18 months.... somewhere "safe" and "fun"

You can try Singapore's 'Sentosa Island'. We were there last summer and stayed at the Shangri-la resort for 5 days (wanted to extend but the hotel was fully booked). My children (age 3.5 and 2 at the time) had a wonderful time and so did we. The hotel has great facilities for kids complete with playrooms and games rooms and they have pools of different depths. My only comment was that hotel food wasn't that great for the price paid but it's so easy to just hop on a cab and ride out to the island for some great food.


Flight wise, it's not too long and we took the budget airline, Jetstarasia and saved ourselves some money.


Hope this helps.

Hi Kara23, Have you tried the government's domestic helper center? You can hire a helper for $HK50 an hour (minimum rate) and is very flexible

Thanks AKKY, do you have the contact no or website?

Hi Kara23, that was fast reply!! here's the website. http://www.erb.org/guie/er_ldh.asp

i'm currently using one now and she's great.

thanks so much AKKY, i will definitely give them a call when my helper is away. How much do you think I should offer someone to come everyday for 2 weeks to do housework and cook dinner? Is $3000 ok?

Hi holmes1953, just call 23174567 there's a customer service operator who will direct you to the branch (depend where you live)who they will serve you. They will then ask you for some general information like what kind of person you are looking for, for what kind of work, how much you will offer (generally is $50 per hour min but is non-offical)then they will register your name etc and look for suitable people for you to interview. and the best thing is -the service is free. As for me I interviewed 2 ladies and decided on the second one for general house cleaning once a week for 4hours. All the conditions are agreed upon between you and the employee, the government office is just an intermediate they have nothing to do with the condition you agreed with the employee. One more thing to take note is you must take out a labour insurance policy for someone to work for you. The one I've took out is about HK$280 per year and it covers any one domestic helper at any one time who serve your address.


Hi Kara23, the amount of salary is negotiable between you and the DH. but I've decided to offer my DH $50/hr and she's ok with it. so it depends on how many hours you want her to work for you each day within that 2weeks. You can always offer someone higher amount as your need is short term. But I would stay around $50-$60 per hour. Oh one more thing, My DH don't work on Saturday or Sunday but you may be able to find who does. they'll probably ask for more in that situation. so as I've mentioned before all conditions are negotiable between you and the DH.

Hope this helps


Cheers

Hi Akky thank you so much I will follow too yr suggestion, may I ask you which labour insurance have you taken?