Live in help interviews

Have just started my quest for domestic helpers. I had a couple of interviews but would appreciate some insight on what I should be looking for and out for i.e. most of these cases are are about to terminate w/ their employers or will be terminated by them. They seem nice and sweet but how do I go about gauging how they are. Are trials standard? What are reasonable expectations to have of them? I have a 3 yo child and an preg with my 2nd. Any feedback would be appreciated as I am completely new to this domestic help situation.

I think you should be informed that here in Hong Kong, only maids that have finished their contracts are allowed by the immigration department to change employer here in HK. Otherwise, they have to exit HK upon their visa expiry date or within 14 days of their termination. Excluded are those that that have been terminated due to : 1.death of their employer 2. financial difficulty of their employer 3. migration of their employer to other countries for good. These reasons has to be provent to the Immigration Department. Maids will usually say that they were terminated because of the financial problem of their employers but most employers won't admit this to the I.D. as they won't be allowed to employe a helper within 3 years by the D.I. You should be alert that there are maids that will promise you anything just to get the job, and when they found a more suitable job for them, the D.I. will still allow them to back out even from the contract that has been submitted or is under processing at the I.D. The processing fee that you paid the agency will not be refunded by the employment agency as these are non refundable also at the consulate and all the fees they used in processing the papers. Also, most maids will have a score of 100% on interviews but only worth 40% upon working with you. You may then become unhappy with their performance and when you'd like to terminate her, you need to pay her one month termination fee, a plane ticket for her to go back to her own country. And you have to again pay for the processing fees to hire a new helper. So, you're not protected at all. I'd suggest you hire one from abroad. They are not inexperienced as most of them have experience working here in HK, Singapore, UAE, etc. Some of them are just not lucky to be able to find an employer while they are here in HK as the DI only gives them 14 days extra to find a suitable employer. First, a comparison on agency fees: for maids in HK, agencies usually charge from HK$ 2000 to 4000 and this is on a one time basis. Those from abroad are usually charged from 800 to 2500 and a number of agencies will guarrantee you a certain number of times you could change your maid in 2 years. The working attitudes of the maids greatly differ. Those hired from abroad are usually more determined to do the job as well as they can and they tend to be grateful for the chance that you've given them. Maids that are here, can apply at different agencies and they can back out at anytime. Even on the same day of interviews or contract signing. You also have to pay for the medical tests of the maids here in HK but it's usually free for those hired from overseas. The agency also has agents that can help you when you have problems with your maid but on those that are hired here in HK, their responsibility ends upon the issuance of the maids working visa. Either way, it would be much easier for you to hire through an agency as the processing is a bit complicated. If you need one, just let me know. I could refer one to you.


I know there are still maids that are really good that are finishing their contracts here in Hong Kong, but their number is extremely smaller than those that are not.To those helpers that have worked dedicatedly for their employer, I salute and thank you.


Hope this helps and Good Luck!

If cleaning, for example, is very important to you then do a trial (I never did, but then it was never a priority, and I might never have found a maid...). I would never hire directly from overseas - how can you expect to live with someone for a minimum of 2 years that you have never met? You will be spending a lot of time with this woman, and it's not fair to hire someone and then send them back a month later because you don't get on with them. About the agency/medical costs - one way or another you'll end up paying, and through an agency the maid will end up paying too, usually. An Indonesian helper will start work with you with debts of at least $21,000. Bear that in mind.

Good luck.

Trials are not allowed by the Immigration Department. Also, most of the domestic helpers here, or should I say all were hired from overseas initially. Otherwise, how were they be able to come here? Anyway, good luck!

Yes, but there are plenty of helpers already here who can be interviewed. No company would employ an employee without an interview - why would you take the hiring of a helper less seriously than hiring an office clerk, for example?

You're definitely right, geiboyi. You can always ask your agent to arrange for you to have an interview with your chosen maid. At least, the agent I know has this kind of service.

It is true that trials are technically illegal, but it's also true that Immigration turns a blind eye to trials that are limited to a couple of hours and rewarded by a reasonable recompense. They recognise that even with an interview it is difficult to be assured of satisfaction when employing a stranger who is going to live in your own (cramped) accommodation and look after your children etc etc. Very common, therefore, for trials to take place.