Helper's bank account and telephone

Hi there


We just arrived from Singapore and our helper just touched down a few days ago. Was wondering


1. What bank I should take her to open an account? We went to HSBC and was told that have to keep a minimum of 5000hkd which is just too much for her. Any suggestions?


2. Telephone - I bought a CSL sim card for her. Was wondering if we should sign her up for a plan every month? with which company? Is there one that's got cheap calling plans to the Philippines?


tks

1. I recommend Hang Seng since you only need to put in a couple thousand and there is no minimum balance. There is an account type with no charges except to use counter services. ATM banking is free (as is Internet I think).


2. Certainly sign her up for a plan but ensure it is in her name only. Many helpers use OWTEL. Then again as beancurd says there are plenty of IDD cards she can use.

pls open in Bank Of China no need for any charge/balance...SIM card ask her to buy her own with her money , otherwise u will be paying every 2 days , as DH have lots to talk when the bill is someone else..

Hi,


Sign her up in Hang Seng bank under "savings account" as she doesn't have to maintain such minimum balance. As for the phone she can either have a postpaid or a prepaid SIM card. You should let her choose but pay your part say HK$ 50/month for texting/calling her for household matters. This is one thing the employers should be aware of. It cost helpers to take calls and/or text back their employers.

Bank: I would use BDO (Banco de Oro) or BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) as they are both Philippine Banks w/ branches here in HK. You can look up their service fees/minimums on-line. I have had accounts at both back in the PH & BPI is my personal choice. BPI is also the #1 remittance agency back to the PH. My helpers back in the PH have accounts at BPI also & I easily pay them via the web w/ my PH acct. You might be able to do the same here. I feel this is safer than cash & I get a legal record. Document that if you pay the minimum for the account they are required to keep it at that level or their wages will replace that balance.


Phone: I go pre-paid so you can reach them & buy a basic phone for that use, loan it to them. Put this in writing as they replace it if they lose it. I buy a certain amount pre-paid monthly so that is their work phone, or my phone they use for work. I chance losing it but I find it totally worth it to keep things seperate. Check if you can put this phone on your network such as 3 so some things are free. I would not agree to pay to call PH. I make sure they can use Skype. If they want other options it is their responsibility.

I think that the information posted by HKGShe might be misleading.


As I understand it (and very happy to be proved wrong) at least one of the banks listed above BPI, operates in Hong Kong as a remittance bank only - ie you can only send funds back to the PI, not use them for normal HK$ deposit / withdrawls which surely a helper will need as not all the salary paid is remitted back to the Philippines!


As I say very happy to be proved wrong but having just checked on line I can find no information about being able to open and operate regular HK accounts.


BDO might be different - its not clear from the website but again in the past only Phil nationals could open accounts for remittance to PI.

@ maryland I must apologize as BPI does not seem to have branch information. I already have accounts at BPI PH and was told by that bank that I could transfer/ use the bank here in HK. Perhaps this is not true. I'm glad you mentioned it before I needed that option.


BDO click "branch banking" then "personal accounts" but if the person does not have a history with the bank they might not be able to apply. It does look complicated.