An Indonesian DH

I have to terminate my current Phil. DH for being repeatedly irresponsible when taking care of my kid. I can not do it immediately (work), but can get rid of her somewhere in November.


I will look for a new DH very soon. If I find somebody I like, can I sign a contract with her and wait for her arrival while I still have my current DH working for me?

Not sure of the relevance of the heading, but yes you can.

Yes, you can wait until you get someone new before you terminate. But it means you have to pay her a full month's salary (upon termination and immediate depaarture) + a full month's salary to your new maid.

I'm in the same boat. I'm terminating mine and will now hire Indonesian. This new Indonesian helper will also be here around mid-November. It's too costly for me to pay salaries to two helpers on top of agents fees so I'm a bit unsure of what to do.

Just a matter of interest, how much agent fees are you paying? Mine's charging HK$2800 because they are licensed for Indonesian helpers.....

I hear it's cheaper at other agencies... I like the helper I saw in this expensive one but others who are willing to do for HK$2k will save me HK$800 which is almost a one way trip back home for my current helper.

Hi! MayC, as in my answer to your previous posts, my friend's agency is fully liscenced too and they are only charging HK$1988. Their maids from Indonesia are fully screened since her boss is an Expat from Indonesia. They can even arrange for you to have a phone interview with your chosen maid. They even guarantee that within two years, if you find your maid unsuitable, they'll replace her for free. So why pay for more?


Nat_76, I was just wondering why you have to wait that long. If it doesn't work then let her go. My friend signed for a new maid and then terminate her present maid around a month after submitting all the documents to the Immigration Department. Of course if you prefer to wait till November, that's also ok. But be sure to find a maid from a reliable agency. Yes, you can wait for your new maid to arrive before terminating your existing maid if you chose not to carry over the levy payment to your new maid. Otherwise, the Immigration Department won't issue your new maid's working visa before your present maid leaves her service. It's really up to you. By the way, how much are you paying your agent? My friend's agency is only charging HK$1988 for Indonesian maid. They have two Indonesian interpreters and a Filipina speaker, as well. Good Luck!

Thanks for the answer.


TC, the heading is irrelevant indeed. That's because initially I wanted to try a certain comparison of DHs from different countries, but then changed my mind.


MayC, I haven't found an agency yet. The last agency I used was not good (did not listen to what my requirements were and bothered with unsuitable candidates; it took them 3 months instead of 4-6 weeks to bring a DH from the Phil; she had no experience in household whatsoever; she was very poor in hygiene). They charged me HK$1,600. I want to try my luck in another agency.


Is it true that it takes more time and costs more to hire an Indonesian?


Also, does she get the same minimum salary as a Phil. DH?


If I hire an Indonesian from here, does she still need to go back home first? I know that with Phil. is different: if she's got a "Finish" contract, she can stay and go home later during the 12 months. Is it the same with Indo?

Hi Nat,


Mochie recommended her friend's agency. I think we both could try calling.


I found a few contact numbers when I did my search on www.msn.com.hk. I typed in "domestic helper agency".


Can you talk to you previous agency and ask they to recommend someone else?


From what I've heard, most agents will exchange helpers for free if you are dissatisfied with your current one. That will save you on agency fees. Mine went bust so I couldn't look for her.

Indonesian helpers should get the same pay as Filipino helpers.


However, if you want to hire Indonesians direct from here, another agency told me that it'll be more costly because of the paperwork. It's fine if it's from overseas.


Like you, I too am trying to decide whether to take the Filipino route again or Indonesians. I know we shouldn't generalise.... but when you're desperate......


The agent I've been dealing with charges quite a lot - HK$2800 but they justify it by saying that they look after their helpers. They provide them dormitories so that the helpers don't have to wander the streets. They give them a community and teach them at these dormitories too should I want them to improve their skills in anything. They allow unlimited change in maids in the 2 years but to avoid paying too much, they say they screen the applicants carefully.


I found one that I like.... but before I decide, I think I'll check out some more first, just to be sure.

You know there's more choice than just Indonesian and Filipino helpers...

Nat_76, the hiring process is like this. First you choose a helper, then you'd have to submit the employment contract to the consulate ( Philippines, Indonesia or Thailand) After one week, the contract will be sent to the Immigration Department. The processing time there will be 4 to 6 weeks before the Immigration Department issues the visa and ask you to pay the levy. Then the visa will be sent to your maid's home country were they will arrange her to come to HK. My friend's agency charges only HK$888 for maids from the Philippines. The time needed to process the documents are the same. The only problem lies in the Immigration officer that process your contract and also when the documents submitted are incomplete. The salary of domestic helpers are the same regardless of their country of origin.


MayC, I think all agency will tell you that they charges higher than others because they provide them dormitories, teaches them how to work, etc. That is true. But all agencies do that, well all legitimate agencies, anyway. So, why pay more. If you can't decide on what nationality to hire, maybe you could ask your agent to have you interview the ones that meet your requirements to let you decide. Maybe you'd like to try this. My agent friend had asked my other friend the employer to interview the maids she liked and asked them scenario questions before deciding which one to hire. Well, that has helped my friend in hiring one that suits her.


Hope that helps.