Short-term Helper Advice

Hi,

A friend of mine has relocated here for one month with her husband, 6 yr-old son and 3 month-old daughter. Her husband will be travelling and (being somewhat computer illiterate!)has asked me to find out how she could go about finding full-time help for one month. Is it possible to go through an agency for that length of time? Would that mean she would pay casual rates? Is it possible to find someone in-between contracts? What are the legalities? Any advice or experience would be great, thanks,

Jen

Try one of these agencies http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/domestichelp/warning.asp

An agency can help her find a local helper, meaning local HK resident and it's very expensive as local helper charges HK$50 to 60 per hour. Also, it is very difficult to find one that will stay overnight. If your friend would like to hire a foreign domestic helper on the other hand, she would need to sign for a two years contract. They are paid HK$3400 per month plus a levy payment paid in four equal installments amounting to HK$2400 every six months to the government of the HKSAR. Foreign domestic helpers are admitted to HK on a one employer basis. That means they are not allowed to work for anyone else except for the one who signed her. And they too are not allowed to work unless they are issued working visa for their contract with their employer so in-between contracts are not allowed. It is illegal and is punishable by jail. Hope that helps. If you need an agent, PM me and I'll send you the contact number of someone reliable. Good Luck!

Thanks Mochie, I will let her know!