Hiring a Filipino maid is an important decision for any family. It is essential to find out more about their background and make sure that they have all the necessary documents before hiring them. You can hire a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong from an agency or via personal ads. However, you should be prepared to pay more when hiring through an agency.
Employment center
There are more than 1,500 domestic helper employment agencies in Hong Kong. These are regulated by the government, and employers should always check an agency’s license before using its services. Some of these agencies also offer Indian maid insurance, which should be purchased by employers. However, the coverage and limits of these policies may not be enough to protect the employer in the event of a serious accident.
Unscrupulous agencies often charge foreign domestic workers excessive fees and force them into debt bondage, making them vulnerable to abuse and overwork. FEA addresses this problem by helping foreign domestic workers find jobs that match their skills and abilities. It also helps them get out of debt and avoid exploitive situations. The agency offers a wide range of services, including training for domestic workers before their arrival in Hong Kong and orientation classes for new employers. Its team in the Philippines evaluates and trains workers, and also arranges for HKID applications, medical checkups upon arrival, and language and cooking classes.
Employment agency
Many families in Hong Kong hire domestic helpers for childcare, elderly care, and general household chores. These workers typically work 16 to 18 hours a day and live in the home of their employers. Many of these workers are subjected to modern slavery, with abuse and exploitation a common occurrence. The best way to avoid these problems is by using an ethical online platform that does not charge fees to helpers and provides up-front training and referrals to social services.
employment center are registered with the Labour Department and provide a variety of services for both employers and foreign domestic workers. Typically, they will help employers find a maid from the Philippines or Indonesia, and may also assist with completing immigration paperwork and arranging rest days and insurance. However, it is important to check whether the agency you choose is legitimate and has a valid licence. Moreover, the agency should be transparent about its fees and charges.
Direct hire
Many families in Hong Kong hire foreign domestic helpers through employment agencies. However, these intermediaries can overcharge the workers or confiscate their passports. Moreover, they often take longer to finish the entire process. Nevertheless, there are some recommended ethical agencies that you can consider hiring from.
Besides being more convenient, direct hire can save you money and time. With this method, you can interview a domestic helper and test her skills before hiring her. You can also check whether the helper’s contract status and work experience is authentic. You can also use online helper matching platforms to find a suitable candidate. Some websites offer free accounts for employers and allow them to search verified helper profiles. Others charge a small fee for their services. Typically, these fees include 2-year mandatory insurance and visa processing service. Other charges may be for medical check-up or financial literacy certification.
Self-employed
A self-employed domestic helper is a woman who works as a paid employee in someone else’s household. She is a paid helper who takes care of the household and often helps with the children, elderly, or disabled members of the family. In addition, she cooks and cleans the house. She can also drive if she has a license.
Self-employed foreign domestic helpers must be provided with suitable living accommodation and reasonable privacy during their contractual period. They must also be provided with food and drink at no cost to them.
It is illegal for a foreign domestic helper to work outside their employer’s home unless they have permission from the Immigration Department. Permission is rarely granted, and doing so can result in prosecution for both the employer and the helper.
