My DH of 3 mths told me last night that her loan for her agent fee is up & she has to pay in full. when she arrived, i asked her not to borrow money from outside & if she has financial problems she should come to me first. she told me she borrowed from a bank about HKD20,000 to come here - the agency fee plus travelling, visa, etc. and it was to be paid in 6 mths. now 6 mths is up. i wonder with their salary in HK, no one would be able to pay up that kind of debt in 6 mths. do all the DH borrow money to come here? does anyone know how much they need to pay before they can come to HK? do your DH asked you to borrow money? my previous DH also borrowed HKD8,000 from me 6 mths after she arrived. she told me her son was sick, and it was paid back to me in 10 payments.
DH asking to borrow money
- Thread starter joannek
- Start date
carang
Registered User
my helper asked once to borrow $5000 so they could do something to the house they are building. i told her that there was no way that we could afford to lend her the $. i also warned her against going to a "friend" of hers who most likely would charge outrageous interest. i told her some of the stories that i'd heard here and on another website. as far as i know she and her hubby figured out another way to pay without borrowing the $.
If your DH is not hired direct, she would have probably paid the agent anything between $8,000 to $15,000 depends on her experience and the agent. The agent would work out a payment schedule where the DH would repay by installments (usually 6). I'm surprised that your DH's agent / bank would allow her to repay only AFTER 6 months!
Though it may appear that the DH is working for nothing for 6 months, you need to understand that $3400 x 18 months is A LOT of money for Philippines standard especially for someone who comes from a province (not manila) where you can built a house with few years' salary, which is why DH are willing to pay a huge agent fee in order to work in HK.
All DHs know what they are getting into and though the fee is high, they should be able to repay the agent / bank (otherwise, which bank or agent would lend them the money?).
I'm sure there are some who deserves help but be careful not to be used.
Though it may appear that the DH is working for nothing for 6 months, you need to understand that $3400 x 18 months is A LOT of money for Philippines standard especially for someone who comes from a province (not manila) where you can built a house with few years' salary, which is why DH are willing to pay a huge agent fee in order to work in HK.
All DHs know what they are getting into and though the fee is high, they should be able to repay the agent / bank (otherwise, which bank or agent would lend them the money?).
I'm sure there are some who deserves help but be careful not to be used.
she told me that 1/2 her salary goes home to her kids & 1/2 goes to repay the debt. that's like HKD1700 to repay HKD20,000!! so she said she's only been paying the interest! the thing i don't understand is how did she ever think she could repay 20K in 6 mths, when 3 of these mths was before she came!?
From what I understand, pretty much all Indonesian helpers need to pay something like HK$20,000 to initially get a job here. (This is something to bear in mind if you are an employer who fires helpers on a whim (burnt the dinner, cheeky to grandma, that sort of thing) - you may be sending your helper back home, with a debt that they can never even hope to repay by working in Indonesia, children to support, loan sharks knocking at the door...). The Indonesian govt is a part of this - the consulate people apparently are in with the agencies to make sure that their nationals, who they should be protecting, are ripped off as much as possible.
I would arrange a repayment schedule for the helper and pay the loan for her - it's not worth it to have loan sharks calling you at night, or to have your helper forced into part time illegal work to pay off the loan. But tell her it's the only time EVER.
I would arrange a repayment schedule for the helper and pay the loan for her - it's not worth it to have loan sharks calling you at night, or to have your helper forced into part time illegal work to pay off the loan. But tell her it's the only time EVER.
I know a lobby of mums will attack me for saying this -- but keep her passport in a safe place, to prevent her from going and signing up for another loan -- chances are very high that she will, if she has pressure from her family (who often regard overseas relatives as a bottomless ATM card).
Arrange the repayment directly with the agent / finance company - after you have verified that there is a loan in question, do not give the money to the helper.
Arrange the repayment directly with the agent / finance company - after you have verified that there is a loan in question, do not give the money to the helper.
rani
Administrator
I was slammed previously for supporting employers who kept the passports of their helpers. I just wish I had done it myself.
I gave our helper a number of lectures on trusting people when she arrived 3 years ago. We did a direct hire so she didn't have any placement fees to worry about. She knew she could always come to us if she needed anything, and I gave her a few small loans when her family needed some extra $.
A cousin and another friend in HK who were already in debt asked her to guarantee a couple of loans, which they had no intention of paying. Their employers had already bailed them out of previous loans and their salaries are being deducted. She's now stuck paying these loans. Her passport is being held by another friend, who gave her some money to pay the loans, cos she honestly expected her cousin to pay and had already sent her salary home. What a mess!
So I'm all for keeping your helper's passport. Better you than someone else!
I gave our helper a number of lectures on trusting people when she arrived 3 years ago. We did a direct hire so she didn't have any placement fees to worry about. She knew she could always come to us if she needed anything, and I gave her a few small loans when her family needed some extra $.
A cousin and another friend in HK who were already in debt asked her to guarantee a couple of loans, which they had no intention of paying. Their employers had already bailed them out of previous loans and their salaries are being deducted. She's now stuck paying these loans. Her passport is being held by another friend, who gave her some money to pay the loans, cos she honestly expected her cousin to pay and had already sent her salary home. What a mess!
So I'm all for keeping your helper's passport. Better you than someone else!
These days, they don't just use their passports to borrow money, they apply for a job in Canada. Heard so many stories about how helpers suddenly give their employers three months notice to work in Canada. They can apply without your knowledge! Don't need your proof of employment nor any references are needed.
I have been thinking about keeping my helper's passport too. But is too embarrased to ask. Afterall, it's not my right to do so...
How did you ask your DH?
I have been thinking about keeping my helper's passport too. But is too embarrased to ask. Afterall, it's not my right to do so...
How did you ask your DH?
I don't see how you can ask for the passport really! It's not like we own the DH's life. I mean, imagine your boss ask to keep your passport, even if it is with all the good intentions!
Believe me, if your DH has the intention of using you as a stepping stone for another job in Canada, you are not going to be able to stop her even if you held her passport.
As to being a guarantor, my gut feeling tells me that many so called guarantors were in this together with the borrower. The DHs are not stupid. Their agents and friends told them stories and warned them about these type of situations. Even my DH who is first time in HK heard million stories about people running away with the borrowed money. Don't mean to be judgmental but most DHs are not that 'innocent'. And don't under-estimate people's creativity when they are determined to scam you.
If you look at outcome of these cases, very often the employer ended up lending the money to the DH interest-free -- so who's the real victim?
Believe me, if your DH has the intention of using you as a stepping stone for another job in Canada, you are not going to be able to stop her even if you held her passport.
As to being a guarantor, my gut feeling tells me that many so called guarantors were in this together with the borrower. The DHs are not stupid. Their agents and friends told them stories and warned them about these type of situations. Even my DH who is first time in HK heard million stories about people running away with the borrowed money. Don't mean to be judgmental but most DHs are not that 'innocent'. And don't under-estimate people's creativity when they are determined to scam you.
If you look at outcome of these cases, very often the employer ended up lending the money to the DH interest-free -- so who's the real victim?
If you agree that the victim is the employer -- then how do we protect ourselves?
If you don't agree that the eventual victim is the employer -- we have another issue to deal with.
From our perspective -- we know that the helper can report the passport stolen / lost and get a new one in days -- it is not like we're taking her first born or her soul and holding it ransom.
However, it gives employers a peace of mind. Rather us than a loan shark.
If you don't agree that the eventual victim is the employer -- we have another issue to deal with.
From our perspective -- we know that the helper can report the passport stolen / lost and get a new one in days -- it is not like we're taking her first born or her soul and holding it ransom.
However, it gives employers a peace of mind. Rather us than a loan shark.
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As what I know, DH can borrow money with her ID card and employment contract. No passport needed anymore. So I don't keep my DH passport. My ex-DH borrow money from bank few days before she left HK. (So you can see her intention is not going to repay)
She just worked with us for 9 months and she said she is missing her son and give one month notice to me. When she left, she had three large luggages back home and lots of unpaid telephone bills. I received annoying calls after few weeks she left coz repayment day is due. I have to fax them the termination letter to final the case.
Good luck!
She just worked with us for 9 months and she said she is missing her son and give one month notice to me. When she left, she had three large luggages back home and lots of unpaid telephone bills. I received annoying calls after few weeks she left coz repayment day is due. I have to fax them the termination letter to final the case.
Good luck!
rani
Administrator
I guess not then. I didn't realise they could borrow with their ID cards. The finance companies must have caught on that employers are holding the passports and made things easier for them.
, I didn't realise the Canadian visa processing was so fast. It's a great opportunity for helpers. Not so great for us 
It takes the Canadian Consulate about 4-6 months to process. And then once they approve and issue a visa to the DH, she will have to land in Canada within 3 weeks time.
Really not so great news to us employers...but good for them! Mind you, I heard some of them weren't happy in Cananda after working over there for a year or so, especially when they realise that they have to pay lots of income tax, high living costs compared to Hong Kong, and the cold cold winter as well. Some of them ended up asking their HK employers to have them back.
Really not so great news to us employers...but good for them! Mind you, I heard some of them weren't happy in Cananda after working over there for a year or so, especially when they realise that they have to pay lots of income tax, high living costs compared to Hong Kong, and the cold cold winter as well. Some of them ended up asking their HK employers to have them back.
yes, plus they have to pay for own ticket to go home, which is so much more expensive & far away then HK. a lot of them never saved enuf money to go home. some hasn't been home for 5 years to see their children. and most of them have to rent a home outside of their employer's, cos they're supposed to stay out on weekends when they're off. rent, running a house, cost of living, they end up not being able to save more than in HK. that's why they need to come back. unless their intention is to immigrate & apply for their children to go, then they should go to canada.
but then, they always think N. America is the land of gold.
but then, they always think N. America is the land of gold.
Personally, I think keeping a helper's passport is too much like slavery, but that is just me...
For what it is worth, I don't loan money to my helper. Twice in the 6 years she has been working for us, she has asked for a small amount of money for relative's medical expenses. Both times less than HK$3k. She has offered to pay them back, but I have treated them as a one off gift. I was satisfied that the need was genuine. It wasn't a huge amount of money to me, but it was to her.
I think lending to your helper is a bit like lending money to friends and family - don't expect it back !
For what it is worth, I wouldn't lend her HK$20k. To me, that is too much to lose. I wouldn't expect my employer to loan me over 5 times my monthly salary.
For what it is worth, I don't loan money to my helper. Twice in the 6 years she has been working for us, she has asked for a small amount of money for relative's medical expenses. Both times less than HK$3k. She has offered to pay them back, but I have treated them as a one off gift. I was satisfied that the need was genuine. It wasn't a huge amount of money to me, but it was to her.
I think lending to your helper is a bit like lending money to friends and family - don't expect it back !
For what it is worth, I wouldn't lend her HK$20k. To me, that is too much to lose. I wouldn't expect my employer to loan me over 5 times my monthly salary.
jane01, you're very lucky. i have a friend who's DH borrowed money from loan companies & other DH in the bldg and when the DH left, everyone went to my friend to get their money back & the loan companies kept calling.
then there was one who's DH borrowed money with her passport & when they went for a trip, my friend had to pay the loan to get back the passport so they can went on the trip.
then there was one who's DH borrowed money with her passport & when they went for a trip, my friend had to pay the loan to get back the passport so they can went on the trip.