What do you all pay your helpers
- Thread starter lalila
- Start date
NO! each contract should be based on 3880 + food allowance (if you choose to give it). if you want to give 6000 it is fine, but I would not put that on the formal contract because when they leave, the money you give them will be calculated based on 6000 and not 3880 (which is a BIG difference). For example, long service pay would be based on 6000, number of paid work days (if you are terminating contract before completion of contract) would also be based on 6000. Does the 6000 include food allowance? If you end the contract on good terms, then of course calculations based on 6000 would seem fine, however, if you end the contract on bad terms, then 6000 will seem to be alot but there is no turning back. it just seems more sensible to start with minimum pay and then add as you go on, when interviewing you could always tell them we will increase pay based on performance so it is not a given that they get 6000. i have a friend who pays their "good helper" 5000 a month...but of course, the amount is very personal. just make sure to protect yourself.
Of course you can always be generous because they are really really good, but just in case they are not
Of course you can always be generous because they are really really good, but just in case they are not
carang
Registered User
i thought it was $3580?
when we hired our helper, we paid her the minimum (with bonuses). upon each contract renewal, we've given her a raise. we have already signed 3 contracts with her and will have to sign another one in a couple months' time. she now earns $4000/month.
we have also hired her husband and brought him from Saudi Arabia to work for us. this is the first time they've lived together in almost 20 years! he earns minimum with bonuses, just as she did. he will also get a raise upon completion of this contract as he is a very diligent worker.
when we hired our helper, we paid her the minimum (with bonuses). upon each contract renewal, we've given her a raise. we have already signed 3 contracts with her and will have to sign another one in a couple months' time. she now earns $4000/month.
we have also hired her husband and brought him from Saudi Arabia to work for us. this is the first time they've lived together in almost 20 years! he earns minimum with bonuses, just as she did. he will also get a raise upon completion of this contract as he is a very diligent worker.
The minimum salary is 3580 HK$, and the food allowance is 750 HK$ for every contract signed after the 8 september 2010 (it was 740 HK$ before and it does not change if signed before this date).
We have decided to pay our helper 4700, including the food allowance, and will probably raise her salary around Christmas to 5000 as we are very satisfied with her work.
We have decided to pay our helper 4700, including the food allowance, and will probably raise her salary around Christmas to 5000 as we are very satisfied with her work.
carang
Registered User
i forgot to say that we pay the two helpers $2000/month for food allowance. we only started paying this when our second helper started with us as they preferred to eat together as a couple rather than eat our food with us. so, it really works out that they get $1000 each/month for food.
Minimum salary is $3,580 in Hong Kong. And I don't think that paying a higher salary will necessarily ensure that you are able to hire a "good helper" (maybe a "greedier" one?)
This is our helper's first time in Hong Kong, her first contract with us and she hasn't completed a full year yet. She earns $3,580/month and shares our meals with us--she definitely has access to food that equals more than $750 HKD--I am sure that with our family she consumes more than $1,000 HKD worth of food a month (and we're totally happy with that--she has gained weight since she's been here--but it's totally a good thing because I don't think she was very well-fed before she arrived).
We experienced what we consider to be a "windfall" in our finances this autumn and because we believe expressing thankfulness by being more generous than we have to be, we have given her a "13th month bonus"--this is a common practice in the Philippines, actually--employees receive an extra month salary at the end of the year which often goes to cover Christmas expenses. We made it clear that for now, this is a one-off bonus based on our ability to give one this year and it may not be the same situation next year. So, for the month of December she will receive (has already received in fact, because we paid her salary early) an extra $3,580 HKD.
We are so impressed with an pleased with her work and her attitude that we want to express that in a practical way. She has two small children in the Philippines and I think money is a practical way to say "Thank you for helping us keep our sanity by doing such an amazing job while working for us, really, without you we couldn't accomplish all the things we are able to."
This is our helper's first time in Hong Kong, her first contract with us and she hasn't completed a full year yet. She earns $3,580/month and shares our meals with us--she definitely has access to food that equals more than $750 HKD--I am sure that with our family she consumes more than $1,000 HKD worth of food a month (and we're totally happy with that--she has gained weight since she's been here--but it's totally a good thing because I don't think she was very well-fed before she arrived).
We experienced what we consider to be a "windfall" in our finances this autumn and because we believe expressing thankfulness by being more generous than we have to be, we have given her a "13th month bonus"--this is a common practice in the Philippines, actually--employees receive an extra month salary at the end of the year which often goes to cover Christmas expenses. We made it clear that for now, this is a one-off bonus based on our ability to give one this year and it may not be the same situation next year. So, for the month of December she will receive (has already received in fact, because we paid her salary early) an extra $3,580 HKD.
We are so impressed with an pleased with her work and her attitude that we want to express that in a practical way. She has two small children in the Philippines and I think money is a practical way to say "Thank you for helping us keep our sanity by doing such an amazing job while working for us, really, without you we couldn't accomplish all the things we are able to."
thanka2 - "Minimum salary is $3,580 in Hong Kong. And I don't think that paying a higher salary will necessarily ensure that you are able to hire a "good helper" (maybe a "greedier" one?) "
I am sure that is not the logic that your or your husband's employers use.
You advertise a job, and you offer a salary based on paying what you have to pay to get what you need. If a helper has great experience and an excellent work history and asks for over the minimum, she not being 'Greedy' - she's positioning herself in the market for a particular kind of job or employer. If you don't want to pay it, then don't - but don't denigrate hard working women to dare to charge for their services based on a higher skill/training/experience level.
I am sure that is not the logic that your or your husband's employers use.
You advertise a job, and you offer a salary based on paying what you have to pay to get what you need. If a helper has great experience and an excellent work history and asks for over the minimum, she not being 'Greedy' - she's positioning herself in the market for a particular kind of job or employer. If you don't want to pay it, then don't - but don't denigrate hard working women to dare to charge for their services based on a higher skill/training/experience level.
In my experience, salary isn't the number one determiner of whether or not you end up with a "good helper." Our helper is AMAZING and she is definitely not making $6,000 HKD/month. We spoke with her early on regarding her plans and our plans and just like in any job, with experience and service to one employer come pay raises.
I think that you are reading a lot more into my comment than what I typed or even what the heart of what I meant. I in no way was "denigrating hard working women to dare to charge for their services based on a higher skill/training/experience level." I was simply saying that just because a helper comes at you with a figure of $6,000 HKD (or more) doesn't guarantee that she will in the end be a "good helper" for you or your family--there are just as many helpers with less "skill/training/experience" that end up being perfect matches for the families they work for. I think that in order to demand a market rate that is almost twice as high as the standard rate a helper must have incredible "skills/training/experience" to offer up. And if others are comfortable paying their helpers that amount, that is their business dealings. As far as helpers requesting that wage--if they can "prove" to their potential employer that they are worth that much on the market and the potential employer agrees then more power to them.
Let me be clear that I am a mother who has worked as a freelance consultant for several years so I definitely know how to bid a job for myself and I have no problem asking for what I am worth in terms of experience--I do understand this principle quite well, thanks.
The person who made this original post initially asked if that figure was kosher for hiring a "good helper" and my personal experience and feelings say that that figure won't guarantee you a good helper--having a good eye/knack, good contacts and a little bit of luck will get you just as far (or maybe further). There are different ways to accomplish the same task, however and money does talk. But, let us remember that money is not the only factor that talks.
My point exactly.
I put the word greedy in quotation marks. It was more of a sarcastic comment than anything.
hi every one thank you for your comments i agree someone on minimum may be just as good or even better actually than someone asking for 6000. i just wanted to know if it was normal for helpers who had the western experience with small children to be on this kind of money and seems its not very normal thank you all very much xx also if anyone does or has head of a good helper please please can you pm me i havent seemed to have much luck on the agency side i have two very young children and obvioulsy need someone who can manage the two from time to time so i can pop out when needed thank you all
Just to give one more point of view.......As of January, our helper will be in that range. We hired her at the minimum and increased her wages pretty substantially last January and will do so again this year (and next year etc). When we hired her, she had been out of HK for a while to take care of family in the Philippines so (my guess is) she didn't feel she was in a position to ask for more than the minimum, even though she has loads of experience/skills.
Initially, it was my husband who suggested the large increase (our helper didn't request it) and I was wary because I thought it might set a precedent that we would feel compelled to stick to. We talked it through and decided that even if it did, the value that our helper provides to us still far and away exceeds what we pay her. We continue to feel that the higher pay could be really meaningful to her and her family and is not going to break the bank for us. In our home country only the truly wealthy (i.e., not doctors, lawyers, mid-level bankers and the like) have live-in help, so that probably makes us appreciate her all the more.
To cut a long story short, whenever it is we leave HK, our helper will be back in the market and I would think that she would at least tell potential employers what she is making and hope they can match it. So, if helpers quote you those figures, they are not necessarily being greedy or unreasonable. That said, just like when any of us moves jobs (particularly when we are forced to), the opening salary request may be just that and the helpers you are talking to may be willing to accept less if they feel they can't find the right situation otherwise.
Initially, it was my husband who suggested the large increase (our helper didn't request it) and I was wary because I thought it might set a precedent that we would feel compelled to stick to. We talked it through and decided that even if it did, the value that our helper provides to us still far and away exceeds what we pay her. We continue to feel that the higher pay could be really meaningful to her and her family and is not going to break the bank for us. In our home country only the truly wealthy (i.e., not doctors, lawyers, mid-level bankers and the like) have live-in help, so that probably makes us appreciate her all the more.
To cut a long story short, whenever it is we leave HK, our helper will be back in the market and I would think that she would at least tell potential employers what she is making and hope they can match it. So, if helpers quote you those figures, they are not necessarily being greedy or unreasonable. That said, just like when any of us moves jobs (particularly when we are forced to), the opening salary request may be just that and the helpers you are talking to may be willing to accept less if they feel they can't find the right situation otherwise.
I am a westerner with young children and I pay similar to what you have quoted, as do most of my friends in similar situations. From my point of view, I work and my helper takes care of my precious children. I have a good one and once I knew she was good and someone I wanted to keep for a long time, I paid her a lot, gave her lots of time off, treated her well in other ways and hoped she stay. She did ! This is so important for me as a working mum. I think that people who terminate their helper to avoid long service leave are bonkers.
The difference between the minimum wage and what I pay is frankly not material to me, but makes a big difference to my helper and her family.
We are leaving HK in a few weeks and my helper has found another position on slightly better wages, due largely I guess to my glowing endorsement (fully warranted). So there is most definitely a market for helpers with the right skills, experience and attitude.
Just sharing my experience, not judging others.
The difference between the minimum wage and what I pay is frankly not material to me, but makes a big difference to my helper and her family.
We are leaving HK in a few weeks and my helper has found another position on slightly better wages, due largely I guess to my glowing endorsement (fully warranted). So there is most definitely a market for helpers with the right skills, experience and attitude.
Just sharing my experience, not judging others.
I would like to add that we hired a helper who had 12 years of experience working for families with children in Hong Kong. She had glowing reviews from everyone we spoke with and within five months we were forced to terminate her contract because she was not a good fit for our family and did not do the job we required her to do up to our standard. Most of our friends said we should have terminated her long before then but she was our first hire and we were trying to work something out and hope that she would be a suitable candidate. Years and years of experience and glowing recommendations still don't guarantee that you'll be wanting to pay your helper a huge sum up front--if you have in mind to pay them a rate higher than minimum wage, I would wait first and see how they do in their first contract and then talk about it--unless you have the money to spend and it isn't material to you. Sadly, I have to say, that we cannot afford to pay our helper what she is worth at this point but she still does an amazing job taking care of my precious child--whom she treats as her own and we have a fantastic working relationship. When I win the Mark 6 she will be reimbursed fully for her duties. 
We put the minimum amount HK$3,580 in the contract, but we prefer to pay her extra bonuses throughout the year. She eats with us, so there's no separate food allowance, but we do make the effort to eat more Indonesian food as a family. We usually pay her bonuses during Ramadan and Chinese New Year, and will give her presents for Christmas. We also send her back home once a year, as she has three sons, two of whom (twins) she had hardly seen as she started working as a helper when they were about a year old and her former employer of seven years sent her back only every other year for seven years.
agree- i pay minimum wage but give bonuses / laisees for birthday, christmas, CNY and extra time off when she has family things to take care of. we actually sent her home for 2 weeks because she suspected her husband was cheating on her! anyhow, i think for us, it is how you treat them on a day to day basis rather than a monetary thing - I have 2 helpers that would have 2 different salaries based on their experiences, etc. so I just pay them the same amount so there is no jealousy between the two. I NEED them to work well together and feel that both are treated equally as well.