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2262

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:52

excellent salary. Do you know how much it is to the nearest bus stop by taxi? I wonder if there are maids that get together to take a taxi, if you could find out from neighbours, this might help? Or could you drop her at a bus stop? I suppose until there is an actual bus service you both could be a bit flexable, certainly not paying taxi into the city though but to a stop? Yearly flight home is pretty normal now I believe at your convenience. Best to get that organized now so she knows. The yearly flight starts after she has been with you 12 months .....fyi :)

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:49

I'm always on about this, but have you discussed the contract that you two have signed with your maid? We added to our contract certain points (annual flight, Catholic holy days of obligation off, etc.) that are specific to our family and to her wishes. She wanted Friday and Saturday off, I said Friday only, we agreed on Friday and 1/2 Sat. She wanted 1700dhs/ month, I said 1500 - we settled in the middle. The maids I have had have generally stuck to the terms of the contract, in part, I believe, because we established them together and it was made very clear to them what the terms were from the outset of their employment. In my experience and opinion, its absolutely critical that you BOTH understand the terms of her employment in your house. Its not too late either. Get out the contract and sit down with her, go over it point by point and make sure you both agree to it. Add things you want added, ask her what her needs are, negotiate. Just as you would at work. You can keep these contract amendments between the two of you without having to re-file her labor contract, but please do this. It will save you a tremendous amount of stress.

104

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:37

mokkapala replied : Transport allowance? for what - for her to go to spend her weekends away? Of course it is not your responsibility. If she lived outside then it would make sense. ...Grocery shopping....church...doctors....sending money home....visiting family etc. Victory Heights is a new community and lacks amenities. Even maids have things they need to do on their day off! We all have things to do on our day off! But I don't know many employers that pay for transport!

88

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:30

mokkapala replied : Transport allowance? for what - for her to go to spend her weekends away? Of course it is not your responsibility. If she lived outside then it would make sense. ...Grocery shopping....church...doctors....sending money home....visiting family etc. Victory Heights is a new community and lacks amenities. Even maids have things they need to do on their day off!

88

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:22

We live in Victory Heights too and pay our maid AED 2000 per month with Fridays off (plus most Saturdays but that is usually because we like the house to ourselves) and annual flight home. We also give AED 500 per month to cover food, toiletries and transport. The difficulty is that with the lack of public transport available in VH it means that the only option is for maids to get a taxi either to their desired destination (which is expensive) or at least to Motor City/Arabian ranches where there are buses. We know that we pay above the going rate but we are very happy with her and she is expected to be flexible as and when needed. What you are paying is really quite fair compared to other people. Re your original post what I think is rather cheeky is that your maid has asked rather than you offering and also the fact that she doesn't turn up on time on Saturdays after her day off is rather quite disrespectful. I agree with magicbeanza- start deducting money for her being late and she'll soon realise its not a one way street... once that is sorted and you are happy with the arrangement then discuss extra money for transport etc. if that is acceptable to you NOT her. <em>edited by amy on 09/01/2011</em>

121

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:20

But yearly flight seems normal to me, we do that.

121

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:19

Transport allowance? for what - for her to go to spend her weekends away? Of course it is not your responsibility. If she lived outside then it would make sense.

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 17:54

Agree with the other posters. Definitely trying to take advantage and if she wins this time then she will continue to try and con you with other requests/demands. Tell her no and make sure she knows not to try it on with you again.

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 17:39

you are paying higher than most. 1200dhs is the expected minimum plus flights yearly or two yearly ( your choice) plus food and toiletries. You are paying well and she needs to understand that.

17

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 17:31

I would say if you are paying her 1900dhs + food and toiletries than that is more than enough,flights usually ever 2 years travel allowance no i think she is taking advantage!!

84

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 17:21

Our contract is yearly however my next door neighbours contract states 1 year in english and 2 years in arabic.

247

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 17:14

If she lives with you then I would say NO to the transport allowance. You are only responsible for her getting to and from work, if she lives with you then she has no work transport costs so you don't need to pay her anything. If she wants to go out on the weekend that is her issue and comes out of her salary. You need to check your labour contract with her and see what that states about flights home. Our contract has a yearly flight in it and so we give our maid a flight home ever year. Some people's contract says every two years and as such only give a flight every 2 years. Just check your contract. It sounds like she is taking advantage. I would say NO transport allowance and if she can't be back at work on time on a Saturday I would start deducting money from her pay (after giving fair warning)

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