What should a maid be earning and how many days off? | ExpatWoman.com
 

What should a maid be earning and how many days off?

30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 09:21

Ok - so I have Emirati friends and also Ex-pat friends who all have different responses to my question.

Some would say that as per the interview, "you should have no days or set days off" and others would say that "No - how dare you, you must give 1-2 days off every week"

i also find a varying difference in the amount that maids are paid. I for one think that if you only have one child to look after and a 3 bed apartment - surely you should be getting less than someone who is looking after 4 kids and a massive villa......... just a question!

179
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2012 - 21:11
We give Fridays off as our helper's husband is also in Dubai and Friday is his day off. However we're fond of the odd brunch and so occasionally ask to switch for a different day and it's never been a problem.
314
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 10:31
Totally - considering we work all week as well and sometimes we like to be able to have the CHOICE as an employer when we are allowed to go out! Yes, all I am saying is choice.... I dont go out during the week at all, so please take the night off whenever or day off to go out, but why-- why should I scramble for a wedding on a fri to find a babysitter ? everybody knows here, when youre invited out, its usually fris? I am not saying dont give people a day off.....i said to someone once over the phone, ' ok, you get fri and sat off- are you the boss or am I ? "
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 11:00
Totally - considering we work all week as well and sometimes we like to be able to have the CHOICE as an employer when we are allowed to go out!
142
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2012 - 13:43
I will tell you to really think it through, about days off. I have told our maid FROM THE START, that she can have Wed or Sunday off....NO NO MADAME.....I WANT FRI OFF So now I am stuck always looking for a sitter when I have a errand, a sports game, etc...that I dont want to lug all 3 to, or when I need a dinner date with my husband.....nope. I offered a day off, take it or leave it. Be carfeul, cause they will not bend usually-- and why should you- the employer hire babysitters on fri or sats??? Just some advice. I like you :)
314
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 January 2012 - 13:26
I will tell you to really think it through, about days off. I have told our maid FROM THE START, that she can have Wed or Sunday off....NO NO MADAME.....I WANT FRI OFF So now I am stuck always looking for a sitter when I have a errand, a sports game, etc...that I dont want to lug all 3 to, or when I need a dinner date with my husband.....nope. I offered a day off, take it or leave it. Be carfeul, cause they will not bend usually-- and why should you- the employer hire babysitters on fri or sats??? Just some advice.
482
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 13:00
I think it all depends on what you are comfortable with, how much you can afford and what you think she should get in terms of working hours and days off. I dont listen to other people when it comes to my Housemaid as I know what works best with her. I agree with mushypeas. My maid is in her 4th year with us now. Every time we are about to renew her contract, we always give her option to continue or find a new employer who could give her better package than what we could afford to give her. She never tell us but based on what we know about her two best friends' employers, we are aware that her friends get a much better pay with added luxury here and there. We can't compete with them and would not try to do so. And touch wood, so far she has never once come to me to ask for increment (which we do give every year) or benefits (phone card, flat screen, pinoy channel, etc). We know we are very lucky with her as we know people who give so much to their maids and yet being taken advantage of. A friend of mine is about to hire her compatriot who has 4 years GCC experience. The maid's personal request? She want AED900 and 1 day off per month as none of her previous employers give her any.
2192
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 09:52
Its a tricky one.. I have a very close local friend who recommended my housemaid through an agency that they use and when I told her how much I propose to pay her she said it was far to much and im going to spoil her ! The same happened when I went to get her employment visa at the immigration counter and the lady told me im paying too much ! I think it all depends on what you are comfortable with, how much you can afford and what you think she should get in terms of working hours and days off. I dont listen to other people when it comes to my Housemaid as I know what works best with her.
142
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 09:49
Call one of the agencies like al Ahliya and ask them what the salary tiers are. You can then offer accordingly. As for days off....I would not promise anything initially, tell them it will be when you are free.
28
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 09:32
I think you're right. Large villa + 4 kids and pets etc = slightly higher salary than family of 3 in an apartment. In terms of days off - go with what best suits your family's needs. Does saturday tend to be a busy day full of getting stuff ready for the working/school week, shopping, etc. If so, give her fridays off and have her around to help on saturday. If you start that way and then find that every other saturday you don't need her, then you can 'reward' her by giving her that time off occasionally, but don't make it a formal committment...likely she will be very grateful for the occasional extra downtime and you'll always have that flexibility of help on the weekends if you need it. I also think, from experience, it's important to have a new housemaid around at weekends. This is when you and your husband can observe her work, she can observe you with the kids and learn from you, you can talk/communicate in a more relaxed manner than in between school runs, or at the end of the day when you're exhausted.
 
 

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