Maids Hours, Salaries & Extras- feedback please ladies!!!

I really don’t see the big deal. I buy purses all of the time and I like to haggle over those – why would I pay 2000 AED per month for the purses I buy when I could pay 1700AED? It’s the same when I buy a person to watch my kids. Look, I’m not a rich woman. But just because I can’t afford a maid doesn’t mean I don’t deserve one. I still have floors, dishes, kids, and toilets. So many of the posters here are so judgemental, but I’d like to see them spend one day trying to take care of those things themselves, then hear them complain about my refusal to give my maid Fridays off. Reading through the thread, though, I’m heartened that some folks have it right, e.g.: [i'>“Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the Philippines”[/i'> Absolutely. I mean, remittances do make up about 30% of the Philippines GDP, but I think we can all agree that the Philippines would be better off with a 30% smaller economy – after-all, there would be more maids available at a lower cost to clean up the filth from the over-crowding. [i'>“The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system.”[/i'> Darn tootin’. We have a well-defined class system and it works just fine. A 3x salary compromise is no better than a 3/5 vote compromise, and those of us from the States know how that one eventually destroyed a perfectly good system! [i'>“Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home.”[/i'> That is exactly right. Many of the poor back in my home of New York cannot even afford a maid. I just don’t know where they find the time for daily salon visits or Friday brunch – if more people knew how these pathetic people lived back home, they would have more sympathy for people who choose to pay 700 AED/month here so they can finally achieve the better lifestyle that they deserve. [i'>”there are also people here with lower salary bracket and couldn't afford to pay the minimum amount set by certain governments. I won't judge them either if they don't pay the maid the minimum salary.”[/i'> Amen. If you think hard about it, it really isn’t fair that every Westerner doesn’t automatically get a complementary maid. When I lived in the States we had the same ridiculous minimum wage laws, but my lawn wasn’t going to mow itself. So, I found a nice gentleman who would do it for $1.50 and a cup of water. Water isn’t cheap, though, so I had to eventually drop him to $1.25. He said at that rate, he couldn’t come personally anymore, but he sent his son and it was soooo cute to see 9-year old Pedro Jr. push that mower around that I doubled his allowance to two cups of water (of course, I had to drop the rate to $1).

I really don’t see the big deal. I buy purses all of the time and I like to haggle over those – why would I pay 2000 AED per month for the purses I buy when I could pay 1700AED? It’s the same when I buy a person to watch my kids. Look, I’m not a rich woman. But just because I can’t afford a maid doesn’t mean I don’t deserve one. I still have floors, dishes, kids, and toilets. So many of the posters here are so judgemental, but I’d like to see them spend one day trying to take care of those things themselves, then hear them complain about my refusal to give my maid Fridays off. Reading through the thread, though, I’m heartened that some folks have it right, e.g.: [i'>“Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the Philippines”[/i'> Absolutely. I mean, remittances do make up about 30% of the Philippines GDP, but I think we can all agree that the Philippines would be better off with a 30% smaller economy – after-all, there would be more maids available at a lower cost to clean up the filth from the over-crowding. [i'>“The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system.”[/i'> Darn tootin’. We have a well-defined class system and it works just fine. A 3x salary compromise is no better than a 3/5 vote compromise, and those of us from the States know how that one eventually destroyed a perfectly good system! [i'>“Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home.”[/i'> That is exactly right. Many of the poor back in my home of New York cannot even afford a maid. I just don’t know where they find the time for daily salon visits or Friday brunch – if more people knew how these pathetic people lived back home, they would have more sympathy for people who choose to pay 700 AED/month here so they can finally achieve the better lifestyle that they deserve. [i'>”there are also people here with lower salary bracket and couldn't afford to pay the minimum amount set by certain governments. I won't judge them either if they don't pay the maid the minimum salary.”[/i'> Amen. If you think hard about it, it really isn’t fair that every Westerner doesn’t automatically get a complementary maid. When I lived in the States we had the same ridiculous minimum wage laws, but my lawn wasn’t going to mow itself. So, I found a nice gentleman who would do it for $1.50 and a cup of water. Water isn’t cheap, though, so I had to eventually drop him to $1.25. He said at that rate, he couldn’t come personally anymore, but he sent his son and it was soooo cute to see 9-year old Pedro Jr. push that mower around that I doubled his allowance to two cups of water (of course, I had to drop the rate to $1).

Good morning ladies, I was reading up on this post, looking for info on hiring a full-or part time help. Why is it that maids should be lowest on the employment scale? Yes they clean your toilets and fold your underwear. But they are in your house, know everything about you and you trust them with your children and valuables. And as for earning much more then they would in their home countries, do you ever think about what they give up? Often they come here alone, leaving behind their families and own children, to love and pick up after other people's children, only to be treated with disdain and disrespect by some obnoxious EW. Of course they are here by choice, but that doesn't give the employer the right to treat them like trash (I have been here 3 weeks now, and seen this happen several times). Well, and the help I had in our previous location certainly was not encouraging others to work as a maid. With the money she earned over the 10 years she worked abroad, she managed to support here family, get a little house in her home country, provide her husband with the money to set up his own business. She then went home and is currently putting her 2 kids through good schools in order for them not to have to work as a gardner or maid. Of course I paid her good money, but she deserved it, and I much rather give it to her, then to some charity where half the money disappears in thin air.

I wasnt trying to justify anything, I can see why people might pay 700 a month- to the person who pays 2500 a month.... I am just putting out some interesting information. The TAs at the nursery are picked up by bus a little after 5 am....and return about 5 pm.....they are paid 1100 a month... How did I get this information? a friend of mine works as a teacher. I just thought it was worth knowing. Mainly because in my mind a professional , even a lower level one, should be making more than a maid does. Not applying western wages here, or labor laws, or phillipino/ sri lankan ones....just my own assumptions. Just surprised about the monthly incomes. If you chosse to do this or that fine, I just thought it was worth knowing what the salary scale is here. Well, I think that's fairly shocking, as a salary for those hours, in Dubai (and I also think there are probably differences in working conditions between different nurseries) However, I can't understand why you think a TA is a 'professional' position - what education does it require (not what education do those individuals have, but what education is actually needed for the post)? Many housemaids have sole care of their employers' children for at least part of the day - that is far more of a responsibility than helping to hand out paintbrushes. It's the way that some schools use TAs here - they actually use them as teaching assistants - listening to reading etc..I have seen on here where people say they have NO experience or training yet end up in schools working here! ( Mind you that also goes for some schools with teachers!Another show,,)

I wasnt trying to justify anything, I can see why people might pay 700 a month- to the person who pays 2500 a month.... I am just putting out some interesting information. The TAs at the nursery are picked up by bus a little after 5 am....and return about 5 pm.....they are paid 1100 a month... How did I get this information? a friend of mine works as a teacher. I just thought it was worth knowing. Mainly because in my mind a professional , even a lower level one, should be making more than a maid does. Not applying western wages here, or labor laws, or phillipino/ sri lankan ones....just my own assumptions. Just surprised about the monthly incomes. If you chosse to do this or that fine, I just thought it was worth knowing what the salary scale is here. Well, I think that's fairly shocking, as a salary for those hours, in Dubai (and I also think there are probably differences in working conditions between different nurseries) However, I can't understand why you think a TA is a 'professional' position - what education does it require (not what education do those individuals have, but what education is actually needed for the post)? Many housemaids have sole care of their employers' children for at least part of the day - that is far more of a responsibility than helping to hand out paintbrushes.

The people who are shocked about how little maids earn here have no idea about economics. Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the philippines, cause brain drain and aren't as helpful as people think. Some people in Dubai are paying their househelp the equivalent of CEO or Doctor's salaries in the Philippines. Why would someone stay in Manila and be a teacher or a nurse when they can come to Dubai, look after someone's kids and earn more? nice excuse. However, the remittances earned by maids help the economy, hence the interest of their government in their salary.

I don't believe for a second that the Ph.Govt cares about their overseas workers. It is all about the salaries being sent back home, helping their economy. Maids here are over paid. Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home. It is also a novelty to many westerners to have a maid. I remember once a friend commenting on my maid assisting my then 3 yr old son put on his shoes, and she said, "what will happen to you the day you no longer have a maid".........erm, why would that happen? I have had maids all my life and my son most likely will too.... The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system. Totally agree. As said previously, expats who are doubling/tripling maids' salaries do not realize how damaging it is for both parties : the maid (for her future assignment) and the future employer(s). The worst is that their overrated salary's expectations are being advertised everywhere [especially on this forum'> and granted as the norm. What norm? Please ladies, stop advertising (to the newbies) what you feel your maid deserves in your country's standards but get some real info about the UAE standards instead. haha this is just classic..

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not. I still disagree; for the majority of expats - but especially the lower paid ones - the salary they earn here compared to what they would earn at home is the reason they are here in the first place. Just today in The National there is a story about a guy from Bangladesh who says he is the happiest person in the world becuase he wil earn upt to 2000 AED a month which is what he would earn in A YEAR in Bangladesh. Ask him if it is relevant. And the 1400 AED is not the law - it is what the Phillipine Goverment require their Nationals to be paid as a minumum - but they cannot stipulate the law in the UAE. You seem to be conflicting. You feel it is relevant that a maid would be paid a certain amount in the Phillipines when determining how much you pay her here. But you then think the Phillipino government requires on salary for its nationals is completely irrelevant. ETA: The fact that the 1400aed minimum is coming from Phillipines and NOT Dubai, would make it more relevant to what is acceptable in their country - not less edited by SlobberKnocker on 17/01/2012 SIGH- My point has always been from the start that is why some maids accept 800 - because compared to their home countries it is far more than they could earn there. Not that they should be paid that. Nor did I say that the Phillipines Govt requirements are irrelevant -please don't write things that I did not say. You seem to assume a lot as you are telling me what I "feel" and "think". You said 1400 was the LAW - I was merely pointing out that it is not the law here - hence why some people are able to pay what they want and some maids accept it. I wasn't intending to tell you what you think, so I'm sorry if you took it that way. I can only judge by what is written - and what was written was that maids get paid 250aed in Phillipines, many are happy with 800aed, and the 1400aed is not law. It didnt seem to be saying much to support 1400aed as a minimum, but I'm glad to hear its just the way I've read or interpreted it

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not. I still disagree; for the majority of expats - but especially the lower paid ones - the salary they earn here compared to what they would earn at home is the reason they are here in the first place. Just today in The National there is a story about a guy from Bangladesh who says he is the happiest person in the world becuase he wil earn upt to 2000 AED a month which is what he would earn in A YEAR in Bangladesh. Ask him if it is relevant. And the 1400 AED is not the law - it is what the Phillipine Goverment require their Nationals to be paid as a minumum - but they cannot stipulate the law in the UAE. You seem to be conflicting. You feel it is relevant that a maid would be paid a certain amount in the Phillipines when determining how much you pay her here. But you then think the Phillipino government requires on salary for its nationals is completely irrelevant. ETA: The fact that the 1400aed minimum is coming from Phillipines and NOT Dubai, would make it more relevant to what is acceptable in their country - not less edited by SlobberKnocker on 17/01/2012 SIGH- My point has always been from the start that is why some maids accept 800 - because compared to their home countries it is far more than they could earn there. Not that they should be paid that. Nor did I say that the Phillipines Govt requirements are irrelevant -please don't write things that I did not say. You seem to assume a lot as you are telling me what I "feel" and "think". You said 1400 was the LAW - I was merely pointing out that it is not the law here - hence why some people are able to pay what they want and some maids accept it. ETA - I see you have written another post to me but I am not going to even read it. I have not posted on here to get into a slanging match with you. My only pont all along has been that many expats work here because they earn far more here than in their home countries that is the only opinion I have voiced. I have said othing about the fairness or equality of the situation or said that the Phillipines govt is irrelevant. The rest you have "put in my mouth" so to speak - and accredited opinions, feelings and thoughts to me which I have not expressed. <em>edited by Genie on 17/01/2012</em>

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not. I still disagree; for the majority of expats - but especially the lower paid ones - the salary they earn here compared to what they would earn at home is the reason they are here in the first place. Just today, I read in The National there is a story about a guy from Bangladesh who says he is the happiest person in the world becuase he will earn up to 2000 AED a month, which is what he would earn in A YEAR in Bangladesh. Ask him if it is relevant. And the 1400 AED is not the law - it is what the Phillipine Goverment require their Nationals to be paid as a minumum - but they cannot stipulate the law in the UAE. edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 It is also very relevant to point out - that the reason many maids come here is because they cannot make enough money to provide for their family in their country. They live in poverty, and many women leave their families, their children, their babies - to come here and send money home for basic necessities that they CANNOT provide on salaries in their own country. What else is relevant - is that people with children who they cannot clothe and educate are vulnerable. With babies at home who they cannot support - will they accept 800aed? Yes, probably. Does that automatically mean it is the right thing to do? No. I'm sure some would work for even less, rather than have no job and being unable to support their family. It does not make it ok to exploit their need and then justify it by saying ti was double what they got in their country where they lived in poverty.

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not. I still disagree; for the majority of expats - but especially the lower paid ones - the salary they earn here compared to what they would earn at home is the reason they are here in the first place. Just today in The National there is a story about a guy from Bangladesh who says he is the happiest person in the world becuase he wil earn upt to 2000 AED a month which is what he would earn in A YEAR in Bangladesh. Ask him if it is relevant. And the 1400 AED is not the law - it is what the Phillipine Goverment require their Nationals to be paid as a minumum - but they cannot stipulate the law in the UAE. You seem to be conflicting. You feel it is relevant that a maid would be paid a certain amount in the Phillipines when determining how much you pay her here. But you then think the Phillipino government requires on salary for its nationals is completely irrelevant. ETA: The fact that the 1400aed minimum is coming from Phillipines and NOT Dubai, would make it more relevant to what is acceptable in their country - not less <em>edited by SlobberKnocker on 17/01/2012</em>

I don't believe for a second that the Ph.Govt cares about their overseas workers. It is all about the salaries being sent back home, helping their economy. Maids here are over paid. Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home. It is also a novelty to many westerners to have a maid. I remember once a friend commenting on my maid assisting my then 3 yr old son put on his shoes, and she said, "what will happen to you the day you no longer have a maid".........erm, why would that happen? I have had maids all my life and my son most likely will too.... The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system. Totally agree. As said previously, expats who are doubling/tripling maids' salaries do not realize how damaging it is for both parties : the maid (for her future assignment) and the future employer(s). The worst is that their overrated salary's expectations are being advertised everywhere [especially on this forum'> and granted as the norm. What norm? Please ladies, stop advertising (to the newbies) what you feel your maid deserves in your country's standards but get some real info about the UAE standards instead. I pay my maid, gardener, driver etc what I think they deserve. There is a minimum wage based on nationality (which is disgusting in its own right) but 1400 a month is really unacceptable considering the hours these girls work. If I want to pay double, triple the minimum wage that’s my prerogative, how on earh is it damaging to pay someone according to ability and expearience?

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not. I still disagree; for the majority of expats - but especially the lower paid ones - the salary they earn here compared to what they would earn at home is the reason they are here in the first place. Just today, I read in The National there is a story about a guy from Bangladesh who says he is the happiest person in the world becuase he will earn up to 2000 AED a month, which is what he would earn in A YEAR in Bangladesh. Ask him if it is relevant. And the 1400 AED is not the law - it is what the Phillipine Goverment require their Nationals to be paid as a minumum - but they cannot stipulate the law in the UAE. <em>edited by Genie on 17/01/2012</em>

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 Not sure why Australian's working as maids in Dubai is relevant to this discussion about salaries for phillipino's working as maids? The amount I gave was what a phillipino would make as a miad in Australia. Not what an Australian would make (actually they would both make the same amount regardless of nationality). But now that you mention it - I DO know Australian/Western [i'>nannies[/i'> over here who earn the same or above rates of the Australian one I quoted. But I still don't see how that is relevant to the discussion of phillipino salaries in Dubai (aside from the fact I dislike the way salary here is based upon nationality). The point was that - Dubai is not the Phillipines. Dubai is not Australia. It is as pointless to compare Dubai salaries to other countries as it is to compare one maid salary to another when their entire situation, experience, package is completely different. The minimum that has been set in Dubai is 1400. It is pointless to argue that people will happily work for less, or people work for a fraction of it in their home counties. Regardless of whether 800aed is more or less than other countries - The law here is 1400aed minimum and 800aed is illegal. Its as helpful to point out that 800aed is a good deal compared to Phillipines as it is to say 1400aed is a terrible deal compared to Australia. It is Dubai - and you have to pay 1400aed whether they would be happy with less or not.

I don't believe for a second that the Ph.Govt cares about their overseas workers. It is all about the salaries being sent back home, helping their economy. Maids here are over paid. Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home. It is also a novelty to many westerners to have a maid. I remember once a friend commenting on my maid assisting my then 3 yr old son put on his shoes, and she said, "what will happen to you the day you no longer have a maid".........erm, why would that happen? I have had maids all my life and my son most likely will too.... The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system. Totally agree. As said previously, expats who are doubling/tripling maids' salaries do not realize how damaging it is for both parties : the maid (for her future assignment) and the future employer(s). The worst is that their overrated salary's expectations are being advertised everywhere [especially on this forum'> and granted as the norm. What norm? Please ladies, stop advertising (to the newbies) what you feel your maid deserves in your country's standards but get some real info about the UAE standards instead.

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines. I disagree. Of course they are relevant - most people's salaries here compared to salaries in their home countries are relevant, whether they are a maid or a CEO, after all that is why the majority of expats are here, because they can earn more than in their own country. To say it is not relevant seems ridiculous, quite frankly, as this is the main reason expats work here. Of course there are those, I include myself in this category, who do not earn a lot more here but are here for other reasons and there are those whose company have moved them here, but I would say they are in the minority. Just look at the number of posters on this board who dislike living here but stay for the money. For most expats working out the comparative salary they can earn here is the first thing they do when they consider a move to the UAE. All I was pointing out is that may be a reason why some happily work for 700 -800 DHS as it is 3-4 times what they would earn as a maid at home- unless of course you [b'>assumed[/b'> I was saying that is all they should be paid? which if you read my post I did not. ETA - and I do not know of any Australians who come here to work as maids - do you? edited by Genie on 17/01/2012 <em>edited by Genie on 17/01/2012</em>

I don't believe for a second that the Ph.Govt cares about their overseas workers. It is all about the salaries being sent back home, helping their economy. Maids here are over paid. Expats here are un-educated in a worldly way, and I mean no disrespect, but they are clueless to how the 'poor' live back home. It is also a novelty to many westerners to have a maid. I remember once a friend commenting on my maid assisting my then 3 yr old son put on his shoes, and she said, "what will happen to you the day you no longer have a maid".........erm, why would that happen? I have had maids all my life and my son most likely will too.... The people who breeze into the country, hire a maid, triple her salary and then leave a few years later are the ones who will destroy the system.

The people who are shocked about how little maids earn here have no idea about economics. Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the philippines, cause brain drain and aren't as helpful as people think. Some people in Dubai are paying their househelp the equivalent of CEO or Doctor's salaries in the Philippines. Why would someone stay in Manila and be a teacher or a nurse when they can come to Dubai, look after someone's kids and earn more? Yes, this is my point mainy because my maid is very unskilled. She is very nice and I do understand she is here to just do what she can to help her family. I guess I am just reflecting back to the people who initially told me...2000+ a month, wouldnt work a fri, expected this and that, and a ticket every year. Ok, that is fine if you pay it. In my mind then, i just figured the skilled workers must make this....or that..... no I dont blame anybody for self preservation and survival. Just here to discuss and share. Now that I do have a bot more information, why would you even stay in the Phillippines etc? yes its total brain drain-- welcome to the Global Marketplace.

The people who are shocked about how little maids earn here have no idea about economics. Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the philippines, cause brain drain and aren't as helpful as people think. Some people in Dubai are paying their househelp the equivalent of CEO or Doctor's salaries in the Philippines. Why would someone stay in Manila and be a teacher or a nurse when they can come to Dubai, look after someone's kids and earn more? I remember reading a thread not long ago about a TA looking for a nanny/maid position with western expats. Can we blame her? The thing that annoy me the most about the Philippines government is that they seems to care only about the welfare of their citizens who work as maids all over the world.....hence, the constant change in rules and regulations...the minimum salary, the annual ticket, etc. How about the welfare of their other citizens? Sure, they ban their citizens from working in certain countries but that's about it. Even the insurance coverage under their Overseas Workers program doesn't really cover them when they are abroad. My maid's brother who went to Kish Island prior to receiving his employment visa relayed to his family the sad and anguish feeling that he felt upon meeting their compatriots who are stranded there. Their government should help all those stranded citizens but it's like a none story to their government.

I befriended a Philippino manager at a McDonald's here in Dubai and I asked her what a manager's salary is. She told me 1500 dirhams with housing, uniform, McDonald's food, and transportation included. That entails long days and one day off per week. Keep in mind that managerial positions are reserved for semi-educated people. Housemaids are generally not educated. An average Philippino beauty salon employee makes about 1000 dirhams a month with housing, uniform, and transportation included. The days are long and there is either one day or no days off per week. This is also a position which requires training. <em>edited by AnonDubai on 17/01/2012</em>

The people who are shocked about how little maids earn here have no idea about economics. Huge salaries ruin the economies of places like the philippines, cause brain drain and aren't as helpful as people think. Some people in Dubai are paying their househelp the equivalent of CEO or Doctor's salaries in the Philippines. Why would someone stay in Manila and be a teacher or a nurse when they can come to Dubai, look after someone's kids and earn more?

very good post blimey, but really i did not know i was paying my maid more than a TA in a school... not here to argue whats fair, just thought it was interesting....

I wasnt trying to justify anything, I can see why people might pay 700 a month- to the person who pays 2500 a month.... I am just putting out some interesting information. The TAs at the nursery are picked up by bus a little after 5 am....and return about 5 pm.....they are paid 1100 a month... How did I get this information? a friend of mine works as a teacher. I just thought it was worth knowing. Mainly because in my mind a professional , even a lower level one, should be making more than a maid does. Not applying western wages here, or labor laws, or phillipino/ sri lankan ones....just my own assumptions. Just surprised about the monthly incomes. If you chosse to do this or that fine, I just thought it was worth knowing what the salary scale is here. Look, we all aware about this. I used to question this a lot when I first arrived here but these days, I think it's pointless to drive myself crazy about it. When I worked in USA and UK, I got the same salary as my British and American colleagues. But here, well.....I have to comfort myself that it's still a good salary for the same position if I still live in UK. It's just that here, mine is still lower than the western expats doing the same job ;) The salary that the maids got here is the salary that fresh grads in my country will get. The salary that I get here however is the salary of people with very senior positions in my country. Hence, I obviously shouldn't pay my maid based on what I think my maid should get if we are living in my country or her country. At the same time, there are also people here with lower salary bracket and couldn't afford to pay the minimum amount set by certain governments. I won't judge them either if they don't pay the maid the minimum salary. Maids who have experience working with locals and expats who pay the required salary obviously would not work for their compatriots as they know that they would not be paid the same. Nevertheless, they are those who would and happy to do so as they feel more at home and apart of the family. Based on what I know of and read about other people's experience with their maids, it's not always about the salary that you pay, how many off days or rest time a day or what additional benefit you give. It's so subjective that I personally couldn't really pinpoint the "best practice criteria" that would result in us getting a good reliable maid. I have been so lucky with mine and my friend who gave so much was unlucky with hers 3 times. With the current one (No. 4), she didn't give anything additional other than a promise that if the maid do a good job till the end on her contract, she would be awarded accordingly. Surprise..surprise.....she started to feel lucky this time around....touch wood ;) <em>edited by blimey on 17/01/2012</em>

I wasnt trying to justify anything, I can see why people might pay 700 a month- to the person who pays 2500 a month.... I am just putting out some interesting information. The TAs at the nursery are picked up by bus a little after 5 am....and return about 5 pm.....they are paid 1100 a month... How did I get this information? a friend of mine works as a teacher. I just thought it was worth knowing. Mainly because in my mind a professional , even a lower level one, should be making more than a maid does. Not applying western wages here, or labor laws, or phillipino/ sri lankan ones....just my own assumptions. Just surprised about the monthly incomes. If you chosse to do this or that fine, I just thought it was worth knowing what the salary scale is here.

In the Phillipines a maid earns between 3000 - 5000 pesos a month, dependent on the type of work required. That is [b'>250 - 420 DIRHAMS [/b'>a month. No wonder then that some will work happily for 800 AED. Check it out http://www.philippinesinsider.com/expat-life/finding-the-right-maid/ In Australia they would earn minimum AU$2525 / 9345dhs. But Australian salaries are not relevant to Dubai. And neither are salaries in the Phillipines.

did you also ask for the working hours? Being a maid is not one 'job' - what your maid does, what WB's does, what mine does, will all be different. Different levels of responsibility; different working hours, different amount of initiative required, etc etc etc. If you are trying to justify your salary to yourself or a third party, or to convince yourself you were ripped off by a previous maid, or to make yourself feel generous - you will find evidence to support whatever argument you want to raise. But the salary 'cold' isn't the whole story, is it? In my job, I could almost certainly earn more - but would see my kids less; it isn't a trade off I want to make (though once they are teenagers, who knows!!). I could also earn less.... Just as with my job, being a maid is not a one size fits all affair. And in my view, my maid more than earns what I pay her. And (as I have made very clear to her in the past when she has started talking about what X person or Y person gets) it is between her and me; if we are both happy with the arrangement, nobody else's deal is relevant.