How much should I pay a Filipino Housekeeper

Here in Hong Kong, the basic salary for a Filipino domestic helper is about £300 a month (3,785 HKD). The employer has to prove room and board or an extra £50 a month if they don't want them to eat the same food. They are entitled to all statutory holidays ( about twelve) and 1 day off a week. They are not allowed to work part-time for anyone else or for the extended family. Otherwise theoretically you could make them work for as many hours as you wish. They are not allowed to file for permanent residency even though all other expats who have lived here continuously for over seven years are allowed to. These conditions are regarded as about the best as anywhere in the non Western world. I've seen news reports where helpers are saying that they are earning about four times as much as they could as a teacher or nurse in the Phillippines.

It makes even the minimum wage in Western countries look very, very attractive. That said, many Western employers are seen as a 'soft touch' by helpers here compared to local employers but few and far between. We've been approached when I take the kids to the park but I can't imagine the stress of having another person we don't really know living in our 800 sq ft apartment. have heard of lots of dramas of thefts, taking out loans and debt collectors calling employers etc .I don't think it's any coincidence that the areas in which they congregate on a Sunday are filled with pawn shops

And whilst they are in the UK you should be paying them a wage that you would pay a UK national theodora, regardless of how much they get paid in other countries.

Are you bumping Filipina threads from years back to try prove your aren't exploiting a woman from a foreign country? Because the fact is, you likely are if you're paying $600 dollars a month (food and lodgings should be provided for any live-in nanny!) and she's working more than 30 hours a week!

I sincerely hope you are not paying that in the UK Theodora! Also not sure why you have arrived on Mumsnet to bump old Filipina nanny threads.

You guys seem to pay way too much. There is a BBC statistics showing that if they actually have work, the average salary is USD 250 a month. We pay them around USD 600 monthly plus give them food and a room to stay - and that is considered generous.

'Her Filipina'? Who knew there was a whole country breeding servants for spoilt British mummies who find themselves terribly stretched between their children, dogs and burgeoning party planning business.

we know someone who put in a lot of effort to bring their filipina to london ... and then after one month she disappeared... they called the police etc.. finally discovered unfamiliar numbers dialled last from their land line.. called to discover another filipina who said she had no idea who they were talking about... after being told that the police will be coming to investigate ..they got a text from their filipina domestic help 'sorry for this, I will not be coming back to work'... another friend saw her filipina walk out leaving her high and dry with 4 kids one new born saying i have found another job.... hope you are luckier than that!!!

I live in central London and a very good live-in full time housekeepers are paid £350 nett per week. Although I have seen some pay less and some pay more depending on experience, accomodation and hours.

The rule from anywhere is that they have to have to have worked for you legally for at least a year for you to take them to the UK, either on holiday or to settle. Then they get a work permit and could jump ship and go to work for anyone else if they want to and you're paying less that the market rate.

I live in Italy and the going rate here is Euro 800 per calendar month for live in (and about the same live out), paid 13 times a year though, plus food. This usually means someone who will do all the laundry, cleaning, shopping, cooking and babysitting for 5 1/2 days per week.

For some context: the average wage for factory works and suchlike jobs is around 1000 euros. Teachers only get about 1300.

I have a Filipina housekeeper (she is wonderful) I don't live in the UK but I have taken her back to the UK for holidays and have had to deal with immigration - they were very helpful.

We are about to return to the UK but are not bringing her back with us ( she has another family to work for here), a few people have taken their housekeepers back to the UK with them and I know it has become more difficult to do so. One of the rules from here is that they have to have worked for you for at least a year (that includes a holiday visa). Good luck.

I think enough has already been said with regard to what to pay.

However, I will add my voice to those of others on here who have mentioned about Immigration rules.
If you are in the UK then check their paperwork thoroughly and get advice from Immigration - 0870 606 7766. They may be on a Domestic Worker visa, which won't entitle them to my knowledge, to work for anyone once they leave the employment of the employer who had arranged that visa.
This page does say that they can change employer, but not classification type. So check with immigration if you would be the same classification type of not. Also visa length is 6 months or 12 months, it has to be renewed on regular basis.
So... if you are in the UK, ask to see your potential employee's passport and any associated visa documentation - check what it says and call immigration for advice.

Pay her what she deserves- which should be above the minimum wage regardless of her ethnicity.

it's no good getting arsey with us when you post such an obviously provocative ? now is it..... sweetie.

I should add that they do the cleaning, ironing and some childcare plus babysitting but none of them do the shopping or cooking, other than quick bites for the kids or have sole care for extended periods of time. The mums are all SAHM's so don't need more than this. They also have a few hours off in the middle of the day. A couple of them do some other cleaning jobs off their own back for more money, the others just take the time to rest.

Most of my friends pay £250 a week for live in and £350 a week for live out. They work 5 days a week and generally go away on their night off. All have had their ladies for at least 3 years, treat them extremely well and they are a fantastic part of the family.

Minimum wage is £5.73 per hour but that doesnt take in to consideration the live-in benefit.

her nationality is irrelevant. Only her age and experience.

The same as you would pay any housekeeper. The nationality is irrelevant.

I was under the impression (correct me if I'm wrong) that this is only legal if YOU are her current employer in a different country and you are moving to the UK and bringing her with you.

Also gettting visas for Filipina maids/housekeepers are notoriously difficult and xpensive.

iirc correctly when I was hunting for a Filipina nanny/housekeeper via an agency the conditions were quite high as to what accomodation required (I realise you are joking about the shed btw) inc own bathroom etc and apy was around £350 -400 per week

Depends on the hours she will be working, what her duties are, what other staff you have, how many people are in your household and if you are giving her anything such as a car or gym membership. If you are expecting her to work long hours and do all the housework shopping , cooking etc then you will have to pay her more than if you want her to only do 2 hours a day tidying up. If she is responsible for running the house then I would say in the region of £400. If she is tidying, shopping and doing laundry then it would be closer to £180 as she would be doing far fewer hours and could work p/t somewhere else if she wants to.

you are so funny

i wanna be a housekeeper if you get 300-400 a week AND a roof over your head.

I wouldn't even mind the attic room, as long as there was a rug on the floor and bedpan.

36p a week and one day off every six months.

Pay her the going rate for a housekeeper of course!!!

here's what some other people are offering - ignore the hotel ones, there are some private home ads too.

agree with korma and co.who cares where shes from?????

btw if housekeepers ger about- £300-£400 a week.i'll do it.im from venus.is that ok?

Do you live in the UK?