How do I hire cheap nanny/domestic help from abroad?

[jhosti]

Hello! I'm expecting baby #2 and cannot afford the cost of a nanny or pay the childminder to look after 2 kids... I'm orginally from Malaysia and my husband from France, we're considering hiring a domestic help from Malaysia (soooo cheap!!) who could look after the 2 little ones and do all the cooking/cleaning/ironing... but not sure how to go about it. Is it difficult to get a work permit and is it expensive? Has anyone tried it?
Thank you so much!!
jessie

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Aside from the cultural difference and logistical issues, I'm mystified and [shocked] at how someone can expect a hired help to accomplish all that and do justice to the children. I rather suspect the scenario eldest girls describes might be closer to the reality.

It may not be uncommon in Malaysia, or indeed in many other countries across the world, but you'd often have more than one person to help out in different roles (as they are "soooo cheap!!") rather than expect it all of a single one. Also I think your expectations of someone else paid to do the domestic role might well be more exacting than if you did it yourself.

LIZS, I think multiple staff are more common in Bangkok and Manila. In Singapore, sadly, most employers seem to prefer to load everything on to one maid, possibly because the government exacts a levy, or servant tax on every Foreign Domestic Worker that you employ. It makes my blood boil to see these poor exhausted women on a regular basis. It's so weird that slavery exists and is condoned by the government in a country that likes to think of itself as 1st world and westernised.
Looks as if Jhosti may have slunk off amidst the howls of righteous protest from MN. So refreshing to hear, when I am made to feel like an idiot here for looking after my own children and doing my own laundry.

What irritated me about the OP is how she wrote her request without a hint of embarrassment!

She wrote "we're considering hiring a domestic help from Malaysia (soooo cheap!!) who could look after the 2 little ones and do all the cooking/cleaning/ironing...

Cultural issues aside, sooo cheap - that is the bit that really grated - I got the impression that if she could get away without paying them anything, she would.

you could have an affair with david blunkett or a high court judge to get a very quick visa done

dont agree with the employment of CHEAP labour
it is degrading and demeaning
agree with speedymamas post

When we lived in Indonesia we often read reports of Indonesian workers being badly treated in Singapore, including cases of murder. I recall one particular case where a couple beat their maid so badly she died and one where the wife twisted the maid's nipples and then bit her, to her severe injury.

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And that's another issue.

So often you hear stories about how the maids have to be "trained" because they're "fresh from the country" and don;t have experience of electrical appliances/washing machines/freezers/etc.

And you leave them alone with a newborn?

No, lah!

Suedonim: Filipina maids have certain protections in their contracts laid down by the Phillippines Govt (min'm salary, 1 day off per week), whereas Indonesian maids don't, So they get paid the least and may not get a day off.

jhosti, if you really want someone to do all the housework and look after your 2 little ones on the cheap, then may I suggest a better solution? Your dh can convert to islam, and marry another wife. Works very well in parts of Asia.

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Jhosti, where are you? At least have the courage to respond.

Mnetters on the whole are supportive and understanding of other mothers but we are also strident and unwavering in our belief that our children are the most precious things in our lives. Therefore, for someone to say that they are prepared to leave a newborn and a toddler in the care of someone that they don't know and expect them to do most of the housework as well because they are sooo cheap will not engender sympathy, empathy or support. May I ask, what do you plan to do if, heaven forbid, you manage to ensnare some unfortunate, impoverished girl on the pretence that she will be coming to the land of milk and honey?

In future, if you make requests like that, remember to don your tin hat!

Sorry! My gosh - it's my first time at using the site, had no idea that I've get so many responses!!
I do work, I work 12 hours a day and so does my husband but as we don't work the same shift it means that we would need a carer for no more than 10 hours a day. When I said 'so cheap' I was comparing it to a cost of a nanny in our area (about £3000 gross/month). I was hoping to pay our carer half that amount and from what I heard that is practically what they earn in 6 months. We have built a 2-bedroom outhouse in our garden complete with bathroom and a kitchenette, and TV/Internet which she could live in. I though 10 hours a day, 5 days a week was pretty reasonable for £1500/month? Especially since we would pay for at least one return flight a year and she could be off for the entire month of Dec with pay...
I did speak to an agency in Malaysia and they've told me that the conditions are more than desirable.... but we do want to do it legally and would hire someone with experience with young children.
I'm a bit surprised by some of the reaction here.. but I guess it's also partly due to the cultural difference between the East and the West... I spent the first 16 years of my life in Malaysia and I myself was brought by up our vaious lived-in carers from Indonesia and the phillipines...
Thank you for all the advise though! I will try to get an au pair if we could find one with enough experience, if not, I think we will attempt to apply for a work permit (6 months I think they last for) and make a trip out to Malaysia to interview the potential applicants.

You might manage to get a British live-in nanny? I think a Malasian nanny here might be pretty lonely.

You sound like you will be a good and fair employer, goodluck

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So if you cant manage who looks after the children now?

made me laugh HappyMumof2! It's ok, I don't mind. I work crazy hours and under immense stress on a trading floor of an investment bank, so I don't often have time to phrase what I mean properly, guessed being surrounded by 85% foulmouthed trades really doesn't help! But I really like this site, I only found it by accident as I was looking for reviews on which double pushchair to buy having made such bad judgements on the first one! Also interested in discussing with other mums since there aren't any in my immediate social and work circles. Thanks!

Oh Kanga, to whom might you be referring?????

Your peanuts comment is very insulting. What people pay their childcarers is more often a reflection of their own income than it is an accurate predictor of their love for their children.

As for how to get a Malasian over here, I suggest this scheme: countries who qualify for Workin Holiday Maker Visa

also look at www.greataupair.com

But, I would second that an au pair is not a good idea for full time care of a young baby. However, you could find someone who is qualified in childcare and hire her as a nanny. She doesn't need British qualifications. It is up to you what qualifications you are happy with. The accommodation you are offering sounds fantastic.

Oh, and stay away from agencies. They are a rip off.

Live-in nannies can expect to earn, an average:

£314 a week (net) in central London
£278 a week (net) in outer London and the home counties
£250 a week (net) in other cities and towns
£254 a week (net) in country areas

Not sure where you live but £3k a month gross sounds a lot for a live-in with such good accommodation

Good luck jhosti. I can't really provide you with any advice but just say how wonderful our live in Filipino help is. She's fantastic with the children and amazing around the house. We live in Cyprus at the moment and like your upbringing this is very much a cultural thing out here, I know that if we wanted to we could bring her back to the UK with us when we returned as long as we had employed her for over a year, so as I said earlier I'm not really any help!! I hope you find someone

oh I was thinking gross. The nanny might only get around £1400 after tax but the cost to us is quite high taking into account National Insurance etc etc.. sigh
No.2 is due in early Feb-07 and I won't return to work until early July so I guess we have time...but t's such a minefield trying to sort out full time childcare!
i'm hooked on this site now!

How many hours a week is she going to work?

Personally I would find £1400 net pay with no living expenses to pay a very good wage indeed!