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

[Uwila]

If she gets £1400 per month plus living expenses, then you are talking about £325 per week net and that seems perfectly fair. (Says the peanut plantation farmer)

BUT... sit down and think about all the other expenses soon to come your way before you work out your budget. You will now have to pay for activities, travel, increased grocery and heating bills, and so on...

[jhosti]

Uwila, thanks for the aupair weblink, I might register with them to see what they could find us.
We were hoping to find someone to do 10 hours a day, our first born will probably go to nursery in the mornings leaving her in sole charge of a baby under 6 months. But we wanted someone who would do some light housework (we will keepy our weekly cleaner) like putting the laundry out to dry and keeping the house tidy. My dream was to get someone from Malaysia or Indonesia who could then cook the yummiest food for us!!

[Uwila]

The holiday working Visa scheme allows someone in her 20s to come into the UK for two years, and work for one. So, if you are happy to have to replace her at the end of one year, then I think this is a good option for you, especially since Malaysia is on the list.

Funny you should post this today because just yesterday I was thinking about doing the same and the reason was I was thinking she'd make interesting food. But, I think for me there might be a cultural/language barrier that would outweigh the perks of nice leftovers.

[CountessDracula]

But that pay would be £2020 a month gross, not £3000!

[Schhh]

congratulations at your courage in coming back after that response jhosti. Sorry for misjudging you. My au pairs also work a long day, and I find the following points important:
They are paid more than the au pair wage, they get a travel ticket and language classes, which are not free where I live. The travel ticket is important because it encourages them to go out.
They dont do cleaning or cooking for the family, so they dont feel like a maid.
They have 2 day weekends, and free evenings and free bank hols just like I do, and paid holiday (the minimum - I need some spare holiday for if they are sick).
Free time during the day (eg when the children are at school, or watching tv) is their own time for studying, as long as the sitting room's tidy.

[chocabloc]

THANK U ZIPPITOES ! it took a long time for any1 2 mention, the fact that cheap is exploitation!

SORRY JHOSTI! but imagine it that was ur kids being employed for a menial wage, to do absolutley evrything, (ITS MODERN DAY SLAVERY)

I appologize if any1 is offended, but im a single mum to one, and time can be made to do some of those tasks and not dump them on the hired help! it would be good to giv somebody an oppurtunity from another country, BUT WHAT IS UR IDEA OF CHEAP, AND DO THEY REALLY HAVE TO/ARE EXPECTED TO DO EVRYTHING! No matter what benifits u give them they will jump at the chance, if they come from a disadvantaged background, think about it............. If those were ur kids, how would u feel, just pay and treat them humanley, as u would ur own! i saw a documenteray on that and it was heartbreaking

[chocabloc]

and WITCH ur comment on friday, is what i mean also

[chocabloc]

NO AMELI ITS NOT HARSH EXPECTING TO DO EVRYTHING IS A REPLACMENT MOTHER! U HAVE TO AT LEAST TRY SHES RIGHT! I know its custom to have help in alot of countries, but wher do u draw the line!

WHOEVER IS APYING PEANUTS TO THEIR HELP THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOUL AND SHOULD BE REPORTED! THEY SHOULD PAY MORE, AND IF THEY HAVE OTHER BENEFITS, LIKE CLOTHES ALLOWANCE, THEN LIMIT THIS SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A LIFE AND EXISTANCE OF THEIR OWN, AND ENJOY THEIR STAY HERE!

[MomOnTheRun]

I just like to point out that hiring a nanny is a luxury that a lot of us can ill afford. If I didn't have young children of my own, I would consider this for a profession.

When you weigh in all the factors, the pay is more than nurses and teachers, you have paid shelter and food, holidays with the family and maybe use of a car. If you work in London, you are practically saving half your wage on living expenses. I honestly don't get that sort of income for looking after my own kids and home.

For a foreign domestic helper, that money works out more than a top professional would get in their own country. Many have no qualifications and it will go straight to their head thinking they are superior. You would not want to place your child with someone in that situation.

People are quite happy to pay for au pairs for less than a quarter of that price but expect them to do half of what is expected of a domestic helper (25-30 hours a week), but nobody complains that it's slavery. If the foreign helper is happy with the arrangements I don't see why people should get so annoyed with others for using foreign helpers. We are all trying to do what is best for our children.

I stress that I do not have foreign helpers.

[ednamode]

Hi All
I hope its not too late to revive this thread.
I am looking for an au pair can anyone recommend an agency. My child is mixed race so if you have any experiences please advise


many thks

[minniethemouse]

hi jhosti, any updated news from you? did you manage to get a helper from malaysia?
xxx

[tinkymummy]

I haven't read this thread, so apologies if this is obviously useless to you, but I know a Philipina, currently living and working in Hong Kong, who is trying to get over here. I know her personally and she is LOVELY. She loves children. Let me know if you want her contact details.

[sally84]

Message deleted

[LadyMuck]

Isn't this advice about 3 years too late?

[AtheneNoctua]

I don't now what sally said but since this thread has been bumped it is worth pointing out that the holiday maker scheme and the au pair visa no longer exist. So all of the advice relating to getting a malaysian worker in the UK is null and void.