Getting a Maid - Key Issues to Consider

I have posted this reply on Singapore Motherhood forum and I thought I should share it here as well. The post below reflects some key issues I am considering if I want to employ maids again. 

Scenario #1: I want to go home all the time

I used to have a maid and I can empathise with any maid employer. 

On the contrary, I think all maids are smart - that's why they can see the loop holes in our government policies and use them to their benefit. They are highly competent - all humans are - but they will choose not to because being competent doesn't help themselves. Frankly, to them, there's very little incentive to be competent cos it means more work (for the same pay).

Regarding their attitude, I don't think I can blame them for lousy attitude. Being a maid isn't something that anyone is really proud of - even if you are paid to do it. From their point of view, it's just a lowly job that pays well enough to attract them to leave their home. So I can't really blame them for showing lousy attitude (but that doesn't mean her attitude doesn't affect me). No one, in the right frame of mind, will take pride in being a maid. 

What to do if your maid fails to return from her home leave

Yes, my maid did not return from her home leave. If you are unfortunately in the same position as me, do this:

Step 1: Try to contact her first to find out what is wrong
Do it as soon as possible as you will have to pay for her maid levy. According to the link, the maid levy is paid by you at the end of each month.

Sources taken from MOM Work Permit Page.

Buying Air Tickets for my Indonesian Maid

My maid just asked if I could get tickets for her to fly back from Padang, Indonesia instead. Previously, it's a round trip from Yoyakarta.

So now, I'll be getting:
- a one-way ticket from Singapore to Yoyakarta and
- another one-way ticket from Padang to Singapore

AirAsia offers one-way tickets to Yogyakarta. Their tickets are more expensive on Saturday and Sunday.

DIY: Renew your Indonesian Maid's Work Permit (for Singaporeans)

Update 12 May 2016: I didn't realized how popular this post has gotten :)  Thank you all for the support. It's been 3 years since I have written this article. The procedures might have changed slightly and I might not be aware of the new changes - as I have no maid now. 

Update 25 Feb 2015: Amended Step 7 for KTKLN application. Your FDW needs a health certificate for KTKLN application now. 

Now that I have gone through it, here's a chronological display of documents and events to complete and do.

Process Summary:

1. Negotiate her salary and benefits for the next contract and Decide Duration of her Home Leave
2. Go to the Indonesia Embassy to renew her passport (OPTIONAL) and get the work agreement done (COMPULSORY)
3. Buy maid insurance (COMPULSORY)
4. Renew her work permit (COMPULSORY)
5. Get her new Passport from the embassy (COMPULSORY)
6. Buy her air tickets (COMPULSORY)
7. Apply for the KTKLN card in Indonesia (COMPULSORY): The new Indonesia president has made some comments on removing the need to apply for KTKLN card, but as we know, a change like this will not happen overnight in Indonesia. So just make sure your maid's KTKLN card is valid when she returns to Singapore. 

Summary of Cost Involved:

1. Renew Passport = $35
2. Maid insurance = $308.16
3. Renew Work Permit = $20
4. Air Tickets = $247 (AirAsia)
5. Worker Insurance (in Indonesia) = $38

Total cost to DIY maid renewal is SGD648.16

Getting a maid

We visited Bukit Timah Shopping Centre - oh mine, what an impressive place it is. It's like the Sim Lim Square for maid agencies. You'll find an agency at every nook and cranny of the building.

TS's colleague recommended CRISLO maid agency. She mentioned that the maids are well-trained (sounds like I'm getting some toilet-trained puppy) and provides some good quality transfer maids who have working experience in other countries.

We wasted no time and quickly proceeded to CRISLO on the second floor, next to the escalator. One thing really doubtful about the agency is that it is so conveniently located. 'Cos instinctively, shops that are near convenient locations tend to sell more expensively or are more dubious. Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.