Live-out FT helper?
- Thread starter Gracey
- Start date
It's no longer possible to have a live out FDH. Sorry, but I was talking about how difficult it was even before they changed the law. As Cara says, it is now only possible if you had permission from Immigration prior to the change and I think for the same helper. Now if you want a legal live out helper, you need to employ someone with a dependent's visa or a local helper.
Hi everyone, Thanks to all of you for your advice! 
We wouldn't mind boosting her housing allowance to HK $1,500 or so. We want to be fair, but also not get ripped off. (We live in Kowloon, if that helps. I think prices are lower here). We would also pay for transportation and food.
I know there's no point in complaining here, but it really does seem unfair. So a local Chinese helper has the freedom to live out, but a Filipina does not? What kind of government policy is that? What about long-time Filipinas in HK? Do they get permenant residency and become "local" after 7 years like everyone else?
Please don't read too deeply into this, but I would prefer not to hire a full-time local / mainland Chinese helper. Long ago, many Hong Kongers used them, and they really were "jie jie" or "ayi," meaning they were like pseudo aunts who felt they had say over childcare decisions, etc. According to my older relatives, there was alot of conflict -- it was too close for comfort.
For some reason, with "foreign" (like Filipina) helpers, I think it's easier to keep that line between employer and employee. I'm just going by the experience of my family and friends. Even my relatives who speak no English are wary of local / mainland helpers. I don't mean that to sound prejudiced, but I think there's a big cultural difference.
Hmmm. What to do. My current PT is live-out. Maybe I'll ask her what the situation is.
We wouldn't mind boosting her housing allowance to HK $1,500 or so. We want to be fair, but also not get ripped off. (We live in Kowloon, if that helps. I think prices are lower here). We would also pay for transportation and food.
I know there's no point in complaining here, but it really does seem unfair. So a local Chinese helper has the freedom to live out, but a Filipina does not? What kind of government policy is that? What about long-time Filipinas in HK? Do they get permenant residency and become "local" after 7 years like everyone else?
Please don't read too deeply into this, but I would prefer not to hire a full-time local / mainland Chinese helper. Long ago, many Hong Kongers used them, and they really were "jie jie" or "ayi," meaning they were like pseudo aunts who felt they had say over childcare decisions, etc. According to my older relatives, there was alot of conflict -- it was too close for comfort.
For some reason, with "foreign" (like Filipina) helpers, I think it's easier to keep that line between employer and employee. I'm just going by the experience of my family and friends. Even my relatives who speak no English are wary of local / mainland helpers. I don't mean that to sound prejudiced, but I think there's a big cultural difference.
Hmmm. What to do. My current PT is live-out. Maybe I'll ask her what the situation is.
Be prepared that a local person is very expensive. After a few bad experiences of hiring foreign helpers, we're now hiring living-out chinese helper. We pay her $9000 for 6 days/7 hours a day. and of course most of these ladies have families in hk so sometimes their work schedule will have to be accommodated. I like her because she can speak mandarin to my kids and is very sensible and careful with the types of food she feeds my children.
However, after factoring everything, it's at least 3 times as expensive!
However, after factoring everything, it's at least 3 times as expensive!
#1-it's illegal, #2-you want to know where your helper is living because if it's dirty, they're going to bring possible germs, etc with them when they come to work, #3-on top of salary, you need to provide food allowance and accomodations, #4-again, it's illegal and yes, many people do it, but like said above, you need to be careful if something happens or if one of your helper's friends decides they want to tell on your helper. Of course the laws will be different for a FDH because it's there to actually protect the helper...you're responsible for their visa so in turn, you're responsible for them. A local person has different rights because they are a resident here. It would be the same in any other country. You don't have the same rights as a local person if you're in a foreign country. Also if you're here on a work visa, you probably have a different financial situation than an FDH.
Shenzhennifer
Registered User
I know a FDH here and yesterday she said that at her boarding house, some of the girls have official permission to live out. I argued that that couldn't be the case bc of all I have heard on this board, and she said that it was possible to get permission even now bc she knows the girls who have it. I don't know...
Shenzhennifer
Registered User
No, it's the helpers, from immigration. They are asked for their address and it goes from there.