Live out helper?

[Su Mei]

hi,

Papa - i don't think this is a question of "legal" but whether it is morally and ethically right, the living room is a public space for the family with the family walking in and out at all times of the day, would it be fair to ask your helper, who does phsyical labourious work the whole day to rest in a space where there is no privacy and her sleep could be disturbed regularly? (Would YOU sleep permanently in your living room?) Needless to say asking the helper for their opinion beside the point given what we really knwo to be an unequal bargaining position, in an interview, of course she's going to say she won't mind if she really needs a job!

Jane 892 - if you are really finding the apt too small and conceptually not being able to come to terms with a live in helper, then get a full time helper that boards out (ie obtaining all of the necessary approvals etc), bearing in midn you'd have to pass their salary, government levy, lodgings at a boarding house (I was told this is appx. $1500-2000 per month for a boarding house in Wanchai), food allowance (eg. $800-900 per month) and transport costs. It is certainly economically more efficient to have a live in but as you've mentioned for various reasons this may not be practical!

 

[ELT]

Jane892 - I used to walk around the apartment in my underwear too (lol), now I have to wear pjs, or at least a longer t-shirt. It does feel weird at first, having a stranger at home. But we got used to it after a short while. Now we can't live without her!

Papa - How many people live in your apt and how many rooms are there? Have you considered having the helper share a room with the kid(s) (assuming you have kids?).

 

[Konradsmom]

papa,

There are some agencies out there ( not sure if you are using one) who have their boarding houses or dorms for the DH who go through them- it is possible to see if they can put up with housing your DH for a charge. personally don't think its immoral or unethical - seems too heavy handed - but its likely you will find the arranegemtn uncomfortable for you too in the longer run.

 

[kashismum]

OK, I'm now looking for a second helper and space is tight. Can I ask, does anyone out there have a bonafide 'OK' form the Immigration Dept to have their helper live out (a contract started post 2003 when the rules changed). I called and the officer swore that they would not allow this under any circumstances.
So, I'm wondering if she is just trying to put me off applying.
If there is a chance of getting permission, under what circumstances is it granted?
Thanks!

 

[barbwong_130]

Yes I have a legal live out helper whose first contract was signed 1st May 2003 ? we just missed the deadline. It may be that we just missed the deadline and so the immigration officer was feeling kind but I remember having to argue a lot. She kept telling me that the law had been changed. I even told her that if this was so I was going to write to my local legco member and complain about discrimination because I was too poor to afford a bigger flat. In the end she agreed with me that the guidelines and not the law had been changed.

I have a family of six living in a three bedroom flat ? so already there are two in each room. She went through every room and asked me if the helper could sleep there ? to which I always replied ?no?. I remember asking her if she was suggesting that my helper sleep in the bath or maybe on the balcony! She expected my kitchen to have helper?s quarter in it. And when we moved in it did have but the kitchen was too small so we converted it back into a larger kitchen. This meant that when she asked if I had helper?s quarters in the kitchen I could say without lying that we didn?t.

 

[vivian_dullin]

Looking for an Employer in Hongkong

Hello mam Jane ,
I am vivian dullin looking for a employer here in hongkong . I read your add and I am very much interested to working with you and to your family .
I have been working here in hongkong for 12 years to a british family but they allow me to live out coz just like you they also want a privacy of their owned . I was also looking after a twin babies and they are lovely good boys . Since , I am still single and have no kids of my own I love and like most to take care babies . Also , I am very good in clenning , ironning clothes ,and cooking too .
Since my visa is only up to nov.12th , I am oblige to go back home to my country of origin -Philippines . Hoping we could contact before I leave . This is my mobile no.67141553 ( here in hongkong ) and my mobile no.+639277267672 ( in the Philippines ).
Thank you very much . Hoping to hear from you very soon . God Bless .