Live out helper

[Plus]

Hi All,
i am hoping to get some advice. I am about to have my first child in a few months. Once I have our son, my wife and I would like to hire a live out helper(we both work full time) to work about 50 hours per week taking care of our child as well as helping with our dog and other assorted tasks in the home. We do not want a live in helper in part because I don't want to live with a stranger and also because we will be leaving HK by April/May 2019 if not sooner. We have looked at daycare options but those seem nonexistent as most people get a helper.

We have posted an ad on Geoexpat and all of the applications are from individuals who need sponsorship which is something I'd prefer to avoid bc I don't want to break the law with having a helper live out. I am willing to pay up to 10k hkd per month for someone to do this job. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations regarding agencies or other ways I can find a live out helper. I have less than three months before our child is due so time is running out. Also, do you think my budgeted salary is fine or too high/low?

[Plus]

Also, a number of people reached out saying they don't need sponsorship or to live with us but they need us to sign their contract. Doesn't this mean they will still need some sort of sponsorship by us And it is illegal for them to not live with us?

[hullexile]

Also, a number of people reached out saying they don't need sponsorship or to live with us but they need us to sign their contract. Doesn't this mean they will still need some sort of sponsorship by us And it is illegal for them to not live with us?

If they are foreign then it will depend what visa they are on. They could already be PR or on a dependent visa.

[er2]

10k I believe is a bit too low if you want a fully legal full-time helper. Even if we're only talking 5*8h per week, then this translates to ~60HK/h, which is quite a bit less than what I pay my part-time helper (she is awesome, but her status might not be what you're after).

I personally would have now qualms about hiring a live-out helper. Just don't put anything in writing, designate a room as 'her' room, but have a verbal agreement that she gets paid 6k extra for living out. Worst case would result in ImmD disliking you, which means there might be consequences which fall under their area of discretion (e.g., not approving future helper visa sponsorship), but what evidence would they possibly find that you acted against the law? They don't check whether employers even provide any room at all - how could they check whether or not your helper has been using hers?

[Plus]

I thought 10k was very fair. Minimum wage is 35 hkd per hour. I understand that on a pure hourly rate you would pay a helper more part time but this is different as I am asking them to work full time hours. Does anyone else have any experience with this and am I underpaying? If so, I can give more but I don't want to go overboard for no reason.

[hullexile]

I thought 10k was very fair. Minimum wage is 35 hkd per hour. I understand that on a pure hourly rate you would pay a helper more part time but this is different as I am asking them to work full time hours. Does anyone else have any experience with this and am I underpaying? If so, I can give more but I don't want to go overboard for no reason.

4.3 weeks per month x 40 x 70 per hour = 12,000 per month at least. That would seem fairer to me. Remember you are entrusting your baby to her.

[Plus]

4.3 weeks per month x 40 x 70 per hour = 12,000 per month at least. That would seem fairer to me. Remember you are entrusting your baby to her.

This is how I feel about live in helpers. We are just letting strangers live with us and care for our babies, it’s very uncomfortable. While I am not rich, I am lucky that 10k vs 12k doesn’t make much different regarding quality of life or me still wanting someone who lives out. I also don’t want someone who is willing to work for a similar wage to live in helpers bc then I am scared about how good they will actually be. I do believe you get what you pay for.

Ideally I’d like to find a middle aged Local woman who has already raised her own children but that may be easier said then done. I am going to look for agencies tomorrow that may be able to help with this sort of thing as well. If anyone has any recommendations, please share.

[emx]

This is how I feel about live in helpers. We are just letting strangers live with us and care for our babies, it’s very uncomfortable.

Do it yourself then, we can not have you feeling very uncomfortable.

[MandM!]

Your expectations are not in line.

Live out helpers (those from Indonesia or Philippines) are illegal. The exception is those who are married to a Hong Kong resident who can thus sponsor their visa. It's rare.

Locals won't work for 10k. The wages have been going up and lower wages like these are kids or fresh grads -- they also job hob for $500 more per month and their families would likely not approve of this working arrangement.

To find a mother like you suggest. 10k doesn't even cover food cost for many families. Much less subtracting transportation costs and the headache of watching after a newborn.

You're setting yourself up for a big disappointment. I've never heard of someone dropping off their newborn baby to daycare. Sorry I think thats a bit ridiculous.

One parent should stay at home and tend to the child or hire a full time live-in helper. You could hire a full-time helper and pay her extra to live out. It's illegal but many do it. Unless you piss off a jealous neighbor, you should be fine.

I don't understand how you can be comfortable with the helper with your baby at your home during the day but not at night when you and your husband are at home.

But I can tell you that you're in for a world of trouble. Learn to lighten up.

[dumbdonkey]

Anything legal starts at $15,000. Plus a few grand for speaking English. You,ll need to pay mpf, insurance, holiday, vacation. It’s going to be $20k month all in.