Getting a new maid
We are.
Getting a new maid, that is.
And personally, it’s a scary thought. With so many horror stories about maids out there, getting a maid really feels like a game of Russian roulette…or rather…Turkish roulette! 
Yet, for reasons I’m not inclined to reveal for now, we need to get one.
The search began in October this…oops…last year, with hubby approaching a few recommended agencies for biodatas. We finally selected one, and went to the agency sometime in November if I remember correctly to settle the first payment, etc. And let me tell you, hiring a maid is NOT cheap, no sirree. The total cost, including the agency fees and the 6 months salary that we have to pay upfront (which goes to the agency and not the maid!!) costs around RM8k! *faints* And of course, there are all these additional clauses about how much we have to pay if we want to exchange the maid, or if the maid runs away, etc….if not for the fact that the cost and all these clauses are pretty standard across the few agencies hubby had checked with, I would’ve honestly declared the whole thing as a big con job (as it is, I still feel like it’s a big con job!!).
Anyhow, we’ve just been told that our new maid has just arrived in Malaysia. She’ll be taken to do her medical check-up, and then a couple of days of training, and hubby will pick her up from the agency this coming Saturday. As I’m currently staying at my parent’s place, she’ll be staying with us here as well.
I’ve been reading some blogs about how families adjust to having a maid around, what are the ‘ground rules’, etc. as I have absolutely no idea how to handle one. Factor in the fact that I’m not all that great when it comes to being an ‘authoritative’ figure, and that…errr…I don’t look like someone who’s mature enough to have a maid…*blek*…I’m quite at a loss about what to do and rather worried that the maid will end up walking all over me instead. Furthermore, as this is my parent’s place, her routine for the next few months will be quite different compared to when we move back to our own place, so I don’t know if this transition period will end up causing any confusion for her (in terms of electrical equipment, etc.).
Anyways, I came across one post that I like very very much from this blog, and I think the author has written a really good ‘guideline’ on how she manages her maid and I think it’s a good starting point for me.
Well, we’ll see how it goes. The good thing is that my mum’s around and I think she’s a better judge of character compared to moi, so if this maid turns out to be some psycho… 
…at least my parents are around to observe vs. when I’m back home alone with the baby and have no time to pay much attention to the maid. Of course, in the meantime, I shall think positive and hope that we get a good one, ie. the empty chamber in the revolver… 
Comment by Siew on 8 January 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Aweee… don’t worry too much. The horror stories are only a minute percentage of the total household with maids in the whole country. Surely you cannot judge all maids by that. Coming from a household living with a maid for more than 20 years, I am certainly in a position to give you confidence.
They come as a stranger and left as a family member. Not a single one of them has stolen anything nor did any ‘horror’ stuff. Of course, some are better than the others, yet, we must also realise that not everyone is perfect.
While all of us get nervous when taking the first step to employ a maid, have we also think about how the maid feels when she gets here, a foreign country, and into the home of strangers. I am sure she is equally nervous, if not more.
And don’t worry, you are a good person, you will get a good maid.
Comment by Brenda on 8 January 2009 @ 6:49 pm
Soo Yin, May I know which agency you went?? I am looking for one too..Thanks alot.
Comment by sooyin on 12 January 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Siew: Thanks for your comforting words! Our view on this is that as long as the maid comes here with a good attitude and heart, we’re not too concerned about whether she is perfect in doing the housework, etc. as all these can be taught. What matters is that she doesn’t come with any ill-intentions that will affect the safety of our family. Anyways, it’s been ’so-far-so-good’ at the moment…she seems keen to learn and is very soft-spoken, so I hope this continues!
Brenda: Hiya…have dropped you an email!
Comment by Kim on 29 January 2009 @ 5:17 am
Hi Sooyin,
Don’t you get to interview your maid first? It seems very diferent to what I have known. Every position I applied for required at least one face to face interview sometime two and when an agency was involved three. As a (live in) maid not working in Asia and having very little knowlege of eastern culture some of the posts I have read about getting and keeping a maid are very strange to me. Are all maids there from asian background? Do you have a chance to hire a maid from a western country.
Hope everything works out for you.
Bye,
Kim.
Comment by sooyin on 12 February 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Kim: No, we don’t get to interview the maid first (although I’ve heard that there are agencies where they can set up an interview). I’m not sure if we can get maids from a Western country, but most of the maids in M’sia come from either Indonesia, Philippines, and recently, Cambodia or Vietnam. My guess is that it’s just cheaper to hire maids from these countries, and probably with the lower pay, maids from Western countries wouldn’t want to come and work here anyway…?
Comment by Low on 11 May 2009 @ 10:55 pm
I’ve got a Cambodian maid for the past four months. Employed her because I was thinking of starting a day care. The project never materialized. Now she spends her time mostly gardening and reading.
It’s not cheap, getting the maid and I would like to transfer her to another employer if we can work out the arrangements and draw up a contract on our own.
She speaks English, is 23, strong, hardworking and responsible. She’s also willing to learn.
If your readers are interested, please send me a mail.
Thanks
Low
Comment by Marygrace on 31 May 2009 @ 9:14 am
Hi Low,
I’m interested to get a maid - the Comodian Maid you talking about. How can we do this?
Let’s discuss. My email is seckmg@yahoo.com.sg
Comment by Mathilda on 8 June 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Hi Low, is your maid still available? Please email me at ngmathilda@hotmail.com if at all she is. Thanks.
Comment by nyon on 9 June 2009 @ 3:49 pm
Hi Low,
Would be interested in your cambodian maid? Is she still available.
Pls contact me through below email
nyonsy78@yahoo.com
Comment by Harpreet on 10 June 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Hi Low,
I really need a maid to care for my kids. pse contact me at harpreetsss@tnb.com.my
Comment by sooyin on 10 June 2009 @ 10:29 pm
All,
Appreciate if you could contact Low directly at this website address that she provided instead of leaving comments here. Thanks.