Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

Hi all, we have just moved from Sydney to Kerobokan. I am having trouble finding somone who can help with the house, babysit my 2yo and help with the cooking. I have interviewed a few ladies but when it cam to negotating price they wanted much more than Ihave been advised to pay (aroun 700K - 900K per month) One girl said she could earn 2mil per week!!!!!!!! I have looked around and I was wondering if anyone knows anyone who are leaving and want to help fund their staff a new job, or indeed any other helpful hints....

Thanks so much!

Welcome to the forum!

One girl said she could earn 2mil per week!!!!!!!!

For that money I would take the job!

700K sounds reasonable but that would normally include board, all meals, time off for ceremonies etc.

Tell us something about how you came to be living in Bali. Keep in mind the forum is for sharing information.

While I don't know Kerobokan, and its close to the big city, i still think your offer is reasonable.

I would drop a word or two at a few warungs in the neighborhood, and leave your number.

How did you find the girls wanting that much?

Hi

here is a link to this discussion we had about a year ago

http://www.bali-information.com/expat_f ... hp?t=14984

Hope it helps.

Dasha

Our villa is in the same area. 2 mill is alot!!!!
Unless you are asking for more that is reasonable
(Maybe as Allan suggested tell us more to& find out whats being paid but remember some expats also like to brag about what is being paid. (they will sometimes brag about not paying much)
But this is Bali & talk is all around.. (Karma)

Maxine

Hi all, thanks so much for your replies.
Yesterday I ended up calling Karsini, an agency and they have sent out a very nice lady that is going to trial starting today! We agreed on 1mil per month, so I am happy with that. We already have another maid that comes with the villa, so her duties aren't heavy. The fact that I have never had "help" before is going to be interesting. I am not sure how all will go, but I will work on it. I think seperating personal and business could be hard, but everywhere I read, people do it differently.

My husband has his own clothing label "YOKII". In Austeralia we had to keep things small because he couldn't afford the staff to get the production up. After 4 years of 20 hour days and not seeing me and his 2yo we decided there has to be another way. After investigaing the possibility of going offshor, Bali was the obvious choice because of minims etc elsewhere. So, we sold our house, packed all our things into storage, got our business visas and here we are. 2 months in and things are falling into place.

I have been a fan of forums for a few years - always good to read what others are experiencing and I am really looking forward to this new life iN Bali. We have always loved it as tourists. When we landed we felt as if we were coming home - this adventure is already so different from that of a holidayer... finding a house was a frustrating experience.... But we are settling in well.

Thanks again!

Hi,
I live in Dencarick and pay my pembantus 400.000 per month incl. all their meals. They work a 40 hr a week and have 1 extra day off per month, also after 1 year 1 week paid holiday.Prices here are cheaper than in the big city

jogry blok wrote:Hi,
I live in Dencarick and pay my pembantus 400.000 per month incl. all their meals. They work a 40 hr a week and have 1 extra day off per month, also after 1 year 1 week paid holiday.Prices here are cheaper than in the big city

Based on the exchange rate shown that works out at approximately $Aus 2.23 per day or say, the cost a one large bottle of Bintang. 28 cents an hour for an 8 hour day.

SamD wrote: Based on the exchange rate shown that works out at approximately $Aus 2.23 per day or say, the cost a one large bottle of Bintang. 28 cents an hour for an 8 hour day.

Sure, but wages should not be compared to western countries' salaries. The reason being, a Balinese can buy a decent meal, including meat or fish, vegetables and rice for between Rp1,000 and 2,000 (around 13 to 25 cents in AU dollars), so local wages are comparable with local prices.

Jogry also stated that she provides all meals for her staff.

matsaleh wrote:

SamD wrote: Based on the exchange rate shown that works out at approximately $Aus 2.23 per day or say, the cost a one large bottle of Bintang. 28 cents an hour for an 8 hour day.

Sure, but wages should not be compared to western countries' salaries. The reason being, a Balinese can buy a decent meal, including meat or fish, vegetables and rice for between Rp1,000 and 2,000 (around 13 to 25 cents in AU dollars), so local wages are comparable with local prices.

Jogry also stated that she provides all meals for her staff.

OK, based on your figures that raises the wage to about $Aus 2.83 per day assuming 3 meals a day. If people are comfortable paying those sorts of wages then that's their business I suppose.

It is not a matter of being comfortable but of paying the going rate. This happens in every country in the world. If you pay more than that rate you effect the economy of that country and inflation takes a hold because of it.

It is not a moral thing but a practical one. Those of us that are expatriates and work abroad get paid a higher salary for doing so. If we were to pay the going rate for say a Euripean country we could not afford it.

We are actually creating jobs where there would not be a demand.

If people are comfortable paying those sorts of wages then that's their business I suppose.

By "comfortable" do you mean satisifed that it's ethical? Personally I find the idea of having pembantus abhorrent. First of all because I value my privacy and peace and quiet over everything and I would find having a pembantu extremely unnerving. You can probably guess I'm not a "people person". I would much rather do the housework myself.

Also I'm not all that comfortable paying such paltry wages (by Western standards). But then again people in the West are grossly overpaid and it's mostly on back of cheap overseas labour and access to resource "stolen" from indigenous populations. The real "global" wage should be averaging out at about US$5/hour.

Then again that is entirely my personal view and I don't begrudge for a second foreigners living in Bali and paying the local wage to their staff. One needs to be pragmatic. Some people are getting on in life and need help around the house. If you were required to pay Western rates then most people couldn't afford it and the local workers would not have a job at all. Also if you could afford it and did pay Western rates, say 5 jt/per week the social schism it would create in the local village would make your life utterly unbearable.

But full points for being provocative!

ALLAN. good for u ! Jimbo , thanks for thinking about the Baliness long term economic out look , your like the Greenspan of Bali ! Some people can live on what other people spill . Im sure you guys spill more the 3 bucks a day ! If your on Bali for the long term , why not give alittle extra ! help someone else out ? 7 days a week and you've rationalized that you,ve given a weeks paid vaca ! Reason number 1,125,125,179 why most of the world hate a western mindset . But then agaian a Baliness with some extra money at then end of the month , nothing good could come of that . Maybe eductate her kids , not have to work 7 days a week and see her kids in something other then hand me down rags from the white man . Get and internet connection and see how much of the rest of the world lives . Start demand more of her government as her eyes open to the ways of the world . Boy that extra cash that you might spill will mess every thing up ! And then before you know it the "paradise" u love some much would be gone along with the slave labor you say u love so much ! The next time I hear an ex-pat say im for Bali for the Balinese and they havent clean a dish , cooked a meal , made a bed and have 3 slaves do it all for 20 bucks a week im gunna poo myself . Big fish little pond .

Before anyone says to me "YOU DIDNT WRITE THE IN PARAGRAPH FORM , ITS HAD TO READ " as all my posts , I write them in 30 to 60 seconds , i dont spell check them , i dont go to the internet and come back with a reply that makes me come as a some expert , its from the heart and how i see it ! thanks Jamie , and before anyone says "yah , they look and read like 60 seconds posts " well all i can say is , that the real me .

When you pay 150-200.000 a month (like the Balinese do themselves!!) you are considered "pelit".

When you pay 300.000 its too little

400 - 500.000 ok.

600 - 700.000 you are generous.

800 - 1.000.000 eyebrows get to raise (in the neighborhood)

At 1.000 to 1.500.000 chances of the workers will feel jealousy from the community

And more, they will get "black magic treatments"

(North Bali)

It has nothing to do with slavery.

The US government bought thosands of square miles of US territory from the Indians for beads , blankets and trinkets , shrewd deal on the government , yes . Was it right , no . The people of Bali dont know what they are worth , They (as many people in many contries ) are trapped in a economic war that they didnt even start . Becouse of the ultra low wages the people of Bali are trapped . And travelers gain a cheap paradise .The average person IN bALI could never afford to take a trip anywhere else and see how other people live . By making statements like , Im keeping inflation at bay by paying what Im paying , perpetuates the problem . Have no fear , Indo wont come out of the stoneage economy (speaking for the little person ) for 50 more years . I think as high minded , traveled and intelligent folks like your selfs , you would better Bali by doing your own chores , and giving the 150.00 bucks a month to the closest mother of children and tell her to better her kids as apposed to comparing how little people expect to be paid on the island . I feel for all people who dont have basic oportunities that i have . Dont u ever feel guilty ? Do u ever say to yourself , I would like to teach these people to really better them selfs ? Or is the pull of being able retire on a couple hundred grand to strong to rock the boat ? ...My sister has only had a man come into her home in Kuta once a month to move her funiture and mop the floors , she cant handle the thought of someone else doing her chores for peanuts , she would rather pay for kids schooling (she now has the granddaughter in school of the first girl she helped in Kuta ) meds , ect ? But she only a 60"s hippy who came to Bali in 72 to make a differance . We should all try to be like her and make a differance . Screw it , I think Im gunna open a sneaker factor in indo somewhere and sell them back home for 50.00 bucks a shot and live the high life . ...Allan I reread your post ...and again good for you