Housekeeper / Domestic helper salary

Metter

My current helper has moved to a full time position and I need to replace :-( I am increasing the house and duties for the new person (including sweeping outside, more ironing, maybe some meal preparation at time and general things as well as cleaning). I always am uncertain regarding salary and I know the minimum wage does not apply but what is realistic? The current minimum is 3.5jt a month Is it a simple case of converting to an hourly rate and paying that or is there any guidance. I don't want to take advantage and underpay nor do I want to be a cash cow. I will be employing for 3 days a week at 4 hours a day. Any sensible advice would be great

mugwump

How do you define sensible? Your location, requirements, number of household members and potential for economic changes with the onset of the return of tourism are factors influencing pay. Many people provide living quarters? Why not ask friends in your area?

Markit

Have full time staff working 5 day week that I pay 3juta/month also have a part timer that comes 2 times a week for 4 hours that I pay 100/day.

Metter

Markit wrote Have full time staff working 5 day week that I pay 3juta/month also have a part timer that comes 2 times a week for 4 hours that I pay 100/day. [/QUOTE Thanks Markit & Mugwump, I had sought advice from friends but most are in different situations. I have offered 100k for 4 hours paid monthly so seems consistent with what you pay

Juggler

I pay 3jt per month for 5 days per week 4 hrs a day. Our place is spotless and nothing goes missing. If you have a good person pay more to keep them. I know others will disagree but each to what they are happy with.

Markit

Money is actually the least of it (well for me). We have a husband and wife team that have been integrated into our lives since the beginning - they share our (western) food and bring theirs too, laugh at how stupid we are about Religion, come to us with many (not all) of their problems and I'm sure we have all profited immensely from the give an take of our relationship. If you're looking for "just" a worker, some people don't want the intimacy, I can't help you and you will be poorer for that choice.

Metter

Markit wrote Money is actually the least of it (well for me). We have a husband and wife team that have been integrated into our lives since the beginning - they share our (western) food and bring theirs too, laugh at how stupid we are about Religion, come to us with many (not all) of their problems and I'm sure we have all profited immensely from the give an take of our relationship. If you're looking for "just" a worker, some people don't want the intimacy, I can't help you and you will be poorer for that choice.

We have build good relationships with many local people but ultimately, when I am first hiring someone I don't know, the employment conditions come first. Over time we then hopefully build a relationship. Not sure I am an intimacy person but I have friends I would drop things to help and visa vera.

Foamcrest

We have employed Agus for 5 years and we are part of his life and vice versa. The ‘work’ part is the very least of our relationship with him. We laugh, we go to weddings, christenings, various ceremonies, he prays for us should the slightest illness or sorrow befall us. He loves our villa and the way it looks, how guests talk about it in their reviews, I had business cards made calling him ‘Villa Manager’ rather than ‘room boy‘, a title that I found degrading and smacked of colonialism. By all means just hire someone to labour for you but you will miss out on being part of what I call ‘the real Bali’.

Markit

Metter wrote We have build good relationships with many local people but ultimately, when I am first hiring someone I don't know, the employment conditions come first. Over time we then hopefully build a relationship. Not sure I am an intimacy person but I have friends I would drop things to help and visa vera.

If you have someone you trust among your locals then go to him and tell him exactly what you are looking for. He will come back with a recommendation that he will have to be responsible for. That is your best assurance of a good, honesty and dependable worker. The rest comes after. P.S. sorry but it must be a "him" - this is a man's world as the song goes. P.P.S. Local drivers are the best as they know the most people and have the widest range of dependencies.