The employer is very satisfied with their maid. The mother said she feel this is the most valuable investment that they have invest. Because soon after their maid came, their daugther started to greeting people. Their maid not only help them to take care of housework but also teach their daugther English, songs and words.

Their daughter is two years old now. She can sing a few English songs and recognize some words. Their Philipino maid also teaches their daughter to write letters and numbers. They feel their daughter is much happier and healthier now.

The father is happy also. Although initially they don’t like the meals that their maid prepare for them. After they bought two cooking books for her. She can cook delicious meals now.

Their maid also promised to take good care of their daughter and not to let her fall sick easily.

The father said he used to think employing a maid could be troublesome as living with a stranger would be very inconvenient. Now he doesn’t think so. He said that a good maid really helps to improve the quality of the life. Furthermore, they can also help their maid to fulfil her dreams in saving money to build their home and set up a small business for a better life for her family. Their maid has a five years old son, and a three years old girl. She is looking forward to bring home a few thousand Singapore dollors. She said that is a lot of money which is more than sufficient to set up a small business, send her kids to school and re-build her house which was destroyed by strong wind.

This is a win-win employment relationship. Everybody feel happy.

We also interviewed a few employers who have kids. Most of them have happy employment experience. Employers said that employing a maid is a benifit to live in Singapore. As raising a child become more enjoyable, and they will have more time to spend with their kids. Because the maid can help them to take care of the house works.

In fact, every bride has her own unique idea of what a Maid of Honor should be. Which is fine – the trick is in communicating those ideas!

So what does a Maid of Honor do? On one end of the spectrum, she is a ceremonial figure who steps off the plane and walks down the aisle before the other bridesmaids.

On the other, she is a master of precognition who soothes your nerves before you know you are frazzled, helps you send out your invites, manages the bridesmaids, spreads the word on your registry, and offers up her thoughts on everything from the venue to the dress.

Most often, the Maid of Honor is somewhere in the middle. She leads the bachelorette party and/or bridal shower, and tries to be there for the bride during the planning process, and the ceremony itself.

All this flexibility leaves a lot of room for misunderstandings. And they happen a lot. The world is full of brides who feel hurt and let down by close friends as the big day draws near. Do you want to be one of them? Of course not!

So here are some tips on choosing – and communicating with – your Maid of Honor for minimum stress, and maximum happiness.

1) Define what you really want. Are you a do-it-yourself bride, or do you want your Maid of Honor to be your right hand all the way through?

If you are high-maintenance, accept and acknowledge it. Pick someone who can truly be there for you, and let them know exactly what you want. If you don not know anyone with that much time or energy to give, think about finding help elsewhere. Is your fiance an active participant? Can your mother do more? Maids of Honor are not supposed to be wedding co-planners … unless they really, really want to be!

2) Tell her what you really want.

More than one bride has shed tears because a Maid of Honor could not read her mind. For example: many brides wish their Maids of Honor could give a little speech at the reception, but never get around to asking them. If it is important to you, talk about it!

3) It does not have to be family.

Never feel you have to make a sister or other family your Maid of Honor. If your best friend is a loyal trooper who goes with you on all the errands, choose her. She deserves it.

4) Pick someone local if you need a lot of help.

No one can do much from 3000 miles away, no matter how badly she wants to.

5) Be realistic; look at past performance.

Weddings are exciting. People are human. When everything is new and you have just announced your plans, lots of people will offer to help. But not everyone will manage to follow through.

Who came through for you before the wedding? Who actually managed to rearrange their schedules to be with you, even when inconvenient? These are the people to rely on. No matter how exciting your plans, they would not make an overcommitted person more available to you. Avoid the trap of asking such a person because you think your wedding will be important enough for them to change their ways, and you will avoid all the stress and hardship of a disappointing Maid of Honor.

6) Be realistic; look at her life ahead.

No matter what a treasure your Maid of Honor is, she has limits, too. Is she expecting a new baby? Is she working through a divorce? If these things slow her down, which they probably will, can you pick up the slack without feeling disappointed?

7) Consider more than one Maid of Honor if you just can not decide.

But keep in mind, this can cause problems too. Can your Maids of Honor divide responsibilities, communicate well and avoid feelings of jealousy?

Now that you have chosen, honor your Maid of Honor with a little sign of how special she is to you. Take her out to a day spa, or go together to have your hair done before the ceremony. Pick out a dress for her that is a different color from the other bridesmaids, or order her a bouquet with some special touches. She deserves it!

Follow these tips, and you will be the bride who spends that all-important day surrounded by loving, warm friends at their ease. Could anything be better?

The wage was set based on the discussion with the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, the TKI Service Company and distribution agent in Singapore. The wage of Sin$350 was considered as the most appropriate for increasing TKI’s welfare in Singapore. The amount is also considered as quite competitive with other countries which also procure workers. The Philippines, for example, asks for a minimum wage of US$400 .

According to Jumhur, Sin$280 wages has been effective for more than 10 years. Many TKIs complained about wages that are not sufficient. Now, all proposals of employees request must follow the new provisions. “We won’t send workers if the provisions are not followed,” he said.

The government will also set a new minimum wage for TKI in Saudi Arabia. The amount, previously 600 riyal, will become 800 riyal per month. “A six hundred riyal wage has been effective for more than 20 years,” he said.

The Migrant Care’s Policy Analyst, Wahyu Susilo, is of the opinion that the policy is too one-sided as it does not involve Singapore. He was concerned that Singapore will look for workers from other countries. “There are still other countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, with the wages less than ours,” he said.

I hope my daughter will be able to accept her departure. I know it is going to be tough for them. – Concerned mother

Your 10-year-old daughter is very close to your domestic helper. She will surely miss her when her caregiver leaves for home in four months.

For starters, you can reassure your daughter that she is very much loved and cared for by her own family. You must also acknowledge her sadness and reluctance in parting with someone who has cared for her all these years.

Your daughter may have feelings of fear and worry when the maid leaves. She will feel helpless and wonder who will be her confidante when she needs one. To help her ease her anxiety and cope with this stress, you must start to draw closer to her. Build on your mother-daughter relationship to strengthen her from within. She needs to know that you can be her friend as well as her mother.

Talk to your daughter about the changes to expect when the maid leaves. As you help your maid prepare to leave for home, you can also help your daughter to prepare for what lies ahead. She may want to do up her own room or set up a new schedule with you. With good planning, there will surely be fewer disruptions to the family routines. This way, your daughter will feel more confident with the changes.

Share with your daughter what kind of adjustments everyone in the family will be making. You can also talk about your feelings. As she gains more awareness of the impending separation, she will find it easier to cope when she has to say goodbye.

Your daughter may get angry and upset when she finds out that the maid will be leaving soon. Do not berate her for expressing her feelings; let her know that she can express them. Reassure her that you are prepared to hear her out whenever she needs a listening ear. If her anger turns violent or hurtful towards others, you may want to be firm with her.

Encourage your daughter to be independent and responsible. At 10 years of age, she would have developed many skills that she can contribute to the family. Assign some special duties for her to do in family routines. Before your maid leaves, you will do well to encourage your daughter to do certain tasks at home. Praise her when she does well and is responsible for the duties entrusted to her. Tell her it is a tribute to your maid who has done a good job in her care-providing.

You can help your daughter say goodbye to your maid by creating happy memories together. Since the school holidays are around the corner, plan to do something fun together. Your primary school age child will be able to give you many interesting ideas that can bring cheer to all in the family, especially your maid.

Reassure your daughter that she can still stay in touch with your maid through mail, phone calls and visits. She will feel better when she knows that she can still communicate with her. It is positive to note that they can still remain friends when they are apart.

Your daughter will learn to cope with losing the maid when she gains your support and encouragement. She will be stronger and more self-assured if she has your understanding and unceasing love. Spend more quiet time with her before the maid leaves so that she will find it easier to make the transition.

District Judge Toh Yung Cheong scolded Poh Wednesday for her “callous attitude” toward the 25-year-old maid, The Straits Times said. The abuse took place just four days after Lwin started working at Poh’s condominium.

Lwin was ironing when Poh threw a bundle of clothing on the floor on June 17 and scolded her, the court heard. She then pressed the heated iron on the maid’s forearm twice.

Despite the serious injuries, Toh was particularly galled by Poh’s inaction.

“Instead of obtaining medical treatment or calling for an ambulance, you called the agent to say that you wanted to return the maid,” he said during sentencing.

Poh, 54, could have been jailed for more than five years. Her lawyer said she will appeal against the decision.

Lwin made a police report on June 20.

The contracts will have a service agreement between the maid agency and the maid employer and a second employment contract between the employer and the maid.

Under the agreement, there would be a well defined replacement policy and a fairer refund policy reducing the possibility of disputes.

While the employment contract stipulates the minimum one day off entitlement for the maid in a month, if the day off is not taken, the maid employer would have to compensate the maid in cash.

All employment agencies accredited by the two bodies (Casetrust and Association of Employment Agencies) would have to implement the standard contracts by the 15th of September 2006.

Having worked in Singapore for close to 37 years, Lucy is the Filipino maid who has worked here the longest.

She told this reporter that Singapore is like her home, “I feel that my roots are in Singapore.”

Yesterday was International Migrants Day. Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), a group concerned about the welfare of maids, organized a sports day at the Queenstown Stadium for foreign maids and workers. The group also presented certificates to three maids from the Philippines and Indonesia who have worked here for more than 20 years.

Lucy said, “It was a friend who invited me to work in Singapore. I am very happy working here and very quickly fell in love with Singapore. I never thought of returning to the Philippines.”

Lucy’s employer Anne and her family hail from the US. Yesterday, Anne, her husband and two daughters were at Queenstown Stadium to show support for Lucy and share her joy at winning the award.

Yesterday more than 3,000 maids and foreign workers enjoyed a morning of sports and songs. TWC2 arranged a series of games like street football as well as very entertaining songs and dances.

TWC2 Vice-President John Gee said the response to the event was very enthusiastic. Although the Sports Day started at 8 am, people arrived as early as 6 am.

All the maids and foreign workers who attended the event received a gift pack and were treated to lunch.

Mr Gee said, “Since the response has been so enthusiastic, we hope to organize a similar event next year to encourage foreign workers and maids, provide an opportunity for them to relax and mix with their fellow countrymen and women.”

Yesterday quite a few maids were accompanied by their employer’s family.

Fifty-four year old civil servant Mr Zheng Wenshan was at the stadium to support his maid Engka, 60, who received a long service award yesterday. He said that she has worked with his family for 20 years and is now a part of the family.

About two weeks ago, an international organization Human Rights watch released a report that charged Singapore with not protecting the rights of foreign maids thus exposing them to harassment and abuse and in Singapore.

Zheng said that such accusations were not fair to Singapore employers, a majority of whom got along well with their maid. Only a minority abused their maid.

He said: “Look! How happy everybody here is today. The maids are enjoying themselves. Many employers have made the effort to be part of the event. These show that the accusations of Human Rights Watch are not true.”

Last night, NTUC Migrant Workers Forum in conjunction with HOME organized a fund-raising cultural event. Some five to six hundred maids and foreign workers were invited to watch the show and some of them also took to the stage to perform.

In his opening speech, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Chairman of NTUC Migrant Workers Forum, said that NTUC cared about the welfare of migrant workers and would not permit any violation of their welfare or any form of abuse.

Presently Singapore has more than 500,000 foreign workers on work permits. Of these, 150,000 are maids and 135,000 are construction workers.

The minimum monthly salary set by the Philippines Overseas Labour Office (Polo) takes effect on Dec 15. The minimum age set for the maids is 25 years.

However, this has drawn flak from Malaysian employment agencies. They say the current minimum wage for a Filipino maid is US$200 (RM715).

“The 100% increase is too high and unrealistic,” they added.

There are an estimated 20,000 Filipino maids in Malaysia and about 30 employment agencies are involved in the recruitment of these maids.

Josephus B. Jimenez, the Philippine Embassy labour attache here, said in a letter to all domestic maid agencies that Filipino household workers now had to attend and complete an orientation course on work policies and their responsibilities.

The letter also stated that the domestic workers should be treated humanely while under the custody of their employers.

A leading maid agency owner, Mona Lee, said most agencies were upset over the high increase in the minimum salary.

“Any increase should be based on the performance of the maid. They (Polo) just cannot arbitrarily fix a rate and expect every employer to follow it,” argued Lee, a former president of the Association for Filipino Domestic Maids Agencies.

“Most maid agencies are rejecting the increase and employers have expressed their objections as well.

“Some employers are not even paying the current US$200 salary stipulated by Polo.”

She added that the unnecessary increase would encourage more maids from the Philippines to enter the country without proper documents.

Another agent who had been bringing in Filipino maids for the past 20 years felt the increase was too high and unrealistic.

“This may encourage Filipino women to come into the country as tourists and be employed as maids at a lower salary,” he added.

She has worked in Singapore for the same family for two decades, looking after their three children. Sindayen enjoys good work conditions compared to other maids in Singapore, earning twice the average salary.

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She talks about her typical day:

5.30am: I prepare breakfast for (13-year-old) Darshini.

Then, I start work proper. I sweep the driveway and water the plants in the garden. I’ll have my breakfast afterwards. Following that, I wash the clothes – some of which must be hand-washed. Then, I make the children’s beds.

I don’t mind working hard for the children – I love the children and treat them like my very own. They are the reason why I remained working in Singapore for this long. When I first arrived in 1986, I missed home so much I cried almost every day.

1pm: I prepare lunch for Darshini, before she returns from school. After that, I do some ironing. I’m so used to it that I don’t feel tired, despite working more than six hours straight. It is a hard job, but I am happy.

I think now of Singapore as my second home. The circumstances are much better in Singapore – I’m paid S$600 (RM1,390), about five times as much as what I earned as a production controller in a semi-conductor factory back in the Philippines.

The money I send back – about 50% of my salary – has paid for my younger siblings’ school fees.

Some of my friends don’t get a day off, but they need it to unwind and relax. If not, the frustration and anger gets bottled up and they might snap. I am lucky because my employer is one of the few who give their maids a day off every Sunday.

6pm: I start preparing dinner for my employers. I try to cook a few spicy dishes at every meal. My employers are Indian.

8-9pm: I wash up after dinner. At 9pm, I’m usually done for the day. The house is clean and I get to sneak a few peeks at the television, if time permits.

I also ring my mother back home – I’m very close to her.

I still miss my family immensely. I saw them only four times in the last 20 years. My mother constantly asks me to return to be with them. My parents are old … They need me.

10.30pm: I’m a staunch Catholic, so I always end the day reciting the rosary and saying a prayer. I pray that God will bless my family, my employers and me.

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