Hiring a Maid in the Philippines
It's very common for expatriate households to have a live in maid and it's certainly very affordable to have domestic help in the Philippines. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay around P3000 per month for a maid and around P5000 for a nanny. She will also be eating your food and you should budget for this in your grocery bill.
If you're work life is hectic, a maid can make your life so much easier. Household chores become a thing of the past and you're home life will be well managed by choosing the right domestic helper. You'll always have a clean shirt to wear, always have food in the fridge and the house will be clean.
It's important to make it clear what will be expected of her right from the start to avoid any misunderstanding later on. Maids will often become a part of the family and it's vital to make the right choice. Some maids, particularly younger ones, may take advantage of you by making excessive use of your telephone for example. However, you should try to be understanding as they may be homesick. You should give your domestic staff at least one day off per week and this should be carefully discussed before they commencement of their employment.
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A maid will be your advisor on local customs, pay your bills on time so you don't have to worry about them, wash your clothes, guard your house while you are away... they are truly indispensable and the cost benefit ratio is significant.
However, there are disadvantages and risks. If you choose the wrong maid, she might steal from you. She may even let people into the house while you are away... but don't let this put you off as there are plenty of honest, hard working and loyal maids around.
Maids are easy enough to find. You could try advertising in the local supermarket of use a local agent.
It is a very good idea to have your staff examined by a doctor before committing to employing them. Typical tests will include parasites and a chest x-ray for tuberculosis and the employer absorbs the cost of the medical. It is also advisable to repeat the tests annually and it's best done when they return from their annual leave.
Note also that your domestic staff will all need to be issued with ID from your gated community/apartment building and the security staff familiarised with them as security guards are often very vigilant.
Hiring a Driver
Many expatriates choose to employ a driver in the Philippines. A local driver will know the rules of the road, have good local knowledge, can translate for you, absorb the stress of driving on congested roads, maintain your vehicle and keep it clean, even act as a kind of bodyguard.
Expect to pay around P7000 for a driver. It's preferable to have the driver live with you so he will always be there to pick you up on time and if you choose a live in driver, make sure you give him separate quarters to give the maid some privacy.
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