How much would it cost you if your domestic worker had a cup of coffee once in a while? Bella Yip, a Hong Kong columnist who writes for Sky Post on beauty issues, said she was puzzled when she heard an employer complain to friends in a restaurant that she was unhappy because she had spent around HK$5,000 (US$635) on coffee that her domestic worker had consumed during her employment, thinking the maid did not deserve having that much money spent on her.
But the maid in question had been working for that employer for 10 years.
Yip said she was not surprised that some people in Hong Kong with this kind of mentality – some people are mean, they are ungenerous, and they count every single cent they spend on other people, whether a domestic worker, a colleague or even a family member.
But Yip said she believed that if only you are nice to others, then most people will be nice to you in return.
Your domestic worker is the one who takes care of your children, keeps your house clean and tidies when you are busy at work, so she deserves to be treated well.
If a couple of bucks spent on coffee could make them feel good and full of energy, why does the employer need to be so stingy?
To give is always better than to take – it’s the win-win situation of a mutual relationship.
Yip advised employers not to expect domestic workers to treat them well unless they evaluate themselves to see whether they are generous enough to their maids.
Hope those greedy employers realized that helpers have their food allowances. Why not give the food allowances to helpers and let them spend their money for food the way they wanted? I have friends whose employers are very tight in their food budget for $300-$400/week? And have their helpers eat of what was left after they have eaten, if there’s any.. It’s a shame, its like.. the family is the one spending for most of the helper’s food allowance. Try treating your helpers kindly, your family will benefit more than what you have rendered
I agree of this some of the employers are really mean when it comes to money and food they really calculate how much the budget in the contract and thats the only amount that the helper can use for her food.
Do good things to others and better things will go back to you unexpectedly..
Sometimes even though we are doing our best, most employers dont notice it…What is in their mind is" Helpers are paid so they need to work hard."
Bec. we are paid, if possible no single sec will be wasted…They should bear in minds that we are also tired, need a break even a couple of minutes, sit down for a while to rest the legs.."Dont sit down…Find work"…Those were the words I heard from my employer’s mother..
So I just smiled at her and find something to do…As what they say, comply before you complain..
Honestly, I really appreciate employers who are respectful and generous to their helpers. There should always be a very good relationship in terms of work between employer and helper…Helpers also should love their work, not just work because of money but with love and honesty…
Thumbs up maam for youre kindness of how my co domestic helpers situation i salute you
love begets love.
Very well said madam Yip????
And thank you for the love and corcens
to all domestic helper like me..
And yes indeed.Im so glad too!and im very greatful that I had a very generous employer both of them.They treated me as a family.and yet though they are having a simple life..I cant thank you enough to them for their humbleness and perseverance.
do not employ maid to work for you if u cant afford to buy their needs.we have saying"if u treat other good,u will recieved good in return"..we are willing to work hard than what u expect if are good employer.nakqkatamad magtrabaho kung wala manlang pakonswelo!lalo yong amo na gusto eh favor lahat sakanya,how about us?we need to eat to get energy too!
You know what.. a helper does a lot of things inside your home. Imagine yourself without one and im definitely sure that you will be miserable. The helper manages everything in your home where you can just relax, eat and soundly sleep. Most of us are being discriminated in this city, that makes me feel so sad sometimes. Yes you are very rich but that doesnt give you the right to abuse (either way) or treat us badly. We are being paid for the services rendered but we dint sell our souls to you. Respect begets respect. Of course, in every basket there will always be rotten one.. same with you hk people.
Thank you miss Bella Yip! How I wish all emplyers have that kind of mentality like yours. Anyway my boss n his family are so generous. We drink star buck coffee everyday and I consider them as a blessing to me.
Very very true
that’s why this is to be "FOOD ALLOWANCE PLUS MAW SALARY THAT IS THE MONTHLY SALARY OF ALL DH IN H ERE HK."so many employers are so DUMP of FOOD SHARING.much better food allowance 1,053+ monthly salary 4,410=5,063 iyan dapat ang salary ng konyang hk.
Super na employer kwentada ang nainom na kape ni kunyang hahaha paka stingy nga.
Yes its true…once employer treated us , as family member we do same.We treat them with respect, love and care.In this employer ~helper relationship creat a happy living environment edpecially to young children.
My boss once made an issue about my request to go home for my sister ‘s funeral. She said why I should go since I havent finish my contract yet.This irk me since in 3 yrs I work with her family and she used most of my day off for free..Doing free tutorial for her son and some favour for her.
very well said maam.Thank you….
Some attitude of employers they think they are the only people who are entitled to eat nice food and only spare their maids of their leftovers and yet they think they are better than others and still complain with little amount of money they spend for their maids
Thats true maam,big check ,you have a big heart godbless your family and more blessings!
Employers who count every single cents to their helper could give food allowance as stated in the contract…that’s more acceptable in our part as a helper
Definitely true, thank you ma’am
Actually most employwr her in HK always counting on things they give to theie house maid, not even thinking what are things we also injure for them,, 1. Overtime work,, most employer even if it’s off day they still want their house maid to work in the morning b4 goibg out for a day off, after a day off night we still work before going to sleep., some they try to cheat on those stat. Holidays that house maids anr supposed to have a break, late salary… late time of sleep… wake so early,, more and more patience to elderly living together at home,naughty kids calling us stupid or crazy no respect to the helper cause that’s what they saw to their parents,,when employers are stress at work house maid is always the no.1 stress consumer… foods are not enough we even buy our foods from our salary coz they don’t give the food allowance.., employer thinks that if they give noodles as our food it we are bless already.., and thjnk that they are good employer already… most hk employers are just takers… shame on that employer complaing about the money she spent for coffee….
Very relate on your cment sis…..its happening to me…feeding their kids while they are eating…me …waiting like a dog…if my boss when to spare foids for me…..shamefull